Fourth Annual Top Ten Song List

I was looking over last years top ten list and I had commented then that 2010 was such a hard year to narrow down to 10 songs. Well, honestly I don't know if I was too busy to discover new music or if just nothing struck my fancy, but this year was easy. I was honestly worried I wouldn't have 10 to be worth of the list, but I managed! So without further ado...

10. Caroline by Brandi Carlile - I love Brandi Carlile and I finally got the chance to see her perform at ACL this year. She was my favorite performance of the entire festival, and even though she didn't actually perform this song, I did enjoy hearing her talk about how much she loves unicorns and Never Ending Story. I feel like we could be friends.

9. Helena Beat by Foster the People - While Bella prefers Pumped Up Kicks, I really like this song by FTP better. Maybe just because I heard PUK a bazillion times and got a little tired of it? Either way, this song had me groovin' in my seat when it came on the radio.

8. Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - This song was introduced to me on our girls trip to Destin last year and I have loved it ever since. I love the whistling and I am a sucker for horns. Plus it is just a sweet song.

7. Ready to Start by Arcade Fire - The latest album by Arcade Fire was really good. And if you have never seen them perform live, do it ASAP. I have seen them twice now at ACL and they are amazing live. They put on the coolest, funkiest show, so that even if you aren't a fan of their music, you still get drawn in. I love this song. I feel like it is about being brave enough to break away from things that hold you back so you can have a fresh start.

6. Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise by the Avett Brothers - I first heard the song 'I and Love and You', and decided I needed the album. This song is by far my favorite on there. The hippie in me loves the line "When nothing is owed, deserved or expected. Then your life doesn't change by the man that's elected". If only....

5. Just Stay Here Tonight by Augustana - Not the first time Augustana has made my list. I love the band and they released a new album this year. The whole album is really amazing, but this is my favorite song on it.

4. Here Goes by Bebo Norman - I love this guys voice. Something about it is just warm and gravelly. This song sort of has a similar message to Ready to Start, but this is a religious version I guess. Just a great song about trusting that God knows more than you do and you should go where He leads you, even though you may be scared.

3. Heart Like Mine by Miranda Lambert - I am pretty sure I heard this song last year, since House That Built Me is on my list from last year, but I absolutely LOVE this song and listened to it over and over this past year. I realize it is not a 'religious' song, but I know as a Christian I worry that I am not being good enough or doing what God wants me to do or whatever it is. Then I hear this song, and I just think 'Exactly!' I don't have to be perfect to love God, and sometimes I wonder if what I think is important and what God does are totally different. I mean does He really care if I drink a glass of wine (or two, or three)? Probably not if I am loving my neighbor, right?

2. Children of God by Third Day - This is my favorite Christian band. I love all their songs. If you have never listened to When the Rain Comes by them, especially if you have children, do so immediately. You will be sobbing by the end. But I digress. This is my favorite song of theirs this year. Me and Bella both love to listen to it and it melts my heart to hear her sing along.

1. Down in the Valley by The Head and the Heart - This year was a no brainer for the number one song. A year ago I had never heard of this band, and when ACL announced they were playing I had no idea how excited I would be to see them in a few months. I got this song as a free download somewhere, probably Starbucks, and FELL. IN. LOVE. I seriously love this song. I remember thinking it was one of the best songs I had heard in years. It is folksy and chill and beautiful.

Honorable Mentions - Only a few this year, but here they are - I and Love and You by the Avett Brothers, Don't Turn Out the Lights by NKOTBSB (no I am not joking), Shot in the Dark by Augustana, Sprawl II by Arcade Fire

Thoughts? Any good songs that I should have been listening to this past year and didn't? I would love to hear what your favorite songs were in 2011!