'Payphone'
Maroon 5 Feat. Wiz Khalifa
Maroon 5 dominated the airwaves in 2011 with 'Moves Like Jagger,' and it looks like they might be able to repeat this success with their 2012 hit 'Payphone.' Featuring a verse from rapper Wiz Khalifa, the song sounds like classic Maroon 5, with Adam Levine's beautiful falsetto taking the forefront on the midtempo ballad. Although the lyrics are a bit sad, overall, it's a smooth song that is perfect for the warmer months. It's is already working its way up the charts and into the brains of Maroon 5 fans worldwide.
'Where Have You Been'
Rihanna
Rihanna takes us to the club with her 2012 'Talk That Talk' single 'Where Have You Been,' a high-energy song that really packs a punch. The house track starts off on the slower side, with a steady drum beat and dreamy singing from RiRi. Soon enough, the Bajan hitmaker is belting out “where have you been all my life” over increasingly heavy, laser-like synth until the whirring, urgent breakdown after the chorus. 'Where Have You Been' is by far one of Rihanna's most danceable songs, and it's for this reason that the infectious club banger ranks on our Top Songs of 2012.
'Blow Me (One Last Kiss)'
Pink
Coming back with a bang after birthing her first child, Pink gets frustrated and fed up with her “full of s—” boyfriend on 'Blow Me (One Last Kiss),' top song of 2012. The breakup anthem was co-written by Pink and produced/co-written by Greg Kurstin, who's worked with everyone from Kelly Clarkson to the Shins. This sassy, uptempo track screams Pink, as she belts out, “I think I've finally had enough / I think I maybe think too much / I think this might be it for us / Blow me one last kiss.”
'Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)'
Kelly Clarkson
Coming in at No. 7 on our Top Songs of 2012 recap (so far) is Kelly Clarkson with her upbeat and inspiring single 'Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You).' It's clear that Clarkson wants all of her fans to feel empowered: Her vocals feel like a rush of adrenaline on this post-breakup song as she sings, “What doesn't kill you makes you stronger / stand a little taller / Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone.” Like 'Since U Been Gone,' this track is a liberating anthem for anybody who comes out of a breakup with a tougher skin.
'One Thing'
One Direction
One Direction fever has officially hit the U.S., and we couldn't be happier about this modern day British Invasion. On 'One Thing,' Harry, Liam, Louis, NIall and Zayn provide their devoted Directioners and pop fans in general with a sugary love tune so sweet it'll make your teeth hurt. With its irresistibly infectious harmonies, toe-tapping beat, and cute, sing-along lyrics like, “So get out, get out, get out of my head / And fall into my arms instead,” 1D have another ginormous hit on their hands with this top song of 2012.
'Boyfriend'
Justin Bieber
Justin is all grown up on his 2012 track 'Boyfriend,' which is definitely one of Bieber's best songs to date. With a clear Justin Timberlake influence (this song sounds like it could've been considered as a potential 'FutureSex/LoveSounds' track), the Biebs gets his “swaggie” on with a whispery rap intro before heading into the falsetto range on the incredibly catchy, R&B-twinged verses. Bieber also lays down a smooth chorus that has fans all over the world swooning as he sexily sings, “If I was your boyfriend, never let you go / Keep you on my arm girl, you'd never be alone.”
'Wide Awake'
Katy Perry
While 'Part of Me' had us pumping our angry fists in the air earlier this year, 'Wide Awake' has overshadowed that single as Katy Perry's best song of 2012. The dance-pop power ballad finds Katy reflecting on her blindness during a relationship after having an awakening, as she rhythmically sings, “And now it's clear to me / That everything you see / Ain't always what it seems / I'm wide awake / Yeah, I was dreaming for so long.” The song highlights her voice beautifully, giving Perry one of her most stunning vocal performances to date.
'Locked Out of Heaven'
Bruno Mars
Bruno Mars is delivering a much-needed dose of funk with 'Locked Out of Heaven,' No. 3 on our Top Songs of 2012. Along with his usual songwriting partners, Mr. Mars recruited Mark Ronson for co-production and writing credits on this Police-esque, R&B jam — Mars' voice even takes on a very Sting-like sound at certain points. It's got a little bit of soul, some rock 'n' roll, atiny bit of reggae, and whole lot of Bruno's smooth vocals and on-point instrumentation. Ronson also injects his trademark retro sound and the track shows tremendous growth for Mars, as he builds upon his already outstanding sound while delivering some bedroom-ready lyricis
'Rumour Has It'
Adele
For her fourth single off of '21,' Adele gets caught up in a world of gossip and false accusations on 'Rumour Has It.' Over a frenzy of loud, pounding drums and hand claps, Adele belts it out, letting everyone know how she's sick of getting caught up in relationship drama and rumors. Adele sends chills up our spines as she wails, “Bless your soul, you've got your head in the clouds / You made a fool out of me / And, boy, you're bringing me down,” before bringing it home on the chorus with her backup singers. This one could very well be labeled as the 'Rolling in the Deep' of 2012… we can't wait to hear what she's got in store for the next 'James Bond' theme, though.
'Die Young'
Kesha
All year long, Kesha has been teasing that her upcoming album 'Warrior' holds her greatest work to date — she's backing up these claims with her lead single and the strongest release of 2012 thus far, 'Die Young.' Kesha teamed up with her old friends Dr. Luke and Benny Blanco to produce the track, and she also recruited fun. frontman Nate Ruess to help co-write 'Die Young.' The uptempo, electropop anthem has that “party on” vibe that screams Kesha, as she sing-raps through the saucy verses while belting it during the epic sing-along chorus. 'Die Young' is an irresistible, dancey, retro-inspired piece of pop perfection, topping our list of the best songs of 2012.
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