2012 was an ... interesting year in music. In comparison to 2011, we didn't really have a stand out artist who dominated the music world as Adele did. Everyone had their moment. Even those who didn't go on to be as successful. Regardless, it was a The Year of the Underdog, as new artist gave us some of the best music of the year.
Here's our list of our favorite pop songs of 2012! Of course, we want to see your list in the comment section below! Also, make sure you check out any songs you've never heard before. Especially in the Top 20!
Keep in mind that to be eligible for this list, a song's original released most be on or after December 16, 2011 and on or before December 18, 2012. The list is not limited to singles. This list is not based on chart positions, sales, critical acclaim, etc. It's purely based on the opinion of the writers of this blog.
100. "Want You Back" by Cher Lloyd
99. "Dive In" by Trey Songz
98. "50 Ways To Say Goodbye" by Train
97. " I Won't Give Up" by Jason Mraz
96. "Come Over" by Kenny Chesney
95. "It All Belongs To Me" (Featuring Brandy) by Monica
94. "30 Minute Love Affair" by Paloma Faith
93. "Don't Stop The Party" by Pitbull
92. "Trouble" by Leona Lewis
91. "Play" by iamwhoiam
90. "Girl On Fire" (Featuring Nicki Minaj) by Alicia Keys
89. "Skyfall" by Adele
88. "Play The Game Boy" by A*M*E
87. "Small Town Moon" by Regina Spektor
86. "Distance" by Kelis
85. "Everybody Talks" by Neon Trees
84. "So Good" by B.o.B
83. "Beauty & A Beat" (Featuring Nicki Minaj) by Justin Bieber
82. "Swimming Pool (Drank)" by Kendrick Lamar
81. "Rocky Ground" by Bruce Springsteen
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80. "I Drive Your Truck" by Lee Brice
79. "Sorry" (Featuring André 3000) by T.I.
78. "You're The One" by Charlie XCX
77. "Brokenhearted" by Karmin
76. "High For This" by Weeknd
75. "Catch My Breath" by Kelly Clarkson
74. "Everything Is Embarrasing" by Sky Ferreria
73. "Tongue Tied" by Group Love
72. "Happy Pills" by Norah Jones
71. "Simulation" by Roisin Murphy
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70. "How We Do (Party)" by Rita Ora
69. "Let Me Love You" by Ne-Yo
68. "King Wizard" by Kid Cudi
67. "It's Time" by Imagine Dragons
66. "Put The Gun Down" by ZZ Ward
65. "Timebomb" by Kylie Minogue
64. "Goldie" by A$AP Rocky
63. "Starships" by Nicki Minaj
62. "Chasing The Sun" by The Wanted
61. "Sleaze" by Knife Party
60. "Wings" by Little Mix
59. "Never Close Our Eyes" by Adam Lambert
58. "Bad Religion" by Frank Ocean
57. "Some Nights" by fun.
56. "Don't You Worry Child" by Swedish House Mafia
55. "Diced Pineapple" by Rick Ross
54. "Bad Girls" by M.I.A
53. "Bandz A Make Her Dance" by Juicy J
52. "Anything Could Happen" by Ellie Goulding
51. "Call My Name" by Cheryl
50. "Dance Again" (Featuring Pitbull) by Jennifer Lopez
49. "Waiting For The Night" by Nelly Furtado
48. "I Care 4 U" / "Climax" by Usher
47. "Hey Ho" by Lumineers
46. "Move In The Right Direction" by Gossip
45. "I'm Addicted" by Madonna
44. "Without You" by Brandy
43. "Close" by Alex Clare
42. "Trumpet Lights" by Chris Brown
41. "Little Talks" by Of Monsters and Men
40. "Take A Walk" by Passion Pit
39. "Luck Strike" by Maroon 5
38. "Pontoon" by Little Big Town
37. "April May" by Korby Lenker
36. "Gangam Style" by Psy
35. "Two Black Cadillacs" by Carrie Underwood
34. "Sail" by AWOLNATION
33. "Let There Be Love" by Christina Aguilera
32. "Euphoria" by Loreen
31. "Laura" by Bats For Lashes
30. "Jonathan" by Fiona Apple
29. "Scream & Shout" (Featuring Britney Spears) by will.i.am
28. "Crush" by Sleigh Bells
27. "Part of Me" by Katy Perry
26. "She Wolf" (Featuring Sia) by David Guetta
25. "Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen
24. "Freckles" by Shel
23. "I Don't Care" by Icona Pop
22. "Lookin' Hot" by No Doubt
21. "Madness" by MUSE
20. "Let's Have A Kiki" by Scissor Sisters
"This Kiki is MARVELOUS!" What an incredible gem hidden in the Magic Hour album. The album is actually filled with great songs, but none of them have impacted like this one. You can't hit up the (gay) club without hearing this song twice. Even Glee took a shot a remaking it!
"This Kiki is MARVELOUS!" What an incredible gem hidden in the Magic Hour album. The album is actually filled with great songs, but none of them have impacted like this one. You can't hit up the (gay) club without hearing this song twice. Even Glee took a shot a remaking it!
19. "Try" by P!nk
Easily the most underrated artist to come out of the early 2000s, P!nk never really stops bring the hits. It's crazy she doesn't have insane stans flooding Twitter, threatening your life if you don't vote for her on Jojo's Top 9 @ 9. "Try" may not be her catchiest single, but it is one of the most well written songs of 2012 to hit radio.
Easily the most underrated artist to come out of the early 2000s, P!nk never really stops bring the hits. It's crazy she doesn't have insane stans flooding Twitter, threatening your life if you don't vote for her on Jojo's Top 9 @ 9. "Try" may not be her catchiest single, but it is one of the most well written songs of 2012 to hit radio.
18."Lies" by Marina & the Diamonds
Not crazy about Dr. Luke recycling this beat for a third time (see: "Inside Out" by Britney Spears and "You Da One" by Rihanna) but Marina's use of the beat is the strongest. Electra Heart didn't have a bad song on it. Also notable from the album are "Lonely Hears Club," "Primadonna" and "Teen Idle."
Not crazy about Dr. Luke recycling this beat for a third time (see: "Inside Out" by Britney Spears and "You Da One" by Rihanna) but Marina's use of the beat is the strongest. Electra Heart didn't have a bad song on it. Also notable from the album are "Lonely Hears Club," "Primadonna" and "Teen Idle."
17. "I Knew You Were Trouble" by Taylor Swift
I hate this girl with a mighty ferocity, but even I catch my life to this song. Screw "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" and it's unable-to-get-out-of-my-head catchiness. This song is Swift's inevitable pop crossover hit that, in time, will become one of 2013's most definitive radio hits.
I hate this girl with a mighty ferocity, but even I catch my life to this song. Screw "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" and it's unable-to-get-out-of-my-head catchiness. This song is Swift's inevitable pop crossover hit that, in time, will become one of 2013's most definitive radio hits.
16. "King of Hearts" by Cassie
Still no album. I'm not mad though. I'll be bopping to this song for years to come. What's interesting is that this song is purely Cassie. I can't imagine anyone else singing this song and making it work. I'm hoping and praying she gives us more incredible music like this with her next album, sans the Diddy influence.
Still no album. I'm not mad though. I'll be bopping to this song for years to come. What's interesting is that this song is purely Cassie. I can't imagine anyone else singing this song and making it work. I'm hoping and praying she gives us more incredible music like this with her next album, sans the Diddy influence.
15. "Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe" by Kendrick Lamar
Before listening to this I thought people probably liked it because of the title. Then I heard it. It's actuallypretty good great amazing incredible. Not really a ton of pop influences in this song, but I needed to include it on this list. It's just too great. I love to hear Lady Gaga sing this as well.
Before listening to this I thought people probably liked it because of the title. Then I heard it. It's actually
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14. "Va Va Voom" by Nicki Minaj
This makes me sad. Such a great song gone to waste by being mistreated by Nicki and her label. Still, this song was built similarly to "Super Bass" so it was destined for greatness. Even without promotion, it performed well on radio and was one of the top streamed songs from Roman Reloaded.
This makes me sad. Such a great song gone to waste by being mistreated by Nicki and her label. Still, this song was built similarly to "Super Bass" so it was destined for greatness. Even without promotion, it performed well on radio and was one of the top streamed songs from Roman Reloaded.
13. "On The Metro" by Girls Aloud
The got major points from the single cover alone. They are serving me so much life in these poses! Ugh! I can't deal! Anyways, this Nicola Robert's penned track is already my all-time favorite song from these ladies. They really changed it up and adapted to the changes since their last album, which is impressive. You often hear people trying to stick to their roots, but that gets boring.
The got major points from the single cover alone. They are serving me so much life in these poses! Ugh! I can't deal! Anyways, this Nicola Robert's penned track is already my all-time favorite song from these ladies. They really changed it up and adapted to the changes since their last album, which is impressive. You often hear people trying to stick to their roots, but that gets boring.
12. "Adorn" by Miguel
This is one of those songs that really has the total package. Great vocals. Sexy, bass-pounding beat. Smooth lyrics that make your clothes explode off your body. Miguel pretty much nailed it.
This is one of those songs that really has the total package. Great vocals. Sexy, bass-pounding beat. Smooth lyrics that make your clothes explode off your body. Miguel pretty much nailed it.
11. "I Will Wait" by Mumford & Songs
This songs gives me everything I'd expect from a fun. song but never get. Vocally, they beat the hell out of any harmonizing boy band or group out there. The chorus is just insane.
This songs gives me everything I'd expect from a fun. song but never get. Vocally, they beat the hell out of any harmonizing boy band or group out there. The chorus is just insane.
10. "Supernatural" by Ke$ha
I may not be as big of a fan of Warrior as I was Cannibal, but this song blows that entire EP out of the water. I'd have preferred it as a single over "C'mon" and "Die Young" easy. I'm sure it will be, though... and when it does be prepared for total airwave domination. This is one of those songs that is released, then a year later you hear other artists trying to recreate it and have their own success.
I may not be as big of a fan of Warrior as I was Cannibal, but this song blows that entire EP out of the water. I'd have preferred it as a single over "C'mon" and "Die Young" easy. I'm sure it will be, though... and when it does be prepared for total airwave domination. This is one of those songs that is released, then a year later you hear other artists trying to recreate it and have their own success.
09. "How" by Regina Spektor
Not many sad songs on the list this year. This one draws a tear out of me every time. Regina has a unique way of making you feel her music, and it's even more intensely emotional since there is hardly anything other than her vocals and her piano. By the way, the vocals are phenomenal on this record.
Not many sad songs on the list this year. This one draws a tear out of me every time. Regina has a unique way of making you feel her music, and it's even more intensely emotional since there is hardly anything other than her vocals and her piano. By the way, the vocals are phenomenal on this record.
08. "Sweet Nothing" (Featuring Florence Welch) by Calvin Harris
Not going to lie. This song wouldn't be as good without Florence's flawless vocals. Not that it still wouldn't be the best song from 18 Months, but she really helped take it to the next level.
Not going to lie. This song wouldn't be as good without Florence's flawless vocals. Not that it still wouldn't be the best song from 18 Months, but she really helped take it to the next level.
07. "Losing You" by Solange
Solange will never be as popular as Beyoncé. She may never even have a major radio hit. But she's been besting her big sister with a pen for as long as I can remember. "Losing You" is just a testament to Solange's skills as a song writer.
Solange will never be as popular as Beyoncé. She may never even have a major radio hit. But she's been besting her big sister with a pen for as long as I can remember. "Losing You" is just a testament to Solange's skills as a song writer.
06. "Mercy" (Featuring Big Sean, Pusha-T & 2 Chainz) by Kanye West
Thank God for Google! Without it, I'd never know what the hell that man is shouting in the background!
Thank God for Google! Without it, I'd never know what the hell that man is shouting in the background!
05. "212" by Azealia Banks
This song possesses you and makes you dance whether you want to or not. It's cool because it's not too clubby. It has a hint of hip-hop that makes it stand out from the other dances songs this year. It also put Banks on the map and made a lot of producers and pop stars interested in her. Hoping to hear the song with her and Gaga soon.
This song possesses you and makes you dance whether you want to or not. It's cool because it's not too clubby. It has a hint of hip-hop that makes it stand out from the other dances songs this year. It also put Banks on the map and made a lot of producers and pop stars interested in her. Hoping to hear the song with her and Gaga soon.
04. "American"/"National Anthem" by Lana Del Rey
I was choosing between this song and "American," which is hard because they're similar, but I ended up choosing both. Lana really showed up this year in the music department, filling the void that Duffy left in my heart after Endlessly. Too bad she wasn't as huge in the US.
I was choosing between this song and "American," which is hard because they're similar, but I ended up choosing both. Lana really showed up this year in the music department, filling the void that Duffy left in my heart after Endlessly. Too bad she wasn't as huge in the US.
03. "Diamonds" by Rihanna
I almost hate to praise Rihanna because I think she's so grossly overrated, but this song is perfect. She deserves endless praise for this song. Probably her best song since "Umbrella."
I almost hate to praise Rihanna because I think she's so grossly overrated, but this song is perfect. She deserves endless praise for this song. Probably her best song since "Umbrella."
02. "Fall Into The Sky" (Featuring Ellie Goulding) by Zedd
The first time I heard this song I almost flipped my car off a bridge and into the Mississippi river. It goes so fucking hard that by the time it goes off I'm usually exhausted from catching so much life! Never though I'd have a song like this so high up on one of our countdowns, but this shit is crazy.
The first time I heard this song I almost flipped my car off a bridge and into the Mississippi river. It goes so fucking hard that by the time it goes off I'm usually exhausted from catching so much life! Never though I'd have a song like this so high up on one of our countdowns, but this shit is crazy.
01. "Thinkin' Bout You" by Frank Ocean
2012's most tender and touching love song. Frank Ocean surprised everyone with his gender-flipping in this song, but that's the least of what makes it great. This song triumphs in the lyric department, delivering a line that makes us all questions how we should evaluate our relationships. "Or do you not think so far ahead?" It's the truest shit I've heard all year long. Drake could never, to be honest.
2012's most tender and touching love song. Frank Ocean surprised everyone with his gender-flipping in this song, but that's the least of what makes it great. This song triumphs in the lyric department, delivering a line that makes us all questions how we should evaluate our relationships. "Or do you not think so far ahead?" It's the truest shit I've heard all year long. Drake could never, to be honest.
call my name deserves to be in top 10.
ReplyDeleteI love Thinkin Bout You being #1, still getting life from that song <3
ReplyDeleteNO BEYONCE!? *throws tomatoes at this list*
ReplyDeletedid she even released songs this year?
DeleteYour team is very good MartianTv!
ReplyDeleteI Hate This List! Euphoria and Call My Name deserves to be in the top 10
ReplyDeletedon't you dare say anything bad about my baby girl taylor swift. otherwise she'll write a song about you
ReplyDeletebest of me, empty words, just a fool and blank page? lol
ReplyDeleteglassheart???
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think 'Glassheart' by Leona Lewis totally deserves to be on the list and IMO '212' by Azealia Banks deserves n° 1, but that's just my opinion, also 'I Won't Give Up' by Jason Mraz is waaaay to low on the list, so is 'Timebomb' by Kylie, that song totally slays.
ReplyDelete212 came out in 2011... It shouldn't be on this list.
ReplyDeleteDeadlines based on US release dates unless not released in the US.
DeleteSlay & Shout >>>>>>>>>
ReplyDeletepleasantly surprised by some of these choices (especially queen roísín)
ReplyDeleteonly critique is you mispelled iamamiwhoami