Top 50 Singles of 2010: 40-36

40. Katy Perry - California Gurls



The song of the summer, no doubt. And even with all the hundreds of times I heard it on the radio, it never really got to the point of oversaturation. That’s quite a feat, especially for such a stupid song.

39. Yeasayer - Ambling Alp



In just one song, these guys transformed themselves from a band that I could appreciate to a band that I could really love.

38. The Hoosiers - Choices



A shockingly ace new sound from a band that I had only tolerated before. This was the stateliest electro-pop on the radio last August.

37. Staygold - Backseat



What a surprise it was to hear Salem Al Fakir letting loose and trying on a completely new style on this track. As far as I’m concerned, he should never go back to the old stuff.

36. Sweet Thing - Change Of Seasons



A sweet summer song from a sweet Canadian band. It didn’t surprise me at all that this became ubiquitous this Fall as the soundtrack to movie ads.

Staygold - Backseat

"Get a job done in the parking lot"

I'm not the first to write about this track, but it's worthy of another mention because it's soon going to be ubiquitous (at least if you live in Sweden - or imaginarily live in Sweden, like me). Staygold are an electro production duo utilizing guest vocalists and performers for their songs. This single features the ever-reliable Salem Al Fakir (under a Prince-like alias Damien Adore) on lead vocals, as well as Spank Rock and Lady Tigra. Come to think of it, the whole thing sounds like a great, long-lost Prince track. From the cheeky lyrics to the funky falsetto, it's more of a pastiche than an original track. But it's fantastic, and ridiculously catchy. The chorus alone has been in my head for the past week, refusing to budge. Beneath all the attitude it's a flawless pop song, simple as that. They need to get Salem on every track for the album.

Staygold - Backseat by alienhits

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the single here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.