An emergency called me overseas (since Christmas day) where I was for over a month. Although I completely missed my annual posting day (Jan 02), I still pulled out some fighting spirit to get this done. XD During January, I drafted this list on a tour bus, composed this post in three hotels, two airports and on one flight - therefore this post has a unique history (I had to upload most of the songs back home though, which is why it's only going on in February). :P As fate would have it, the only flights we were able to get were via Philippines so I ended up visiting Ria for two days on the way back home at the end of January! <333 I hope you enjoy some of my rambling and personal picks for my 2011! As always, my ranking begins from December of 2010 to the end of November of 2011~
Stacey's Top 15 Songs of 2011
01 JJ Lin - 愛笑的眼睛 (Ai Xiao De Yan Jing) ♬ Congrats to this creation from JJ Lin! It held top spot for me from the beginning of the year. It was basically all I looped during January on my trip with Ria, and knew it would be hard to surpass in 2011. Originally written for and performed by Vivian Hsu, this song highlights JJ Lin's talent at writing amazingly memorable melodies. As beautiful as the original by Vivian Hsu was, this revamped version managed to feel richer and even more poignant. The melody, new arrangement and JJ Lin's voice here always makes me very emotional. This gem deserves the crown. <3
02 GReeeeN - PRAY ♬ I hem-ed and har-ed whether this belonged in the ranking as it is a vocal-less instrumental piece. However this piece is special enough to me that I think it deserves the silver medal. This song is so pure and beautiful I think it will never fail to bring a tear to my eye and make me feel inspired. Delicate percussion carrying a piano melody in the foreground with subtle strings in the background is a simplicity that is always my cup of tea. This is a little piece of perfection that gives you a moment to relax, breathe, and smile.
03 Akanishi Jin - Eternal ♬ The arrangement and vocals of the original live versions were a few leaps better in my books, but I cannot deny that this song is stunningly beautiful. The ambiance that the melody and instrumentals create brings the lyrics to life. It's the kind of song that makes me so emotional and will always have a huge impact on me. So, so, so, beautiful. I can honestly say that 2011's top three all make me cry. ;_;
04 Juju - さよならの代わりに (Sayonara no Kawari ni) ♬ Everytime the instrumental kicks into full gear, I always fall back into love with this song. Everything about the arrangement is subtle and delicately arranged to accompany the melody. A truly loopworthy piece for any and every day. <3
05 2PM - Hot ♬ Although I prefer the original Junsu solo version as a song, from the get go I adored this song. Perhaps it's borderline-ing too much "electro-fuzz" (termed by my friend), but I think most of the fun of this song is how crazy the arrangement gets. Making this song in the studio looked like the most awesome time ever, and the party of bass, "electro-fuzz", autotune, synth and all things good (XD) in this song will never grow old on me. The best song to jam to, there is only one way to describe this song, and that's it's title.
06 Tablo - 고마운 숨 (Thankful Breath feat. Yankee, Bong Tae Kyu) ♬ I'm not the biggest fan of guitar to be honest, but the acoustics here do so much: from working together with the percussion, to acting as a catchy instrumental itself, to adding energy and depth. Although the rap and vocals are pretty awesome (I simply adore the simultaneous and complementing rapping and singing <3), the vibe the acoustics create here are fresh and unexpectedly so catchy.
07 Miura Daichi - Lullaby ♬ I didn't even check out this song when it was released as a single until I paid attention to the album it was recently included on, because I thought it would just be a typical R&B mid-tempo ballad. I guess in most aspects, it is. But this seemingly unremarkable and "typical" song just has that spark that I latch onto and then I cannot get over the song. That happens to me a lot. :P To be fair, Daichi's voice really brings the instrumental together, making it a really smooth and gorgeous "typical" R&B mid-tempo ballad. <3
08 GReeeeN - every ♬ I feel that GReeeeN's music is already so unique and in a league of its own that it's hard to be surprised by any of their new releases. At the same time, their genre works so well that even "typical GReeeeN" ends up being a high standard and generally very memorable for me. :P I unsurprisingly love the melody for this song and the arrangement is just spot on. The further in this song gets, the more I seem to love it... (which I find happens a lot with GReeeeN's music)!
09 lecca - First Sight feat. Miura Daichi ♬ This piece is one of the more unique songs I've listened to in a long time. The notes creating their own melody in the instrumental, repeating from beginning to end, accompanied by the piano and a simple bass beat is surprisingly a perfect match to lecca's vocals. The unexpected way in which the melody and repeating phrase in the instrumental complement each other creates a syncopated and catchy feeling. It might be slightly irrelevant that I love Daichi's part. :P
10 Miura Daichi - Only You ♬ What made this song different and memorable was the echo of the drums used in the percussion. The instrumental is simpler and cleaner than most his songs, which allows for the lovely R&B melody to shine through. His voice is gorgeous~ <3
11 GReeeeN - Green boys ♬ This song's impact for me is from the message and strength it tries to get across to everyone devastated during March 11. I love that when I listen to this, even if it's completely irrelevant to me, it makes me feel inspired to move forwards and believe.
12 GReeeeN - 恋文 ～ラブレター～ (Koibumi ~Love Letter~) ♬ Again in typical GReeeeN fashion, the verses are mellow and then all of a sudden the instrumental just explodes into the chorus. As always, a great melody and fabulous arrangement, especially in the last 1:15, which always kind of make my heart dance. :) (I swear, GReeeeN songs always get better and better the further in you listen :D)
13 Tablo - Tomorrow (feat. Taeyang) ♬ I'm almost embarrassed because the instrumental is so obviously "me" you could spot it a mile away. ^^;; I'm a sucker for simple instrumentals featuring a great piano melody. At the same time that I adore the instrumental, Tablo's rap without doubt makes this song. FTW!
14 Miura Daichi - RUN WAY ♬ OMG THIS SONG!!! I WANT TO DANCE AND JUMP UP AND DOWN! I may have weird taste, but this is my kind of happy, boppy music. SO DAMN CATCHY. <3 :D
15 JJ Lin - 完美新世界 (Wan Mei Xin Shi Jie) ♬ Reminiscent of a number of other JJ Lin ballads, this style of his always works for me. It's straightforward and (simply put), really lovely. ^^;;
BREAKOUT ARTIST: Miura Daichi
ARTIST OF THE YEAR: GReeeeN
BEST ALBUM: Juju - You & JJ Lin - She Says
BEST MUSIC VIDEO: WORLD ORDER - MACHINE CIVILIZATION
Please do not hotlink our files without permission. ♥
Once again, I'm really sorry this was so late. So what were YOUR fav jams of 2011?
