As 2012 winds down, I thought it would be neat to look back at some of the songs this year that made a splash. Here's a countdown of twenty of my personal favorite popular songs this year (also includes a few songs released in 2011 but which rose to success in 2012).
20. "Starships" - Nicki Minaj
I've been harsh with Nicki Minaj recently (which may have had something to do with the fact that she's judging American Idol next month, but let's face it: this song is super catchy, plus she's one of the most talented female rappers I've heard. Credit where it is due.
19. "Blown Away" - Carrie Underwood
Country cutie Carrie Underwood unleashes her dark side in this thrilling song about wishing that everything that hurt you would just...blow away. (You can read my review of Carrie's album "Blown Away" here.)
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18. "Beauty and a Beat" - Justin Bieber feat. Nicki Minaj
Teen heartthrob Justin Bieber and rap diva Nicki Minaj team up for a fun song with a great chorus. And some Selena Gomez name-dropping.
17. "Whistle" - Flo Rida
The catchy whistle hook makes this song a great one to listen to on a sunny day with the car windows down and wind blowing in your face.
16. "I Knew You Were Trouble" - Taylor Swift
Oh Taylor Swift, 2012 would have been incomplete without you and your country-crossover attempts. You're playing with trouble. (You can read my review of Taylor's new album "Red" here.)
15. "Payphone" - Maroon 5 feat. Wiz Khalifa
This uptempo pop ballad about a fading relationship helped Maroon 5 rule much of 2012.
14. "Catch My Breath" - Kelly Clarkson
The "Stronger" diva gives us an inspirational song about taking a deep breath every once in a way. (You can read my review of Kelly's new Greatest Hits album here)
13. "We Are Young" - Fun.
It was a great year for alternative music, with songs like "We Are Young" showing us that being different can also be cool.
12. "Somebody That I Used to Know" - Gotye feat. Kimbra
Another big alternative song, I'd almost call this one weird. But we all know how great it is!
11. "Skyfall" - Adele
James Bond made a huge comeback this year, and Adele reminded us just why she's such a legend. Her sultry vocals on this might help this song be a good contender for the Best Original Song Oscar.
10. "Lights" - Ellie Goulding
This year we were introduced to Brit songstress Ellie Goulding, whose breathy, airy vocals made this song a great addition to everyone's pop playlists. The urban-influenced sound makes this one a shoo-in for the Top 10.
9. "Blow Me (One Last Kiss)" - Pink
Pink made a phenomenal comeback this year, with her album "The Truth About Love". With her signature "I don't care" tongue-in-cheek style, this bass heavy song turned out to be one of her very best.
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8. "Part of Me" - Katy Perry
Katy Perry gets the award for pop princess of the year. This song from her album "Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection" is perfect for radio. The empowering lyrics and Mulan-style music video made sure this got the attention it deserves.
7. "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" - Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift gained a lot of attention for her less country, more pop sound. I'm not complaining, this song is fun, catchy and a great sing-along. (Again, you can read my review of her album "Red" here)
6. "Live While We're Young" - One Direction
One Direction continued their teen-pop dominance with this incredibly indulgent song. The exuberant chorus is a winner.
5. "One More Night" - Maroon 5
Band of the Year. Adam Levine's soulful, acrobatic vocals make this song pop gold.
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4. Wide Awake" - Katy Perry
Katy Perry has two songs in the Top 10. This was really an incredible year for her. The last single from her "Teenage Dream" album is about knowing yourself first and others second. Possibly Katy's most introspective song ever. Impressive writing!
3. "Call Me Maybe" - Carly Rae Jepsen
Teen pop for the win! Canadian export Carly Rae Jepsen has had a phenomenal year, which I would dare to liken to the Britney Spears phenomenon in 1998. This super catchy, playful and bouncy song made girls- and guys- all over the world want to hand out their phone numbers to random people.
2. "Some Nights" - Fun.
With a marching band vibe and powerful vocals, this song is easily one of the biggest, most original and most well delivered songs of the year. I liked it the first time I heard it, but when this song was used in the trailer for Wreck-It Ralph (review here) I instantly declared it as one of the very best of the year.
1. "Home" - Phillip Phillips
I said it before and I'm saying it again, Phillip Phillips is one of the most relevant American Idol winners in history. The way he has revolutionized the music scene is remarkable. His song Home and new album The World From the Side of the Moon (read my review of it here) represent the new Americana movement that's sweeping America- and the world at large.
Original, heartfelt and just plain good. My favorite song of the year.
And...that's it for this year! It was hard to pick songs and leave out so many amazing ones (Gangnam Style!?) What incredible new tunes await our iPods in 2013? Which songs will we be humming a year from now? Stick around because I'll be reviewing many, many awesome albums! Make sure to follow!
20. "Starships" - Nicki Minaj
I've been harsh with Nicki Minaj recently (which may have had something to do with the fact that she's judging American Idol next month, but let's face it: this song is super catchy, plus she's one of the most talented female rappers I've heard. Credit where it is due.
19. "Blown Away" - Carrie Underwood
Country cutie Carrie Underwood unleashes her dark side in this thrilling song about wishing that everything that hurt you would just...blow away. (You can read my review of Carrie's album "Blown Away" here.)
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18. "Beauty and a Beat" - Justin Bieber feat. Nicki Minaj
Teen heartthrob Justin Bieber and rap diva Nicki Minaj team up for a fun song with a great chorus. And some Selena Gomez name-dropping.
17. "Whistle" - Flo Rida
The catchy whistle hook makes this song a great one to listen to on a sunny day with the car windows down and wind blowing in your face.
16. "I Knew You Were Trouble" - Taylor Swift
Oh Taylor Swift, 2012 would have been incomplete without you and your country-crossover attempts. You're playing with trouble. (You can read my review of Taylor's new album "Red" here.)
15. "Payphone" - Maroon 5 feat. Wiz Khalifa
This uptempo pop ballad about a fading relationship helped Maroon 5 rule much of 2012.
14. "Catch My Breath" - Kelly Clarkson
The "Stronger" diva gives us an inspirational song about taking a deep breath every once in a way. (You can read my review of Kelly's new Greatest Hits album here)
13. "We Are Young" - Fun.
It was a great year for alternative music, with songs like "We Are Young" showing us that being different can also be cool.
12. "Somebody That I Used to Know" - Gotye feat. Kimbra
Another big alternative song, I'd almost call this one weird. But we all know how great it is!
11. "Skyfall" - Adele
James Bond made a huge comeback this year, and Adele reminded us just why she's such a legend. Her sultry vocals on this might help this song be a good contender for the Best Original Song Oscar.
10. "Lights" - Ellie Goulding
This year we were introduced to Brit songstress Ellie Goulding, whose breathy, airy vocals made this song a great addition to everyone's pop playlists. The urban-influenced sound makes this one a shoo-in for the Top 10.
9. "Blow Me (One Last Kiss)" - Pink
Pink made a phenomenal comeback this year, with her album "The Truth About Love". With her signature "I don't care" tongue-in-cheek style, this bass heavy song turned out to be one of her very best.
.jpg)
8. "Part of Me" - Katy Perry
Katy Perry gets the award for pop princess of the year. This song from her album "Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection" is perfect for radio. The empowering lyrics and Mulan-style music video made sure this got the attention it deserves.
7. "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" - Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift gained a lot of attention for her less country, more pop sound. I'm not complaining, this song is fun, catchy and a great sing-along. (Again, you can read my review of her album "Red" here)
6. "Live While We're Young" - One Direction
One Direction continued their teen-pop dominance with this incredibly indulgent song. The exuberant chorus is a winner.
5. "One More Night" - Maroon 5
Band of the Year. Adam Levine's soulful, acrobatic vocals make this song pop gold.
.jpg)
4. Wide Awake" - Katy Perry
Katy Perry has two songs in the Top 10. This was really an incredible year for her. The last single from her "Teenage Dream" album is about knowing yourself first and others second. Possibly Katy's most introspective song ever. Impressive writing!
3. "Call Me Maybe" - Carly Rae Jepsen
Teen pop for the win! Canadian export Carly Rae Jepsen has had a phenomenal year, which I would dare to liken to the Britney Spears phenomenon in 1998. This super catchy, playful and bouncy song made girls- and guys- all over the world want to hand out their phone numbers to random people.
2. "Some Nights" - Fun.
With a marching band vibe and powerful vocals, this song is easily one of the biggest, most original and most well delivered songs of the year. I liked it the first time I heard it, but when this song was used in the trailer for Wreck-It Ralph (review here) I instantly declared it as one of the very best of the year.
1. "Home" - Phillip Phillips
I said it before and I'm saying it again, Phillip Phillips is one of the most relevant American Idol winners in history. The way he has revolutionized the music scene is remarkable. His song Home and new album The World From the Side of the Moon (read my review of it here) represent the new Americana movement that's sweeping America- and the world at large.
Original, heartfelt and just plain good. My favorite song of the year.
And...that's it for this year! It was hard to pick songs and leave out so many amazing ones (Gangnam Style!?) What incredible new tunes await our iPods in 2013? Which songs will we be humming a year from now? Stick around because I'll be reviewing many, many awesome albums! Make sure to follow!