It's that time of the year again - my top 5... erm... 8 of the year. I'm still have an 8 month stockpile of music to get through. I was hoping that in 2011 I would have cut that down, but like the blog, it has been less of a priority while bigger life-shaping events such as property and career have taken the wheel. Anyway, let's start.
At number 8, Serbian starlet Mia Borisavljević's saucy hit 'Ja bih se s tobom topila' (I Would Warm Myself Up With You).
Coming at 7th place, my favourite Israeli singer, Sarit Hadad, surprised everyone (well, me) with her perfect Bulgarian pronunciation in this amazing song produced by genius Israeli pop composer Henree with Bulgarian pop-folk star (Bulgaria's Victoria Beckham) Alisia - Shtom me zabelejish (Since You Notice Me)
Number 6 - Israel's controversial new star (controversial in that his break into the Israeli pop scene came thanks to some Israeli mafia connections) Omer Adam with his hit Baniti Alayich (I Was Made for You). It's songs like this that highlight that Israel is a Middle Eastern country and that the cliche of music bringing peace rings true.
Continuing with the theme of Israeli music reflecting its geographic and cultural location, my number 5 for this year is this amazing number by Ami Or - Buba Al Chotim (String Puppet).
Number 4 this year is from Turkey - Babutsa's megahit, Yanayım Yanayım (I'm For It). I was not alone in loving this song - it was covered this year by numerous singers throughout the Balkans!
At number 3, this cool pop song from Kosovo - Nexhat Osmani with Fjala e urte popullore (Popular Saying)
The runner up - this hauntingly beautiful but unmistakeably Italian rock ballad by the legend herself - Patty Pravo and 'La vita è qui' (Life Is Here)
And my top song - well, when I first saw this song, I didn't know what to make of it. However, after the second hearing, I couldn't stop doing what it said - Ukraine's extraordinary and totally bonkers Jamala with 'Smile'
Thank you for your support this year and I'll see you next year. Wishing you a very prosperous, just and healthy 2012!
At number 8, Serbian starlet Mia Borisavljević's saucy hit 'Ja bih se s tobom topila' (I Would Warm Myself Up With You).
Coming at 7th place, my favourite Israeli singer, Sarit Hadad, surprised everyone (well, me) with her perfect Bulgarian pronunciation in this amazing song produced by genius Israeli pop composer Henree with Bulgarian pop-folk star (Bulgaria's Victoria Beckham) Alisia - Shtom me zabelejish (Since You Notice Me)
Number 6 - Israel's controversial new star (controversial in that his break into the Israeli pop scene came thanks to some Israeli mafia connections) Omer Adam with his hit Baniti Alayich (I Was Made for You). It's songs like this that highlight that Israel is a Middle Eastern country and that the cliche of music bringing peace rings true.
Continuing with the theme of Israeli music reflecting its geographic and cultural location, my number 5 for this year is this amazing number by Ami Or - Buba Al Chotim (String Puppet).
Number 4 this year is from Turkey - Babutsa's megahit, Yanayım Yanayım (I'm For It). I was not alone in loving this song - it was covered this year by numerous singers throughout the Balkans!
At number 3, this cool pop song from Kosovo - Nexhat Osmani with Fjala e urte popullore (Popular Saying)
The runner up - this hauntingly beautiful but unmistakeably Italian rock ballad by the legend herself - Patty Pravo and 'La vita è qui' (Life Is Here)
And my top song - well, when I first saw this song, I didn't know what to make of it. However, after the second hearing, I couldn't stop doing what it said - Ukraine's extraordinary and totally bonkers Jamala with 'Smile'
Thank you for your support this year and I'll see you next year. Wishing you a very prosperous, just and healthy 2012!
