You've seen the albums that topped our charts in 2007; now we present the RECs that got them there. And those for singles, and classics, and the upcoming artists with an eye on 2008.

These are the ones that helped all of us find new music, perfectly described that almost-indescribable sound, gave essential context, or were just funny and awesome.

So to everyone who's made a REC, we see you -- and keep 'em coming!

(Remind me again, what is a REC?)

Oh, and thus far we've only selected RECs by users with pictures, but that's not entirely fair. So in the spirit of the upcoming Chinese New Year, we've included image-anonymous users, assigning them this year's zodiac animal: the Fire Pig.

Enjoy!

THE HOT HOT HEAT REC
  from roguepuppet

Let Them Knock by Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings

"This song wrings every bit of sexy out of the universe and distills it into one great song. Sharon Jones can belt it alongside the greatest ever, and the Dap Kings are in fine form. Whew... think I need a cold drink now... or maybe I will just play it again and let it heat up."

THE SWEET SOUND OF A GOOD REC
  from Joe Shockley

The Satisfier by Eli "Paperboy" Reed and the True Loves

"Great Soul Music. If you're diggin' Amy Winehouse, Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings or The Budos Band you'll be diggin' this. If you've ever watched the movie The Commitments and thought "Man, I sure could go for some of that sweet soul music right about now" This would satisfy you. If Motown were still making hits like this, that would be the label they'd call home. Good Stuff!"

THE ELECTRO-UTOPIA REC
  from jokel

Inequality by Electrokids

"If there's ever a society of happy little robots, this is the music they'd be listening to."

THE PARTY IN A BOX REC
  from Sheri

Naturally by Middle Distance Runner

"Beat so strong and sweet it's hard to concentrate on work. Too good to be background music. This song needs to come with a dance floor."

THE ROCK OVER LONDON, ROCK ON CHICAGO REC
  from Adam

Pro Nails Remix feat. Kanye West (Dirty) by Kid Sister

"Hold it down Chi town."

THE FLEETING MAGIC REC
  from TheMilla

silent presence of a sunset by robert waddington

"listen with ur eyes closed. see the colours? feel the magic that xists only in those few moments? feel the sensation of romance? see the birds? u hear them? now just listen ....."

THE ONE WORD SAYS IT ALL REC
  from DWIZZLE

Peaches by The Presidents of the United States of America

"PEACHES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

THE HOW RUDE! REC
  from theseunitedstates

Burn This Bridge by These United States

"hey. it's These United States. we made this song. and then we bought it from ourselves. and now we're recommending it to you! can you believe the gall of some people? to recommend one's own song? what, were these people raised by wolves? we hope you like it! luv, tUs"

THE ZOOLANDER REC
  from treetops

Genesis by Justice

"if only this song played every time i walked into an alley for a dance off..."

THE HEART TO THE MIC REC
  from vice_of_streetsoul

Beautiful by Animate Objects

"This song is incredible! Starting with some subtle keys, some strings burst the track into life. The smooth voice of the singer outlines the track in an intro/hook style, bringing the track title into context. When the first MC finally starts the mood is already in place, and thankfully he only builds the vibe. A verse transferred directly from the heart to the mic, with some ill metaphors along the way. My favourite part of the track has to be the outro, where the singer is vibing out, and the strings are goin wild! I LOVE THIS SONG! and im really picky!"

THE RISING STAR REC
  from TheFatMan

Hold Me Down (feat. Champ & KES) by Trek Life

"Damn this is a hot track. It's like a stripped down pop-hip-hop track with a solid chorus, good lyrics and nice message. I think this may be the first 5-Star song I've peeped in a year. Why ain't this boy a superstar yet?"

THE DAYS OF YORE REC
  from Elias

Let The Good Times Come My Way by Some Velvet Morning

"Dear SVM, Thanks for reminding us why people used to buy entire albums. Sincerely, Elias"

THE RECIPE FOR DISASTER REC
  from Lena Von Stukken

Internalize by Terminally iLL

"Yabbadabbadoo, gas mark 5, extractor position 3, chop, chop chop, some fresh spring onions, a juicy loin of beef and a handful of baby potatoes in fresh Bavarian butter - schmoothly does it! This track got my dinner going in no time. Now refine the dish with a tea spoon of Nutella, a hand full of finest caribbean mountain weed tips, a schnaps glass of Japanese Sake soaked in white whale fat refined with a hint of white spirit. Uups, my hubby fell >Terminally iLL< after his dish. I really should listen to Celine Dion when cooking dinner!"

THE YUM! REC
  from Sshomi

Till I See You Once Again by Ford Turrell

"Everything about this album is outstanding. Snag these songs quickly and enjoy the feast."

THE "WHAT THAT GUY SAID" REC

Loose by Spank Rock

"see crazyeyes rec for this song"

"see wejazzlikethat's rec for this song!"

"i put this on a mixtape for my ex... she was totally flattered."

THE WHO DOESN'T LOVE CHUCK E. CHEESE? REC
  from andrew.oswald

Earned Average Dance America by The Seedy Seeds

"Before Michael Jackson became infamous his music had an effect on my body. This songs captures that feeling when I was eight and dancing around at Show Biz Pizza (Kinda like Chuck E. Cheese with a bear.) This song has become a favorite group dance song at the local Irish Pub. Someday it might appear on Dance Dance Revolution, who knows?"

THE O.G. REC
  from tubems

Don't Pull Your Love by Sam & Dave

"i had this 8-track"

THE HAPPINESS IS A WARM MP3 REC
  from jbpeikes

P.A. by The Tricky Heart Love Kids

"Happiness. This is a song that can always put a smile on anyone's face. It was the first song I ever heard and it marked the beginning of a wonderful ride."

THE JUST LISTEN REC
  from Joshua

Silly Puddy by Zion-I

"Just sit down, shut your eyes, and listen."

THE RIGHT DOWN TO THE WIRE, EVEN THROUGH THE FIRE REC
  from TTChris

Waitin by Choklate

"For anyone who has had to endure a long walk through the fire: here's your anthem. I haven't done it yet but this is definitely one to blast from the stereo while strutting your stuff in front of the mirror."

THE STRAIGHT TO THE POINT REC
  from shelley868

Once More by STRIKKEN

"Buy it! Buy it! Buy it!"

THE WARM... WARMER... DISCO! REC
  from grashton

Skate With Me by Dgenerate Nation

"It jams. Disco. Party rap. Funk electro. It's hot. This group is dope."

THE BUZZZZZZZING REC
  from crazyeyes

Yankee Go Home by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

"clap your hands say yeah! is a pretty big buzz band- i think that's why treetops likes them so much... maybe that's why i like them too"

AND THE COLLECTIVE EFFORT REC
  from dorsey

Singing Machine by Cherryvata

"I'm a latecomer to Cherryvata but have finally found them thanks to recs by Rogue Puppet, Sshomi and Velmont. What a treasure......feel like I've just discovered gold. Thanks everyone."