Top 10 Songs of 2011: Christina Caldwell

White Denim

So this is the end of 2011, huh? Well, considering around this time next year we're all going to die in some sort of apocalyptic clusterfuck, 2011 was a rather disappointing year for music (even if this was the year we learned Ke$ha has a thing for 'ole Bob Dylan? Who woulda thunk it?) With some exceptions...

MY exceptions. (Just kidding. I'm sure there's some fantastic music I missed this year; feel free to include them in the comments section).

10. Foster the People - "Helena Beat"

I dare you not to dance. I dare you.

9. Kanye West and Jay Z - "Why I Love You"

"Otis" took the spotlight when the collaboration between the two hip hop moguls, Watch the Throne, was first released. But I tend to think this is the highlight of the record... and it's the very last track. It samples heavily from French house duo Cassius' "I <3 U So," which is pretty great in its own right, but West's touch really amps it up to awesome status.

8. The Strokes - "Under Cover of Darkness"

Want some old-school Strokes in 2011? Bam! There you go. The second track on Angles doesn't really sound like anything else on the album... which is a good thing. Overall, the disc was a big disappointment, but Julian Casablancas' gut-busting vocals make this a stand out track

7. Adele - "Rolling in the Deep"

Wow, I'm not really doing much to support independent music so far, am I? Oh well. Yeah, I know you're totally sick of hearing this song, but you can't deny its appeal. Adele has some of the best vocals in modern music, and this song uses every vocal trick in the book.

6. White Denim - "Street Joy"

These are dudes after my own heart. White Denim combines the best parts of the '70s, soul, and rock into one heartbreaking song.