I just finished reading through Rolling Stone’s Top 100 Songs of 2007 article and I’m a bit confused. I can’t tell what criteria was used in order to determine these songs the cream of the crop of the last year; some look to have landed on the list out of sheer popularity, others for just the opposite. A publication which I thought may be considered the “authority” on such a thing has deeply disappointed me. So here’s my own list (but just 20 because I have other stuff to do)…

1. Keep the Car Running - Arcade Fire
This is one of the few songs that Rolling Stone got right (although it was a lowly #22). This mandolin-charged ballad is one of the most hypnotic, quaint and precise melodies of our generation, and it’s sad that not enough people were exposed to this. It got me through many summer months when I wished that I was anywhere but here. And I was never afraid to clap my hands.

2. Tranquilize - The Killers
One of the most moving pieces ever composed by Brandon Flowers and Company. With the haunting voice of Lou Reed to support, The Killers still managed to make a comparable splash in 2007 to last year’s Sam’s Town. Flowers is one of the great songwriters of our generation and this is just another opus.

3. Can’t Finish What You Started - Motion City Soundtrack
MCS had the biggest musical influence on my personal life this year and though this particular piece doesn’t have much to say about myself, I think it’s so perfectly composed, worded and formed that it blows my mind. And being a sucker for instrumental breakdowns, I can honestly say that this contains the greatest one since the ending of last years Liar (It Takes One to Know One).

4. Big Casino - Jimmy Eat World
I thought these guys were dead…until they dropped the best song found in their body of work. Uplifting and amusing, this makes me wish I was actually from the state of New Jersey so I could declare this my personal ballad for the pursuit of success and life after struggling.

5. Secret Crowds - Angels & Airwaves
I’m only okay with the delay of a Blink-182 reunion if Tom keeps putting out stellar stuff like this. A&A takes the term “songs” to a whole new level. Every word, every chord, every breakdown, every interlude - they’re building blocks to cinematic ventures, almost like movies of a better time. And the loud, strong lyric-and-drum breakdown in this particular ditty should influence artists everywhere…

6. This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race - Fall Out Boy
I almost forgot about this song, as it dropped early last year, but I’m a fair individual and can recall precisely how obsessed with it I actually was. For as much smack I sometimes tend to talk on FOB, I can’t deny the multiple shining moments of Infinity on High. This is probably the best example of one of those moments.

7. I Still Remember - Bloc Party
Easily one of the most beautifully written songs of the year. Even if you have nothing to deeply contemplate, this song will make you find something. It’s that good and that well-composed.

8. Ms. Shapes - Bedlight for Blue Eyes
Although it doesn’t brandish the most complex and existentialist lyrics of the year, I absolutely dare you to not sing along, dance and embarrass yourself on your favorite highway.

9. Break it Out - The Rocket Summer
This kid amazes me with every musical note; my accomplishments at the age of 18 are sad in comparison. This opened Do You Feel, one of the most surprising and delightful albums of the year. Again, try not to sing along, dance and feel something while listening to this emotionally-charged and catchy ditty about getting off your ass and doing something with your life.

10. Bleed it Out - Linkin Park
I hated Minutes to Midnight upon first light, but it was this song that made me rethink everything. Moreover, when I saw it performed live, I was - once again - a Linkin Park fan. I was missing the hip-hop aspect that the band has always done so well. This brought it back - and in a big way.

11. Point of Extinction - Motion City Soundtrack
12. Doomsday Clock - Smashing Pumpkins
13. G.I.N.A.S.F.S. - Fall Out Boy
14. Jamie All Over - Mayday Parade
15. Let Me In - Hot Hot Heat
16. Stronger - Kanye West
17. Call to Arms - Angels & Airwaves
18. Le Disko - Shiny Toy Guns
19. Stolen - Dashboard Confessional
20. Underclass Hero - Sum 41