5 SONGS OF 2009

In no particular order, other than they are in my Top 25 on iTunes. Here are my top picks and why.

STORY OF A HEART - BENNY ANDERSSON BAND - Harking back to Abba's glory days, minus the sublime vocals of Frida and Agnetha but the relentless beat and melody of the song is pure Benny and is just a joy to listen to from start to finish. If Abba were performing in bad outfits in 2009 they would have sung this.

BAD ROMANCE - LADY GAGA - Non stop workout track. One to play on the treadmill or when the day feels sluggish and you need that bullet to wake up. Forget vitamin shots or lines of cocaine - this is an adrenaline high that pushes you to another place. The video's a blinder aswell.

TAKE A BOW - GLEE CAST - I had never really heard the Rihanna version that much but after listening to Lea Michele belt this bad boy out, I found it so fabulous. Her voice is clear as crystal decanters, there is never any question about her selling this song to the listener.

LOVE PATROL - THE DOOLEYS - I rediscovered "Wanted" whilst in a taxi this year and the driver had it on. I used to dance to the hi-nrg version and so checked out the Dooleys on iTunes and found their greatest hits. Now that was stretching it a bit as they only had 2 real good songs. This song has an uber gay, poppered up moustache disco feel.

AQUARIUS - HAIR NEW BROADWAY CAST - Just sublime. I loved the movie version and thought nothing could beat it, however Sasha Allen soars as Dionne. Seeing the show live in NYC and hopefully seeing it live in London next year really brought it to life. It also helps that I met Miss Allen after the show and it really was the dawning of Aquarius. If any song was my top one this year - it's this!