2009 was a vibrant year for music, marked by the rise of indie anthems, catchy pop tunes, and the solidification of alternative rock bands in the mainstream. Listeners of 89.3 The Current, a renowned radio station known for its curated taste, have spoken, and their top picks for the year offer a nostalgic journey through the sounds that defined 2009. This list isn’t just a collection of songs; it’s a snapshot of a musical landscape that was both diverse and incredibly exciting.
89.3 The Current logo, a Minnesota Public Radio station known for its curated selection of great music, highlighting their listener-voted top songs of 2009.
From Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros’ feel-good anthem “Home” topping the chart to the introspective sounds of Animal Collective and The Avett Brothers, the top three songs alone showcase the breadth of musical talent that resonated with audiences. Phoenix’s infectious energy with “1901” and Grizzly Bear’s intricate melodies in “Two Weeks” further cemented 2009 as a year for groundbreaking alternative music.
This list isn’t just about the biggest hits you might remember from the radio. It delves deeper into the tracks that captured the zeitgeist of 2009, highlighting artists who were pushing boundaries and shaping the sound of the decade to come. Let’s explore the full list of listener favorites:
The Definitive Top Songs of 2009 According to 89.3 The Current Listeners
- Home – Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros
- My Girls – Animal Collective
- I and Love and You – The Avett Brothers
- 1901 – Phoenix
- Two Weeks – Grizzly Bear
- The Field – Mason Jennings
- Dominos – The Big Pink
- The Rake’s Song – The Decemberists
- Lisztomania – Phoenix
- Help, I’m Alive – Metric
- Fresh Air – Brother Ali
- Crystalised – The XX
- Love Vigilantes – Iron and Wine
- Heads Will Roll – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
- This Tornado Loves You – Neko Case
- Stillness Is The Move – Dirty Projectors
- While You Wait for the Others – Grizzly Bear
- Summertime Clothes – Animal Collective
- Horchata – Vampire Weekend
- Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked – Cage The Elephant
The list continues to unfold a tapestry of genres and sounds, from the raw energy of Cage The Elephant with “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” to the indie-pop sensibilities of Ida Maria in “I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked.” The inclusion of artists like Solid Gold, The Rural Alberta Advantage, and Camera Obscura demonstrates the diverse palette of music that resonated with listeners in 2009.
- I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked – Ida Maria
- Get Over It – Solid Gold
- Don’t Haunt This Place – The Rural Alberta Advantage
- French Navy – Camera Obscura
- Zero – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
- Gimme Sympathy – Metric
- The Reeling – Passion Pit
- Fitz and the Dizzy Spells – Andrew Bird
- I’ll Fight – Wilco
- Tenuousness – Andrew Bird
- Heavy Cross – Gossip
- Strange Overtones – David Byrne and Brian Eno
- I Cut Like A Buffalo – The Dead Weather
- Fresh Blood – Eels
- 40 Day Dream – Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros
- The Fear – Lily Allen
- Little Secrets – Passion Pit
- Never Had Nobody Like You – M. Ward
- (If You Are Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To – Weezer
- Drumming Song – Florence and the Machine
As we move further down the list, we encounter the theatrical flair of Florence and the Machine with “Drumming Song,” the soulful voice of Bat for Lashes in “Daniel,” and the thought-provoking lyrics of P.O.S. The sheer variety is a testament to the year’s musical richness. Tracks from Jack Penate, Brother Ali, and White Rabbits showcase the indie scene’s depth, while The Decemberists and Neko Case bring their signature storytelling to the mix.
- Daniel – Bat for Lashes
- Optimist (We Are Not For Them) – P. O. S.
- Pull My Heart Away – Jack Penate
- Us – Brother Ali
- Percussion Gun – White Rabbits
- The Hazards Of Love 1 (The Prettiest Whistles Won’t Wrestle the Thistles Undone) – The Decemberists
- People Got A Lotta Nerve – Neko Case
- Prizefighter – Eels
- Uprising – Muse
- Bruises – Chairlift
- Geraldine – Glasvegas
- Meet Me On The Equinox – Death Cab For Cutie
- No You Girls – Franz Ferdinand
- Laughing With – Regina Spektor
- Walking on a Dream – Empire of the Sun
- Dreams – Brandi Carlile
- The ’59 Sound – The Gaslight Anthem
- These Are My Twisted Words – Radiohead
- Relator – Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson
- Ambling Alp – Yeasayer
The latter half of the list is just as compelling, featuring the global phenomenon “Walking on a Dream” by Empire of the Sun, the introspective genius of Radiohead with “These Are My Twisted Words,” and collaborations like Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson’s “Relator.” Yeasayer, Arctic Monkeys, and Tegan and Sara add further layers of alternative and indie rock to this rich musical tapestry.
- Crying Lightning – Arctic Monkeys
- Hell – Tegan and Sara
- Tightrope – Yeasayer
- Death By Diamonds and Pearls – Band of Skulls
- Velvet – The Big Pink
- Hang You From The Heavens – The Dead Weather
- Just Breathe – Pearl Jam
- When We Swam – Thao with The Get Down Stay Down
- The Fixer – Pearl Jam
- Never Forget You – The Noisettes
- Kick Drum Heart – The Avett Brothers
- Not Fair – Lily Allen
- Ain’t No Friend Of Mine – Mason Jennings
- Wilco (The Song) – Wilco
- Hurt Feelings – Flight of the Conchords
- The Calculation – Regina Spektor
- My Love – The Bird And The Bee
- Love Long Distance – Gossip
- Bible Thumper – Solid Gold
- You and I – Wilco
As we approach the end of the countdown, iconic bands like Pearl Jam make an appearance with both “Just Breathe” and “The Fixer,” showcasing their enduring appeal. The list also highlights singer-songwriters like Thao with The Get Down Stay Down and the comedic genius of Flight of the Conchords.
- Heartbroken In Disrepair – Dan Auerbach
- Savion Glover – P. O. S.
- Panic Switch – Silversun Pickups
- Oh No – Andrew Bird
- Laundry Room – The Avett Brothers
- First Train Home – Imogen Heap
- Beach Baby – Bon Iver
- Daylight – Matt and Kim
- Sweet Disposition – The Temper Trap
Concluding the list are gems like Imogen Heap’s electronic-infused “First Train Home,” Bon Iver’s hauntingly beautiful “Beach Baby,” and The Temper Trap’s anthemic “Sweet Disposition.” This diverse collection truly represents the best of 2009, as curated by the discerning listeners of 89.3 The Current.
2009: A Year of Musical Diversity
The top songs of 2009, as chosen by the listeners of 89.3 The Current, provide a fantastic retrospective of a year brimming with musical innovation and memorable hits. From alternative rock and indie pop to folk and electronic influences, this list encapsulates the eclectic tastes of music lovers and serves as a reminder of the incredible sounds that defined a pivotal year in music history. Dive back into these tracks and rediscover the magic of 2009’s top songs.
