Released: November UK chart peak: #4
'I Kissed A Girl' may have given her a semi-controversial worldwide smash, but Katy Perry's follow-up single was... whisper it... the better song. The so-obvious-they're-almost-ridiculous lyrics leant themselves to a dance routine even a toddler could pull off. [NL]
Released: November UK chart peak: #3
"Are we human, or are we dancer?" was probably the most debated song lyric of 2008, but it was The Killers' return to the crisp synth-pop of their debut which really got us excited. Sounding like a Las Vegas Pet Shop Boys, 'Human' was cooler than an Eskimo in a freezer. [AF]
Released: July UK chart peak: #1
Finally achieving the commercial success to match his critical acclaim, Dizzee found an unlikely buddy in '80s-obsessed dance star Calvin Harris. Ludicrously funky, this was the surprise dancefloor smash of the summer. [AF]
Released: February UK chart peak: #1
Duffy hogged the top spot for five weeks with this infectious Northern Soul pastiche, becoming one of 2008's biggest breakthrough stars in the process. Singing it was like "having sex every day" she later admitted - luckily for us, listening was almost as good. [NL]
Released: September UK chart peak: #1
Their Only By The Night LP may have been weighed down by a clear case of U2-itus, but this track was a reminder of Kings Of Leon's filthy grot 'n' roll roots. Oddly enough, this testosterone-fuelled romp is the only track in our top 50 about making love in a motor car. [AF]
Released: October UK chart peak: #1
It's no 'Biology', but 'The Promise' neatly mixed the prevailing trend for all things 60s with the usual Girls Aloud magic to produce a proper stonker. Clearly benefiting from Cheryl's X Factor gig, it went on to give the girls their fourth number one – and quite right too. [DB]
Released: March UK chart peak: #1
It's always nice when home-grown talent gains recognition in the US - and it's even nicer when the tune happens to be so ruddy good! The sultry disco-pop of 'American Boy' became one of the year's best selling singles, earning Estelle a Grammy nod in the process. [DB]
Released: March UK chart peak: #2
Aussie newcomer Sam Sparro really knows how to make an entrance. Adopting an "existential" theme for his debut single, he turned in a song that was classy, soulful and hypnotically catchy - in short, something of a modern classic. [DB]
Released: May UK chart peak: #1
Jules De Martino and Katie White went from indie obscurity to the UK's hottest new group with this irrepressible pop nugget, a perfect blend of 'Hey Mickey', indie disco and lots of gobby attitude. Altogether now: "They call me hell, they call me Sta-cey..." [AF]
Released: September UK chart peak: #1
A break-up song with balls, a pop tune with a stonking great chorus, an excuse to get drunk and chant "na na na na na na na", the inspiration for a genuinely funny pop video and a worldwide smash to boot. Nice when the best thing is also the most popular, isn't it? [NL]
Selections and commentary by David Balls, Alex Fletcher and Nick Levine
