Note: I posted this on my Tumblr as part of the 30-Day challenge. But seeing as I worked so freakin’ hard on this list, I thought I’d post it here too; complete with links to the songs so you can have a listen. Enjoy!

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Music has always been a big part of my life ever since I knew how to work the radio on my own. So for this Tumblr Challenge (Day 18 is ‘Whatever tickles your fancy’), I’ve decided to come up with a whole list of my favourite Top 100 Billboard hits for every year that I’ve been around (I’m not including 2010 yet since we still have 7 months to go). This list is based on the hits as recorded by this site and is definitely not accurate in terms of what constitutes my favourite song that was released each year. Even so, trust me when I say that it was not easy for me to choose these songs here.

1982 – Centerfold, by J. Geils Band
1983 – Africa, by Toto
1984 – When Doves Cry, by Prince
1985 – Summer of ‘69, by Bryan Adams
1986 – That’s What Friends Are For, by Dionne Warwick and friends
1987 – With Or Without You, by U2
1988 – Man In The Mirror, by Michael Jackson
1989 – Smooth Criminal, by Michael Jackson
1990 – Nothing Compares 2 U, by Sinead O’Connor
1991 – It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over, by Lenny Kravitz
1992 – Bohemian Rhapsody, by Queen
1993 – Cryin’, by Aerosmith
1994 – Stay (I Missed You), by Lisa Loeb and Nine Stories
1995 – Back For Good, by Take That
1996 – Wonderwall, by Oasis
1997 – The Freshmen, by Verve Pipe
1998 – Never Ever, by All Saints
1999 – Iris, by Goo Goo Dolls
2000 – Smooth, by Santana featuring Rob Thomas
2001 – Drive, by Incubus
2002 – No Such Thing, by John Mayer
2003 – The Remedy (I Won’t Worry), by Jason Mraz
2004 – You And I Both, by Jason Mraz
2005 – Collide, by Howie Day
2006 – How To Save A Life, by The Fray
2007 – Waiting On The World To Change, by John Mayer
2008 – Viva La Vida, by Coldplay
2009 – Use Somebody, by Kings Of Leon

In case any one was keeping tabs, I’ve actually been very, very consistent with my blog posts for the past 6 weeks or so. And that 30-Day Tumblr Challenge? I’m proud to say I’ve not missed a single day. Yet. :p You can see all my Tumblr posts here.

Now, can someone please give me a cookie, or something?

Just a note about Liverpool this season.

I’ve been trying my best to ignore the dismal reality of my team’s performance. I’ve continued to remain hopeful for good things to happen to the club, but somewhere in February or March of 2010, I just knew I had to get out of my state of denial. It’s not something I’m proud of, but at that point of time, I started growing nonchalant, and started setting low expectations. A draw would be enough, I’d tell myself, especially if they’re playing a “bigger” club. I’d only get myself up in arms if my boys came away defeated at a match that they should’ve otherwise easily won. After all, on paper, playing against one of the “smaller” clubs was supposed to be a walk in the park, not to sound complacent. But, on paper, there’s simply no reason for the team to perform so poorly.

Many have attributed this debacle to the sale of Alonso. As much as I love that man, and was admittedly very, very crushed to see him leave, I never believed his departure to be the cause of such a massive impact. After all, isn’t football a team sport? How is it possible for one absent player to cause so much damage? Instead, my finger was pointing at the manager and the club’s owners. I believed that it was a combination of a major lack of player development, team cohesion and financial support that was doing us in. And after reading this article that triggered this rant, I’m even more convinced now that Benitez has to go. Because quite frankly, I see him as one of the proverbial rotten apples who has contaminated the entire basket of apples.

I will not dismiss his successes with the club, and I’m grateful for the silverware he’s helped to bring home. But I do believe that Benitez is not a good fit. We must acknowledge his strengths and the fact that he has brought in a good number of valuable players, however I do not believe that his yin has necessarily meshed well with Liverpool’s yang. I also do not blame him entirely because he made it very open about the constraints he had in managing the club. As for Liverpool’s two public enemies, I think of it as two Americans who made an investment that didn’t pan out as ideally as they’d hope and unfortunately, we are now at the brunt of it. Thankfully, their departure is imminent. Although it will undoubtedly leave behind a big cloud of ash.

I’ll admit that Liverpool’s future does appear somewhat bleak and unless a superhero of a billionaire appears (such as Tony Stark, according to a friend), it may take more than a few years for the club to fully recover to its former glory. I also understand that I’ll continue to get frustrated with decisions/directions that I won’t ever comprehend, and I’m only putting myself through more disappointment and heartache. Nonetheless, I’m more than willing (especially now, more than ever) to stay true to my club’s motto and continue supporting them through this tumultuous ordeal. Yes, no matter how long it takes.

And yes, I’m passionate about Liverpool like that.