The Top 11 Best Hit Songs of 2009

[@tegantalks9612]

Todd saying pop songs were so grim and dead in 2009 seems hilarious in 2023. Like I’m sitting here waiting for the return of the fun, stupid, happy pop song.

[@vidcas1711]

Agreed. I haven’t listened much to top 40 pop songs for about a year, so it may not be accurate, but the last 5 or so years have been overwhelmingly dour and lifeless when it comes to pop music.

[@skarmory93]

2023 has been excellent for Pop Music, I hope you realised this

[@tegantalks9612]

@@skarmory93 I wrote this comment at the beginning of the year and I will say that I have been somewhat impressed with the songs that have been released this year. I do feel like we are starting to get more upbeat songs again.

[@skarmory93]

@@tegantalks9612 dw I see it was beginning of the year, I expected your opinion to change 😀

[@rocklobster590]

2024 has been pretty great for that !!

[@jessenathan9346]

I’m listening to the songs on his Worst list for 2009, and I’m like, “Man, 2009 had a lot of bad music.” Then, I’m listening to the songs on his Best list for 2009, and I’m like, “Man, 2009 had a lot of great music!”

[@tsxalex8370]

I mean, I distinctly remember hating "Use Somebody" with a passion back in 2009 because of how crazy often they used to play it, but now looking back I would rather listen to that song on repeat for 3 days straight than listen to one new Ariana Grande song...

[@patricklauer4452]

Jesse Nathan me with 2005 & 2007

[@thunder____]

Yeah, there's just a lot of music so there's always gonna be lots of gold and also lots of trash. I've always hated hearing people complain about "music these days" because yeah, there's some hot trash coming out these days, there was 10 years ago, there was 20 years ago, there was 30 years ago, there was 50 years ago, there was 100 years ago... you get my point. And sure, there are larger quantities of bad music now, but that's a natural effect of an ever-growing population; with more people than ever before, there's naturally going to be more bad music than ever before just like there's literally more of anything than ever before. But there's still great stuff being made today, there always has been and there always will be as long as humans are still making music, and time will naturally filter out the trash and the great stuff will be what's memorable (that's why it always feels like music was so much better in the past).

[@rashotcake6945]

Yeah this video is dated in some ways. But honestly, it aged a LOT better than the 2009 videos of any other youtuber I watch. Todd’s format is kinda timeless

[@johnindigo5477]

It's minimal, all meat no fat.

[@chand911]

The fuck does calling a video about 2009 dated even mean?

[@ConvincingPeople]

@@chand911 Some stuff just doesn't age well even in twelve or thirteen years. Simple as that. Jokes don't work, some stuff feels tasteless or strange in hindsight, the list goes on.

[@aurthurpendragon1015]

@@ConvincingPeople Not to mention his production values have clearly increased, but these videos are still enjoyable to watch.

[@piccolo9365]

@@aurthurpendragon1015 his videos are still enjoyable because he stayed consistent with his humor while also evolving. He realized that the whole hyper angry internet guy shtick wasn’t aging well so he toned it down instead of ending up like modern AVGN

[@UBvtuber]

Better use of Numa Numa than Someone You Loved which is the only reason I came back to this.....also wow, if you thought pop was "grim and dead" in 2009, jesus christ, you are NOT ready for 2016.

[@FragmentedR_YT]

@@takemyhand1988 the melody when Lewis sings “somebody to heal, somebody to hold (etc)” is the same as Numa Numa. Not sure if that makes that absolutely trash song worse or better, but yeah.

[@liamrust9530]

2009: Maybe we should have more sad rap songs about depression 2019: fuck go back

[@mrbambista2559]

Liam Rust I think this has been a good year so far, I haven’t heard many if any depressing songs yet

[@Rockman9830]

2020: I SAID GO BACK DAMNIT!

[@captainayaaya28]

*2016

[@camillaquelladegliaggettiv4303]

Who can relate? Whoo

[@jamiecloughgaming25387]

HA HA BOOM!

[@aldenmartin623]

"He couldn't make good MILK go bad." OMFG this is Todd's best work.

[@domdom252]

ha remember when Todd DID'T hate black eye peas? wow what a strange time

[@XXmilkytoastXX]

"didn't" "The black eyed peas"

[@lyleugleman9799]

even when Todd liked BEP he still hated BEP

[@johnindigo5477]

As much as the black eye peas sucked i gotta feeling will always be a good song

[@stevemandl5140]

BEP will always suck

[@jmckenzie962]

I don't think a pop song has ever filled me with as much nostalgia as "Just Dance". I remember my parents bought that album on CD (yeah remember CD's, they were still very much a thing in 09 lol) back when I was a little kid, and Just Dance was the opening track. Listening to it now, here are some observations: it is very much a product of its time sonically yet is timeless compared to almost everything else on this list. And I think that's a big part of what makes it so nostalgia-inducing. It has this extremely late 2000's-early 2010's aesthetic that's very hard to describe in words, but it still works just as well for me nowadays. Maybe it's just because I was actually alive during that time and have personal memories attached to music like that, but it definitely has that special quality to it that you don't see very often in pop music.

[@tatehildyard5332]

Interesting how it only seems like very recently we’ve been able to even kind of articulate what the aesthetics of the 2000s are. 20 year cycle baby

[@CalmBilliards-rn5wk]

I saw a bunch of cds at Walmart the other day

[@pinkwings8036]

Let it Rock and Good Girls Go Bad both made me grin SO HARD. I can’t deny how cheerful they feel.

[@jessenathan9346]

Pink Wings both songs are produced by Kevin Rudolf. Too bad Single Ladies was a bigger hit than Cobra Starship.

[@Gingerm0nster]

10 years later and Gaga has an Oscar :)

[@AD-tj4jc]

But not for making weierd, niche, and unique stuff like before, but by making same slow boring ballads like EVERYONE ELSE.

[@AndeHart]

And whines about being famous

[@DestinyKiller]

An Oscar?

[@aditya_raina_]

@@AD-tj4jc The soundtrack was good though , but yeah I still agree with your point 😇😇

[@jamiecloughgaming25387]

@@AndeHart Being famous is tough you get followed around by paparazzi!

[@kabronex9877]

2009 only feels like 4 years ago to me.

[@devonholden6292]

I gotta ask. Why 4 years?

[@mcmagiccracker]

February feels like 4 years ago

[@jellybreath_]

⁠@ArcanaIXthis comment is from 4 days ago 🤯

[@D.S.handle]

Nokia sure wasn't shy spending that product placement money in 2009.

[@thema1998]

John Legend's "Green Light" was the only song from this list that I had never heard of.

[@jimmyywutang832]

Oh my God, Drake was a big new name. He was still the guy getting brought up by Lil Wayne

[@RobertSeeJen]

That "Labrador Retriever" line makes me smile every time.

[@madpod5]

Seeing Todd praise the Black Eyed Peas is giving me whiplash

[@nagichampa9866]

2009 feels like 11 years ago to me...

[@madpod5]

Really makes you think 🤔

[@matthewpage3356]

Funny to me 2009 feels like 12 years ago

[@wilderac2250]

12 to me

[@JaredtheRabbit]

13 for me

[@Amazatastic]

Drake was a "big new name" in 2009?? Now we all wish he'd please go AWAY

[@onura2710]

I like him but his taste is shit

[@kats938]

I never wanted him to be a big name. Hated his music from day one.

[@charliethomas7494]

@@kats938 wow you're so cool

[@johngerygooz3251]

Instead of going away, making better music'd be a good idea, don't you think?

[@daigle1396]

Well, now you might get your wish!

[@pinkfeiry]

I can't believe this was the year of just dance and good girls go bad. What a year.

[@SRLovesPandas1]

Happy 10 years Todd!

[@EmmaLiza]

This is really interesting to watch a decade later, particular Todd's vague defensiveness over it, predating the 2010s big Poptimist shift. Also, while he could not have predicted her decade in advance, it does seem fitting he started this off playing a Taylor Swift song.

[@jackpaint6968]

THIS IS FINALLY UNBLOCKED IN MY COUNTRY YES

[@deiz1083]

Wait why the hell did this got such a low view?

[@rwrmunson]

Pulled down by copyright Bots. Todd had to fight to get it back up. Same for any other vids with low hit count. He's still fighting YT on many others.

[@Karmy.]

Fellow NMH fan I see

[@majikhu5171]

Also because people don’t like positivity. His most viewed videos are all worst lists.

[@Zvwry]

majikhu they’re more interesting tbh

[@babypurplebat2610]

I'm so glad this is back up!

[@mathyoooo2]

That year really had some pretty good pop songs

[@imfamoushero]

I don’t think I’m jumping the gun here but you can make a OHW of Let It Rock. The only song that hasn’t survived this list is Meet Me Halfway; the only place of relevance is it’s presence on Non-Stop Pop FM

[@gabeguarin1096]

Todd made another error. Let It Rock made the Year-End list for 2008.

[@jessenathan9346]

Gabe Guarin it can be on both year-end lists

[@tegantalks9612]

Kevin Rudolf had a second hit with I Made It in 2010

[@ConvincingPeople]

Kid Cudi has had one of the stranger career trajectories, hasn't he? Without even changing *that* much musically, the man's just had a really odd career in music. I hope he's doing well this fine evening.

[@jimmymelendez1836]

You know, the funny thing about Good Girls Go Bad is that it appeared on an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit at the beginning of the show in montage form. A season 16 episode called Granting Immunity from 2015. To which the episode was about a case involving pornographic photos that has stalled when several suspects come down with the measles. You see young kids having a party, you see Olivia Benson with her adopted son, you see everything on that montage. Don't know why this popped in my head but there you go. I saw it on a rerun on Ion Television.

[@joannespluym6109]

One thing I miss about Todd in the Shadows these days is his weird little skits. I wish he'd still be doing them today, they're awesome!

[@JeanneNey99]

Just Dance, to this day, is still Gaga’s best song

[@coolerspook2689]

I'd say Paparazzi is her best, but Just Dance is stupid good too.

[@UnorthodoxIndividual]

To me, even though it's not exclusively her song, Shallow with Bradley Cooper is her best work

[@codeblack9407]

@@UnorthodoxIndividual I think her best song is either I will always remember you this way or Dope

[@camillaquelladegliaggettiv4303]

G.U.Y. and Venus would like a word

[@galleryofrogues]

I’m not really that fond of any of her stuff but if I had to pick I like Paparazzi the best. Good, catchy chorus.

[@UnorthodoxIndividual]

You know, I've revisited Todd's best lists many times throughout the years, and I always found 2009 to be one of the most interesting years I can remember. If I was to compile the best hits of the year, I'd probably say: 11. Forever (Drake, Ye, Wayne, Em) 10. I Gotta Feeling (The Black Eyed Peas) 9. Run This Town (Jay Z, Kanye, Rihanna) 8. Day N Nite (Kid Cudi) 7. Empire State of Mind (Jay Z, Alicia Keys) 6. Use Somebody (Kings of Leon) 5. Just Dance (Lady Gaga) 4. Halo (Beyonce) 3. Fireflies (Owl City) 2. Heartless (Kanye West) 1. 21 Guns (Green Day) Hms: Meet Me Halfway (The Black Eyed Peas) Let It Rock (Kevin Rudolf, Lil Wayne) 2008 Holdover Disturbia (Rihanna) 2008 Holdover Love Lockdown (Kanye West) 2008 Holdover Viva La Vida (Coldplay) 2008 Holdover Poker Face (Lady Gaga) Hot N Cold and Waking Up In Vegas (Katy Perry) Green Light (John Legend, Andre 3000) Replay (Iyaz) New Divide (Linkin Park) She Wolf (Shakira) Best I Ever Had (Drake) Gives You Hell (All American Rejects) You Belong With Me (Taylor Swift)

[@blizzardcrow3051]

21 guns is a damn good song

[@yonkers_millyrock]

i still think the black eyed peas' use of "maps" on "meet me halfway" is one of the best sampling choices of the last 15 years... i know "maps" was later sampled for a beyoncé song that i think is better than "'meet me halfway" but that riff should be used a lot more often in music (with credit of course *ahem* dr luke)

[@ConvincingPeople]

"Maps" is, in its own right, one of the best rock love songs of the last twenty-five years. Not really relevant but I thought it needed to be said.

[@KiramidHead]

God, that was a big nostalgia bump. I haven't really paid attention to current music in years, but back then I heard tons of stuff on the school bus radio and some of it really stuck with me.

[@IPutThePowerInRangers]

I love rewatching these with better and better quality headphones as the low quality stands out more and more

[@RaidsEpicly]

I didn't start watching todd until last year, so I always wondered why he hated the black eyed peas so much. Then now I learn he put their two songs I like the most (and the only two that I don't classify as a guilty pleasure) on this best list!

[@RianneDoller]

I remember the days of Rock on the radio. That's when I started listening to the radio and develop a musical taste. Years later I slowly stopped listening to the radio because the rock was gone and replaced by dance songs. Going through Todd's list backwards makes me sad for those days. Thank God for youtube and other mediums for rock

[@toriagalaxy1566]

Love the video. Oh nostalgia. And no matter if Todd is on or off...he's always On. Love it

[@maisumcriticonainternet4351]

I think I remember watching this while on my quest... huh... Hey Todd, I'm on a quest to watch every single one of your videos. Watching a few every day and commenting on the last one I watched.

[@devinverdesca8822]

todd i am UNREASONABLY sad that fireflies didn't make the list

[@irisflorianandromeda]

You’re not the only one.

[@kirby-rh5js]

Me but with Gives You Hell

[@alannahfisherman1321]

Maybe Todd has some updated thoughts on the song…

[@s4ltenj0y3r]

Watching this in 2024, it's surreal to hear him call Drake a new name

[@jwood8769]

Watching this is really intresting to see his growth as a KZbinr. He’s way more comfortable around the microphone. And on video. But his content has always been great

[@Angela-ie6ql]

This list makes me nostalgic, in a good way

[@moviesquad73]

10:08 so this was the beginning of Todd's complicated relationship with Katy Perry

[@alannahfisherman1321]

Only to recently end in a bittersweet and satisfying episode of Trainwreckords. It was quite the entertaining journey.

[@inafridge8573]

Just Dance is definitely the right choice

[@Yeaster]

What a trip down memory lane this was. Suddenly I'm a junior in college again

[@tegantalks9612]

I’m back as a freshman in high school at least I think that’s what the Grade 9 equivalent is for Canada lol

[@litlblkhouse]

Looking back on this year, I still believe that Just Dance is one of the greatest debut singles I have ever heard 😊

[@andrewhy6469]

seems like 2009 was a little closer to what i remember

[@jkingisbeast]

Kind of surprised New Divide wasn’t mentioned. It was a great rock song and a top 10 hit.

[@tegantalks9612]

Todd isn’t really a fan of any-Metal like Linkin Park

[@MatthewBanks100]

Eminem's verse on Forever just might be his best post Lose Yourself verse....period

[@UnorthodoxIndividual]

Honestly I quite enjoy 2009, not necessarily popular music but it was a good year. My favorite hit song from will always be 21 Guns by Green Day, it just works in all the right ways for me, it's pretty much permanently reserved a spot in my 10 favorite songs of all time. my favorite song from 2009 in general was "Island Song" by LAKE, better known as the Adventure Time end credits albeit slightly altered.

[@Karmy.]

Use Somebody is still an incredible track over a decade later (goddamn)

[@UnorthodoxIndividual]

@@Karmy. True, that one's a real gem

[@emillyrodrigues7524]

I still listen to Island Song nowadays

[@faeriegraver]

Come along with me...

[@Ponderosa518]

As fun and catchy as it was, I couldn't listen to Just Dance after 2011 because a girl in my hometown was in that exact situation, stumbled away from the club barefoot and without her phone. They never found her body.

[@mentalillness1574]

wtf?

[@progunjack5556]

Dude, you just ruined it

[@MarmaladeMagnolia]

@@progunjack5556 bruh

[@user42344]

😦

[@BiscuitsInSeptember]

This deserves more than the one like I can give it.

[@marginallymuted7400]

I legit feel robbed when Let It Rock came on. Never got to hear it where I lived in Canada. Would have loved to grow up hearing a song like it.

[@actionsub]

Never too late! kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2HRZZiDfL10r80

[@mcmagiccracker]

4:20 Stankonia! A place! I thought it was referring the scent of "stank on ya"

[@tegantalks9612]

Don’t feel bad about liking Hot N Cold, Todd. My metal loving husband actually likes this son and wants to do a good metal cover version of it.

[@alannahfisherman1321]

There is an actual rock remix of the song and it sounds just as good if not better.

[@SEHipple]

Top two really hold up. Great picks.

[@sugarfrosted2005]

Drake being a newcomer when Todd started is wild.

[@jarretc110]

day and night is a money play. the producer says in an interview that cudi was disparaging of weed and just made the song to pander and hopefully get a hit.

[@No1twelshy]

2009. I was 16-17. The years when my brain was the most squishy for absorbing music. I'm lucky that that just so happened to be the best year for music in history.

[@andu1854]

You missed the first part of the 90’s, better hip hop and grunge

[@HomerSimpsonIsCool]

17:00 I love the "Say Anything" poster. It matches the sentiment of the skit perfectly

[@borsniel7767]

I graduated in 09' from high school, and recognize only no. 7 and 8 of these songs.

[@MrGetownedLP]

0:34 Don't be ashamed, that song actually bangs

[@marcel1372]

let it rock was an eternal banger. liked hearing that shit on ESPN ads. truly greatest act of benevolence

[@TSGPhilipp]

In hindsight, how the fuck did Fireflies not make that list? One of the best Pop Songs of the decade

[@kyIesaurus____________________]

I like the mashup with Gas Pedal a lot more

[@xXTomokoKurokiXx]

I think Fireflies at the time was seen as dorky cheese by a bootleg Postal Service instead of being an honest song about wistful insomnia. In hindsight it is definitely an awesome song but it took a lot longer for it to get big than it should've. I mean, speaking personally, I didn't even remember it when it became a meme back in like 2017. I liked it when I heard it again but 8 years is a long time for a song to get a reevaluation.

[@toriagalaxy1566]

Ooooh, Todd mentioned Silversun Pickups and Animal Collective...now I'm struck with wondering what his lists Outside of pop 100 would have been...oh, wistful wishing...

[@myco_enthusiast]

My god the nostalgia. Let It Rock was a very fun track.

[@MrLurchMedia]

Never thought I'd hear Todd say "Animal Collective", least of all in a light that isn't remotely negative.

[@KingBenny]

Todd talking about cudi still makes me happy

[@SurgingSpecs]

wump wump

[@elijahfordsidioticvarietys8770]

I’m surprised how many songs I don’t remember at all are on here.

[@anonymoustipster202]

He’s Clever Putting The Top 10 In January Instead Of December

[@scottmcneely7954]

I don't know what's more disturbing, the fact that "Hot and Cold" is the catchiest song on this list, or that the "Worst of 1976" list is actually more listenable than this "Best of".

[@johngerygooz3251]

Ehhh... The "Worst of 1976" songs're all barely listenable... so... I guess, the first take?

[@oth5secs]

Wow 2009 was a happier time

[@MikeKobela]

Love the Cinerama format

[@tylerarends4426]

13:10 What is the cartoon reference there?

[@gus7319]

No Heartless?

[@ThatBish380]

I’m so happy with the Number 1 pick

[@maztergamer1016]

Except for meet me halfway (which I like) which didn't actually make the billboard year end list. I love all of these songs.

[@NMGaming5035]

Glad my favorite songs from when I was 6 has it's own playlist

[@Doctor4077]

Bit of a long shot, but does anyone know what's the name of the song/Remix he plays in the outro of the video?

[@astridpizarro-martinez2557]

Dj earworm-blame it on the pop. He used make a yearly mashup, this one was for 2009. Not sure if he still makes them.

[@Doctor4077]

@@astridpizarro-martinez2557 thanks!

[@Doctor4077]

@@astridpizarro-martinez2557 also, in case you are interested, I checked and yes he still makes them. He released the 2023 mash up just last month.

[@VeteranTrack]

Man that Diddy line REALLY didn’t age well. Even Todd back then questioned it 😂

[@johngerygooz3251]

Weird to think, that I lived in 2009. It feels so old.

[@justnorth7400]

Woohoo its here again!

[@gamecubechair9066]

Surprised Fireflies or Uprising didn’t get on here, those songs were fire.

[@prometheustv6558]

What about New Divide By Linkin Park, that hit the top 10.

[@ShatteredAce]

Huh. I didn't recognize this video until that Shinedown diss came up. =P Hey, Second Chance was big, but far from the best song on Sound of Madness!

[@NFSF1McLaren]

and even then I think it's a decent radio rock song.

[@ShatteredAce]

@@NFSF1McLaren Agreed! I still enjoy it!

[@noracola5285]

great picks!

[@infsai]

Love you for Lady Gaga at no. 1

[@shanecorcoran2542]

Let It Rock being on this makes me so happy

[@charlespowell3268]

This list is dope

[@psychosomaticlovestory]

"he couldn't make good milk go bad" god damn

[@cassandrasm3783]

Just dance still makes me want to dance every damn time.

[@IABITVpresents]

wait a minute KEVIN RUDOLF CHARTED BACK THEN???? I only remember him off his other song I would hear on the radio several times, "Don't Give Up".

[@jonny12x96]

I knew Kevin Rudolf by I made it

[@IABITVpresents]

I am gonna add this video to his Wikitubia portfolio. Seems like it's the only top list missing Unless it was requsted to be left out on purpose despite it not being included in the TGWTG videos bundle.

[@ReneKnights]

Omg Let It Rock was my shit, I had it on my mp3 player. My brain associates it strongly with Twilight.

[@celeritas2-810]

Mp3 players. No one remembers the pain and diversity of those things. Lots of people didn't have iPods.

[@ReneKnights]

@@celeritas2-810 all my friends had ipod shuffles and ipod touches, I had mp3 and mp4 players 😂

[@DementedMK]

I would love to see a One Hit Wonderland on Kings of Leon if they’re eligible

[@samanteater]

Nah, Sex on Fire was a pretty big hit too.

[@orangeants]

@@samanteater bigger than use somebody

[@almathomassen6447]

You’ve just put AAR in it. happy for that.

[@spookypumpkininok1639]

I also kinda liked the song Alive by B.E.P. It's one of their more chill songs.

[@keokihiga8462]

He keeps putting Katy perry on his favorite pop songs lmao

[@MIRA-ll8yo]

Just dance is my favorite song until now

[@mrvinyl.]

2:40 it seems I've found an animal collective fan