I've already started on Pulse and UKMix. So, here's what you guys have missed out on so far:
My Best of 2012 features my top 100 songs and top 25 artists of 2012. Any song that peaked in popularity with me or in general in 2012 are eligible. Any artist that released music (album or single) between December 1, 2011 and November 30, 2012 are eligible.
Let's start off the list with the close-calls. Close-Calls: Top 100 Songs
101. JoJo - Sexy to Me
102. Usher - Numb
103. Luke Bryan - I Don't Want This Night to End
104. Chris Young - You
105. Kelly Clarkson - Alone
106. Nicki Minaj - Roman Holiday
107. Dia Frampton - Good Boy
108. Taylor Swift - Ours
109. Vicci Martinez - Come Along (feat. Cee Lo Green)
110. Carrie Underwood - See You Again
111. Rihanna - Roc Me Out
112. Dia Frampton - Don't Kick the Chair (feat. Kid Cudi)
113. Adele - I'll Be Waiting
114. Natalia Kills - Kill My Boyfriend
115. Eli Young Band - Even If It Breaks Your Heart
116. P!nk - The Truth About Love
117. The Cab - Endlessly
118. Avril Lavigne - Goodbye
119. Rihanna - Red Lipstick
120. Kelly Clarkson - Einstein
121. Dia Frampton - The Broken Ones
122. Taylor Swift - Holy Ground
123. Tristan Prettyman - My Oh My
124. Hunter Hayes - Wanted
125. Maroon 5 - Lucky Strike
Close-Calls: Top 25 Artists
26. Train
27. Dev
28. Kerli
29. Ellie Goulding
30. Luke Bryan
100. You Da One Rihanna Favorite Line:You are the one, so I'll make sure I'll behave
I remember when this first came out, I instantly fell in love. It is so much better than "We Found Love" to me, and I thought that I it would be huge and it would be near my top ten for the year. Of course, it flopped after "We Found Love" completely overshadowed it, and the song was hindered a lot by the Chris Brown "Birthday Cake" controversy. I went through a period of time where I could not listen to Rihanna, so of course this didn't gain any points during that period. When I finally got over it, I was already tired of it. :-/ Oh, well. Things happen. It peaked at #6 in the early days of my top 30.
99. Kiss My Lips Dev/Fabolous Favorite Line:There's only one thing you gotta do for me; just promise not to stop when I say so
This definitely was a BIG standout for me from the album. I loved it a lot! I really have no clue why I stopped listening to it. It's such a fantastic record and everyone definitely needs to check both this song and, well, Dev's entire discography out. The thing that really made this song stand out for me was the hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey parts. So unbelieveably catchy! This peaked at #30 on my chart.
98. Kiss Me Again We Are the In Crowd/Alex Gaskarth Favorite Line:If every single second could last that much longer, would you hold me?
I found this song on one of my random checks of the hot AC chart. This was in the lower part and the name of the band intrigued me. I fell in love when I heard it. It's so early 00s pop/rock, but I don't care at all. This duet is really cute. I don't give a flying f**k that it's generic and clichéd. It's an adorable little song, and it gets stuck in my head like an earworm. This peaked at #27 on my chart.
97. Castle of Glass Linkin Park Favorite Line:Wash the sorrow from off my skin, and show me how to be whole again
This was one of the major standouts of their Living Things album. I have never purchased a Linkin Park album before, but listening to the previews, this immediately caught my attention. I knew I just had to have the album once I heard this song. I'm super stoked that it is the third single from the album. I honestly think that, with the right push to pop, this could be absolutely massive. This was not allowed to chart with the previous rules on my chart, but expect it to debut soon.
96. Ho Hey The Lumineers Favorite Line:I belong with you, you belong with me, you're my sweetheart
This is one of those songs that caught my attention through a commercial. For the life of me, I cannot tell you what the product was now (probably something Apple related), but I definitely remember this song. I could not decide if I liked it or not for the longest time. Then, I heard the full song in an Applebee's and I loved it. Unfortunately, it had a high burn rate for me. I am sick of it, but I am glad to see it finally taking off and becoming a smash. This peaked at #30 on my chart, but has a possibility of re-entering later as I find myself getting back into it again.
95. I'm on a Roll Stefano/New Boyz/Rock Mafia Favorite Line:Up till now it's been a hell of a ride
I don't remember when I first heard this, but I remember loving it to death at first. Then I just got really sick of it really quickly. Weird. I do remember why I loved it, though. It's catchy as hell, and I'm really surprised it never became a hit. It's a little generic, but whatever. It peaked at #24 on my chart.
94. Fallout Marianas Trench Favorite Line:I'm on the ledge while you're so God damn polite and composed
I love this song so much. The only reason it's not higher up is mainly due to the fact that I got into it late. This definitely became my favorite from the Ever After album after I discovered this amazing Canadian band. The production in this song is truly amazing, and I hope you all give it a listen. It peaked at #27 on my chart.
93. Red Taylor Swift Favorite Line:Loving him was like driving a new Mazaradi down a dead end street
What can I say? Taylor Swift is the queen of making adorably catchy middle ground music. This is definitely another one to chalk up for her. It's a little more on the pop side, but it has just the right amount of country influence in it that makes it twangy and cute. I love the production on her voice, especially during the re-e-e-ed re-e-e-ed parts. Love it! It is currently in my top 30 and has peaked at #22.
92. Middle Finger Cobra Starship/Mac Miller Favorite Line:I bet you're trying to prove what the meaning of single is
This song is definitely not lyrically pleasing. In fact, I kind of dislike the lyrics a lot. But, it makes up for it in the production. The beat is so energetic and fantastic, but the the rest of the production is slower and hypnotically monotone. These two mix together perfectly to make one hell of a catchy tune. I'm a little shocked that it never really took off. Oh, well. It peaked at #15 on my chart.
91. Safe & Sound Taylor Swift/The Civil Wars Favorite Line:Don't you dare look out your window, darling, everything's on fire
This song. It's just so beautiful. I really have no freaking idea why I disliked it so much for so long. I never got into it until I finally decided to read the epicness of The Hunger Games and watched the movie. I immediately fell in love with the song afterwards. Due to that unfortunate timing, I never really played it enough to earn a whole lot of points. The song did manage to make it to #27 on my chart, though. But, I must say that this song has quickly became me second favorite Taylor Swift song of all time, following the perfectly crafted "Enchanted."
So I've decided not to write about the artists because I honestly just cannot think of anything to write about them.
21. The Veronicas
22. Dia Frampton
23. JoJo
24. Imagine Dragons
25. Selena Gomez & the Scene
90. Soldiers Otherwise Favorite Line:This is a perfect day to die, wipe the blood out of our eyes
I discovered this song just be searching through the rock charts one day. I fell in love with it instantly, which is weird since it's considerably outside of my normal music taste. The rhythm and beat was just too catchy for me to resist. I also began reading The Hunger Games when I got into this song. I know it's weird, but this song fit the mood and feel of the book so perfectly to me, and the more of the series I read, the more this song fit. That definitely helped it earn number 90 on this countdown. This peaked at #19 on my chart.
89. Turn All the Lights On T-Pain/Ne-Yo Favorite Line:And I ain't gotta to work no more. **** that place! **** my boss!
This song is ridiculously catchy. There was a time when I absolutely loved this song a lot! The strangest part is T-Pain and Ne-Yo usually annoy me with generic r&b-tinged pop songs that are just plain boring or awful. But this one was completely different. Completely fun and super addictive. The only problem? I got sick of it pretty quickly. I'm back to liking it now, though. This peaked at #12 on my chart.
88. Get Out Casey Abrams Favorite Line:And I'm lying alone in my bed wondering why love makes me feel like I'm dead
This song is so adorable. There are tons of songs from females about loving a guy that doesn't love them back, but not enough of the other way around. This song takes that meaning, but gives it such a humerous and light-hearted spin. Casey turns a somber and depressing theme into one catchy little tune. I, for one, am really shocked this never became a hit. It's really good. This peaked at #24 on my chart.
87. Drunk on You Luke Bryan Favorite Line:That kinda thing makes a man go mmm hmmm
I don't know what it is about Luke Bryan, but his singles seem to just latch onto me. I'm not a big fan of country music, but I do like some songs, and Luke is really good about making the type of country songs that I like. This one took me a while to get into, but once I did I really got into it. The chorus is like ear candy and to be honest, this is one of the funnest songs to sing. I think I have a good voice for country music, and this one just matches my voice so perfectly and I can really, really get into it. This peaked at #15 on my chart.
86. Just Give Me a Reason P!nk/Nate Ruess Favorite Line:Your head is running wild again, my dear, we still have everything, and it's all in your mind
The moment this song started when I was listening to The Truth About Love for the first time, I stopped everything I did and listen. It sent chills up my spine. I literally cannot express my love for this song. The fact that not only is it a song about a bad relationship, it's a duet about one. From both perspectives. This type of story telling does not come around often anymore. P!nk describes her side of how everything in the relationship is going wrong and things aren't working out right. Nate describes his side of how she's just worried and nothing's wrong. They come together to say that everything will work out, and it's just so cool. It really hits home lately, too. Despite not being a single, the song peaked at #16 on my chart.
85. Sing You Home Xenia Favorite Line:'Cause the melody growing inside of you wants a harmony all of its own
So, yeah, this song resembles Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" a lot, but I really don't care. This song is different enough to stand out on its own as well. For one, the messages are completely different. Plus, I feel like this song is more fun. Both songs are great, though. I really love this girl's voice. It's so simple and frail, but strong. Such a contradicting statement, but whatever. I really love the lyrics in this song as well. A lot. I feel like it works for me better than "Firework," which has a similar theme. This peaked at #10 on my chart.
84. Let Me Down Kelly Clarkson Favorite Line:It's not fair to me, CAUSE I KNOW BY NOW
We have reached the first of six Kelly Clarkson tracks inside the top 100. Stronger was a huge part of my life this year, especially with me finally getting to go see her live for a second time. The song is just so climatic and full of energy. Listening to it is literally an adrenaline rush. Her voice always amazes me. She is seriously one of the best vocalists of our generation. When she reached that high note at the end of the bridge and completely NAILS it, it gives me a rush, and then when it jumps right back into the chorus it's like BAM! Mind blown. This was not allowed to chart due to old charting rules, but it definitely would've done very well.
83. This Kiss Carly Rae Jepsen Favorite Line:And she's a real sweet girl, and you know I got a boy. Details we both forgot to mention
I must admit, I was not a big fan of this when I first heard it. And still, even with this finally growing on me, I don't understand why everyone creamed themselves over this. Such a meh single choice. Oh well. However, this has managed to grow on me. It is really a cute song. It's nothing spectacular, but good enough. My favorite part is the obvious 80s pop influence. The instrumental is definitely the main reason I like this. It's just so catchy and addicting. I really wish this wouldn't have flopped, despite me not liking it all that much. Carly deserves to be a big popstar. This actually just reached a new peak on my chart of #22.
82. Love on Top Beyoncé Favorite Line:I can feel the sun whenever you're near. Every time you touch me I just melt away
I was not a fan of 4 at all. I just could not get into it. However, this song was the one exception. I absolutely love the old r&b influence. Beyoncé really did something magical with this song. It's incredibly hard not to sing along with this whenever it comes on. The hook is also extremely well defined, which is hard to do in a song like this. Not to mention Beyoncé completely NAILS the (four?) key changes! Just wow! This peaked at #15 on my chart.
81. Two Black Cadillacs Carrie Underwood Favorite Line:They shared a crimson smile and just walked away, and left the secret at the grave
Carrie Underwood completely blew me away this year (pun not intended) with the release of Blown Away, easily her best album by FAR. This was one of the instant standouts when I listened to the album for the first time and it became me second favorite track behind the title track. You guys can imagine how excited I was when it was announced as the third single. The song is SO GOOD at telling a story. I mean, this is one of the few songs that I really sat and listened to the lyrics intently to upon first listen. Not to mention Carrie's rocking vocals and that instrumental! The outro is easily one of my favorite parts as it's just one minute of that epic instrumental! Ah! This better go to number one on country. This was not allowed to chart due to the old rules, but look for it to debut soon.
Top Artists
18. Marianas Trench
19. Breathe Carolina
20. Linkin Park
My favs from the close calls are Sexy To Me, Numb, Luke,You, Dia, Vicci w/ Cee Lo, EYB, Endlessly, MY Oh MY , & Hunter. You da One got boring and so basic even for me to look past that. Kiss My Lips combo kills, Kiss Me Again never broke out in Pop and only got the iheartradio brand cheap-in plug in commercials. Still a nice song nonetheless, you should make an expectation to let COS to debut on your chart right now, Ho Hey is the smash hit. I’m on roll got old and boring quickly, Red the song is nice & IDK how I feel about the CS/Miller combo, & Il like The Civil Wars part because they are good. Imagine dragons the fav form the five artists listed, Dia in the middle and Selena the worst. Decent start to your end of chart.
I See that you have more Hate when that happens but whatever, Whoa awesome song by Otherwise. They are good and glad I noticed them this year. This reminds me to put this song on one of my list. I forgetting a lot of songs this year even when I started late. Damn. More Luke, that P!nk/Nate combo is one of best non-singles track I ever heard this year. That Kelly song is ok. That Bey song is not bad & Carrie is smashing with that song. Two Black Cadillacs could be better than it is now and be on a hot run for 2013.
LP at 20. Once again good start.
80. Honestly Kelly Clarkson Favorite Line:All I see are stepford-like lives, needles and knives, beautiful lies
This song was not an imediate standout for me when I first listened to Stronger, but damn, did I pay attention to it later on. I really hate that this song is so underrated. Honestly, it's one of my favorite Kelly Clarkson songs ever. The production is out of the world amazing, her vocals are haunting, beautiful, and spine-chilling, and the lyrics are great! It became one of my most played Kelly songs when I went to her concert earlier this year. I love this song so much, and I hope you all give it a listen.
79. Haven't Had Enough Marianas Trench Favorite Line:Don't you need it? Don't you want this at all? Alllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll llllllllllllllllllllll!
I'm so glad that I stumbled upon this song. I love it so much! Not only that, but it introduced me to a band that I've never heard of before. A band that I actually really, really like. The hook in this song is undeniably catchy. After one listen, I had it stuck in my head for the rest of the day. Crazy good! I also really love this guy's voice. It's scratchy and rough, but it works for him. I don't know, it's just really cool. It peaked at #12 on my chart.
78. Va Va Voom Nicki Minaj Favorite Line:You got that hot ****, boy ya blessed. Let me feel up on your chest. Flexing you the man. You the man 100 grand.
This song is absolutely catchy. I mean, like insanely. Why the hell did it just get lost in the shuffle like "Pound the Alarm"? GRRRRRR! Anyway, Nicki Minaj blew me away with how good her album was, and this was definitely a stand out for me. It is currently charting and still bulleted at number eight! This definitely is such a fantastic song.
77. I Am Yuo Ledear Nekci Menij/Medoner/Gags/Bayonse Favorite Line:All you bitches are copies. I sell hundred of copies. Keri Hilson shaded me and now she's making me coffees.
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLO LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLO
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLO LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL. There's really nothing else to say here. It peaked at #15 on my chart.
76. Skyfall Adele Favorite Line:For this is the end, I've drowned and dreamt this moment.
This is such an epic song. It starts off so strong then drops and has the slowest build up ever. Then when it gets going, it's like BAM! The instrumentation on this song is really to die for. It's so beautiful and moving in a way that most songs can never capture. Yeah, it has that classic James Bond feel to it, but I don't care. It gives the song a certain charm. The song is still charting on my chart and has so far peaked at number eight.
75. Unbroken Demi Lovato Favorite Line:Locked up tight, like I would never feel again, stuck in some kind of love prison, and threw away the key.
Wow. Just wow. This is one of the best pop songs ever made. Period. f**k Hollywood Records for completely passing up the opportunity to release this huge smash after the success of "Give Your Heart a Break." The build up is amazing, the climax is orgasmic, and the instrumentation and production are out of this world spectacular. Literally perfect. Ahh! It's just so so so good! It never charted on my chart because of the early rules.
74. Love You Like a Love Song Selena Gomez & the Scene Favorite Line:And I keep hitting re-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat.
It took me forever to get into this song, but I'm glad I did. This is another well-crafted pop song from a Disney artist. I love the dubstep influence and the amazing electro-pop feel of the whole thing. And the hook! One of the best hooks in pop music. Its run was cut off on my chart because I did not start my chart until late January, so it only peaked at number nine, but it most likely would've gone top five, possibly even number one.
73. Free Graffiti6 Favorite Line:And I can’t lie here beside you, beside you, 'cause you steal my soul when you leave.
I really adore the throwback feel of this song. It sounds like it comes straight out of the 60s or 70s, but I really love that. It's so cool, and production on his voice is even cooler. I love the whole feel to it in general. It's such a great little tune, and I really wish it would have become a hit it was destined to be. It peaked at number 22 on my chart over the summer.
72. Naked Dev/Enrique Iglesias Favorite Line:Everytime I'm with you, I feel naked.
I love it when two artists get together to do an actual duet and not just a little thrown in verse t oget a featured credit. This is one of those cool duets. I love how the duet tells a story of how these two lovers become intertwined with each other in such a way that they feel exposed, and it's such a cool vocal as well. Their voices mix surprisingly well and the beat is addictive. It reached number 16 on my chart.
71. Beez in the Trap Nicki Minaj/2 Chainz Favorite Line:I don't know man, f**k is on your biscuit?
This is probably the most ridiculous song I've ever heard. The lyrics make little to no sense at all, and the song is completely everywhere. But you know what, it works. Perfectly. This little hip-hop/rap song turns into a pretty solid event. I love the production and how quirky it is with the drops and booms here and there and not to mention the bridge sounds like your speakers just busted. The hook is actually VERY well-defined and quite addicting. I really like this song. So much, in fact, that it peaked at number 12 on my chart.