Countdown to 2010: Andy's Five Favorite Songs of 2009

As in years past, Phillyist will be counting down to 2010 every workday of December, presenting you with our highlights from the past year and our predictions for the next. If you have a list you'd like to submit, let us know!

Photo by Flickr user stevendepolo

Below, in reverse order from not as awesome to most awesome, you will find the five songs that jingle my bells everytime I hear them. You may glance at this list and wonder, "Why only five songs?" The short answer is: too much Jim Rome and Adam Carolla podcast. The longer answer is: there's just too goddamn much music out there to fully digest these days.

Without further ado:

5. "What Would I Want? Sky" by Animal Collective
I first heard this song on the recommendation of fellow Phillyist Bill Hayes. The song has everything from quasi-house beats to spirit lifting lyrics to the usual musicianship you expect from Animal Collective. Each time I hear it I want to blast it in my apartment and commence getting drunk. It makes me long for the spring for some reason.

4. "Nothing to Worry About" by Peter, Bjorn and John
I just like Peter, Bjorn and John. It's hard to describe. They're just good. Maybe I'm just a sucker for children singing the hook on a song? Either way, its lyrics actually make me think I have nothing to worry about. It's the perfect head-bobbing anthem for anxious people. This song makes me think of summer. Even now, at 29, I equate summer with a lack of worries. I wish I was still a student.

3. "The Reeling" by Passion Pit
I clearly enjoy uplifting songs. That makes sense. Most of the time it's hard to like depressing songs. Although, on rainy days I find it particularly easy. If I danced, I would dance to this Passion Pit song. So, basically, if I get really drunk sometime soon and this song plays and a dance floor is convenient I will cut some rug. There's nothing really "impressive" about this song. I like it. In fact, I like it nearly as much as two other songs.

2. "Daylight" by Matt & Kim
This song would be number one if not for the band's name being relatively lame. It would also be number one if the number one song on my list didn't kick so much ass. This song is simpler than the other selections. It's not over-produced. You can legitimately understand every lyric. It's a windows down, volume up kind of song—even in the winter.

1. "1901" by Phoenix
The first time I heard this song was when I was on vacation in the Outer Banks in July. This song makes me think of vacation and, as a result, summer. Songs apparently make me think of seasons. I dont know why. This track is three minutes and 13 seconds of bliss. You can't really understand all of its words, but you can pretend and sing them all the same. Cadillac is using this song to try and sell cars. This song keeps me warm.