What were the 80 most important musical recordings, artists, trends, events, and performances of 2008? What were the eight things this year that broke our hearts—or, at least, our ears? We’re happy to announce 80 ’08 (and Heartbreak), Idolator’s year-end overview. The list is below the jump.
In the words of one YouTube commenter, “He’s kinda talkin about both her booty and a truck.” Well, yeah—that’d be clear from the chorus that goes, “Throw it in reverse, let daddy load it up,” not to mention the opening line about how some newly countrified city gal is still “scared of that cock-a-doodle-doo.” Arkansas-born Justin Moore’s first (and maybe last) country hit single went to No. 38, and it’s clearly country’s answer to “Pull Up to the Bumper.” “Back That Thing Up” has a pretty decent hick-hop beat, too—as 2008 surrogate Big & Rich goes, it didn’t quite match “Holler Back” by the Lost Trailers, but it beat “Ain’t Gonna Stop” by James Otto, easy.
Each week, dozens of songs and albums from up-and-coming (or just plain unknown) bands debut on the world’s music charts. Some of these bands will never be heard from again; some may become the next little thing. That’s why we have Chuck Eddy exploring the world beyond the Billboard 200, where he’ll look for diamonds in the MySpace rough. This week, his roster of up-and-comers includes an ass-obsessed country singer, a three-person big band, an orally fixated soul man, and some preppy pop-punkers who seem to be in a feud with another Warped Tour act.
