The 100 Best Singles of 2008

9

"Viva La Vida"   BY COLDPLAY

Thunderclap tympani! Symphonic swells! Calvary choirs! Coldplay return, stirringly, with their secret weapon, Brian Eno. "I used to rule the world," sings Chris Martin. Used to?

10

"No Matter What"   BY T.I.

Even with a prison sentence looming, the King remains as cool as this boom-bap groove, re-establishing his reign with three words: "I ain't dead."

11

"Disturbia"   BY RIHANNA

The "Umbrella" girl channels Michael Jackson on this awesomely creepy synth-pop mindfuck co-written by her beau, Chris Brown.

12

"Golden Age"   BY TV ON THE RADIO

The funkiest groove by these Brooklyn experimentalists is stuffed with awesome details: loverman falsetto, disco strings, and lyrics that are skeptical and utopian at the same time.

• View List: 2008 Singles of the Year