My Official Top 12 songs of 2012

The year brought with it a bevy of stand out records that one could listen to for a lifetime. Usually at this time in the new year, i like to reminisce about those particular songs that stopped me in my tracks or that grew on me as time went by. After lengthy raking of my brain in choosing the songs, here is my list of my best songs of 2012. enjoy 

1. "Call Me Maybe" - Carly Rae Jepsen 

(You could just tell from the first time you heard this song that it was gonna be so big on a global level. to rule the summer at the summit too is nothing to overlook! well deserved)

2. "Shake It Out" - Florence + The Machine 

(The Magic of this song is so phenomenal that it just takes you somewhere else. with its religious undertones, it embodies a spiritual aspect that's also captivating plus Glee did a really good version as well)

3. "We Are Young" - Fun., Janelle Monáe

(I also have to thank Glee for letting me in on this really good classic sounding record. from the kick to the geekieness of Nate Ruess' voice and then there's the grand hook that lingers in your mind long after the song ends. No wonder it was used for a lot of commercials)

4. "Lights" - Ellie Goulding

(This song should be the official free spirit anthem! you just want to dance alone in the dark to this song. its almost like Florence on "speed" plus i like the fact that her voice is not so fine tuned. PS she sang at Will and Kate's wedding party so she was hot before america got in on it)

5. "Swimming Pools (Drank)" - Kendrick Lamar

(its Dark, its laid back, its Busta, its eminem, its Kanye, its an autobiographical genius. the head voice in the second verse takes me back to the early eminem rhymes .... its just crazy to listen to and it was on repeat for a long time ... even up till now which is rare for me cause only Kanye or Jay sometimes that can draw and keep my attention for so long)

6. "Refill" - Elle Varner

(the violins in the song is Mad fresh then Elle paints such an accurate picture of the encounter and the hook is so so so so Epic so much so that this record could have belonged to Mariah or Beyonce or Mary J or even Melanie Fiona cause that vocal high energy is just classic and why i fell in love with the song is that its totally R&B and it works maybe too well. this is my R&B song of the year period cause it reinforced my hope in R&B)

7. "What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)" - Kelly Clarkson

( so kelly got tired of the back bench in terms of standout Pop/Rock records and thus returns with such a powerful record not only in sound but in lyrics. this song became a global anthem ... a feat she has not accomplished since the Breakaway era! Kudos to Greg Kurstin for the mad production)

8. "Antes de las Seis" - Shakira

(I'm a sucker for songs of a different language that still makes you feel so many things without even understanding the words and this song is a perfect example. the live version is so emotional and the meaning of the song title is "before 6 o'clock" so ..... no idea of what the song is about but it just has to be about love and something happening (obviously) before 6)

9. "Climax" - Usher

(If not for "Refill", this would have been my no1 R&B record for the year and it also made me love usher's music choices all the more. Looking 4 Myself may not have been the ideal album and to be honest, it was a good experiment .... no great, just good but this song surely stood out .... by miles cause of its vulnerability and Ernest yearnings. it could be about the end of a relationship or many, many more things)

10."What Makes You Beautiful" - One Direction

(This song is so catchy and so youthful that i think its gonna be a staple as far as one direction is concerned, it majorly ruled the pop world and every time i hear it, it still sounds fresh and makes me wanna move)

11."Beez In The Trap" - Nicki Minaj, 2 Chainz

(the Ghetto/Ratchet anthem of the year!!!!! and one of my favorite tracks on the album. Nicki brought her Gangster persona to the table on this one and truth be told, this was an important song cause this was the first time i noticed 2 chainz (gyrating my hands lol)and his verse is Mad-Fresh! the collaboration is a win win cause they really complemented each other plus dope production)

12."How We Do (Party)" - Rita Ora

(i know iv been a bit harsh on Rita Ora's album ORA but i have every right to be! the moment i heard this track, i was hooked and i still jam it up for that care-free feeling that i like to feel at times lol! the song has this Jessie J feel that i almost tought it was yours truely and one thing you cant deny is Rita's Vocal ability so thank God that they are releasing new songs in US for 2013 cause the previously released songs off ORA stink)

12 Songs i wish made it to the List

i wish they could all fit in. they are all stand out tracks as far as im concerned

"Dance For You" - Beyoncé

"Wide Awake" - Katy Perry

"Blow Me (One Last Kiss)" - P!nk

"Runaway Baby" - Bruno Mars

"Black Heart" - Stooshe

"Blue Eyes" - Ladyhawke

"We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" - Taylor Swift

"Adorn" - Miguel

"Little Talks" - Of Monsters and Men

"Settle Down" - No Doubt

"Mercy" - Kanye West, Big Sean, Pusha T Feat. 2 Chainz

"Your Body" - Christina Aguilera