The 100 Best Singles of 2008

Hip-hop's freakiest talents join forces over change-purse-jingling beats. Missy brings the cheeky rhymes, the Arkiteks and Lamb bring the club-shaking bass, and each out-weirds the other.

70

"Tic Toc"   BY BUSY SIGNAL

The slyest bragging ever devoted to size 10, um, shoes. But the dancehall superstar is not totally self-serving: He also shouts out Sisq?'s "Thong Song" over a snake-charmer beat.

71

"Do the Panic"   BY PHANTOM PLANET

While we wait for the new Strokes record, this will do just fine: Amid sexy garage-band propulsion, Alex Greenwald delivers the sunniest lines ever written about severed heads.

72

"Black and Gold"   BY SAM SPARRO

The burbling bounce of this Australian soul singer's breakthrough single showcases his liquid-caramel voice. But it's also the year's deepest rave anthem — a tormented meditation on agnosticism.

• View List: 2008 Singles of the Year