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Every year, numerous terrific songs slip through the cracks, mainly because producers and/or artists do not deem them “single worthy.” Often, this unfortunate fate happens to soundtrack cuts, usually because the people get the idea that the songs will not function outside of the context of the film. While that can be very true (particularly with musicals), the three recent soundtrack songs I’m recommending are remarkable because they work so well on their own. Three songs which you should seek out, one way or another.

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There actually is some good music out there right now; you just have to know where to look. for this edition, I'm giving one big Top 10 hit, and two smaller songs that desereve to reach many more appreciative ears. Also here's one song that you've luckily been fortunate enough to avoiding hearing. Three to turn up:

There's not too much music right now that's really exciting me, but there are a few songs that have struck some chords. Two of them are from new artists, while one is from a veteran of 19 years. Also, here's one abysmal track that's the musical equivelant of having root canal. Three to turn up:

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Last night's Grammy awards brought musical joy, all the way from the Staples Center to the rest of the country. The Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences has been on a roll the past few years (a comeback after the dismal Norah Jones domnated 2002), and this may very well have been the best ceremony yet. Just about everyone who deserved an award got something, even if it was in smaller categories.

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With Sunday's Grammy Awards inching closer and closer, the excitement is building exponentialy. Lady Gaga, the Black Eyed Peas, Kings of Leon, Dave Matthews Band, Maxwell and Taylor Swift are up for the top awards, with Beyonce looming over with an enormous ten nominations. However, with the awards for Album, Record and Song of the Year, it is not just the artists who earn gold, but their producers and songwriters as well.

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Over the past decade or so, the Grammys have finally begun to embrace "modern music," and by "modern," I mean a post-1980 sound. Until as late as the mid-90s, the Academy would routinely shove current Top 40 music into smaller categories, despite the fact that these were the songs having real impact in the field. To put it another way, artists like Tony Bennett and Bette Midler were winning top prizes, leaving scraps for bestsellers like 2Pac and Madonna. Yet in the ten years since, a change gradually occured.

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On Tuesday January 19th, 2009, the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, more commonly known as the Grammys, marked a milestone, as it was the 15th anniversary of the "Grammy Nominees" compilation albums. Every year since 1995, the Academy has released a compilation album collecting nominees in the more prominent category. They always come out about two weeks before the ceremony. I have bought every one of these CDs and will continue to do so. In fact, my first CD EVER was "Grammy Nominees 2000."

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Traditionally, Janruary is a slow month for new music, because, let's face it, everybody's broke from the holidays. So for some music selections, here's to hits from the tail end of 2009, and one that's just starting to become a hit. Also, an unlikely collaboration that doesn't quite cut it. Three to turn up:

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Now to pick up where we left off. My picks for the five best singles of the early 2000s (no one has a name for this decade yet.):

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With the decade coming to a rapid close, the time has come to reflect back on the best entertainment we had during those ten years. Considering how many singles are released each week, compiling a top ten list is damn near impossible, but I have given this very subjective list much thought and followed a simple guideline: which songs still remain strong in my mind and soul. These songs still strike the same emotions that they did when I first heard them, they take me back to times and places.