Twenty Years of Summer (1996-2016)

2009

I remember - back in the days when I finished my first-ever language course as an English teacher - I Gotta Feeling by the Black Eyed Peas and When Love Takes Over by David Guetta & Kelly Rowland were massive summer hits.

Also Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Kanye West, Pixie Lott, Katy Perry, Cascada, La Roux, Keri Hilson, Mr. Hudson, Melanie Fiona, Marit Larsen, The Pussycat Dolls and Emilia Torrini were frequently played on the radio and on MTV.

Florence & The Machine had their debut with Rabbit Heart, Emeli Sandé had her first UK Top 10 as a side-singer for rapper Chipmunk, Little Boots had her commercial breakthrough with both New in Town and Remedy, The Veronicas landed their biggest hit in the UK with Untouched, A-Ha had a Europe-wide success with Foot of the Mountain, The Gossip celebrated fame with Heavy Cross, The Noisettes sang Never Forget You, Kasabian were on Fire, Pink's home used to be a Funhouse plus The Prodigy had their comeback with Warrior's Dance.

Popular club tracks included Get Shaky by the Ian Carey Project, For An Angel 2009 by Paul Van Dyk, Raindrops by Basement Jaxx, The Girl and The Robot by Röyksopp & Robyn, and Heartbreaker by MSTRKRFT & John Legend.

Unfortunately the charts were full with Michael Jackson songs as the singer died that summer.

There are, however, twelve more remarkable tunes from the hottest part of 2009:

1. Pitbull: I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)