‘Blame it’ among best singles of 2009

1. "Blame It," Jamie Foxx (featuring T-Pain): If Jay-Z is right, and Auto-Tune is really D.O.A., Jamie Foxx's "Blame It" with T-Pain was a heck of a send-off: This politically incorrect, glorified alcohol ad was also the perfect party starter that aged like a fine wine.

2. "The Point of It All," Anthony Hamilton: An amazing love song anchored by perhaps the most soulful voice of this generation. Hamilton captures all the emotion of this song's moving lyrics without over-singing and, with simplicity, he delivers something that is magical and beautiful.

3. "Pretty Wings," Maxwell: A luscious, bittersweet ballad that was the perfect re-entry for Maxwell after an eight-year layoff.

4. "Boom Boom Pow," Black Eyed Peas: Hello? They deserve it just for introducing the phrase "you're so two-thousand-and-late" into the lexicon. Thank you, Fergie!

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5. "Shuttin Detroit Down," John Rich: Rich's tone may be low-key, but the anger, frustration and bitterness is on high-tilt in this stirring anthem about what the collapse of the economy has done to the working class.

6. "Poker Face," Lady Gaga: Lady Gaga may be single-handedly responsible for making disco music cool again, and this song was her best calling card, with a pulsating beat and that irresistible, stuttering hook.

7. "Empire State of Mind," Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys: Any song that gets the Yankees their 27th championship merits a mention, but Jay-Z created an anthem that united more than New Yorkers with a mix of his classic braggadocio, plus a soaring chorus courtesy of Keys.

8. "Gunpowder and Lead," Miranda Lambert: Lambert has always been one of the more feisty among country's young, blond entertainers — and among the most talented. Here, she displays both qualities with her firecracker of a song directed to those no-good, cheating, women-beating men.

9. "Chocolate High," India.Arie and Musiq Soulchild: This duet using chocolate and a love metaphor was sexy and sweet without being too sugary, and the blend of India and Musiq's voice is a recipe that never fails.

10. "There Goes My Baby," Charlie Wilson: That clear tenor that made so many hits for the Gap bands still works wonders, as it does for this classy song that sounds like a throwback from a more soulful era.