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!

Pitch Perfect [movie review]

One of my friends was always talking about Pitch Perfect, but — at the time — I wasn’t even sure what it was about. I started seeing commercials for it on TV and I definitely became interested. Then, I saw a sneak peek of the “Right Round” performance (on GMA, I think), which solidified my decision (yes) to go see the movie.

Pitch Perfect is about an aspiring DJ, Beca (Anna Kendrick), who is forced — by her father, Dr. Mitchell (John Benjamin Hickey) — to go to college instead of fulfilling a music career in California. Beca doesn’t try too hard to make friends at first, but Chloe (Britanny Snow) changes this when she gets a little too close for comfort in the bathroom encourages Beca to  tryout for their school’s all-girl a cappella group, The Barden Bellas. In addition to The Bellas, there are three other a cappella groups on campus, but the true rival is the all-boy group, The Trebelmakers. Treblemakers-newcomer, Jesse (Skylar Astin), takes an interest in Beca, but the feeling doesn’t seem to be mutual (which might be a good thing since it’s forbidden for Treblemakers and Bellas to date). I mean, they are rivals and there’s only one spot for first place.

To put it simply, Pitch Perfect was perfect (pun intended). Not only was it absolutely hysterical, but the music was fun and catchy as well. Acting-wise, I loved everyone. First of all, I love Brittany Snow (remember American Dreams?). This movie is an automatic win since she had a prominent role in it. She did a really great job (and I’m not just saying that because I’m obsessed with her… OK, maybe a little). Anna Kendrick was never really on my radar, but I’m a definite fan after seeing her in this movie. Skylar Astin did an awesome job as well. His name has been floating around swarming the Internet lately and you can just tell he’s going to be the next big thing. Don’t even get me started on Rebel Wilson as Fat Amy (quite possibly one of my favorite characters in any movie ever created). She had me crying from laughter. She could be walking and I’d be cracking up… she’s that funny. Anna Camp played a great a-ca-bitch, Aubrey. She was never really on my radar either, but I’m interested to see other movies she’s been (and will be) in. I could go on and on, but before I stop, I have to say I really enjoyed Hana Mae Lee‘s character, Lilly. She was another one who had me laughing every time she was on screen. OK fine, one more (short) shout out: Elizabeth Banks. Although she had a small role as one of the performance announcers, Gail, she had some great one-liners. All in all, everyone involved was fantastic.

The acting was enough for me to love this movie, but the song choices and talent (singing-wise) blew me away. I have the soundtrack and I’ve been playing it on repeat. Don’t believe me? Just walk by my office; I’ll mostly likely be playing it on loop. Songs include: Rihanna’s “Don’t Stop the Music,” Flo Rida’s “Right Round,” Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone,” Miley Cirus’ “Party in the U.S.A.,” and much more, including some awesome mash-ups.

I give Pitch Perfect 5/5 stars. I can’t wait to buy it on DVD and watch it again (and again).

iPod Update

DJ E Glo’s latest favorites:

“Man Down” – Rihanna
“Took My Love” – Pitbull featuring Red Foo, Vein & David Rush
“Figure 8″ – Outasight
“All of the Lights” (Kidd Steez Remix) – Kanye West featuring Rihanna
“I’m Alright” – Jean Roch featuring Flo Rida & Kat Deluna
“Stereo Hearts” – Gym Class Heroes featuring Adam Levine
“I Can Only Imagine” – David Guetta featuring Chris Brown & Lil Wayne
“Pause” (Too Shy Remix) – Pitbull
“Rain Over Me” – Pitbull featuring Marc Anthony
“You Make Me Feel” – Cobra Starship featuring Sabi
“Motivation” – Kelly Rowland featuring Lil Wayne
“On Display” – Melissa Gorga
“Take it to the Hole” – LMFAO featuring Busta Rhymes
“Dinosaur” – Ke$ha
“Animal” – Ke$ha
“Turn Me On” – David Guetta featuring Nicki Minaj
“Night of Your Life” – David Guetta featuring Jennifer Hudson
“Headlines” – Drake
“It Girl” – Jason Dereulo
“What You Want” – Evanescence

I think my favorite song, at the moment, is “Turn Me On” by David Guetta featuring Nicki Minaj. I mentioned it in my blog post last week for Guetta’s CD, “Nothing But the Beat“. It’s so good. I can’t help but blast it in my car every time it comes on… and it comes on a lot because I feel the need to replay it often. “Night of Your Life” with Jennifer Hudson is really good, too.

I’ve been feelin’ Cobra Starship lately with their new song, “You Make Me Feel,” with Sabi. I really like the music video, too… check it out. I have Cobra Starship’s ¡Viva La Cobra!, which I really enjoy. Can’t wait to listen to rest of their new CD, Night Shades. Sabi seems like she’s making a nice debut. In addition to her collaboration with CS, she’s also featured in Britney Spears‘s “(Drop Dead) Beautiful“, which is actually one of my favorite songs on Femme Fatale.

I fell love with “Figure 8″ by Outasight as soon as I heard it. I had never heard of them him before, so I did some research. Outasight is a one-man show by Richard Andrew from Yonkers, New York… right across the river from me!  Outasight is, in my opinion, a cool mix of rap and rock.  Apparently, if you sign up for Outasight’s newsletter on http://www.iamoutasight.com, they’ll send you the Figure 8 EP for free, which I’m obviously doing. If I like it, expect another blog post about Outasight in near future, which I’m sensing will be happening.

Glad to see Evanescence is back with their new song “What You Want”. I liked a handful of their songs on “Fallen” so I’m interested to check out the rest of their new CD, especially if the songs are sounding anything like “What You Want”. Not mention, I love Amy Lee.

Some other favorites include: “Took My Love,” “Stereo Hearts,” “Pause” (Too Shy Remix) and “Headlines”.

Before anyone makes fun of me, yes Real Housewives of New Jersey‘s Melissa Gorga is on this list with her new single, “On Display“. Now, at first, I thought it was ridiculous and I kept making fun of it, but as I was making fun of it, I listened to it more and more. Then, it kinda grew on me. OK, now you can make of me.

iPod Update

Lots of good jams this time around! Check ‘em out:

“Don’t Wanna Go Home” – Jason Derulo”
“Champion” – Chipmunk featuring Chris Brown
“So Into You” – Jennifer Lopez featuring Lil Wayne
“Fireball” – Dev featuring The Cataracs
“Better With the Lights Off” – New Boyz featuring Chris Brown
“Hello” – Martin Solveig featuring The Dragonettes
“C’mon” (Jake Walmsley Remix) – Tiesto & Diplo featuring Busta Rhymes
“Look At Me Now” – Chris Brown featuring Busta Rhymes & Lil Wayne
“DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love Again” (Hyper Crush Remix) – Usher featuring Pitbull & Hyper Crush
“Don’t Look Now” – Far East Movement featuring Keri Hilson
“Super Bass” – Nicki Minaj
“Backseat” (DJ Boombastic Remix) – New Boyz featuring The Cataracs
“Save the World” – Swedish House Mafia
“Beautiful People” – Chris Brown & Benny Benassi
“Forever” – Wolfgang Gertner featuring will.i.am

Shout out to Chris Brown — he appeared plenty on this iPod Update. I’ve had “Beautiful People” (also featuring Benny Benassi) stuck in my head nonstop since yesterday. I know it’s been out for awhile, but I can’t shake it from my head all of a sudden. You can hate on Chris Breezy all you want, but the kid’s got good music. “Look at Me Now” has been another song that’s been stuck in my head. Certainly doesn’t hurt that Weezy’s in it… lehgo.

“Don’t Wanna Go Home” by Jason Derulo is a good head bobbin’ song… liked it right off the bat.

“Hello” by Martin Sloveig (featuring The Dragonettes) is such a feel good song — definitely give it a listen. It’ll make you happy.

Last, but certainly not least, we have “Don’t Look Now” by Far East Movement (featuring Keri Hilson). Just a great jam in general. Much love for Far East Movement, as per usual.

iPod Update

“Where Dem Girls At?” – David Guetta featuring Flo Rida & Nicki Minaj
“Throw Your Hands Up” – Qwote featuring Pitbull
“Galaxies” – Owl City
“Bounce” – Klassify featuring Sensus & Devonne
“S&M” (Remix) – Rihanna featuring Britney Spears
“Down on Me” (Disco Fries Remix) – Jerimih featuring 50 Cent
“Dance With Me” (Jump Smokers Remix) – Riz featuring Pitbull
“Believe In Me Now” – Taio Cruz
“Do It In the AM” – Frankmusik featuring Far East Movement
“Heads Will Roll” (A-Trak Remix) – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
“Bobble Head” – RoBoDic
“Till the World Ends” (Remix) – Britney Spears featuring Nicki Minaj & Ke$ha

I wasn’t quite ready to post an iPod update, but I heard the “Till the World Ends” remix (via Tunespill) by Britney Spears featuring Nicki Minaj & Ke$ha and I had to write something about it. Recently, it was announced that Nicki will officially be joining Britney on her Femme Fatale tour, which is awesome. I mean, just look at Nicki in the picture above… she’s awesome. Nicki’s presence is gonna make the tour so much more exciting. Knowing this, it makes complete sense that the two artists joined forces to create this remix, but Ke$ha was a complete (pleasant) surprise. Maybe it’s not such a surprise though, seeing that Ke$ha did write the original. I personally enjoy it, but I’m sure there are plenty of people that don’t. What are your thoughts on the remix? I hope to hear further collaborations between Britney and Nicki, especially with their upcoming tour quickly approaching.

iPod Update

Time for another iPod update. Check out my new favorite jams since the last update…

“Up N’ Down” – Britney Spears
“Selfish” – Britney Spears
“Little Bad Girl” – Taio Cruz
“Bad Guy” (DJ Guest remix) – Wiz Khalifa
“Turnt 4 Da Weekend” – Dev featuring The Cataracs
“Stay the Night” (Fred Falke remix) – James Blunt
“I Don’t Wanna Care Right Now” – Lupe Fiasco featuring MDMA
“E.T.” – Katy Perry featuring Kanye West
“Smack the Paparazzi” – LMFAO
“Make It Bump” – Far East Movement featuring Koda Kumi
“Party Rock Anthem” – LMFAO
“Scary” – Britney Spears
“Give Me Everything” – Pitbull featuring Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer
“Love Machine” – David Guetta featuring RaVaughn Brown
“Backseat” (Mikael Wills remix) – New Boyz featuring The Cataracs & Dev
“Take Over Control” – Afrojack featuring Eva Simons

My picks for this update are The Cataracs and Dev, who have been working together a lot recently. I first heard them in “Like a G6” with Far East Movement, which you should all know by now, is one of my favorite groups. From loving this song so much, I looked into each of these artists a little more and I really enjoyed what I heard. Some of my favorite songs include: “Top of the World,” “Bass Down Low,” “In the Dark,” and “Turnt 4 Da Weekend” (even though it kills me to type “turnt,” “4,” and “da”). Most recently, The Cataracs and Dev have been featured in New Boyz’s hit, “Backseat.” Another one of my favorite songs by The Cataracs (sans Dev) is “Club Love.” I think there’s a lot of good music to come from both these artists in the near future and I’m really looking forward to it.

I also have to point out “Give Me Everything” by Pitbull featuring Ne-Yo, Afrojack, and Nayer… really diggin’ this song.

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.

iPod Update

I finally got around to updating my iPod the other day… Below is a list of some of my new favorite jams. Definitely worth previewing all of these on YouTube. Check ‘em out…

“Put Your Hands Up 4 Detroit” – Fedde Le Grand
“Barbra Streisand” – Duck Sauce
“Disco Romancing” – Elena
“Louder (Put Your Hands Up)” – Chris Willis
“Saturday” – Basshunter
“6 Foot 7 Foot” – Lil Wayne featuring Cory Gunz
“Roman’s Revenge” – Nicki Minaj featuring Eminem
“Hold It Against Me” – Britney Spears
“Monster” – Kanye West featuring Nicki Minaj, Jay-Z, Rick Ross & Bon Iver
“I Get Crazy” – Nicki Minaj featuring Lil Wayne
“Massive Attack” – Nicki Minaj featuring Sean Garrett
“You Make the Rain Fall” – Kevin Rudolf featuring Flo Rida
“It’s Official (Remix)” – Casley
“Bumpy Ride” – Mohombi
“More” – Usher
“I Can’t Behave Myself” – Deadmau5 featuring Neon Hitch

If you hadn’t noticed, I’ve taken a recent liking to Nicki Minaj (shown above). I just love everything about her recently. Her songs are really catchy with fun, unique lyrics. Also, she has her own funky style that makes her stick out from all the other music artists out there. She definitely brings a fresh new outlook to rap music. I give her a lot of credit and I look forward to hearing more and more from her.