I won’t pretend this is a comprehensive list of the great songs of 2010; I could spend a month re-listening to and evaluating all of this year’s tracks. However, these are definitely /some/ of the great songs from the past twelve months, ten tracks that have impressed and stuck with me. Consider it one volume of a possible multi-disc set.

1. “Brutal Hearts” – Bedouin Soundclash ft. Coeur de Pirate

The song I love so much I wrote an entire column about it.

 

2. “You Wouldn’t Have To Ask” – Bad Books

Catchy, melodic pop at its very, very finest, featuring some of the year’s most beautiful vocal harmonies.

 

3. “Rose Garden” – Shad

Most of Shad’s songs offer great beats and great puns, but accompanying vocals by Broken Social Scene’s Lisa Lobsinger push this track over the edge.

 

4. “Paris (Ooh La La)” – Grace Potter & The Nocturnals

There’s really nothing not to love here. Potter has pipes. Potter has legs. And this song has a hook big enough to catch a whale.

 

5. “Darkness on the Edge of Gastown” – Japandroids

This song has all the elements of Japandroids’ finest work: brutal guitars, screamy vocals, and a refrain sudden and sweet like the center of a chocolate covered cherry.

 

See the rest of Brittney’s not entirely Canadian favorite songs of 2010 after the jump

6. “Fall Hard” – Shout Out Louds

I dare you not to get this song stuck in your head. I dare you.

 

7. “Yulia” – Wolf Parade

I’m not exaggerating when I say this is one of the world’s most perfect pop songs. It’s soaring, catchy, beautiful, and as soon as you realize what it’s about it will make you sob.

 

8. “Meet Me in the Basement” – Broken Social Scene

The rockingest song off of Forgiveness Rock Record is so absorbingly rocking it took me weeks to notice it was an instrumental.

9. “Diplomat’s Son” – Vampire Weekend

Hey, remember Vampire Weekend? They put out an album this year that was better than most people want to admit. “Diplomat’s Son” was the standout track for me, demonstrating real growth and evolution in the band’s style.

10. “Live There” – The Lonely Forest

If you love the Pacific Northwest, this choice needs no explanation. If you don’t, then listen to this song and maybe you’ll begin to understand why so many of us do.