Our top 5 male vocalists of 2008 caused a bit of a stir. Now it’s time to show some love to the ladies who rocked the year with their incredible voices. From the belters to the rockers, 2008 had some of the best female vocalists showing off their pipes. New and established artists got back to doing what singers are supposed to do–actually sing! So, here’s to those chicas who do it oh so well! Can you guess who made it to number one and who gets the big snub? Read on!

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Pink is known for her shockingly honest lyrics and music videos poking fun at the industry bumble brains, but she should be known a lot more for her spectacular voice. She came right out the gate giving the R&B singers of the late 90’s, early 00’s a run for their money. Now, she’s showing the rocker girls how to do it. She can effortlessly glide from genre to genre, from acoustic ballads like “Crystal Ball” to guitar blaring rockers like “Sober.” Versatility is the name of Pink’s game, and that’s why she was a lock for this list.

Watch and Listen: Who Knew – Live on AOL Sessions

Sober – Live at the American Music Awards

Crystal Ball

A technical singer she is not. Clarity and smoothness, her voice doesn’t possess the most of. Passion; that’s her ticket. Not everyone will be moved by a singer who can perform more tricks with their voice than a circus elephant (have you been to the circus lately? Those bad boys are trained better than my dog!) But what Alicia Keys lacks in technical skills, she makes up for tenfold with the passion and emotion she evokes in her voice. That fracture in her voice throughout “No One” give us goosebumps; the yearning cries in “Like You’ll Never See Me Again” captures our souls, and that self-assured shout in “Superwoman” leaves us breathless.

Watch and Listen: As I Am Medley – Live on Good Morning America

The Thing About Love – Live on The Late Show with David Letterman

I Need You – Live on Dancing with the Stars

Country music really gets a lot of undeserved flack, but the truth is the genre pushes out some of the best female vocalists in the music industry. Reba McEntire, Martina McBride….Carrie Underwood. We felt like the genre had to be represented and there was no one who could do it more justice than Carrie. We’ve been fans of Carrie’s from the minute her audition for American Idol aired. She owned the season with amazing performance after amazing performance. She brought tears to our eyes when she performed “I’ll Stand By You” on Idol finale in 2007. But, honestly, it was the six second serenade to a tiny little pony in her Vitamin Water commercial that sealed the list love deal for us.

Watch and Listen: Praying For Time – Live on Idol Gives Back

Last Name – Live at the CMAs

Just A Dream

Adele may only be 20 years old, but the Londoner’s deep, smokey voice tells the story of a soul much older. If you mix together Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, and Karen Carpenter, Adele is pretty much what you’d come out with. It took a post on Kanye West’s blog of all places to turn us on to her, but we’ve been hooked ever since. She may have come out as one of the “New Amys” (Winehouse, that is), but she’s quickly earning a name of her own. She wowed the Saturday Night Live audience in November 08, and got herself three Grammy nominations including Best New Artist. With a performance at the February 09 awards show, she could easily own the top spot on our list next year.

Watch and Listen: Melt My Heart To Stone – Live at WTMD

Cold Shoulder

Daydreamer

Sorry, Sasha Fierce! You did not make our list. Instead, we’ve opted for the more controlled Beyonce. Bey is one of those rare artists who can successfully exist in the world of modern pop/r&b where vocal talent takes a backseat to edgy fashion and catchy beats and in the Adult Contemporary world where you better have either amazing lyrical skills or one hell of a voice. Beyonce has one hell of a voice, indeed. She can perform on 106 & Park and then on the Oprah Show. That speaks to how relateable she and her amazing voice is across all generations. She can sing in a low sexy growl like on “Disappear,” then in an angelic light-as-air voice like on “Ave Maria.” There’s nothing Bey’s voice can’t do–well, that’s not true–It can’t sound bad.

Watch and Listen: Ave Maria – Live at Christmas in Rockefeller Center

Flaws & All – Live on the Ellen DeGeneres Show

At Last – Live at Fashion Rocks

Smash Into You

Disappear

Ego

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Honorable Mentions:

It’s true that Leona Lewis is arguably a better singer than many of the people who actually made our list, but one thing she’s missing is a connection to her material. We saw her as one of those empty, well-trained singers and tried our best to look past the hype Simon Cowell was force-feeding the world since Leona won X Factor. We did well…until her American Music Awards performance. It took us awhile, but we were finally under her spell. Damn, that Simon. He’s almost always right. She still didn’t make the list because she has a long way to go when it comes to evoking emotion, but that voice can’t be denied.

Watch and Listen: Better In Time – Live at the AMAs

There’s no shortage of passion when it comes to Jennifer Hudson’s powerhouse voice. The Oscar winner and, hopefully, future Grammy winner (she’s up for four this year) could sing from the phone book and you’d catch the holy ghost before she’s even done singing the area code. She’s a throwback to those true soul sangers like Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight. A late in the year album release and personal tragedy kept Jennifer from getting out there to make a bigger impact this year, but we’re confident things will be back on track for her next year and she’ll make it all the way.

Watch and Listen: If This Isn’t Love

Here at Neon Limelight we love catchy tunes and the occasional mechanically enhanced vocal performance just like the next blog, but this list is all about the real vocalists–they span many genres but the one thing they have in common is they’re artists whose voices give us chills with one note. They could sing the phone book and convince us we’re hearing the angels calling us home.

Here’s to our top 5 favorite male vocalists of 2008!

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Most of you may remember Jon McLaughlin from this little revelation, but Neon Limelight fell in love with the 25-year-old blue-eyed heartthrob when he crooned the pivotal “So Close” from Disney’s blockbuster Enchanted. The song was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song and Jon found himself performing the song for millions on the 80th annual awards show in February 2008. The novice never skipped a beat or dropped a note. His velvety voice sent shivers up our spines. Even though the song lost, Jon’s performance was an epic win. He won us over yet again with his eclectic sophomore album, OK Now. There was no way we could leave this dreamboat off our list. We promise it has more to do with his hypnotizing voice than his perfect face and wind-swept hair.

Watch and Listen: So Close - Live at the 80th Annual Academy Awards

Smack Into You

Beating My Heart

When we were brainstorming to find a great rocker voice to make the list, the only name that immediately came to mind was David Cook. The American Idol season 7 winner doesn’t get the credit he deserves for his amazing range. Remember when he ripped the Andrew Lloyd Webber week on Idol? You ‘member, ‘member? He took what should have been the most difficult (and possibly boring) week and made it look like a cake walk, delivering a tear-inducing high note at the end of “Music of the Night” from Phantom of the Opera. Even if he wasn’t an overall brilliant singer, that note alone would have put him on the list.

Watch and Listen: Music of the Night – Live on Idol

Always Be My Baby - Live on Idol

Heroes

David Archuleta may be the youngest singer on our list, but he proves that age is nothing but a number when it comes to sheer talent. Young Archie’s voice has the clarity and range many adult singers never develop. He made grown men cry when he tackled the John Lennon classic “Imagine“ during week two of American Idol season 7. Next to Fantasia’s “Summertime,” it was single-handedly one of the best Idol performances ever. Hell, I wouldn’t feel bad about saying it’s one of the top televised vocal performances ever. He may not have won Idol, but you can clearly see he’s tops on our list.

Watch and Listen: Imagine – Live on Idol – Week 2

Touch My Hand – AOL Sessions

Running

He’s modern R&B’s Captain Save ‘Em; the wordsmith of choice for all of your favorite stars from Beyonce to Celine Dion, but singer/songwriter Ne-Yo has a thriving career of his own–well, only if you consider two platinum albums, one Grammy, numerous hits, and a butt-load of Grammy nominations for the upcoming awards ceremony (count ‘em, six!) thriving. Ne-Yo gets hit with criticism often over his voice. Being in R&B, rich baritones and abusing runs are often commonplace. Ne-Yo is a simpler singer; his light voice, reminiscent of a young Michael Jackson, never tries too hard, and that’s why we love him. Even when he’s singing the hook on the latest rapper’s new joint, his voice could coo the bloomers off any lady (or the boxers off any man–we don’t judge).

Watch and Listen: So You Can Cry – Live on Walmart Soundcheck

Go On Girl – Acoustic Imeem Performance

Stop This World

After many years in the business, Gavin DeGraw still manages to fly under the radar of the pop masses, but anyone who has been lucky enough to witness his sheer brilliance live will tell you he’s even more incredible live than he is on CD–and that’s tough to beat since he’s pretty damn close to perfect in the studio. The NY native can effortlessly rock out like he does on the first single from his self-titled sophomore album, “In Love With A Girl,” and then ooze soul covering Marvin Gaye classics like “Let’s Get It On” and “Sexual Healing.” There’s no genre his eargasmic voice can’t tackle and this is why he’s numeral uno on our list.

Watch and Listen: All I Want For My Birthday – Live in Richmond, VA

Sexual Healing/Let’s Get It On – Live in Lancaster, PA

Tracks Of My Tears – Live in Lancaster, PA

She Holds The Key

In Love With A Girl

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Honorable Mentions:

Robin Thicke was criticized for being a vocal one-trick pony on his sophomore album, The Evolution of Robin Thicke. He was accused of abusing his falsetto and letting the strength of his full voice fall back. On his third album, Something Else, the R&B crooner decided to switch it up more and it worked for him. He sounds the best he ever did on the retro-soul tracks.

Watch and Listen: The Sweetest Love

Admittedly, we’ve caught on to ginger-haired folk/pop singer Brett Dennen late. He’s been in the business for quite a while playing gigs, but it took the appeal of a familiar pop tart, Mandy Moore, in his latest music video for us to expand our horizons and give him a listen–and boy, are we glad we did. His voice is a little unexpected and somewhat quirky, and that’s exactly why we love it.

Watch and Listen: Make You Crazy

Ahh, love! There’s nothing better than when two smoking hot musicians collaborate in and out of the studio. 2008 brought forth some of the hottest musical couples to ever grace a stage. Whether they were getting together for a quick fling, building their puppy love into something more real, making their collaboration life-long, or bringing new little rockers into the world, the couples that we admire were doing it all while keeping their music careers hot. Take a look at our list of the top 5 musical couples of 2008.

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It was only a short fling but Taylor Swift and Joe Jonas kicks off our list at No. 5. The two hot young stars started getting cozy when Taylor was cast in one of the Jonas Brothers‘ videos. They were then seen out and about, even double-dating with Nick Jonas and his Disney gal pal Selena Gomez, but the two never publically confirmed their relationship. Confirmation of the relationship came only after the two were residing in splitsville. While we got a kick out of them together, it was the back and forth he said, she said about the breakup that placed them on our list. First Taylor lashed out at the dreamiest Jonas in her song “Always and Forever” for dumping her in a 27-second phone call. Then she went on to insinuate Joe’s new girlfriend Camilla Belle (who also appeared in a Jo Bro video) was the reason for their breakup. He fired back making it clear he has never cheated on a girlfriend and a phone call can only last as long as someone is willing to talk.

2009 won’t be bringing these two back together, but they will be bringing the new year in together. Both are confirmed to perform on Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Years Eve. We’re fine with them being over; their names don’t make for a good couple name. Toe or Jaylor just doesn’t roll off the tongue.

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No. 4 on the list is the real deal. To hell with these little kiddie couples! Gwen Stefani and rocker hubby Gavin Rossdale are beyond couple names (wait, let’s try for a moment…Gwavin. Moist!). They’ve been in it for awhile (married for six years!), surviving relationship bumps that could separate even us mere unglamorous mortals (like the discovery of Rossdale’s secret daughter from a past fling with a model). Luckily for the future, they have already started procreating. And they’ve done good! Their 2-year-old son, Kingston, easily tops our list of cutest celeb babies (have you seen that kid’s gorgeous mane!?), and they’ve just welcomed another son, Zuma, in August. They haven’t done too bad in their careers this year either. Gwen has been lowkey playing the mommy role while working on the long awaited No Doubt record, while Gavin released his solo album, Wanderlust, that spawned the Top 40 hit “Love Remains The Same.”

2009 will find these two raising their beautiful brood while continuing to rock out. Gwen will reunite with her band and play some of those new songs on their spring tour. Gavin’s album has more than enough steam left to pump out more hits for the new year. And they’ll do it all while being incredibly stylish. Unfair!

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All the emo guys and punk-pop girls (even if they may be wannabes) got a new couple to look up to in 2008 with the union of Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz. Their undeniable cuteness and matching bangs landed them at No. 3 on our list. They’ve been dating since 2006 and even though Ashlee (and her sometimes-creepy-but-just-loving-he-swears! dad Joe Simpson) was initially afraid of Pete’s party-boy image, they beat the odds and tied the knot admist pregnancy rumors in May of 08. Soon after the nuptials, the couple confirmed they had a bun in the oven. On November 20, Bronx Mowgli Wentz made his debut. Naming their kid after the Jungle Book alone was enough to give these two a high spot on the list.

On the music front, Ashlee faired much better in her personal life since her third album turned out to be a major flopzilla. Pete’s band, Fall Out Boy, just released their new album Folie a Deux and it’s in position to make a top 10 debut.

In 2009 we expect this couple to be going strong. Pete clearly has no complaints (he revealed to Howard Stern that Ash is the best sex of his life) and Ashlee just loves married life and motherhood. Hopefully there will be more Disney inspired babies in their future!

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Seven years of dating, multiple collaborations, expensive vacations, dinners with the family, and diamond studded and ink declarations of love all led to fans wondering exactly when Beyonce and Jay-Z would finally make their relationship official in the eyes of their God and, most importantly, the fans who support them. 2008 was the epic year for hip hop’s royal couple. After Jay-Z stepped down as Def Jam’s el presidente in December of 2007, he hinted that he and his Bionic B would be doing the electric slide down the aisle sooner rather than later. That small statement got the fans’ loins a-burnin’. The countdown was on! The couple played to the media a bit, getting a marriage license on April Fools day of all days, but it turned out to be no joke. On April 4, 2008, Beyonce became Mrs. Beyonce Giselle Knowles-Carter in a private ceremony in NYC (I, like, totally almost cried typing that!).

Rumors of a pregnancy soon followed, but they all turned out to be untrue. Bey did have a musical baby when she released her most ambitions album, I Am…Sasha Fierce, in November. The album is selling like hot cakes and Bey got rave reviews for her role as Etta James in Cadillac Records. Jay-Z continues to be an in-demand rapper and business man, making 08 a great year professionally and personally for Jayonce.

2009 will no doubt be good to the couple. Jay will continue work on his album, The Blueprint 3, and Beyonce will tour around the globe while hoping to win on her second nomination for a Golden Globe.

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Now who didn’t see this coming? After seeing Beyonce and Jay-Z at No. 2, the obvious choice for the top spot would have to be the hottest sexy fetus couple known to man–or at least to Neon Limelight–Chris Brown and Rihanna. Just how long the two hitmakers, affectionately known as Chrihanna, have been an item is unknown–some say something started after they scorched the stage at the 2007 VMAs, others say it’s when Rihanna was spotted wearing CB’s jacket in January 08. What is known is these two have been friends for over three years and their relationship has definitely grown, they make beautiful music together (Brown helped his Bajan princess score her fourth No. 1 hit as co-writer on “Disturbia“), and they love spending insane amounts of time together (they toured all over Australia on a joint tour). Did we mention that they are just too gosh-darn cute together? The hopes of a Chrihanna baby in the future alone was enough for us to stan them to the top spot.

So, what does 2009 have in store for Chrihanna? They’re both working on new albums being released later in the year, Chris will start the year on a tour of the UK and Europe, which will undoubtedly see Rihanna making a few guest appearances, and Rihanna will work on breaking into movies and fashion. As for seeing the couple finally confirm their relationship, don’t hold your breath. Chris is getting closer, but even if the two didn’t mind getting extra touchy/feely in Australia, Rihanna remains the queen of coy. But don’t be mad–look at how far privacy has gotten the No. 2 couple. We just hope with everything that is good and holy that we’ll be able to write about them next year. Long live Chrihanna!

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Honorable Mentions:

Katy Perry and Gym Class Heroes boyfriend Travis McCoy may not be engaged but they just narrowly missed being on our list. Maybe if the rumors of a tongue-slipped engagement ring proposal were true, they would have made it all the way. Either way, we *heart* these two and know next year they’re a lock for some list lovin’.

OK. So, they’re not really a couple but they’ve got a couple name all the same. T-Pain and his frequent collaboration partner Lil Wayne (known as T-Wayne) aren’t a couple who get to do the sexy things, but they do get to share studio time together and a stage. They’re both currently on the I Am Music tour and they’ll be getting to work on their joint album in 2009. That’s good enough for an honorable mention!

December marks an exciting time of the year. No matter what your religion or culture, you can find three gift-giving heavy holidays (hey, don’t be mad at us because we proudly admit to loving that aspect of the holiday season. Tis far hawt to receive, lovelys!); days are shorter, so the night partying begins earlier; it’s cold so you can wear those totally ugly, but amazingly warm Ugg boots; and the year is wrapping up so everyone will be making those super moist year-end lists!

Neon Limelight doesn’t like to be left out, so we’re getting in on the list making magic by compiling some of our favorite things of 2008 in music. From our favorite songs, music videos, musical couples, new artists and much more, we’ll be counting them all down in the next few weeks.

So who died and made us important enough to make a list, you ask? No one, honestly. But we’re gonna do it anyway! You may disagree with our lists. You may even want to burn us alive for some of our picks. It’s OK. We encourage your rage. We don’t claim to be music experts. Just a few folks who need tunes daily to survive. Hate us so much? Leave a comment and rip us a new one. Agree? Comment and stroke our egos a bit.

So stick with us as we count down the highlights of the year that showed us the rise of Katy Perry and the return of Britney Spears: 2008!