This song marked one of the very few times when I believe the public at large got it right. Not only was this song the biggest hit of 2007, it was one of the best of 2007. It reached #1 in 25 countries. It spent six weeks at #1 in the US, the 2nd longest of the year, and 10 weeks in the UK, the longest of the decade so far. Ladies and gentlemen, the #1 pick for Trey's Top Songs of 2007 is...


"Umbrella"- Rihanna featuring Jay-Z
Writers: Jay-Z, Tricky Stewart, The-Dream
Producers: Tricky Stewart, The-Dream

Like it or not, this song was everyone, and it deserved to be. This song broke Rihanna out of dance-pop starlet and into international superstardom. Like I said last year, she has a knack for picking really good songs that work well for her limited range. I've said that a great song doesn't need a singer with a huge range, and "Umbrella" is the perfect example. Mark my words: this will go down as one of the greatest pop songs ever.

Writer: Brooke Fraser
Producer: Marshall Altman

Some of these songs, especially the ones in the upper portion of this list, generated a lot of buzz, particularly online. Sometimes, there are songs that go completely under the radar. While songs from artists from the US, the UK, Canada, Sweden, France, etc. get attention, lots of good music get overlooked, such as the most played song in 2007 in a country of only a few million people.

New Zealand singer Brooke Fraser provides this example. Her songs tend to have a spiritual meaning behind them, which doesn't fit well among most of today's hits for obvious reasons. Still, she made a beautifully-sung, exquisitely-crafted, powerful song. Plus, this has got to be one of my favorite videos of '07. Any video that uses a diverse cast gets a thumbs up from me, but this one goes above and beyond expectations.

Writer: M.I.A.
Producers: M.I.A. with contributions from Switch

Before I begin, sorry for the long time between posts.

Word is that M.I.A. intended on making her second album Kala with producers such as Timbaland, Lil Jon, and Akon; however, she had problems getting a visa from the US government (possibly due to her ties to the Tamil Tigers). Instead, she traveled around the world and incorporated various sounds from her journey onto her album. From what I've found, she uses Tamil prayer drums on this song, which is just insane. She says she called it "Bird Flu", because in her words, "this beat gon' kill everyone". While the beat didn't kill everyone, it helped generate a lot of buzz for Kala. The lyrics are difficult to decipher, but I did find this blog entry a long while ago that does a much better job of explaining them than I ever could.

Writers: Justice
Producers: Justice

French electro-house duo Justice owned 2007 with their album † (pronounced "cross"). This song-- a tribute to Michael Jackson--had the internet going nuts last spring. Also, this was one of the most talked-about videos of the year. There's not much I can say that can do this song justice. Just watch/listen.

Writer: Kanye West
Producers: Kanye West, DJ Toomp

Most of the buzz preceding Graduation was due to "Stronger", so when I was on the lookout for that, I came across "Can't Tell Me Nothing". At first, I was disappointed, and it didn't really do anything for me. A few months later, I finally got the song. The beat, which samples a Young Jeezy song and has vocals from Australian electronica group Sneaky Sound System's Connie Mitchell, is okay, but the magic lies in the lyrics. The song is pretty much about new rappers dealing with fame. From frivolous spending to acting cocky, you "can't tell [him] nothing".


Writer: Thomas Bangalter, Edward Birdsong, Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, Kanye West
Producers: Kanye West with contributions from Timbaland and Mike Dean

While strength of "Can't Tell Me Nothing" lies in its lyrics, the strength of "Stronger" (no pun intended) lies in the beat. While the lyrics are okay, the beat does the heavy lifting. It samples Daft Punk's "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" and adds a ridiculous amount of bass courtesy of Timbaland. The song is catchy, but it's best to let the beat work its magic on you.

Writers: Amerie, Rich Selton, Loren Hill, Kevin Venney, Isaac Hayes, and David Porter
Producers: One Up

I've realized that, in my humble opinion, most of today's R&B listeners wouldn't know good music if it came up, pimp-slapped them, and said "Where's my money at?". Kelis was dropped from her record label, but someone allowed Keyshia Cole and her goat-like vibrato and hoodrat antics to make another album. I've had to suffer through Beyonce's half-a**ed songs since 2006, which some blogs I read have praised. Those same bloggers also panned Amerie's new album Because I Love It (which has been released everywhere but the US because SonyBMG have their heads too far up their a**es), because it's different. She expands her DC go-go sound--that Beyonce took and "made her own"--to incorporate aspects of '60s soul and '80s pop, and creates what several have called the best R&B album, and one of the best overall albums of 2007.

The lyrics of "Gotta Work" may not be the best, but they work well for this song. The positive lyrics allow the beat to do most of the heavy-lifting. The beat, which pretty much turns Sam & Dave's "Hold On, I'm Coming" into a go-go song, is freaking amazing. Seriously, I dare you to close your door, close your blinds, play this song, and resist dancing like a fool. I can see why people would call out the similarities to "1 Thing", but that certainly isn't a bad thing.

FYI: Word is that Amerie is working on new songs with The Neptunes, and plans to release an American version of Because I Love It this year.

Writers: Kish Mauve
Producers: Kish Mauve

2007 marked the year that Kylie Minogue got back on the grind after treatment for breast cancer. After a tour of Australia and the UK, she finished working on 10th album X. Although there aren't any songs that shed light to her experience with cancer, the album is full of some serious bangers. "2 Hearts" was written by new London-based electro band Kish Mauve, and I have to agree with the reviewers when they say it sounds like a Goldfrapp song. Even I have to admit she looks like Alison Goldfrapp in the video. Still, that's not necessarily a bad thing. It works well for her, and she delivers.

Writer: David McCabe
Producer: Mark Ronson

When I first heard of producer/DJ Mark Ronson, he release an album in 2003 full of a sound that made me feel he was trying too hard to be different. Nothing wrong with being different, but it just didn't sound right. Fast forward 4 years, and he released an album of cover songs with a new sound: a mix of soul, funk, and ska. As I mentioned, this a cover a song originally done by The Zutons. While the original has a rock sound, this version has a '60's soul vibe. Amy Winehouse does have her issues, but you can't deny her talent. Her voice fits this song so well, which is saying something since the song is about someone wanting to get back together with flaky girl named Valerie. If you don't find this song awesome, you definitely need your ears cleaned.

Writers: Klas Åhlund, Robyn
Producer: Klas Åhlund

Souljah Boy, Hurricane Chris, Shop Boyz, et. al., please use this song to take notes on how to make a novelty song that's good. Although Swedish singer Robyn isn't much of a rapper (much like y'all), she fills this song with so many quotable lines, it's simultaneously funny and not funny. I personally love "I'm so very hot that when I rob your mansion, you ain't callin' the cops, you call the fire station". Also, notice how she's not taking herself as seriously as y'all; in a way, she's in on the joke, which prevents her from becoming one like y'all. I wouldn't classify this song as hip-hop, but please do the genre a favor and use this song to make a listenable novelty song.


Writers: Peter Bjorn and John
Producer: Bjorn Yttling

Okay, I'm sure you've heard part of this song on a TV show or a commercial. Swedish band Peter Bjorn and John has created one of the most insanely catchy songs in a while. Seriously, I'd do the whistling part so much if I could whistle. Pretty much, the song is about 2 people who are starting a relationship; it highlights their excitement for the future and hesitation due to the past, then goes on to say all that matters is just those 2. It's refreshing to know that an insanely catchy song can still be a well-crafted pop song.