The 100 Best Singles of 2008

1

"Single Ladies"   BY BEYONCÉ

Love has always been a high-stakes business transaction for Beyoncé, ever since that lousy boyfriend maxed out her credit card in "Bills, Bills, Bills." "Single Ladies" is her definitive statement on that subject. The beat, courtesy of The-Dream and Tricky Stewart, is irresistible and exuberant, the vocal hook is stormy and virtuosic, and her lesson is blunt: Seal the deal. With a shiny ring. Or else.

2

"LES Artistes"   BY SANTOGOLD

The New Wave guitar hook of the year, served with an icy dis of New York hipsters by dance punk's reigning queen: "Leave me out, you name-dropper!"

3

"Time to Pretend"   BY MGMT

A magnificent piece of snark about acting like rock stars: The boys are probably joking about shooting heroin, but that fuzzed-out keyboard riff is deadly serious.

4

"Furr"   BY BLITZEN TRAPPER

Deceptively pretty, deeply weird and nearly perfect: the folk fable of a man who matures into a beast and loses "the taste for judging right from wrong." Think Bob Dylan on Klonopin.

• View List: 2008 Singles of the Year