Now that 2008 is over and 2009 is rocking in its place, it’s time for Hollywire to look back at the most awesome and outrageous music videos of the year.  We ranked the hits from the summer, but now we look back on the best of the whole 366 days of 2008.  Click on the name link to view the videos!

Most Diverse

Lykke Li, “I’m Good, I’m Gone”

“Most Diverse” is the award where you say, “Oh, yeah, that sounds cool”, but you have no idea what it means–which is kind of the same situation going on in the “I’m Good, I’m Gone” music video.  Lykke Li is a Swede sensation, with a voice comparable to a low-key version of Bjork.  The video demonstrates that she is no average popstar; there a funky dance moves and freeze frame senior singing moments.  While you may not understand the video, you can still enjoy it’s fresh spirit and the odd fun of this Swedish hipster.

Most Laidback

Jason Mraz, “I’m Yours”

Jason Mraz has a voice of silk that comes with a suave and sweet demeanor.  As a songwriter, he is immensely talented; he sews together phrases and rhymes that qualify him as a modern, hip sonneteer.  His music is always catchy and cool, and he never fails to add a touch of cheekiness. Featured in Hawaii, the video for “I’m Your’s” is the definition of laidback–sitting in the back of an open truck while ‘hand surfing’, swimming under waterfalls, and hanging out on the beach–just watching the video will help you unwind and relax.

Most Rebellious

P!nk, “So What”

With plenty of hip thrusting, chest bumping, and spontaneous stripping, Pink is definitely the leader for rebellion.  She’s not embarrassed to bring her personal life into the song and poke fun at it; she jokes about her divorce, but is still on friendly enough terms with her ex to show up with him in her video.  In the first 30 seconds, she gets a tattoo and stops traffic as she rides a lawn mower down the street. With her readiness to start a fight and wield a chainsaw, Pink’s video is fun, wild, and hilarious–all that we expect from the Most Rebellious.

Honor Roll

Katy Perry, “Hot ‘n’ Cold”

Miss Perry was featured in our summer video list with her infamous song, “I Kissed a Girl”.  In this music video, Katy is seen getting married, shaking things up in a tiny dress and with a man as a bridesmaid. With plenty of bridezillas on bicycles, this video shows the pent up frustrations of women over moody and changeable men.

Sexiest

Beyonce, “Single Ladies”

Beyonce gets recognition for consistently turning out hits while still keeping her life out of public spectacle.  Her music always goes beyond simple rhyme and catchy phrases  (though she has plenty of each)–her music is full of soul and power.  And with her unveiling of her alter-ego “Sasha Fierce”, Beyonce has shown a magnified version of that spirit.  The music video for “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” is not only sexy, but vibrant–there is no distraction from the dancing of her and her background dancers, and their dance employs full body movement.  The dance is full of intensity as every body part joins in on her anthem for single women.

Best Come Back

Britney Spears, “Womanizer”

Considering Britney Spears suffered from an infamous breakdown last year, her musical progress to this point over the past year is incredible.  ”Womanizer” fits in the traditional Britney model with a dance beat that vibrates through your limbs and a chorus that is so catchy, that is not uncommon to find hat you have unconciously and suddenly started singing the song at unpredictable moments.  The video is incredibly sexy and entertaining, displaying the chameleon talents of Ms. Spears.  Compared to her half-hearted last comeback effort with “Gimme More”, this time around is the full-spirited display that we desire and love from Britney.  The undressed scenes really fit her; it’s as if she’s showing that after baring it all, she has nothing left to hide; while the several characters she plays demonstrate that she still has plenty of tricks up her sleeve–Britney can still be whatever she wants to be.

Country Queen

Taylor Swift, “Love Story”

Taylor Swift appeared like lightening to the country music scene, setting fire to the genre and giving a fresh and modern face to country music, converting new fans to the style.  The music video is a charming play on the title “Love Story”, incorporating both modern and past to demonstrate a Romeo and Juliet-esque affair (only with a happier ending).  The video is as cute and sweet as the country singer herself.

Cutest Couple

Rihanna w/ Justin Timberlake, Rehab

There is no doubt that this music video does its best to showcase the hotness of Rihanna and Justin; Rihanna stretches across a convertible wearing a pin-up style bikini, while a fully-clothed Justin showers off in the desert–and that’s before the two even reach each other. The video is full of smoldering stares and sexy outfits; the two burn up the screen together.

Best Newcomer

Lady Gaga,  Poker Face

Lady Gaga is a hipster in the best sense of the word–she mixes vintage with futuristic to create a style all her own and brings a fresh energy to the dance floor. Lady Gaga first came on the scene with the infectious charms of “Just Dance”, and proves that her song “Poker Face” is just as contagious. The music video lives up to its title with plenty of cards being thrown around and a little bit of strip poker thrown in for fun. In her own words, Lady Gaga says, “A little gambling is fun when you’re with me”–and we have to agree.

Funniest

Gym Class heroes, Guilty as Charged

Gym Class Heroes show style and wit in their video for “Guilty as Charged” by calling on 70s style to create a story of a hero out for revenge.  The video even features a “sensei” to instruct to hero on his path for vindication.  The video also features Estelle, who made our summer list with her song, “American Boy”.  There are plenty of nunchucks and throwing stars to satisfy the anyone’s desire for ridiculous street fighting.

Up and Coming

Laura Marling, Ghosts

For a song about heartbreak, Laura Marling’s video for “Ghosts” is lighthearted and silly, with paper cut-outs and skeleton face paint.  The talented Laura writes her own songs and sings with a voice full of soul beyond her years.  This video is charming in it’s simplicity, but the song itself will want to make you embrace the young artist and look forward to what she has next for us.

So there you have it, friends–Hollywire’s list of the top videos of 2008.  But don’t be sad that another year has passed–the year is young, and we look forward to bringing you the next wave of awesome music videos for 2009.