Best of 2011 in iPod Downloads

Looking back at 2011 and listening to my musical influences, some of which got me through a lot of work, workouts and traffic standstills, I thought ‘hey I should write this down as documentation of what kind of soundtrack entertains me.’ So here are my top six favorite iTunes downloads of 2011.

1. Rihanna has a golden track record of hits. I see her having as long of a career run as Donna Summer, so many of her songs were rated five stars on my iPod this year, but I could not get enough of Only Girl.  The ultimate list of boyfriend demands, how could I not love this?

2. We No Speak Americano kept me jamming away whether it was during a cycling session or typing away at some code, a blog or on Twitter. This song was released in 2010 by Yolanda Be Cool who sampled  Tu Vuò Fà L’Americano by Renato Carosone an Italian vocalist in the 50’s.

Inspiration hits a little harder when I repeat my favorite tunes. There must be something to this right? There is–experts say that activity levels in certain regions of the brain spike while listening to music, so turn it up.

3. Muse’s Uprising hits me with the perfect workout motivation and who doesn’t need a little motivational soundtrack while working out? Music is to working out like a clear sky is to tanning, it’s almost impossible to achieve one without having the other.

4. Lo Comandas by Banda de Turistas, a Spanish song I downloaded from a Nacional Records compilation. This little nugget came along with a number of other favorites like La Momia Negra and Tonino Carotone’s Amar y Vivir.

5. Sexy Dancer, a funky dance beat by Bob Sinclair, the girliest on the list and I love it for revving up to in front of the mirror, combing my long hair, Travolta style.

6. Epoca is by Gotan Project, a band based in Paris that mixes Latin jazz (aka bossa nova), tango and electronica. Their sounds are nothing less than bewitching…listen here.

So there you go, I like to mix it up. From dance to classical to jazz and monster balads, a little musical exploring has only opened my eyes to finding more melodies that make me feel good.  Happy New Year!