Top 50 Songs of 2012

With 2013 quickly approaching, it’s time for me to share my third annual “Top 50 Songs of…” list. And the Top 50 Songs of 2012, according to yours truly, are…

1. “Sweet Nothing” – Calvin Harris featuring Florence Welch
2. “Scream & Shout” – will.i.am featuring Britney Spears
3. “One More Night” – Maroon 5
4. “Die Young” – Ke$ha
5. “Synthesizer” – The Cataracs
6. “Call Me Maybe” – Carly Rae Jepsen
7. “I Will Wait” – Mumford & Sons
8. “Some Nights” – Fun.
9. “Dirty Bass” – Far East Movement featuring Tyga
10. “Locked Out of Heaven” – Bruno Mars
11. “Home” – Phillip Phillips
12. “Pound the Alarm” – Nicki Minaj
13. “Don’t Wake Me Up” – Chris Brown
14. “What Makes You Beautiful” – One Direction
15. “The Night Out” (A-Trak Remix) – Martin Solveig
16. “Let’s Have a Kiki” – Scissor Sisters
17. “Starships” – Nicki Minaj
18. “Alcohol” – The Cataracs
19. “Chasing the Sun” – The Wanted
20. “Bright Lights Bigger City/Magic” – The Treblemakers
21. “Let’s Go” – Calvin Harris featuring Ne-Yo
22. “Right Round” – The Treblemakers featuring My Name Is Kay
23. “Back in Time” – Pitbull
24. “The Sign/Eternal Flame/Turn the Beat Around” – The Barden Bellas
25. “I Need Your Love” – Calvin Harris featuring Ellie Goulding
26. “Don’t You Worry Child” – Swedish House Mafia featuring John Martin
27. “It’s Time” – Imagine Dragons
28. “Diamonds” – Rihanna
29. “Payphone” – Maroon 5
30. “Make It Nasty” – Tyga
31. “Feel So Close” – Calvin Harris
32. “We Are Young” – Fun. featuring Janelle Monáe
33. “Too Close” – Alex Clare
34. “Gangnam Style” – PSY
35. “Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself)” – Ne-Yo
36. “Here I Am Alive” – Yellowcard
37. “Respect” – Melanie Amaro
38. “I Don’t Like You” – Eva Simons
39. “Mercy” – Kanye West featuring Big Sean, Pusha T & 2 Chainz
40. “Don’t Stop the Party” – Pitbull featuring TJR
41. “Beez in the Trap” – Nicki Minaj
42. “All Around the World” – Justin Bieber featuring Ludacris
43. “Scream” – Usher
44. “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” – Taylor Swift
45. “In My Trunk” – Dev
46. “Ho Hey” – The Lumineers
47. “Live My Life” – Far East Movement featuring Justin Bieber
48. “Set It Off” – Timomatic
49. “Somebody That I Used to Know” – Goyte
50. Dance Again” – Jennifer Lopez featuring Pitbull

I always have a few songs that just miss the cut. Honorable mentions this year include: “Little Talks” by Of Monsters and Men, “I Cry”  by Flo Rida, “Greyhound” by Swedish House Mafia, “Earthquakey People” by Steve Aoki featuring Rivers Cuomo, and ”I’m On a Roll” by Stefano featuring New Boyz & Rock Mafia.

Last year, I was all about David Guetta. This year, I’m really diggin’ Calvin Harris (below). Not only did “Sweet Nothing” featuring Florence Welch snag the #1 spot, but I also included a number of his other songs from “18 Months.” Those songs are: “Feel So Close,” “Let’s Go” featuring Ne-Yo, and “I Need Your Love” featuring Ellie Goulding. In addition to “18 Months,” some of my other favorite albums from 2012 are: “Overexposed” by Maroon 5, “Some Nights” by Fun., and ”Gordo Taqueria” by The Cataracs. Speaking of The Cataracs, I was really upset to hear they broke up, but Niles is gonna hold down the fort, thankfully. As long as he’s producing beats, I’ll be jamming to them!

Image Source: SFGate.com

On top of Calvin Harris, I’ve also taken a liking to Ellie Goulding (below) and Mumford & Sons. I really think Ellie Goulding’s gonna blow up in 2013. I’ve been listening to her 2011 album, “Lights“, nonstop and I absolutely love it. I don’t know why I haven’t listened to her new album, Halcyon, yet, but if it’s half as good as “Lights,” then I know I’ll love it. Now, I know Mumford & Sons has been around for awhile, but I’ve been hearing more and more of them lately. I’ve somewhat recently become obsessed with their song, “I Will Wait,” which made my Top 10. I’ve been listening to their new album, Babel, and I really like it. I’ve gotta dig through the archives and start listening to some of Mumford’s older stuff, too.

Image Source: Mixmag.net

As a first for my “Top 50 Songs of…” list, three songs from a movie soundtrack made the cut. What makes this different is that the songs were actually sung by the actors/actresses in the movie. They’re not just “theme” songs that appear on the soundtrack. If you couldn’t guess by now, the movie I’m talking about is Pitch Perfect, one of my favorite movies from 2012. All of the songs are covers/mashups and they’re sung by a capella groups — The Treblemakers and The Barden Bellas. I honestly enjoy some of the covers (i.e. “Bright Lights Bigger City”) better than the original songs. I think The Treblemakers and The Barden Bellas need to become a reality because, let’s be serious, I’d listen to their music and I know a lot of other people who would, too. At least give us a sequel, please.

Photo Source: E! Online

Quick shout out to Britney Spears and Ke$ha (above), who both placed in my Top 5. Happy to see/hear they both have new songs out. Ke$ha recently released a new album, “Warrior,” and Britney Spears is “working hard” on a new album, according to MTV.com. They’ve been favorites of mine over the years and they never disappoint.

Now, I can’t end this post without writing about “Call Me Maybe” and “Gangnam Style,” probably two of the most viral songs of the year. These songs spurred a fury of parody videos, whether it was the Harvard baseball team rockin’ out on the road to Carly Rae Jepsen’s hit or the U.S. Naval Academy channeling their inner PSY. There’s no way you can think about 2012 without one both of these songs buzzing through your head.

Image Source: NBCNews.com

Happy New Year, everyone! Whether you’re going out or having a kiki, be safe and have fun! As I do every year, I’ve made many memories to numerous songs in 2012 and I’m excited to make more memories to new songs in 2013, starting tonight!

What were your favorite songs/artists of 2012? Were there any songs you think should’ve made the list, but didn’t? Who do you think we should be watching out for in 2013? Feel free to leave your comments below!

Dev, Outasight & Wynter Gordon [concert review]

After being featured in “Like A G6” by Far East Movement, I was intrigued by Dev and I needed to see what she was all about. Since then, I’ve become a big fan of hers with songs like “Bass Down Low” and “Booty Bounce,” and more recently, “In The Dark” and “Naked.” When my friend, Justin, told me that Dev was performing at The Gramercy Theatre, I was sold. I looked for tickets online and discovered that Outasight and Wynter Gordon were opening for her… is it possible to be sold twice? Well, I was. For me, it’s rare to find a concert where you know/like each artist who’s performing… I was on this like white on rice. I bought tickets in a heartbeat (literally within minutes after I found out about it).

After waiting a bit, the DJ finally appeared on stage, getting ready to announce the first performer. I was getting ready to see Wynter Gordon or Outasight pop out, but instead… there stood Nina Sky. Whaaat? Remember them? I mean, I wasn’t complaining. Apparently, they’re releasing a new EP, “The Other Side,” and they graced us with a little preview. They were a nice surprise/warmup to the concert. Plus, they played their popular song, “Move Ya Body,” which was a nice blast from the past. They also played a cover of “Say My Name” by Destiny’s Child.

After Nina Sky, there were no more surprises (well, performers wise). Next up was Wynter Gordon. When she came out, not only did she look amazing, but she sounded amazing, too! My friend and I couldn’t get over how excellent she sounded… it was like I was listening to her on my iTunes. She started her set with “Til Death,” which was awesome, and then she went on to perform “Dirty Talk,” which is probably her best-known song. I died a little (in a good way). She sang some covers, too. She started singing an acoustic-like version of Rihanna‘s “We Found Love,” but she quickly kicked it up a notch and things got bumpin’. I loved it… there was great energy (from her and the audience). She also sang a cover of No Doubt‘s “Just A Girl.” She ended with this beautiful song in another language, but I can’t remember the name of it. Overall, Wynter Gordon was simply amazing. She’s beautiful, she has an amazing voice, she had a fun/sweet personality, and she was so grateful. Oh, and her mother was at the show… I wanted to tell her that she has a wonderful daughter.

Next up was Outasight. I’ve been obsessed with one of his (yes, ‘his,’ not ‘their’) songs, “Figure 8,”  for awhile now. He played it and I was lovin’ every second of it. I’m also a huge fan of his song “Tonight Is The Night,” probably his best-known song. It’s on the radio so everyone went wild when this one came on. He played a handful of other songs, too. Man, can this guy spit rhymes. Props.

Now, for the main act… Dev! She came out on stage and she looked great (especially after having a baby somewhat recently). The setlist went as follows (with a few surprises in between): “Getaway,” “Bass Down Low,” “Kiss My Lips,” “Booty Bounce,” “Don’t Hurt It,” “Me,” “Lightspeed,” “Perfect Match,” “Take Her From You,” “Shadows,” “Naked,” “Breathe,” and last, but certainly not least, “In The Dark.” Since her new CD, “The Night The Sun Came Up,” debuted the day before the concert, I only had a chance to preview the songs. From the new CD, I was really feelin’ “Kiss My Lips,” and “Breathe.” “In My Trunk” is another good one, but she didn’t perform that one. Overall, she sounded really great, whether she was singing or rapping… or just standing there. In addition to her songs, she’s featured in many songs, such as “Like A G6″ by Far East Movement and “Backseat” by New Boyz, which were two more songs she performed. As you might know, “Like A G6″ is my JAM. I went a bit crazy when she started singing this. I thought she was just gonna preview it a little since it’s Far East Movement’s song, but she definitely did it justice and I love her even more for that. She also did a fun, little cameo performance of “Dance (A$$)” by Big Sean featuring Nicki Minaj. Finally, she wrapped up with “In The Dark” and it was amazing. Dev’s on-stage presecene was perfect and it just added to her overall pleasurable performance. When she was doing her thing on stage, she really looked like she was enjoying herself, which in turn, makes the audience enjoy themselves. Dev makes me smile.

Overall, Dev is a great performer and I’d highly recommend going to see her on tour if she’s visiting a city near you (check out her new CD, too)! Same goes for Wynter Gordon and Outasight… great show all around! 5/5 stars for this concert. It’s one of those shows that you enter liking the performers, but you leave liking them 10 times more. I’m definitely a bigger fan of these three amazing artists.

iPod Update

Get out your bread and peanut butter because it’s been awhile since my last iPod Update and I’ve got some JAMs for you. See what I did there? Here we go…

“Sunrise” – Dev featuring The Cataracs
“Wild Boy” – MGK featuring Wacka Flocka
“Naked” – Dev featuring Enrique Iglesias
“The Motto” – Drake featuring Lil Wayne
“Levels” – Avicii
“Blackout” – Breathe Carolina
“Bang Bang” – 3OH!3
“Heartbeat” – The Fray
“Party On Fifth Ave” – Mac Miller
“Fade Into Darkness” – Avicii
“Rock n Roll (Will Take You To The Mountain) – SKRILLEX
“Star” – Christopher S featuring Max Urban
“Freak” – Klaas featuring Bobybangers
“Tonight Is The Night” – Outasight
“Rolling In The Deep (Remix)” – Lil Wayne
“Wild Ones” – Flo Rida featuring Sia
“Don’t Stop (TheFatRat Remix)” – Foster The People
“Not Over” – Bag Raiders
“Bring Night” – Sia
“Still Getting Younger” – Wynter Gordon
“Given Up” – Linkin Park
“Watching Him Watch You” – Eric Hutchinson
“Latinos In Paris” – Pitbull & Sensato featuring Jay-Z & Kanye West
“Ass Back Home” – Gym Class Heroes featuring Neon Hitch
“La Boquilla (Remix)” – Bomba Estereo
“Howlin’ For You” – The Black Keys
“Want U Back” – Cher Lloyd featuring Astro
“I’m On You” – Timati featuring P. Diddy, DJ Antoine & Dirty Money
“Prutataaa” – Afrojack & R3hab
“Synthesizer” – The Cataracs
“So Much Love” – Fedde Le Grande
“Antidote” – Swedish House Mafia vs. Knife Party
“Stupid Hoe” – Nicki Minaj
“Rock The Boat” – Bob Sinclair featuring Pitbull, Dragonfly & Fatman Scoop
“Earthquakey People” – Steve Aoki featuring Rivers Cuomo
“Troublemaker” – Taio Cruz
“Rack City” – Tyga
“Bad Girls” – M.I.A.
“I Am Not Drunk” – Benny Benassi
“Show Me Your Rage” – Afrojack
“Colors” – April Smith & The Great Picture Show
“Booty Swing” – Parov Stelar
“In My Trunk” – Dev
“Starships” – Nicki Minaj
“OOOYEA” – The Cataracs
“We Run The Night” – Havana Brown featuring Pitbull
“Mr. Mister” – Sato Goldschlag featuring Wynter Gordon
“Live My Life” – Far East Movement featuring Justin Bieber
“Ladi Dadi” – Steve Aoki featuring Wynter Gordon
“Feel So Close” – Calvin Harris
“Set It Off” – Timomatic
“Respect” – Melanie Amaro

Told you it’s been awhile, hence the long list.

As per usual, I’m loving new songs by Dev and The Cataracs (I always feel the need to mention them together). “Sunrise” is a good one by Dev and The Cataracs, but I assure you they’re just as good by themselves. Dev’s “In My Trunk” is a recent jam of mine and so is The Cataracs’ “Synthesizer.” On the topic of Dev, I’m going to see her live later this month with Wynter Gordon and Outasight!  These three are some of my favorite musical artists, actually, and I’m so pumped to see them all together. With that said, I found two new songs by Wynter that I really liked: “Mr. Mister” with Sato Goldschlag and “Ladi Dadi” with Steve Aoki. As for Outasight, “Tonight Is The Night” is a really great song.

What’s one of these posts without mentioning Far East Movement?  They just released a new song, “Live My Life,” featuring The Biebs. I’m super excited for FEM’s new CD, Dirty Bass, which should be coming out soon. I foresee a bunch of fun collaborations. In addition to Dev, Wynter Gordon, and Outasight, I’m also seeing Far East Movement in concert with LMFAO in June! I’ve seen LMFAO in concert before (with Ke$ha) and they were awesome. I can only imagine how amazing this concert’s gonna be since these two groups are definitely in my Top 5 list.

I also have to give a shot out to Nicki Minaj for her new single, “Starships.” This’ll definitely be a good springtime jam. I’m also really diggin’ her controversial song, “Stupid Hoe.” I mean, it’s repetitive, so I like it. She never ceases to amaze me everyone. You can hate, but I still love her.

Apparently, I really enjoy songs from commercials. Examples include “Set If Off” by Timomatic from an Express commercial, “Respect” by Melanie Amaro from a Pepsi commercial, “Booty Swing” by Parov Stelar from Las Vegas’ The Cosmopolitan commercial, and “Colors” by April Smith & The Great Picture Show (I can’t which brand the commercial’s for).

Other shot outs go to: “Levels,” “The Motto,” “Don’t Stop,” “Latinos In Paris,” “Antidote,” Earthquakey People,” “Rack City, and “Feel So Close.”