"Uprsing" by Muse

The group made its voice heard in late 2009. After developing a reputation as the best band to see perform live, Muse served opening act for U2 during the group's Houston appearance at Toyota Center, but really caught my attention at the MTV Video Music Awards  when everybody was preoccupied with Beyonce and Lady Gaga.

"Poker Face" by Lady GaGa

Speaking of the Lady, she released several hit songs between 2008 and 2009, but "Poker Face" was the epitome of popular electronic dance music for the masses and the lyrics made a reference to Texas Hold'em Poker, so everybody wins.

"You Belong to Me" by Taylor Swift

Carrying over success into 2009 from release of 2008 album "Fearless" and the single "Love Story", Swift won success beyond her wildest expectations at such a young age with significant category wins in almost every music awards show throughout the year.

"Savior" by Rise Against

"Halo" by Beyonce

"Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)" by A.R. Rahman & The Pussycat Dolls featuring Nicole Scherzinger

While 2008 was the year of 'the Slumdog' with the success of the independent motion picture "Slumdog Millionaire," the Indian soundtrack song "Jai Ho" was given new life in the U.S. with an English version with help from the Pussycat Dolls and is now a favorite at high school dances.

"New Divide" by Linkin Park

For the second time, Linkin Park was chosen to deliver the lead soundtrack single for an installment of the blockbuster "Trans-Formers" motion picture series. This is a song where I increase all the settings when I hear it in my truck. It is melodic but aggressive. Whether or not you are a fan of the movie series, the soundtrack CD never fails with Linkin Park leading the way.

"Party in the U.S.A." by Miley Cyrus

Just when it looked like Miley Cyrus' fame time was expired with the gradual end of "Hannah Montana," the teen surprised with the touching ballad "The Climb" and then really made her mark by throwing "Party in the U.S.A." into the popular dance music mainstream. Though the lyrics are not strong, the anthematic nature of the song overrules and makes it a party favorite.

"Run This Town" by Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West

While I'm not a fan of the Jay-Z. returning from retirement, he is brilliant when it comes to collaborating and the release of "Run This Town" with Rihanna and Kanye West, both of whose career he helped develop. The timing couldn't be any better. The track helped resurrect the interrupted career of Rihanna, who suffered a very publicized domestic violence incident with former Chris Brown, and West, who is best known in 2009 less for his music and more for his antics at the MTV Video Music Awards.

"Good Girls Go Bad" by Cobra Starship Featuring Leighton Meester

A surprise of a popular song featuring a collaboration with the doubly-talented Meester, known before the track for her role on the show "Gossip Girl." The released of the song also coincided with what was supposed to be the discovery of a sex video that featured her, but it appears that was a hoax. Not only has she overcome the brief scandal with her flourishing acting career, but she released her own CD before the end of 2009 and will likely be succeeding on the radio and downloads as well.

"Empire State of Mind" by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys

With the end of the first decade of the 2000s approaching, the two native New Yorkers released a song of great homage to the city devastated in 2001 by the 9-11 attacks. The song was given the ultimate honor when the duo performed the song during the 2009 Major League Baseball World Series, which was eventually won by the New York Yankees.

"I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)" by Pitbull

I am biased as an American of Cuban heritage to appreciate the music of Cuban-born rapper Pitbull. He delivers great dance music and did not disappoint in 2009. He had other hits with "Krazy" with Lil' Jon and "Hotel Room Service," but "I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)" is the one that entranced dance music fans throughout the year. Pitbull almost always delivers the great combination of Spanish and English lyrics and danceable Latin beats.

"The Fixer" by Pearl Jam

I have never been a fan of Pearl Jam since the group first made its musical impact during the early 1990s. Of course, I recognize their role in making alternative rock music the music of the people along with Nirvana, Soundgarden and Stone Temple Pilots, but I was never a fan. To be honest, I'm still not really a fan of the group, but I appreciated "The Fixer" because, simply put, it sounds nothing like the music Pearl Jam has released before. It was honest fan-driven rock music with a popular twinge to it, Pearl Jam fooled me in 2009, but let's see if other singles can have the same effect in 2010.

The following songs were actually released in 2008, but made their best impacts during 2009, so I included them in the list as honorable mentions:

"Second Chance" by Shinedown

"Show Me What I'm Looking For" by Carolina Liar

"Blame It" by Jamie Foxx featuring T-Pain

What were the songs you appreciated most in 2009 and which ones released in 2009 do you think will successfully carry over into 2009?

So far, I would have to say "Bad Romance" by Lady Gaga.