2007 - "Someone Great" - LCD Soundsystem

Although initially cold-sounding, this is a very human song and a grower, written about the death of James Murphy’s therapist. The hypnotic synths are offset by the hearts on sleeve lyrics and a bittersweet melody. Best use ever of xylophone in a pop song. 

A throwback to the early 80s, like tossing Bowie, New Order & The Human League in a blender. 

Other favourites from 2007: 

"Shut Up and Drive" – Rihanna

"Rollercoaster" – Major Maker

"North American Scum" - LCD Soundsystem

2006 - "Sorry" - Madonna

Sorry for taking so long to share music from the material girl. I was just too into the groove, then frozen and hung up on which track to pick.

Surprisingly melancholy for such a fast song, Madonna shows off her multilingual skills  expressing that she's sorry.

Other favourites from 2006: 

"Boy From School" – Hot Chip

"When I Go" – Emancipator 

"Acceptable in the 80s" – Calvin Harris 

"When You Were Young" – The Killers 

"Young Folks" – Peter Bjorn and John

2005 - "Suicidewinder" - Ridley Bent

2005 top track: Ridley Bent's debut album Blam! is a 'hick-hop' masterpiece, the improbable fusion of country and hip-hop. 

Halifax's genre-bending, guitar-slingin' demon takes us along on his benders with the wrong side of the law. "Suicidewinder" is a tour de force of gritty story-telling with a badass singalong chorus. 

Shout-out to Johnny M in North Van (not on FB) for this find. 

Other favourites from 2005: 

"Dayvan Cowboy" – Boards of Canada

"Tribulations" – LCD Soundsystem

"Feel Good Inc." – Gorillaz

"Here It Goes Again" – OK Go

"Another Nite Another Love" - Jay Jay Johanson

2004 - "Somebody Told Me" - The Killers

New wave came back, baby! The most British band that never was, these lads from Las Vegas are the reincarnation of their 80s influences, a veritable blender of Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, New Order and The Cure. 

The urgent "Somebody Told Me" is a juggernaut, a shot of adrenaline with relentless hooks and an unstoppable, runaway chorus.

Other favourites from 2004: 

"Boulevard of Broken Dreams" – Green Day 

"Alert Status Red" - Matthew Good Band

"Smile Like You Mean It" - The Killers

"Sunrise" – Duran Duran 

"She Will Be Loved" – Maroon 5 

2003 - "Clocks" - Coldplay

A dazzling piano riff circles and crests. A short and wistful chorus follows reflective verses. I often sing the lyric: "Am I a...part of The Cure, or am I a part of The Police..."

Soon after I started running in 2002, the mid-tempo and rhythmic "Clocks" became an instant fave. The epic key change in the bridge always gave me an extra gear. A magnificent track. 

Other favourites from 2003:

"Mr. Brightside" – The Killers 

"Weapon" – Matthew Good 

"Seven Nation Army" - The White Stripes

"We Used to be Friends" – The Dandy Warhols 

"The Truth Is No Words" – The Music 

"The Sound of Muzak" - Porcupine Tree