Best Songs of 2008

Much like my Best of 2007, this mix evolved out of my of-its-time Best of 2008 mix for MC Squared. Well, that plus a couple other annual recaps, including one documenting 2007.

Why 2007? Well, a few of these songs—the first two and one close to the end—come from digital or limited releases from the that year. Which gets at something I do not think I have ever addressed in these preambles: the fluid nature of release dates. Often the problem has to do with the country of origin, and the music’s difficulty reaching U.S. ears in a timely manner. In other instances, the artist self- or locally releases a record in small quantities, only to see it get picked up later by a label (indie or major). Once we hit the mid-aughts, the confusion could be around a digital versus a physical release.

What is my rubric, then? In general, I try to stick with when the song was first released, but I make some exceptions, either to make sense of when the song or artist first rose to my attention, or to tie a lead single to its eventual release on a proper album, or to better fit it within my sense of time. Time is a bit of a construct, after all. Is a song released on December 31 all that different than one released on the following day? No, but my list-making mind might disagree.

Saying time is fluid may not be the best analogy. I think time is more like taffy: you can stretch it and spin it and put it back together, but in the end, what doesn’t stick to your fingers will melt away in your mouth. Which is a weird way of saying that this list did not feel that old when last year I began compiling it into its new 100-track form, but now, at the end of 2018, these songs definitely feel like they are a decade old.

The ones that feel oldest are the ones now lost to time. The 2000s were a decade when digital music wasn’t just illegally traded on file sharing sites and apps, or legally downloaded from iTunes and others. For me, a music fan, it was acquired from blogs, and as the decade wore on, those blogs, foreshadowing the content wars of today’s internet, began to generate original songs from the artists they covered.

So, like a handful of years that preceded this one, you cannot listen to the entirety of this mix on any streaming service, and you probably never will. Which means you cannot hear Mobius Band’s electropop version of Neil Young’s folksy “Razor Love,” or Santigold, Julian Casablancas and N.E.R.D. bouncing through “My Drive Thru.” Nor can you enjoy mash-up pioneers The Hood Internet—remember mash-ups?—whose work broke too many laws.

For all I know, you can still find these songs out there somewhere, like how earlier this year I found the rest of a Huey Lewis tribute from which I had ever only heard the track featured here, but more than likely, you will just have to wait until I can share with you this mix in person one day. Maybe when I do, you will allow me also to share my memories associated with these songs, how ten years on I can still place myself in space and time when, where and why I first heard so many of them.

For these year-end lists, I like to undertake the seemingly impossibly task of creating an hours-long mix. The order you see below represents that effort, which you can listen to via Spotify and Apple Music. Sadly all 100 tracks aren't available—just 5 short!—but you get the general idea. Track notes to come eventually or maybe never.

Show Grid

Kids

MGMT

Oracular Spectacular

Columbia
via TK library: 7/13/2008

October 2007 digital release
I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You

Black Kids

Partie Traumatic

AlmostGold
via TK library: 9/4/2008

Notes
Feel the Love

Cut Copy

In Ghost Colours

Modular
via TK library: 7/18/2008

Notes
I’ve Got Your Number

Passion Pit

Chunk of Change

Frenchkiss
via TK library: 4/20/2009

Notes
Toe Jam

BPA

Toe Jam

Southern Fried
via TK library: 12/16/2008

digital-only release
My Drive Thru

Santogold, Julian Casablancas, N.E.R.D.

Converse Century

Converse
via TK library: 6/17/2008

digital-only release
American Boy

Estelle featuring Kanye West

Shine

Atlantic
via TK library: 11/21/2010

Notes
When Baby Mamas Collide (Qualo vs Chin Up Chin Up)

The Hood Internet

The Hood Internet vs Chicago

self-released
via TK library: 6/4/2008

digital-only release
Kim & Jessie

M83

Saturdays = Youth

Mute
via TK library: 6/11/2011

Notes
Last November

Lackthereof

Your Anchor

Barsuk
via TK library: 7/23/2008

Notes
One Day Like This

Elbow

The Seldom Seen Kid

Fiction
via TK library: 4/25/2008

Notes
You’ll Need Those Fingers for Crossing

Los Campesinos!

We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed

Arts & Crafts
via TK library: 10/14/2008

Notes
Run to Your Grave

The Mae Shi

Hillyh

Moshi Moshi
via TK library: 2/9/2009

Notes
Little Bit

Lykki Li

Youth Novels

LL Recordings
via TK library: 8/8/2008

Notes
Little Black Sandals

Sia

Some People Have Real Problems

Hear Music
via TK library: 1/21/2008

Notes
Shadows of Lies

Joseph Arthur

Could We Survive

Lonely Astronaut
via TK library: 3/18/2008

Notes
Sweet Darlin’

She & Him

Volume One

Merge
via TK library: 3/18/2008

Notes
No One Does It Like You

Department of Eagles

In Ear Park

4AD
via TK library: 10/14/2008

Notes
Keep Your Eyes Ahead

The Helio Sequence

Keep Your Eyes Ahead

Sub Pop
via TK library: 4/5/2008

Notes
Good Lies

The Notwist

The Devil, You + Me

Domino
via TK library: 7/13/2008

Notes
Cath…

Death Cab for Cutie

Narrow Stairs

Atlantic
via TK library: 5/14/2008

Notes
Mr. Richards

R.E.M.

Accelerate

Warner Bros.
via TK library: 4/1/2008

Notes
Profanity Prayers

Beck

Modern Guilt

DGC
via TK library: 7/8/2008

Notes
Razor Love

Mobius Band

Love Will Reign Supreme

self-released
via TK library: 2/14/2008

digital-only release
We’re Looking for a Lot of Love

Hot Chip

Made in the Dark

Astralwerks
via TK library: 3/18/2008

Notes
Possibly Maybe

Final Fantasy & Ed Droste

Enjoyed: A Tribute to Björk’s Post

Stereogum
via TK library: 4/5/2008

digital-only release
Poor Me

Eugene Francis Jnr

The Golden Beatle

Legion Presents
via TK library: 10/21/2008

Notes
The Devil’s Crayon

Wild Beasts

Limbo Panto

Domino
via TK library: 9/16/2012

Notes
Young Love

Mystery Jets featuring Laura Marling

Twenty One

101
via TK library: 11/21/2010

Notes
The Smartest Man Alive

The Broken West

Now or Heaven

Merge
via TK library: 9/17/2008

Notes
Can You Tell

Ra Ra Riot

The Rhumb Line

Barsuk
via TK library: 12/2/2008

Notes
Said So What

French Kicks

Swimming

Vagrant
via TK library: 5/17/2008

Notes
My Only Offer

Mates of State

Re-Arrange Us

Barsuk
via TK library: 6/20/2008

Notes
Letters

Marching Band

Spark Large

U&L
via TK library: 10/14/2008

Notes
If This Is It

Throw Me the Statue

Are You Still With Me?!

self-released
via TK library: 6/29/2008

digital-only release
We Didn’t Start the Fire

The Forms

Guilt By Association Vol. 2

Engine Room
via TK library: 11/24/2008

digital-only release
Jump in the Pool

Friendly Fires

Friendly Fires

XL Recordings
via TK library: 1/21/2009

Notes
Single Fins & Safety Pins

Japanese Motors

Japanese Motors

Vice
via TK library: 1/2/2009

Notes
Every Summer

U.S. Royalty

Digital EP

self-released
via TK library: 4/11/2009

digital-only release
Miles Davis & The Cool

The Gaslight Anthem

The ’59 Sound

SideOneDummy
via TK library: 8/27/2008

Notes
Use Somebody

Kings of Leon

Only By the Night

RCA
via TK library: 10/28/2008

Notes
Viva la Vida

Coldplay

Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends

Capitol
via TK library: 9/16/2012

Notes
Set You Free

Frightened Rabbit

Guilt by Association Vol. 2

Engine Room
via TK library: 11/24/2008

digital-only release
Punctual As Usual

The Parson Red Heads

King Giraffe

Yukon
via TK library: 2/11/2013

Notes
Silvery Sleds

Army Navy

Nick & Nora’s Infinite Playlist

Atlantic
via TK library: 10/8/2008

Notes
In a Cave

Tokyo Police Club

Elephant Shell

Saddle Creek
via TK library: 3/18/2008

Notes
The Grey Estates

Wolf Parade

At Mount Zoomer

Sub Pop
via TK library: 4/23/2009

Notes
I’m Amazed

My Morning Jacket

Evil Urges

ATO
via TK library: 6/11/2008

Notes
Sometimes

Langhorne Slim

Langhorne Slim

Kemado
via TK library: 4/30/2008

Notes
Changing

The Moondoggies

Don’t Be a Stranger

Hardly Art
via TK library: 9/6/2008

Notes
Right Hand on My Heart

The Whigs

Mission Control

ATO
via TK library: 1/29/2008

Notes
I Woke Up Today

Port O’Brien

All We Could Do Was Sing

City Slang
via TK library: 7/13/2008

Notes
Sitting

White Denim

Exposion

Transmission Entertainment
via TK library: 12/24/2008

Notes
Little Tender Hearts

Listening Party

Who Are We Missing?

self-released
via TK library: 8/8/2008

digital-only release
Fools

The Dodos

Visiter

Frenchkiss
via TK library: 12/17/2008

Notes
Gobbledigook

Sigur Rós

Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust

EMI
via TK library: 12/18/2008

Notes
The Most Beautiful Girl (In the Room)

Flight of the Conchords

Flight of the Conchords

Sub Pop
via TK library: 8/4/2008

Notes
A-Punk

Vampire Weekend

Vampire Weekend

XL Recordings
via TK library: 6/17/2008

Notes
Great DJ

The Ting Tings

We Started Nothing

Columbia
via TK library: 7/13/2008

Notes
L.E.S. Artistes

Santogold

Santogold

Downtown
via TK library: 6/17/2008

Notes
Golden Age

TV on the Radio

Dear Science

4AD
via TK library: 9/4/2008

Notes
Yesterday

Atmosphere

When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold

Rhymesayers Entertainment
via TK library: 9/15/2008

Notes
Royal Flush

Big Boi

Royal Flush

LaFace
via TK library: 9/16/2012

Notes
Fuck Shit Stack

Reggie Watts

Why S#!+ So Crazy?

Comedy Central
via TK library: 4/3/2011

Notes
Machine Gun

Portishead

Third

Mercury
via TK library: 9/10/2009

Notes
Sensual Seduction

Snoop Dogg

Sensual Seduction

Geffen
via TK library: 1/23/2008

Notes
House Jam

Gang Gang Dance

Saint Dymphna

The Social Registry
via TK library: 1/19/2009

Notes
Alice

Pogo

Wonderland

self-released
via TK library: 11/18/2010

digital-only release
I Need a Life (Four Tet Remix)

Born Ruffians

warp.rcrdlbl.com

rcrdlbl
via TK library: 2/11/2009

digital-only release
Big Big Love (Fig. 2)

Foals

Antidote

Sub Pop
via TK library: 4/7/2010

Notes
GfC

Albert Hammond, Jr.

¿Cómo te Llama?

Rough Trade
via TK library: 8/8/2008

Notes
Strange Overtones

David Byrne & Brian Eno

Everything That Happens Will Happen Today

Redeye
via TK library: 9/16/2012

Notes
The Golden State

John Doe featuring Kathleen Edwards

The Golden State

Yep Roc
via TK library: 11/14/2008

Notes
Someone Like You

David Vandervelde

Waiting for the Sunrise

Secretly Canadian
via TK library: 8/27/2008

Notes
Excelsior Lady

The Donkeys

Living on the Other Side

Dead Oceans
via TK library: 4/2/2011

Notes
Somehow (Singlemalt Version)

Ben Kweller

How Ya Lookin’ Southbound? Come In…

ATO
via TK library: 10/7/2008

Notes
I Buried a Bone

Blind Pilot

3 Rounds and a Sound

Expunged
via TK library: 2/10/2009

Notes
A Burden

Horse Feathers

House With No Home

Kill Rock Stars
via TK library: 10/24/2008

Notes
Ring That Bell

Shawn Smith

The Diamond Hand

Sound vs. Silence
via TK library: 12/24/2008

Notes
Acid Tongue

Jenny Lewis

Acid Tongue

Warner Bros.
via TK library: 1/13/2009

Notes
Give a Little Love

Noah and the Whale

Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down

Interscope
via TK library: 12/9/2008

Notes
You’ve Got the Love I Need

Al Green

Lay It Down

Blue Note
via TK library: 2/4/2009

Notes
Keep Marchin’

Raphael Saadiq

The Way I See It

Columbia
via TK library: 1/12/2009

Notes
Phoenix

Valerie June

Mountain of Rose Quartz

self-released
via TK library: 9/15/2013

limited release
Furr

Blitzen Trapper

Furr

Sub Pop
via TK library: 12/21/2008

Notes
Beat (Health, Life, and Fire)

Thao & The Get Down Stay Down

We Brave Bee Stings and All

Kill Rock Stars
via TK library: 5/31/2008

Notes
Write It All Down for You

Elliott Brood

Mountain Meadows

Six Shooter
via TK library: 10/27/2009

Notes
Reservoir Park

The Dutchess and The Duke

She’s The Dutchess, He’s The Duke

Hardly Art
via TK library: 8/8/2008

Notes
Champion Angel

The Low Anthem

Oh My God, Charlie Darwin

Nonesuch
via TK library: 11/10/2011

Notes
Canadian Girl

The Walkmen

You & Me

Gigantic
via TK library: 11/28/2009

Notes
The Gardener

The Tallest Man on Earth

Shallow Grave

Mexican Summer
via TK library: 11/26/2008

Notes
Skinny Love

Bon Iver

For Emma, Forever Ago

Jagjaguwar
via TK library: 3/1/2008

limited self-release in 2007
Another World

Antony & the Johnsons

Another World

Secretly Canadian
via TK library: 11/24/2008

Notes
The Stations

The Gutter Twins

Saturnalia

Sub Pop
via TK library: 4/20/2008

Notes
See These Bones

Nada Surf

Lucky

Barsuk
via TK library: 2/5/2008

Notes
Things Ain’t Like They Used to Be

The Black Keys

Attack & Release

Nonesuch
via TK library: 4/1/2008

Notes
Kiss Me Again

Jessica Lea Mayfield

With Blasphemy So Heartfelt

Polymer Sounds
via TK library: 11/10/2008

Notes
Murder in the City

The Avett Brothers

The Second Gleam

Ramseur
via TK library: 7/23/2008

Notes
Comfort You

Denison Witmer

Covers

self-released
via TK library: 10/8/2008

digital-only release until 2011
Oliver James

Fleet Foxes

Fleet Foxes

Sub Pop
via TK library: 2/25/2008

Notes