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!

Nothing But the Beat [CD Review]

I can’t stop listening to David Guetta‘s new CD, Nothing But the Beat, which is available today! Every song has a great beat… I mean, what would you expect though? It’s Guetta. Of course every song has a great beat. The CD features great artists such as Timbaland, Dev, Afrojack, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Akon, will.i.am, Taio Cruz, Ludacris, Flo Rida and Usher (among others). There were a couple of names that I wasn’t familiar with, such as Crystal Nicole and Sia, but I dig ‘em now!

This CD reminds me of Timbaland’s Shock Value CDs because, similarly, David Guetta provides the sick nasty beats and has these amazing artists sing/rap to them. Excellent collaborations if you ask me. Some of my favorite tracks include: “I Just Wanna F***,” “I Can Only Imagine,” “Where Dem Girls At,” “Turn Me On,” and “Little Bad Girl“. Like I said though, all the songs are great… a definite must-listen. I give Nothing But the Beat 5/5 stars. Can’t wait to have this on my iPod for this week’s commute… liven things up a bit.

iPod Update

Time for another iPod update! I found a really good Web site called Steady130 (courtesy of StumbleUpon) — it’s a really good source for remixes, mash-ups, and general workout music. The songs I found on Steady130 are marked with an asterisk (*).

*”Dream On” (BeMax & William Rise Remix) – Aerosmith
*”Loonies to Blow” – A-Trak, Drake, & Birdman
*”Any Way You Want It” (Rhythm Scholar Move and Groove Remix) – Journey
*”More” (RedOne Jimmy Joker Remix) – Usher
*”Animal” (Punk Blood’s Blood Re-Edit) – Miike Snow
*”Rocketeer” (DJ Kue Remix) – Far East Movement
*”Satisfaction” (Discotech Remix) – The Rolling Stones
*”Misery” (Bimbo Jones Remix) – Maroon 5
*”Rollout” (Robbery Remix) – Ludacris
“Sweet Disposition” – The Temper Trap
*”Chillin’” (DNA Remix) – Wale featuring Lady Gaga
“Rebel Without a Cause” – Blake Lewis
“Pacha on Acid” – Afro Jack
“On the Floor” – Jennifer Lopez featuring Pitbull

My favorite song from the list would definitely have to be “Sweet Disposition” by The Temper Trap. They’re a rock band from Australia with a nice, mellow sound to them. I’ve had this song on repeat in my car, at the gym, and when I’m just chillin’ in my room… It really puts my mind at easy. Definitely check it out.

Eric’s Top 50 Songs of 2010

I’ve been listening to the radio stations play their top songs of 2010 and it inspired me to make my very own list! Here’s my Top 50 of 2010:

1. “Like a G6” – Far East Movement featuring Dev & The Cataracs
2. “Dynamite” – Taio Cruz
3. “Dirty Talk” – Wynter Gordon
4. “Ridin’ Solo” – Jason Derulo
5. “OMG” – Usher
6. “Please Don’t Go (Remix)” – Mike Posner
7. “DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love” – Usher
8. “Memories” – David Guetta featuring Kid Cudi
9. “Firework” – Katy Perry
10. “Higher” – Taio Cruz
11. “Over” – Drake
12. “Hey Baby (Drop it to the Floor)” – Pitbull featuring T-Pain
13. “We Speak No Americano” – Yolanda Be Cool & DCup
14. “Pursuit of Happiness (Steve Aoki Remix)” – Kid Cudi
15. “Maldito Alcohol” – Pitbull featuring Afrojack & DJ Buddah
16. “Blah Blah Blah” – Ke$ha
17. “Only Girl (In the World)” – Rihanna
18. “Tonight” – Enrique Iglesias featuring Ludacris
19. “Telephone” – Lady Gaga & Beyonce
20. “I Like It” – Enrique Iglesias
21. “Girls on the Dance Floor” – Far East Movement
22. “I’m in the House” – Steve Aoki featuring LMFAO
23. “Cooler Than Me” – Mike Posner
24. “Alejandro” – Lady Gaga
25. “Yeah 3X” – Chris Brown
26. “Somebody to Love (Remix)” – Justin Bieber featuring Usher
27. “Airplanes” – B.o.B. featuring Hayley Williams
28. “Hey, Soul Sister” – Train
29. “Alors on Dance (Remix)” – Stromae featuring Kayne West & Gilbere Forte
30. “Bottoms Up” – Trey Songs featuring Nicki Minaj
31. “Bon Bon” – Pitbull
32. “We R Who We R” – Ke$ha
33. “Letting Go (Dutty Love)” – Sean Kingston featuring Nicki Minaj
34. “My Chick Bad (Remix)” – Ludacris featuring Diamond, Trina & Eve
35. “Commander” – Kelly Rowland
36. “Take it Off” – Ke$ha
37. Rude Boy” – Rihanna
38. “Gettin’ Over” – David Guetta featuring Fergie & LMFAO
39. “Billionaire” – Travie McCoy featuring Bruno Mars
40. “Imma Be” – Black Eyed Peas
41. “Magic” – B.o.B. featuring Rivers Cuomo
42. “Bass Down Low” – Dev featuring The Cataracs
43. “Raise Your Glass” – P!nk
44. “2012” – Jay Sean featuring Nicki Minaj
45. “Rocketeer” – Far East Movement featuring Ryan Tedder
46. “Push Push” – Kat Deluna featuring Akon
47. “The Time (Dirty Bit)” – Black Eyed Peas
48. “Stereo Love” – Edward Maya
49. “Just the Way You Are” – Bruno Mars
50. “Nothin’ on You” – B.o.B. featuring Bruno Mars

My top breakthrough artists of the year would definitely be: Far East Movement, Wynter Gordon, Taio Cruz, Mike Posner, Kid Cudi, Drake, and Ke$ha. I definitely want to see more of these artists in 2011. I know some of them have been around for some time, but they haven’t really been appreciated ’til recently. I think they all have promising futures in the music biz.

What are some of your favorite songs of 2010 that didn’t make my list?