Yet another year has gone by and my favorite way to remember all the good times I’ve had is to attach those memories with the songs I’ve grown to love along the way (i.e. “Party Rock Anthem” = Boardy Barn, ”We Found Love” = moving to Hoboken, etc.).
2. “We Found Love” – Rihanna
3. “Till The World Ends” – Britney Spears
4. “Turn Me On” – David Guetta featuring Nicki Minaj
5. “In The Dark” – Dev
6. “Jello” – Far East Movement
7. “I Wanna Go” – Britney Spears
8. “Moves Like Jagger” – Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera
9. “Give Me Everything” – Pitbull featuring Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer
10. “Sexy And I Know It” – LMFAO
11. “You Make Me Feel…” – Cobra Starship featuring Sabi
12. “Where Have You Been” – Rihanna
13. “Good Feeling” – Flo Rida
14. “N*ggas In Paris” – Jay-Z & Kanye West
15. “Backseat” – New Boyz featuring The Cataracs & Dev
16. “Took My Love” – Pitbull featuring Red Foo, Vein & David Rush
17. “Levels” – Avicii
18. “Pause” – Pitbull
19. “Little Bad Girl” – David Guetta featuring Taio Cruz
20. “Where Them Girls At” – David Guetta featuring Flo Rida & Nicki Minaj
21. “Night Of Your Life” – David Guetta featuring Jennifer Hudson
22. “Beautiful People” – Chris Brown featuring Benny Benassi
23. “On The Floor” – Jennifer Lopez featuring Pitbull
24. “Champagne Showers” – LMFAO
25. “Glad You Came” – The Wanted
26. “(Drop Dead) Beautiful” – Britney Spears featuring Sabi
27. “The Motto” – Drake featuring Lil Wayne
28. “Look At Me Now” – Chris Brown featuring Busta Rhymes & Lil Wayne
29. “S&M” (Remix) – Rihanna featuring Britney Spears
30. “Pass At Me” – Timbaland featuring Pitbull & David Guetta
31. “T.H.E. (The Hardest Ever)” – will.i.am featuring Jennifer Lopez & Mick Jagger
32. “Stereo Hearts” – Gym Class Heroes featuring Adam Levine
33. “Did It On’em” – Nicki Minaj
34. “I Can Only Imagine” – David Guetta featuring Chris Brown & Lil Wayne
35. “Tonight Is The Night” – Outasight
36. “Drop It Low” – Kat Deluna
37. “If I Was You (OMG)” – Far East Movement featuring Snoop Dogg
38. “What You Want” – Evanescence
39. “Mr. Saxobeat” – Alexandra Stan
40. “Big Fat Bass” – Britney Spears featuring will.i.am
41. “Dance A$$” (Remix) – Big Sean featuring Nicki Minaj
42. “Champion” (Matt Nash & Dave Silcox Remix) – Chipmunk featuring Chris Brown
43. “Figure 8″ – Outasight
44. “Super Bass” – Nicki Minaj
45. “Pumped Up Kicks” – Foster The People
46. “Don’t Wanna Go Home” – Jason Derulo
47. “Hit The Lights” – Jay Sean featuring Lil Wayne
48. “Sweat” – David Guetta featuring Snoop Dogg
49. “Don’t Stop The Party” – Black Eyed Peas
50. “Someone Like You” – Adele
Honorable mentions include: “It Will Rain” and “The Lazy Song” by Bruno Mars, “Cheers” by Rihanna featuring Avril Lavigne, “Headlines” by Drake, “Save The World” by Swedish House Mafia, “Man Down” by Rihanna, “Rise Above” by Reeve Carney featuring Bono & The Edge, “Suave (Kiss Me) by Nayer and “On Display” by Melissa Gorga (I had to).
My favorite album of the year was definitely “Nothing But The Beat” by David Guetta, closely followed by “Femme Fatale” by Britney Spears. Can we expect more hits from these two music moguls in 2012? I really hope so. These two artists have really become favorites of mine this year.
Time for some other shout outs. I was particularly happy for Dev this year with her debut album, “The Night The Sun Came Up,” which features “In the Dark.” Also, congratulations to her on becoming a mom just recently! I think we’ll be seeing more of her in 2012, along with her collaboration buddies, The Cataracs, who will be coming out with a new album in 2012 (obviously very excited about that). I was also super pumped to hear Far East Movement’s new single, “Jello,” which is a great sign of what’s to come in their second studio album, “Dirty Bass,” which we can also expect in 2012. Rihanna made an awesome comeback, in my opinion, with songs like “We Found Love,” “Where Have You Been” “Cheers (Drink To That),” “Man Down” and “Talk That Talk.” As always, I love Pitbull… he can do no wrong, which is why he’s featured multiple times on my list.
I think Maroon 5 and Cobra Starship came out with some pretty catchy/different music this year. I’m interested to see if they have anything else up their sleeves for 2012.
Now, for some more 2012 predictions. I think Outasight will become more popular 2012. I love their songs, “Figure 8” and “Tonight Is The Night.” I hope to see more of them. I know Avicii‘s already decently popular, but he really caught my attention this year for some reason. I think he’ll be one of the DJs to look out for in 2012. I think Sabi might be an artist to watch out for as well. She’s been featured in Britney Spears’ “(Drop Dead) Beautiful” and Cobra Starship’s “You Make Me Feel…,” but I’ve heard some of her solo songs, like “Goodnight” and “Wild Heart,” and she’s got it goin’ on. Lastly, Pitbull’s righthand woman, Nayer, seems to be coming out of the woodwork, especially with the release of her single, “Suave (Kiss Me).”
What were some of your favorite songs, albums and artists in 2011? Any songs you think I missed? Let me know! As you should know, I love new music suggestions.
I’m definitely overdue for an iPod Update. I’ve got some good jams for you this round!
“Cheated” (DJ Kue remix) – Mike Posner
“Glad You Came” – The Wanted
“Burning Up” – Britney Spears
“Come ‘N Go” – Pitbull featuring Enrique Iglesias
“Bang Bang Bang” – Selena Gomez & The Scene
“Pause” – Pitbull
“Gimme Dat” – Ciara
“Moves Like Jagger” – Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera
“Don’t Stop the Party” – Black Eyed Peas
“Tonight, Tonight” – Hot Chelle Rae
“Mr. Saxobeat” – Alexandra Stan
“Louder Than Words” – David Guetta & Afrojack featuring Niles Mason
“Champagne Showers” – LMFAO featuring Natalia Kills
“Rise Above” – Reeve Carney featuring Bono & The Edge
“Crush on You” – New Boyz featuring YG
“Keep Your Head Up” – Andy Grammer
“Like a G6″ (RedOne remix) – Far East Movement featuring The Cataracs & Dev
“I’m on One” – DJ Khaled featuring Drake, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne
Now, for some shout outs.
A couple of friends had recommended that I listen to Andy Grammer. I listened to his debut, self-titled album and he’s great! Although I only listed “Keep Your Head Up” (be sure to watch the video above), all the songs are great! His style of music is very relaxed rock, yet upbeat at the same time. His music is very reminiscent of Eric Hutchinson, who I also really enjoy. Both great summertime artists.
Another great song is “Moves Like Jagger” by Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera. I had it on repeat when I first heard it. It’s definitely one of those feel-good songs that you can’t help but blast in your car and bob your head to. Plus, whistling in songs is always fun. I believe the music video is coming out really soon, so that’ll be something to look forward to.
Some of my other favorites on the list include: “Glad You Came,” “Pause,” “Don’t Stop the Party,” “Mr. Saxobeat,” Champagne Showers,” “Rise Above,” “Like a G6″ (RedOne remix), and “I’m on One”. I know I basically gave a shout out to every song on the list, but they’re all so good!
I’ve been wanting to go seeSpider-Man: Turn Off the Dark ever since I heard Spidey was coming to Broadway, so I was really excited when Justin and Kurtis invited me to go see it yesterday! Better yet, we waited on line for Rush tickets and scored orchestra seats for $39! The seats were all the way in the very last row, but they were more than fine in my opinion.
Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark follows the story of Peter Parker (Reeve Carney, but we saw Matthew James Thomas, the alternate) during his transition from a geeky high schooler to Spider-Man, New York City’s new superhero after being bitten by a spider that transferred spider-like superpowers. The man responsible for the spider that bit Peter is Norman Osborn (Patrick Page), a mad scientist who’s obsessed with the idea of creating 2.0 versions of human beings. Norman takes his testing to a new level when he experiments on himself, transforming himself into the evil Green Goblin. Green Goblin creates his fleet of Sinister Six, who team up to overrun NYC, giving Peter/Spider-Man a run for his money. Will Spidey save the city from Green Goblin and his delinquent team? Will he be able to balance his new crime-fighting career with his love life with longtime friend/neighbor and recent girlfriend, Mary Jane Watson (Jennifer Damiano)?
This performance blew my mind. I saw things that I’ve never seen, or never thought I would see, in a Broadway performance. Spidey was flying his little butt off, all over the theatre. Not only was Spider-Man pulling off some crazy moves, but he was singing at the same time… well, too! Major props for being able to do that. The Green Goblin had his fair share of flying around stage as well. There was one scene in particular where Spider-Man and Green Goblin were battling it out over the heads of everyone in the audience, and it was just so awesome to see. The ways in which the stage transformed throughout the performance blew my mind as well.
Aside from the crazy acrobatics, the music was great as well (written by Bono and The Edge, both from U2). The music had a rock-ish feel to it, which is probably why I enjoyed it so much. It wasn’t your typical music from a musical. There were definitely a handful of songs that stuck in my head, which will probably be making an appearance on my iTunes sometime soon. I also thought it was really funny how some U2 songs snuck their way into the performance.
On top of what I’ve already mentioned, the costumes were amazing, especially the villains. The Green Goblin looked awesome is his green garb. Each member of the Sinister Six donned these elaborate costumes, including giant head gear (I can’t even say masks because they were much more than that). I give these performers major props for being able to move around the stage like they did with those crazy costumes on.
I must say, the first time Peter Parker appeared as Spider-Man in his official costume and started swinging around, I got chills. Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark was breathe-taking, attention-grabbing, and even had a hint of comedy. Overall, I give the show 4/5 stars. If you’ve been worried about seeing it because of the acrobatic difficulties, don’t be. There were no faults whatsoever. I think this is a great show for people of all kinds to go see. I’m normally quite picky when it comes to Broadway shows, so it says a lot that I enjoyed it so much.
