by Brenda Nelson

Created on: November 02, 2009   Last Updated: November 03, 2009

Saying that any song is the best of 2009 is a difficult task, musical tastes come into play and with literally millions of songs to pick from, how does one select the best? Simple, the best song of 2009 must be something that a majority of people can enjoy despite musical tastes. It must be something unique and culturally relevant.

One song that should appeal to multiple generations is Metric's Gimme Sympathy. Released to the media for airplay in March, 2009, this song makes several references that any music fan and culturally aware individual, will make note of. The song officially came out on Metric's album, Fantasies, which was released in April. As Metric is a Canadian band, this song is only just reaching international markets.

Written by Emily Haines and Jimmy Shaw, and produced by John O'Mahony, Gimme Sympathy doesn't follow the growing rock trend known as screamo, whereby the singer screams rather than actually sings. Rather lead singer, Haines offers a rather sweet singing voice as she boldly asks the musical question: Who would you rather be, the Beatles or the Rolling Stones? A very profound question if one is given to think about it.

The Beatles, on one hand, had a better overall image, the band broke up years ago, and two of their members are dead, while the Rolling Stones, with all their problems, and rougher image, are still playing. Gimme Sympathy offers no answers, but does make other references to both bands, using a Rolling Stones song Sympathy for the Devil as a hint to the title of their song, and repeated request in the song. Additionally it references a Beatles song Here comes the Sun by asking to hear a happy song in the lyrics.

The song challenges youth in an understanding way to take chances and be willing to make mistakes. With the use of a driving chorus and invigorating synthesizers this catchy song is sure to get into everyones mind who has the chance to hear it.

-Runner Ups-

Franz Ferdinand's addictive dance song that gained fame through its use in an iPod commercial, No You Girls. The song tells the seeming truth of the relationships between boys and girls.

Cage the Elephant's song Ain't no Rest for the Wicked. A song about real social situations and the lust for money. This song came out in 2008, but was re-released in 2009.

Taylor Swift's song Love Story, recalls the start of a relationship, and although it came out in 2008, this song became hugely popular as a country cross over hit early in 2009.

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