40 of 1001 Songs: M.I.A's Paper Planes

I still associate this song with the Pineapple Express commercials. It was the only place I heard it considering by this point I didn't listen to the radio anymore. If you've only heard it through those commercials, you'll notice that the track sounds a bit different than in the ads. With added gun effects and the use of the word weed instead of seed, it gives a bit of a different effect.

History: Paper Planes was released in 2008. It doesn't seem like that long ago, but it was. The song uses backing tracks like The Clash's Straight to Hell for the unique sound that tones down the dance style of the song. The song would gain a lot of critical success though, and accolades.

It's interesting that Paper Planes was the last single released from the album, Kala. The others were released over the span of 2 years before this one really garnered attention. Understandably, Paper is crafted uniquely and it does have a catchy sound that is hard to pass by if you hear it.

I get the talent of sampling backing tracks in the song ,and making them work in a new song, but for some reason I've never been a huge fan of that. I think this is because I already show preference to different genres where that isn't as popular to do. Knowing the backing track is a sample of another song does take away from it for me.

There are some unique things about the song though. The female vocalist has voicing and a rap that does make it stand out among recent songs released. The song does feel as if it is repeating itself by the end of the 3 minutes though. There is also a lot of sound effects involved like a gun, which also took away from the song for me.

I can understand why people enjoy this song though. It has a unique and even artsy vibe. This isn't a tune you'll turn on the radio to, and hear at anytime either. It marches to it's own beat, and it's gotten recognized for that.

38 of 1001 Songs: Duffy's Mercy

I realized that Duffy might be Kristen Chenoweth in disguise, and I also realized I still like the song today just as much when I heard it in 2008. Sadly, the song and even the artist, Duffy, would get swept under the rug years later in the comparisons to Amy Winehouse, or at least that is what I assume. Personally, I think they were both individually talented.

History: Duffy's second single, Mercy, from the album Rockferry, would have positive notice, but a lot of questionable comparisons as well. This didn't kill the buzz for the song that seemed to be in every commercial it could be fitted into. The song though is catchy, and it's usage of the bass gives it more notice. Duffy also has a very that is recognizable despite comparable counterparts. It was released in 2008, and is just as recognizable song in 2015.

I haven't heard the other songs that Duffy draws close comparison to with this one, but Duffy styles her voicing to keep enough uniqueness to it to stand out. I also think this song became a very popular feminine song. Men can listen to it just as easy, but the voicing and the lyrics provide a feeling of power for women listening. I at least would turn it on for a listen for some power.

The different elements are what make this tune powerful. You have a strong lead singer, and then an arrangement of instrumentals that contribute to the front woman. The opening is arguably the best part though. Every time I hear this song coming on, I can't help but stopping to listen. I think what drove this song to be as prominent as it came to be was the catchy sound.

I don't know if this song will be legendary in a few years. It was a huge chart topper with talent that abounded in it. I don't know if it stands out against some other contemporaries that were also in the music industry at the same time. If I remember, I did listen to this song a good bit when it was released, but slowly just forgot it after a year or so.

36 of 1001 Songs: Amadou and Mariam's Sabali

So I've never heard of the Mali duo, Amadou and Mariam, but I can't say I will ever go back to a time that I didn't listen to them again now. The song, Sabali, was a lot of fun to listen to, and even though I don't speak the same language I loved all the emotion and expression you could hear in their voicing. As the song goes on it picks up even more to sound like something that is beautiful.

History: Mariam and Amadou lost their eye sight at different ages in their lives, but they both know what it was like to one time see. Since losing their sight it seems their voices have become a guide and way to express all the atmospheres and senses from a perspective they've had to adjust to. The group has went on to be Grammy nominated and play at festivals like Lollapalooza. Now while there is much information on this particular song, the duo has accomplished a lot on their own.

34 of 1001 Songs: Fleet Foxes' Mykonos

I remember when I first heard this Fleet Foxes song, I instantly enjoyed it. It's perhaps one of the most relaxing songs I've heard as far as being vocally and instrumentally appealing. It also has this very heavy 60's folk sound that much music claiming to be folk nowadays doesn't have. There are many harmonies and sound in this song that just sound great, and that is about the only way to describe it.

History: So Mykonos is from their EP called "Sun Giant". It would become successful and well reviewed by critics as well. It's one of the few songs I've read about that was released of recent in a 7" inch vinyl. Perhaps the others were that were released in 2009 and up, but I didn't find that. It seems that many enjoy the second half of the track though that changes tempo drastically from the first half.

32 of 1001 Songs: MGMT's Time to Pretend

This is another song I remember listening to a good bit when it was first released. I have to say of the ones I've went back and listened to again though this one catchy still and I liked it, but as far as meaning it got me disgruntled. It's a very early twenties song, and maybe maturing just makes it rub me the wrong way. I arrangement of the instrumental sounds though does give it this very movie tone though, and I can't deny it is quite catchy.

History: This song became quite a hit when the second version was released on their album, Oracular Spectacular. There was an earlier version on their EP. Basically the song is about as straight in meaning as you can get. This song made many best of lists, including Time's. It would also be the most successful song that MGMT has had to date.

30 of 1001 Songs: The Temper Trap's Sweet Disposition

So at one time Sweet Disposition became a really huge song. It was used for multiple trailers and appeared on commercials like Coca-Cola. It became so popular that listening to it just in your spare time made it almost unenjoyable as you couldn't align any meaning with it anymore apart from the thousands of advertisements it had been featured with. Regardless, my love for this song is still strong, and stronger now that it's fame has died down.

History: So the band is from Australia, but this song would be a bigger hit to other countries like the UK or Ireland instead. I find that pretty huge. The song though would be a bit delayed in getting a response in America, as it took the trailer for (500) Days of Summer to popularize it here. I was one of those who found the song through that trailer. The song appears on the debut album from the band, Conditions.

28 of 1001 Songs: Santogold's L.E.S. Artistes

So at the time this song was recorded the artist now known as Santigold instead spelled it Santogold, so I just spelled it the way it was at the time of recording. This was an artist I had heard the name of, but wasn't familiar with, and I have to say it was a nice surprise. This artist sings what is known as pop, but also the modern take on new wave that honestly has struggled to be as popular a genre since it left with the 80's. To be hones though I don't know that new wave could ever truly exist anymore without the sounds I acquaint with the genre.

History: Santogold would cause a stir with her debut album that would release a couple of hits. Her second single would be L.E.S Artistes. The song did receive good critical attention, but it seems that Rolling Stones would really love it. It also was a bigger hit in the U.K. than it was even in America at the time of it's release. The song was released in 2008, but there are already bands covering the song.