Ok guys. I don't have the energy as much to complete this list as I used to have, but since this is the last week Best of is open, I need to finish this on Friday. So I'm gonna fly through 40 to 21 today so that I can use graphics for the final four days of the week. I've learned that I can only handle graphics five songs at a time (which will work wonders for next year).
Well, you learn by doing right? Here we go: 40 - 21.
40.
Samantha Jade - What You've Done To Me
She was the winner of X Factor Australia in 2012. The only X Factor winner this year that I actually like to be quite honest. This song is really good and so is Samantha. I hope her album ends up being really good.
39.
DJ Earworm - World Go Boom
For me, this has become my favorite DJ Earworm mix. The genius of of putting the TTWE and WFL instrumentals together plus the BTW instrumental in the final chorus was too great to be from Earth. I played it so much this last year that it ended up in the Top 10 most played songs of 2012 on my Last FM. I've been supporting DJ Earworm since I was 13 and he's never made a bad track - not even Shine Brighter is that bad once it grows on you.
38.
Ellie Goulding - Anything Could Happen
This song was a little weird for me to listen to at first. But the song eventually grew on me, partially thanks to the Dr. Dre commercial it was in. The song is repetitive, which I think might have killed it a little because repeating "Anything Could Happen" a bunch of times sounded kinda like a waste of lyrical opportunity. But Ellie delivered. Did anyone think she was gonna go for a high note at the end of that "I know it's gonna be" lyrical chant? . That's what I thought when it kept building up. That would have been epic. Oh well. I hope this song can at least go Top 40 before it dies out.
P.S.: Fifth Harmony's performance of this song was just perfect
37.
Selena Gomez & The Scene - Hit the Lights
Last year, this song came in at #5 on my year-end list. I fell in love with the song the first time I heard it and it really deserved to be a Top 10 hit. Hollywood Records though absolutely screwed this song's release up though and of course, the song flopped like hell. I didn't really have the motivation to listen to this song by the time it was finally released to US radio because I had already played the song so much. Hollywood Records really should have managed the singles better. Just so you guys know, it would have hit #1 on my A List 40 countdown if I had started that countdown in 2011...but since I started it in 2012 - it peaked at #2. That just goes to show how unmotivated I was to play this song because of Hollywood Records not even promoting it properly. This song will forever be a wasted hit opportunity - but at least it got released with a video. It got the small opportunity that Miley Cyrus's Permanent December and Demi Lovato's Fix a Heart never got. I'm still mad at Hollywood Records for screwing over the CBT era and not releasing Permanent December.
36.
Rihanna f. Calvin Harris - We Found Love
This song was #2 on my year-end list last year. And that was even before I had it on my iPod. I purchased the Talk That Talk album the weekend of my 18th birthday, so I finally got a chance to start listening to We Found Love on a daily basis. It ended becoming the third most played song of 2012 on my Last FM and it stayed on my countdown until July. This song is easily going to be remembered as one of the classics of the Electronic Dance era as well as the video. It has become one of my all time favorite Rihanna songs and it's still magical to listen to up to this day. It's easily one of my Senior Year staples as well. What better way for Rihanna to go out with a bang in my High School days then with this song.
35.
LMFAO - Sexy And I Know It
I had to include this song in my 2012 list this year. The reason why is because I performed this song in my final ever High School rally. At my school, every year we have a week called Sprolic Week. This is the week right before Spring Break and at the end of the week we have a Sprolic Rally. This year, after I got back into Choir, I made sure that I would be in the Senior Choir Glee Performance. The way the show would go is that the group would start off with a mashup of Rumour Has It and Someone Like You, followed by We Found Love, then We Are Young and then I ended the show with Sexy And I Know It. And lemme tell ya, I gave it my ALL and brought down the house. Even in rehearsals I was fine and that day I brought it DOWN with my Sexy And I Know It. Everyone loved it and I've been told that I was the favorite part of the senior choir performance. Oh the joy!
In addition, during the Seniors Co-Ed performance, the boys did a dance to Sexy And I Know It (and Party Rock Anthem). Since I was already sitting on the couchs that were on stage, I got to see them boys closer up. - hell yeah! My school is flawless with song choices at rallies. The year before the Co-Ed dudes did a dance to Single Ladies
Anyways, just on that alone, I had to chart it high. Such fond memories of Senior Year!
34.
Avril Lavigne - Wish You Were Here
Here is another song that I have a very personal connection to in the past year. This was the song that I wanted to perform in my last ever Choir show. My original choice though was Someone Like You. But one of my fellow choirmates told me that everyone was doing that, so I decided to change it to Wish You Were Here so that I would stand out more. I think in general, I made the right move because Adele is very risky to audition with unless you do it right or make it your own. Avril was a MUCH better opportunity for me so I went with it. I practiced the song until I had it down and when it came to auditions, I went in and I sung it. I rapped the bridge because it just felt awkward to sing it. So in the end I ended up getting to sing at the Choir Banquet, which was awesome for me because I was able to get my Mom to come and record it so I could post it on Facebook, where it got over 70 likes. It is easily the most successful cover I have ever posted and I am so thankful that I got to finally perform on stage all by myself. I'll never forget it. And I would love to share my performance with you guys while i'm at it.
Another great memory of Senior Year that I will never forget it. And getting to perform a song from one of my all time favorite artists was amazing! And yeah, R Sully was my nickname in real life.
33.
Calvin Harris f. Florence Welch - Sweet Nothing
Calvin's best single to date! The beat is SICK! Loved it, loved it, loved it! It's so dark and it's like Calvin's She Wolf in my opinion. And the one and ONLY time I like a song with Florence Welch in it as well.
32.
DJ Drybones - Carry Me Home. Maybe
Such an EPIC mashup. I love it. DJ Earworm failed this year and DJ Drybones went in and came for blood and DID IT.
31. DJ Dreamport - Get On It
For me, it's the best mashup of the year. DJ Dreamport released this mix in September and it's just GREAT! I love it! It's awesome and awesome. It's too good!
30.
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis f. Wanz - Thrift Shop
THIS song is genius! This guy is just hilarious and so attitudy with this song. I love it and the song is so original! YES! YES! YES! Genius rap song!
29.
P!nk - Try
After releasing that annoying song Blow Me, P!nk redeemed herself with this song. It's not her best song ever, but it's easily the best song produced by Greg Kurstin. It's the only song produced by him that made this countdown - Stronger is just cheesy and generic and Blow Me is ****ing annoying. Dark Side is annoying too. I kicked all those songs out and left Try. The only song that actually is able to be good and not sound annoying, cheesy or boring. And it has GUITARS! GUITARS! Plus the lyrics are just SO true. Congrats P!nk
28.
Shayan Farzadpour f. Kara Hayes, Kiki Halliday & Macie Ming - Home
While the rest of you gurls were listening to a song by a very annoying American Idol winner, I was listening to a song that actually FELT like a Homely song. Shayan, Kara, Kiki and Macie are four of my friends from High School and Shayan wrote this song for our High School graduation with Kara, Kiki and Macie and the song was beautiful and gave me so much nostalgia. I loved it. Here's the video for the song. Hope you all enjoy cuz obviously ATRL wouldn't know it.
Long live Class of 2012
27.
Selena Gomez & The Scene - My Dilemma
This song was rumored to be a single, but I guess it never happened. Still, I love this song to bits and it's my favorite from When the Sun Goes Down. It helped me get over a former crush because the lyrics, in a way, got me through it (as well as finally realizing why it to so long to get over him). It's a part of my past now so I'm glad it's finally put behind me but this song was there for me when I needed it. I still love it.
26.
Nicki Minaj f. 2 Chainz - Beez In The Trap
This song is a big "**** you to the haters" song and I love it. I got the rap of the chorus down and it is awesome. One of Nicki's best songs she released this year and one of her best rap tracks.
25.
Hunter Hayes - Wanted
He's the first male country star to ever make it into my music library. Wanted is such a cute song and I really love it. Hunter seems to be the only country star with an X Factor so maybe that's why I like him! potentbreakupsong pointed out in his countdown that Hunter played all of his own instruments in the album. Which I thought was crazy but he gains so many points from me for that. He's a country singer with an X Factor for sure. And plus I think he's cute so that helps. But I genuinely have to think an artist is good, so Hunter made it here because he makes good music. Looks aren't everything.
24.
Rihanna f. Chris Brown - Birthday Cake
I'm over the fact that Rih and Chris got back together. At least they made some good remixes together. Plus, Birthday Cake actually got extended so I can get over the fact that Chris is on it. This song is sexy! But ATRL ruined the song for me when I realized that cakes were referring to ass! I'm sorry but when I have sex with a dude I am NOT eating his ass. Forget it. If I'm gonna eat cake, it's gonna be cooked in an oven...a REAL oven...not a dutch oven. Or store bought like the cake I had yesterday for my 19th birthday. YEP! Still, this is great and the bridge is killer.
23.
Austin Mahone - Say Somethin
Austin is a cutie and he can sing. This song was really addictive during the summer and I think Austin has a shot at making it when he gets older. He has that hot white boy charisma and look. and his voice is already deeper than Justin's and he already looks older than Justin. Austin is gonna turn 17 in April and he'd still look older than Justin. Justin still looks 16 to me. Anyways, this song was a bop for me. Austin will back in 2013
22.
Karmin - Hello
I'm sad this song flopped. Stargate's production worked better with Karmin than Cirkut's production did. Amy didn't sound annoying here. Maybe in the chorus and verses she sounded a little annoying, but I'm able to enjoy this song without getting over it quickly like what happened to me with Brokenhearted. I hope Karmin will get another hit because I want them to succeed.
21.
David Guetta f. Sia - She Wolf (Falling To Pieces)
Electronic dance music never sounded so good. Sia is perfect for this genre. I loved Titanium (you'll see it later in the countdown ) and I love this song as well. It's not as magical but it does the trick.
Screw it, I'm saving the graphics for the Top 10. 20 to 11 coming now.
20.
Cher Lloyd f. Becky G - Oath
I got addicted to this song. The chorus is just epic and so is the last chorus as well. I'm sad it flopped but I think the label in retrospect should have kept it as an album track since With Ur Love would've smashed. I love both though.
19.
Carly Rae Jepsen - This Kiss
Carly Rae's first of three appearances as a solo artist begin now. This song really grew on me, but it was such a bad single choice. Carly tried to make this song happen after her label screwed her up big time but it just didn't work. A song like this still flopped after getting promo so it was clear that GP wasn't here for this song. She should have released Curiosity instead. Instant smash.
18.
Ellie Goulding - Figure 8
This song is good. Coming from Ellie, it's one of her best songs. Great single choice and I hope it smashes in the US.
17.
Nicki Minaj - Starships
I have a love/hate relationship with this song. It is an AMAZING song to party to on the dancefloor, but at the same time, Nicki's voice sounds annoying after you listen to it too much. The breakdown is my favorite part of the song. Well, I don't know what else to say. Starships is just a gem.
16.
Katy Perry - Part Of Me
This song gets so much hate on here, I don't understand it. Sure, it's not the best Katy song out of her whole discography but this song is so catchy and I got addicted to it. The bridge and the final chorus did it for me. The song is energetic and I think it's #1 debut was wonderful.
15.
Rihanna - Where Have You Been
Rihanna's last entry in the list. Honestly, I'm shocked she didn't make the Top 10 this year. But her overexposure might be why. You get tired of hearing about Rihanna so much, even though I'm a fan. Where Have You Been is amazing on the dancefloor but it's magic can fade quickly while We Found Love still sounds fresh to this day. I wish this song hit #1 but #5 is still really good.
14.
Havana Brown f. Pitbull - We Run the Night
This song is absolutely the jam on the dancefloor. The beat is infectious and it gets me moving and I'd absolutely go all the way and dance. And this song sounds EPIC with headphones
13.
Sammy Adams - Only One
A white rapper rarely makes my countdown, but in 2012 two guys made it. Macklemore came in at #30 and now Sammy Adams comes in with his second and last song. Only One I discovered back in August. First of all, I think this dude is HOT! Though I wish his nipples were bigger. Oh well. Anyways this song is great. I love the beat, I love Sammy's rapping rhythm and I like how he can sing. Sammy killed it here and this song should've been a crossover smash. I hope 2013 does big things for him.
12.
Havana Brown - You'll Be Mine
It's obvious by now that Havana Brown is my new dancefloor queen. Her songs off of When the Lights Go Out are just killer! This song is no exception. I really love the breakdown after she starts chanting You'll Be Mine. It's just epic and made for dancing. This song could have smashed in the US. Havana won't be a one hit wonder I hope. It would be awesome if she produced some music with Ke$ha, Rihanna or Katy Perry.
11.
Carly Rae Jepsen - Curiosity
Back in June when I was really jamming to Carly's Call Me Maybe, I decided to listen to her Curiosity EP that she released in Canada. She did a splendid job on this song Curiosity. I played it a decent amount over the summer, and then the album version came out and I just fell in love with it more. It was a smash waiting to happen here in the US and it could have given her another Top 10 hit. She's 27 so releasing this song was like a cross between the teens and the adults to be quite honest. This would have smashed and I'll never forgive Interscope for it.
which songs made the Top 10? Stay tuned to find out.
The Wanted makes their final appearance on the countdown with Warzone. This song is absolutely incredible for these guys. It's my favorite song by them and it makes a much more lasting to impact on me than all their other singles. Maybe if they released this in the US, they wouldn't be such a one hit wonder.
Ellie Goulding - Lights
I seem to have a decent ear for music. Back in January of last year, after I had gotten a good amount of iTunes cards from Christmas and my birthday, I took a risk and purchased this song. I went out of my comfort zone and it paid off as the year went by because I started listening to the song more and more and somehow I had the feeling it would be a hit, and then BOOM. It became a summer hit. I'm proud of Ellie and I'm glad I took this risk in purchasing the song when I wasn't sure if I would like it or love it. This song is magical and that's just Ellie. I feel like i'm in a fairytale world when listening to songs like Lights.
Jessie J - Who You Are
This song has become my favorite song by Jessie J. The meaning behind it is crystal clear and this definitely impacted me. Especially after I graduated high school, well, I guess you could say I didn't really feel like I had a direction going for me. But I have an unbreakable spirit that kept me from breaking down. But you know, I feel like after you finish high school, it's hard to get through life without losing touch with yourself and your spirit and there were times where I felt like I was gonna lose myself last year and this song pretty much kept me from doing so! I just hope I don't end up losing myself this year. It's my first full year in the real world with all open ends so wish me luck!
Taylor Swift - I Knew You Were Trouble
Well, lately Taylor has just been annoying me. But I can't deny that this song is addictive and that the lyrics I can actually relate to. The video is great too. The chorus slays me to pieces along with the bridge.
Cher Lloyd - Want U Back
Right outside the Top 5 we have Cher Lloyd with her US breakout hit Want U Back. I fell in love with the song on the first listen. It's so sassy just like me. Cher's persona kinda reminds me of my own a little bit. This song is just pop at it's best and it's addictive and fun. I'm praying that Cher will get success with her next single With Ur Love so that she can eliminate her one hit wonder status.
Only 5 spots remain. Whose got the Top 5? Tune in to find out!
This has become my favorite single by Carrie, maybe even my favorite song from her. The song immediately got my attention thanks to love for tornadoes. The story of this song is incredible and actually very thought provoking. What if one of the Joplin tornado victims was someone that someone WANTED dead for what they did to them? And what if they also wanted that house "blown away" so they could start off fresh? That might sound totally evil to say, but this song talks about a very dark story and Carrie delivers the tail perfectly. The character obviously had a terrible life until the tornado did its job. In addition, this song is very original in its story and I was so happy that the song made the Top 20 on the Hot 100. Well done Carrie! Great song. Very underrated on ATRL but I love this song and Carrie has really delivered this era!
Demi Lovato - Give Your Heart a Break
For the second year in the row, only ONE Disney star appears in my Top 10. Shocking right? Well, this song has become my new favorite song and single from Demi. This song is pop perfection and it's no wonder that she made it to #1 on pop radio, well done to her. The chorus of this song as well as the bridge totally win me over and Demi's vocals are ON TOP! I am so happy she got a hit with this song because for awhile I lost hope. And then BOOM, it started moving up and it just did incredible. Well done Demi! Looking forward to more music in 2013.
David Guetta f. Sia - Titanium
This song is so powerful and David Guetta has NEVER had a song sound so good before. But I heard the instrumental in an end of the year mashup and after I purchased the song, I recognized it and I had already loved it. Sia's vocals made it PERFECT. The breakdown just made it even more powerful and all of Sia's verses were just TOO PERFECT! Cheers to David Guetta for making a song that I can call an all time favorite.
You know what? I'm gonna reveal the Top 2 songs later today. Let's see who comes out on top - but let's just say that both of these songs had to be revealed TOGETHER because I love them 1,000%