Wednesday, July 25, 2012

The Top Ten Pop Songs of 2012...So Far!


Lately, it's been getting increasingly frustrating to write online.  Between the new YouTube policy of not allowing to share many of their videos on other sites anymore (even a lot of the old songs!) and Yahoo, from which I'm feeling very neglected lately, my desire to write has been overwhelmed by the problems.  

Herein is a piece I wrote at the end of June for Yahoo which has yet to be published.  I wrote a similar piece last year and it got plenty of page views, but suddenly someone over there thinks that linking the songs to the same website is a big no-no all of a sudden.  I wrote them back on July 7th about the issue and have yet to hear back from them.  

In the meantime, what was meant as a mid-year piece has now gone on for almost an extra month, and rather than scrap the whole thing I figured I'd at least try and get some page views here.  For what it's worth, enjoy.  As always, comments are always welcome. 

The year 2012 has already been a great year for pop music.  With several songs from established artists and a couple of ditties from newer ones, the year 2012 has already added plenty of great tunes to the annals of pop music.  Songs like Nicki Minaj’s “Starships,” Carly Rae Jepson’s “Call Me Maybe” and Kelly Clarkson’s “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” will be played on radio stations, dance clubs and iPods everywhere for a long time to come, and we’re only half way through the year.  Take a look at this writer’s picks for the ten best songs of 2012, so far:   


#10 - Set Fire to the Rain – Adele

This torchy ballad from Adele’s hugely successful “21” album was the third official single and third straight #1 for the singer, breaking a record set by the “Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack” as having three straight #1’s while the album has been in the top spot.  The song worked well as a dance remix, too, getting plenty of airplay in clubs throughout the year so far.  Check out Adele’s video for the song right here.

#9 - You Make Me Feel – Cobra Starship, featuring Sabi

Cobra Starship has been around for several years and four albums now, and this shiny, happy song, featuring the guest vocals of singer Sabi, has been one of their most successful songs to date.  Take a look at the video to this catchy tune right here.

#8 - Where Have You Been - Rihanna

Rihanna is a hit-making machine, and she struck it big once again with this, her fifth Top 40 single off of “Talk That Talk.”  The song is another nice, synth-filled dance track that’s become the trademark for this Barbadian born songstress.  Check out the video for “Where Have You Been” right here.


#7 - Part of Me – Katy Perry

Katy Perry just keeps rolling with another catchy pop tune, which she premiered at this year’s Grammy Awards.  Check out the video for “Part of Me” here.

#6 – Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)– Kelly Clarkson

Former American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson made a successful return to the music scene in October of last year with her fifth studio album, “Stronger.”  After hitting it big with the first single, “Mr. Know It All,” the defiant title cut stormed the charts in February becoming her third #1 single.  Take a look at the video for Kelly’s “Stronger” right here.

#5 - We Are Young – Fun, featuring Janelle Monae

This dramatic, coming of age  song was yet one of those sleepers hit of 2012, with a cover performance of the song on the hit series Glee giving it the boost it needed to hit #1 on the charts.  Check out the video for “We Are Young” here and the Glee cover here.

#4 - Glad You Came – The Wanted

The sun goes down, the stars come out
And all that’s left, is here and now
My universe will never be the same
I’m glad you came, I’m glad you came

The year 2012 has seen the much heralded return of the boy band, with two British groups, One Direction and The Wanted, vying for the attention of music lovers and young girls everywhere, and it all started with this song.  The Wanted’s “Glad You Came” is a very sweet and very pleasing to the ears kind of song, with catchy lyrics set to a nice, tropical island beat.  Check the equally tropical video for the tune right here.


#3 - Somebody That I Used To Know - Gotye

The combination of lyrics many can relate to and a smooth, beatnik groove made this one a powerful radio force all over the world, and countless remixes and covers of the song have gotten great airplay, as well.  Check out the video featuring Australian-Belgian Gotye and sultry New Zealand songstress Kimbra right here.

#2 - Starships – Nicki Minaj

Hot rapper chick Nicki Minaj is less of a rapper and more of a pop/dance singer on this somewhat silly, yet very catchy and fun summer song.  Check out the video for “Starships” right here

Now, lemme hear ya say Ray, Ray Ray...


#1 - Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepson

Hey I just met you, and this is crazy
Here’s my number, so call me maybe

Canadian singer Carly Rae Jepson has had the runaway hit of the year with this pure bubble gum ditty that is catchy sing-along at its best.  Check out the equally cute video for “Call Me Maybe” here

These ten songs aren’t the only notable songs from the year 2012.  Honorable mentions for great songs from the first half of 2012 include Katy Perry’s “Wide Awake,” Jessie J’s “Domino,” Jennifer Lopez’ “Dance Again,’ and two hot Maroon 5 songs, “Moves Like Jagger” and “Payphone.”  Stay tuned to a radio station near you too see what’s in store for the second half of what’s been a great year so far.




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