Cuss words can be a lazy lyricist's exclamation points but, in the right hands, profanity affords a landscape of creativity and rhyme schemes that breathe new life into descriptions of coitus, anger, and self-reflection. There may not be enough amazing uses of “fuck,” “ass,” and “shit” in rock music, but the hip-hop and danceclub genres keep this poetic device handy at all times. Here are the Top 10 Uses of Profanity in Music in 2010:

10. Kanye West “Gorgeous“

Kanye West, love him, hate him, he will drop an F-bomb wherever he wants. Here, he also offers his genitalia in exchange for your respect. “I don't really give a f-ck about it at all, 'cause the same people that tried to black ball me, forgot about 2 things, my black balls.”

9. Lady Gaga “Telephone” [Explicit version]

Ok, the video is where all the profanity happens. There's a “bitch” fight, then Gaga flashes her vagina, then she and Beyonce cruise around in the Kill Bill mobile and make-out. Gaga has carved a comfy spot for her strangeness in America's hearts. Is she this generation's Madonna? Who cares? She wears dresses made of meat, that's entertainment!

8. Robyn “Don't Fucking Tell Me What To Do“

There's a lot of killers in the world, the little things that run you down and take away from life's enjoyment. Robyn makes lemonade out of her lemons and runs through the list of everything that's killing her, but with a kick drum to purge her grievances with a pleasurable dancefloor experience.

7. Drake “Over“

Drake's meditation on fame has a 50-word chorus with a well-placed “who the fuck are y'all?” at the crux of it. Every rapper has to write one of these songs about rising to the top and keeping it real, but they often devolve into lame bragging. But this one is great! Seriously, have you ever heard that long of a chorus? Drake is amazing and he's Jewish. Marry me?

6. Jo Cool “I Am All I Want To Be” + “Ho Dog Skank”

(Full Disclosure: Yes, I'm in these videos…)

Jo Cool is country girl Amanda Jo Williams' dirty-mouthed rapping evil twin. Most of Jo Cool's songs involve ho' dogs, skanks, cocks, and other blushworthy profanities. With a sense of humor, she calls this genre, Cuntrap.

5. E-40 feat. Too $hort “Bitch“

See if you don't find yourself spontaneously exclaiming “BITCH!…” throughout the day after hearing this jam on the way to work. Simplicity is key here. Simple clap, simple snap, throw in a hook, and a echoing “Bitch!” and you've got a recipe for radio magic.

4. YG “Toot It And Boot It“

YG invented a new way to describe a hit and run one-night stand. Not since “You Remind Me Of My Jeep” has there been a better car-related sexual innuendo. You take a girl home from the club, “toot It” (like a horn), and “boot It,” cuz she ain't your wife…

3. Die Antwoord “Evil Boy”

All your favorite English cuss words are in this song, plus a bunch in Xhosa, Afrikaans, and Prawn. Here's an excerpt:

BITCH YOU KNOW WHO THE MOTHERFUCK IT IS

ROLL THROUGH THE CLUB LIKE A

TIKOLOSHE (little hairy African demon man with a giant horse penis)

NINJAS HUNG LIKE A FOKKEN HORSE

YEAH GIRL! I'M A FREAK OF NATURE

SIGN MY NAME ON YOUR BOOB FUCK A PIECE OF PAPER

IF YOU FEELING ME:COOL…NOT FEELING ME:FUCK OFF!

WIES JY? FOKKOL! UMNQUNDUWAKHO! (Who are you? No-one! Fucking asshole!)

Want more? Visit the rest of the lyrics

2. Insane Clown Posse “Miracles“

“Fucking rainbows after it rains, there's enough miracles here to blow your brains.” Insane Clown Posse at its most after-school special gets real because “Music is magic, you can't even hold it. It's just there in air. Pure motherfucking magic. This shit will blow your motherfucking minds.”

And the number one use of profanity in music is 2010 is (of course)…

1. Cee-Lo “Fuck You“

When Cee-Lo said “Fuck you,” the world said, “Yes, please!” making this one of the most successful singles of the year, and with its upbeat soulful delivery, maybe the most appreciated song with “fuck” in the title, ever. “Ain't that some shit?!”

BONUS TRACK!

And a special award for Mr. Congeniality goes to Enrique Iglesias “Tonight (I'm Fucking You” feat. Ludacris.

This video just popped up this week. He toots it and boots it. Shirley Temple's guest vocal appearance adds a cherry on top of this profane dessert.

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