As a companion to the below post on the top albums, here is a little stepdance set about the following lean-tos - some of The Best Songs of 2006. Again, the final declaration will happen, oh, by tomorrow.

Emm Gryner - Almighty Love
I mean, hey. It's one of the few songs Bono said he wishes he'd written. It's killer.
Beth Orton - Conceived
I first heard this in video form, on a Paste Magazine disc. Crazy, trippy, puppet video. Very happy and lovable.
The Killers - When You Were Young
I don't know why this record got such bad reviews. This and the next single, "Bones" are fantastic... killer, if you will (oh, I slay me! ba ha ha). This one's an arena-rockin' singalong for sure.
My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade
Kind of like Bohemian Rhapsody for today's kids. All kinds of twists, and plenty o' rock. Like Queen and Green Day.
John Legend & Sergio Mendes - Please Baby Don't
An honest man tells a gal to avoid him 'cause he's a cheetah! Gotta dig the latin rhythms. Deliciously soulful.
Sarah Harmer - Escarpment Blues (even though it's '05)
I heard this while driving up our driveway one day this summer. What a great and environmentally-conscious tune!
John Mayer - Waiting For The World To Change
Very much like Gaye's "What's Goin' On?". A modern anti-war / generational message delivered in a modern tune dressed like a classic.
Sloan - Who Taught You to Live Like That
Sloan's back, baby! Maybe their best CD since One Chord To Another or Navy Blues? Maybe. It's a bit too long and eclectic to make my best-of list, though. This tune's a throbbing Brit-invasion rocker. Lots of singing and clapping to be had.
Joel Plaskett - Nowhere With You
Joel just gets better and better. This is the probably best of the three songs from his CD/DVD combo released last year. Nice choice with Gordie Johnson as producer! Another great, uplifting, hand-clappin' singalong. Can't wait to see what Joel puts out next.
Ron Hynes - Movie Scene
It was hard to decide which tune of Ron's to pick - this, "Movie Scene", "Dark Angel (The Mother Who Bore You In Pain)", etc. This one was a strong story, and a great song, so I just picked it. Love Ron's approach - like a Newfie writing a song about classic Hollywood or something.
Josh Ritter - A Girl In The War
Again, something I discovered through Paste Magazine (go get yourself one!). Very beautiful song. This one builds in emotion as it goes. It starts out all quiet, and never gets loud, but the power sure increases. A great, great song. Nothing too flashy. Good lyrics, too. Like the flow of

"I got a girl in the war, Paul, her eyes are like champagne
They sparkle, bubble over, and in the mornin' all you got is rain".