Survival, Big Hoops, and Is Anybody Out There? And for Bom Bom not making it

Cant wait

I didn't really discover "Bom Bom" until later in the year. It's right up my alley though, so maybe next year?

I really liked this song when it came out. It definitely showcased Skylar’s voice rather nicely, in my opinion, and I think Kaskade did a great job with the instrumental production. It’s in line with what I expected from Skylar. Moreso than this song at any rate. Still, this is definitely a song that I would recommend for others to listen to. It is great to listen to, and I would even rank it higher. However, it did not represent 2012 as well as many of the others that come before it.

It wasn’t my favorite International smash of the year. Not by any means. However, I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t one of the most infectious. I can see its appeal, and why it spread out all over the world, to all of the non-English speaking countries at least. It’s a shame my country is not open to songs in foreign languages, though, as we will observe later on in the countdown with songs that would have done better in a more culturally open radio climate. (This is one of three non-English songs included in the countdown.)

Room For Happiness I love Kaskade, and Skylar sounds so good on this song! It will be on my best of too

Ai Se Eu Te Pego... I don't know what to think about that song, It was annoying at first... but after 100 plays on the radio and everywhere... I was singing too

Great so far

Ai se eu te pego

I may get a lot of flack for ranking a pop girl so low, but this song literally did nothing for me when it was finally released as a single. It was something I could appreciate when the album was released, but over time, as it became more and more overrated, I just couldn’t bring myself to really care for it. As it became more and more overplayed by radio stations, I even developed distaste for it. It didn’t help that over the Talk That Talk era, Rihanna herself started to lose my interest. I will get into that a little more later on, though. (This is the first of Rihanna’s three appearances in the countdown.)

Even as breakout rap star, 2 Chainz certainly has his share of cringeworthy lyrics. This song is no exception. In fact, it would serve as a prime example. With a hook consisting of “All I want for my birthdaaay is a big-booty ho,” you can’t help but shake your head… while bobbing along to the beat at the same time. Embarrassing it is, it certainly serves its purpose as a guilty pleasure. (This is the first of 2 Chainz’s four appearances in the countdown. Also, it is the first of Kanye West’s two appearances in the countdown.)

Rihanna and Ai Su te pego or something like that

Where have you been is great and Calvin Harris did a good job with that one too, just like WFL

This is yet another song that I enjoyed upon album release, yet grew bored of rather quickly. Overall, it is a great song, but I don’t feel that it was handled to its fullest potential. I think that had the era been treated to where this was the second single (behind "Paradise," of course), then it could have had the benefit of being exposed to digital buyers before album release and gotten a top ten peak. (And besides, “Paradise” would have been a much stronger lead than “Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall”…) As it was in reality, however, it was given a lazy treatment, despite the fact that Top 40 was opting to play it instead of their current single at the time. But because it wasn’t being pushed as a full-fledged single, it wasn’t going anywhere. Even still, it remains a decent track, but it definitely deserved better. (This is Coldplay's first appearance out of two, and Rihanna's second out of three.)

This song is OLD, but it ended up having much of its impact in 2012, so it can comfortably be present in this countdown. The synthesized chords are what make the song to me, because, well… let’s face it, it’s not lyrically impressive. But it’s not supposed to be. It has a spirit of fun to it that makes it one of the more irresistible rap hits of the year. Which, really, there weren’t many to speak of, seeing as the genre itself has fallen off in terms of mainstream exposure. (This is Kirko Bangz’s only appearance in the countdown.)

It took too long for me to like Princess Of China not a bad song

Princess Of China + Where Have You Been

If you’re like me, you would have looked at the title and thought, “Okay, this song sounds like it could be a meaningful track advocating for world peace and goodwill towards all mankind, regardless of where he or she came from.” Well, sorry to say, but you (and I) would be completely wrong. The song itself is okay, but it’s rather boastful nature is typical of Pitbull’s songs. So, while you have Chris Brown singing about different major cities around the world (though they’re all in one country: the United States), you have Mr. Worldwide telling you all about how he used to be Mr. 305 and all of the places he has traveled to since he became famous. I don’t dislike the song at all, though. I just felt it left more to be desired. (This is Pitbull's first of two appearances and Chris Brown's first of three.)

Rihanna, Coldplay and Pitbull

Where Have You Been.