In no particular order, it's the top 20 songs of 2004!

1. Air, Universal Traveler [entry]
One of three standout tracks from Air's slightly disappointing third full-length album (disappointing not because it lacked any of their usual musical precision, but simply because many of the songs prove hard to recollect on their individual merits.) This, on the other hand, is as irresistible as anything the band have produced, and fits my wanderlust perfectly.

2. Scissor Sisters, Return To Oz [entry]
In a year when Scissor Sisters were huge in this country - the album's now spent its 50th week in the charts, incredibly - a series of selections in this list were inevitable. This is at once an atypical, and typically genius, track.

3. Gwen Stefani, What You Waiting For [entry]
If there's one thing, perversely, that intrigues me more than creativity, it's the creative process itself. Some critics missed the point entirely by accusing Stefani of lacking depth; I think revealing her thought processes undertaking a solo project incredibly interesting.

4. Darren Hayes, Pop!ular [entry]
The first entry here that loses me all musical credibility, but as this genius review points out, do you really want to remember your life by what you were supposed to like, because it was cool? Exactly.

5. Aimee Mann, You Do [entry]
An entry that proves the adage it's not what was released in 2004, it's what was memorable. Mann's songwriting is always excellent, but it's the pathos and regret in this song that inspires my melancholy. And I was diggin' the melancholy in 2004.

6. Kim Richey, A Place Called Home [entry]
Talking of which, this song is mournful with a capital "mournful", and may well be (whisper it) the representative song of 2004. It didn't exactly lose points by evocatively soundtracking one of the best TV moments of the year, either.

7. The Divine Comedy, Come Home Billy Bird [entry]
The Guardian criticised it for lacking subtlety, and, true, it's hardly the most delicate of tracks. But as a song to travel to, it's perfect.

8. Mylo, Drop The Pressure [entry]
Once upon a time, I was a pretty hardcore Indie Kid, as much of this list will attest. In recent years, though, there's been a upsurgence of my love of Dirty Electro. This is the track that got the word "motherfucker" on Radio 1, and if that's not enough reason to love a song I don't know what is.

9. Britney Spears, Toxic [entry]
"Neee norr nee nee norr."

10. Frou Frou, Let Go [entry]
How do you even say "Frou Frou" without sounding like a poof? Regardless, the intro alone is enough to set off shivers down my neck. And the voice. The voice.

11. Green Day, Boulevard of Broken Dreams [entry]
One review of this track commented on its extraordinary ability to sound like an anthem that's just been around forever. It wouldn't surprise me if, in ten years time, this track is justifiably regarded as a classic.

12. The Killers, Somebody Told Me [no entry]
I tell you what's better than meterosexuality: gender confusion. And scuzzy, wailing electro noises.

13. Ladytron, Playgirl [entry]
Another track that's hardly new, but another that appealed to me because of its dirty, dirty electronics. And sleaziness.

14. Phixx, Love Revolution [entry]
Er. Hardly going to be on many people's lists, this, as I doubt many people even /remember/ it. Still, one of the most repeated selections of 2004 - the song and the video.

15. Fountains of Wayne, Stacey's Mom [entry]
1999 Iteration Matt is right now sat in his indie club, sobbing into his Guiness. 2004 Matt was just pleased being so populist allowed him to embrace this song, with little or no trademark irony. Hurrah.

16. Scissor Sisters, Electrobix [entry]
Disingenous, yes, but 2004 was the year of Scissor Sisters, and as such two selections here merely reflect the fact. If Return To Oz was perhaps the band at their most songwriterly, Electrobix perfectly reflected their electronic, metrosexual side. I like the workout bit at the end.

17. Rufus Wainwright, Go Or Go Ahead [entry]
I never did get to see Rufus live, but I did have the honour of recommending him to several record store customers unaware of his existence. This is the song I'd most base that recommendation around.

18. Busted, Air Hostess [entry]
2004: R.I.P. The Busted. My good friend Danny was always predicting their demise and, sadly, it eventually came true. The three singles they released in 2004 weren't necessarily /classic/ Busted - and don't worry, part of me can't believe I'm writing this either - but this is the best of the lot.

19. Sigur Ros, () #4 [entry]
An album with no title, no inlay, and no track titles. Excellent, Matt'll have two of those, thankyerverymuch. The first "half"'s still probably the best, and this track is amazing.

20. Take That, Never Forget [no entry, shockingly]
And it's the song that made me cry most in public in 2004. I don't know who had the honour of choosing it - if it was Talia, and she's reading this, I both love you and hate you for it. "Someday soon this will all be someone else's dream". Couldn't have said it better.