Nick's Top 40 Of 2012
Dec 26, 2012 14:22:18 GMT -5
Post by Nick on Dec 26, 2012 14:22:18 GMT -5
Here it is! This was pretty difficult for me to do. I first chose about 70 songs which would eventually make up a top 30. But, once I got to about 45 songs left, it was pretty obvious to me that there would be no way I could decide on 15 to take away. Therefore, it became a top 40.
Songs must be on 2012 albums to count here, and they are besides #24 because I don't believe an album will come soon. There are a few songs I recently found that were released this year in the same situation as #24, but I decided to leave out their consideration in case they're a "flavour of the week" to me (I've known #24 for months). They'll be eligible for 2013's chart.
The single covers are shown if the song has one; if not, the album cover. The artist's country is also shown. There are a few chart positions, but not US alt/active because I don't have Mediabase and Billboard is stupid now.
The YouTube mixes gave me some problems. The quality could be better, but it's not too bad (I recommend to switch it to HD for the best results).
Enjoy, and I look forward to talking about music and everything else with you all in 2013!
Here are pop songs that I liked this year. I won't count alt-crossovers. These are in alphabetical order because I couldn't decide, but I would say I'd give Psy #1.
Adele - "Skyfall" CAN: #3, UK: #2, US: #8
Didn't like it at first, but it grew. Rolling In The Deep gave me pretty high expectations, I suppose.
Cher Lloyd - "Want U Back" CAN: #11, UK: #25, US: #12
The album came out in 2011 in the UK and 2012 in North America, so it wouldn't count on my normal chart but for the sake of here it doesn't matter. Someone needs to explain to me why everyone hates Swagger Jagger so much, because I like that too.
DJ Fresh featuring Dizzee Rascal - "The Power" UK: #6, UK Dance: #2
Grime
Icona Pop featuring Charli XCX - "I Love It" AUS: #6, AUT: #7, NZ: #9, SWE: #2
I'M A 90s BITCH!
Karmin - "Brokenhearted" CAN: #19, UK: #6, US: #16
It's rocky, rappy, and poppy. How cool is that? I always wonder if it's "call me, baby" or "call me 'baby.'" Thinking about these things is how I spend my free time.
Kay - "My Name Is Kay" CAN: #63
That bass riff is so awesome. Released over a year ago, but the EP came out in 2012. She needs some better marketing because no one knows if her artist name is Kay or My Name Is Kay.
Norah Jones - "Happy Pills" BEL: #16, FRA: #188, JPN: #7, US AC: #13, US Rock: #44
KP would hate the format even more, but I probably wouldn't hesitate to play this and Brokenhearted on an alt station.
Psy - "Gangnam Style" KOR: #1, CAN: #1, US: #2
Luckily for you, the video is linked because I doubt you've seen it.
Songs must be on 2012 albums to count here, and they are besides #24 because I don't believe an album will come soon. There are a few songs I recently found that were released this year in the same situation as #24, but I decided to leave out their consideration in case they're a "flavour of the week" to me (I've known #24 for months). They'll be eligible for 2013's chart.
The single covers are shown if the song has one; if not, the album cover. The artist's country is also shown. There are a few chart positions, but not US alt/active because I don't have Mediabase and Billboard is stupid now.
The YouTube mixes gave me some problems. The quality could be better, but it's not too bad (I recommend to switch it to HD for the best results).
Enjoy, and I look forward to talking about music and everything else with you all in 2013!
Listen To Clips:
40-31|30-21|20-11|10-1
#40
Rah Rah - "Art And A Wife" CAN Alt: #43
You know, at first listen, I wouldn't have guessed that thing song would be any better than most songs that get a couple of weeks squeezed in on CAN alt, but it is.
#39
Cancer Bats - "Road Sick"
I wonder how close this came to charting on CAN alt? It was getting a few spins a day from The Edge for a while, and was voted into their top 5 at 5.
#38
Green Day - "Stop When The Red Lights Flash"
I've yet to listen to the three albums, but this one is my favourite from what I've heard. I just hope the rest of Tre isn't as boring as "The Forgotten".
#37
Nonpoint - "I Said It"
I'm a big fan of nu metal, so I'm glad I discovered Nonpoint this year. From this site, nevertheless!
#36
The Rolling Stones - "Doom And Gloom" CAN: #72, CAN Act: #1, UK: #61
I'm rarely interested in new songs from bands popular before I was born (I've yet to listen to active rock #1 "Legendary Child" by Aerosmith), but this really hit it for me.
#35
Rival Sons - "Keep On Swinging" CAN Act: #4
They released the new album so soon after the last, that the previous album's second single was still charting when this debuted.
#34
Saving Abel - "Bringing Down The Giant"
We should be very glad that this is so different from the rest of the album. And how did it not chart on CAN act but it did in the US, you ask? It's too good, I guess.
#33
Alabama Shakes - "Hold On" CAN Act: #10, CAN Alt: #11, BEL: #60, NZ: #98
I didn't realize it was a woman singing until I saw the video a few months ago. Whoops!
#32
Foxy Shazam - "I Like It" CAN Act: #18
I've yet to hear this at a strip club. How is that possible?
#31
Anberlin featuring Julia Marie - "Self-Starter"
This was a sleeper hit. Didn't listen to it much at first, but then one day BAM I loved it.
#30
Marilyn Manson - "Slo-Mo-Tion"
I didn't have high hopes from Marilyn Manson at this stage in his career, but here we are.
#29
Nero - "Won't You (Be There)" BEL: #90, UK: #156, UK Dance: #29
The first dubstep entry. Luckily, the rest of this song makes up for the boring, pointless first minute. Get to the song, already!
#28
Hellyeah - "Band Of Brothers"
Not too shabby for a song I didn't even like at first. Sometimes a song I didn't like at first listen will just come to my head, and I'll YouTube it and fall in love. This is one.
#27
Wintersleep - "In Came The Flood" CAN Act: #30, CAN Alt: #7
I love me a bit of guitar craziness, and this song is, subtly, all about that.
#26
Texas Hippie Coalition - "Turn It Up"
Haven't heard this at a strip club either! Now, I've only gone to one twice this year, but, some songs are meant to be strip club anthems! ANYWAY, I first heard "Pissed Off Mad About It" 4 years ago on XM, and I was glad to hear something else from them after the years.
#25
Muse- "Madness" CAN: #43, CAN Alt: #2, CAN Act: #31, UK: #25, US: #60
So simple, yet the guitar solo is one of my favourites of all time.
#24
Elliphant featuring Adam Kanyama- "Tekkno Scene"
It's time to playyy: GUESS! THAT! GENRE! Described by some as an annoying, headache song.
#23
Pantera - "Piss"
Sure, a song recorded in 1994! Why wait so long to release it, though? Also, a music video that is mostly all getting punched in the face and headbanging is a great idea.
#22
Big Wreck - "Albatross" CAN: #71, CAN Act: #1, CAN Alt: #2
Is it ironic that a Soundgarden-sounding song has beaten out all Soundgarden songs on this chart?
#21
Before Their Eyes - "Lies"
The first post-hardcore song on the chart. There would be more than what there is if the scene were as easy to follow as other ones.
#20
Azealia Banks feat. Lazy Jay - "212" AUS: #68, BEL: #17, UK: #12
A song that's about as "poppy" as you'll see on this chart. The lyrics are so awesome and unique, not to mention the beats.
#19
Enter Shikari - "Sssnakepit" UK: #62, UK Indie: #11, UK Rock: #1
Electronicore FTW? Yes. The single was released in September 2011 and peaked in that year too, but the album squeezes in on January 16, 2012.
#18
Imagine Dragons - "It's Time" CAN: #58, CAN Alt: #10, US: #19
The only pop-crossover on the chart. Fun, Of Monsters And Men, Grouplove, etc are all good in my books, though.
#17
POD - "Lost In Forever"
A top 10 US active song that didn't even chart here. Ugh. F*ck it, I don't listen to active rock radio anyway.
#16
Jack White - "Sixteen Saltines" CAN: #93, CAN Act: #16, CAN Alt: #6, BEL: #66, FRA: #171, UK: #129
I hope that douchey night in New York this year was not true to his real character, because I don't want to hate a guy whose music I love. Also just noticed that this song being #16 is pretty ironic. Subliminal mind tricks on the go here.
#15
Skrillex featuring Damian Marley - "Make It Bun Dem" CAN: #34, AUS: #27, FRA: #155, NZ: #16, SWE: #48, UK: #66
What can I say? Skrillex meets reggae was one of the essential summer 2012 songs.
#14
Thousand Foot Krutch - "Let The Sparks Fly"
Well we've talked about some songs that didn't chart on CAN active, and here's one that's even CanCon but didn't make it up here. Also, someone remind me how this is "Christian rock?"
#13
Mother Mother - "Let's Fall In Love" CAN Act: #35, CAN Alt: #3
I saw them in November last year. I was excited for them to announce their tour dates, but it turns out they're not coming this time. But they said they'd be back, so they better be because I'd die to see this active-sorta-breakthrough single live.
#12
Cobra Ramone - "Wrath Like A City" CAN Act: #35
Guitar that sounds like that is just...
#11
Passion Pit - "Take A Walk" CAN Alt: #1, BEL: #77, JPN: #36, US: #85
A big breakthrough for Passion Pit, and I love it. A slow starter on in Canada, but it eventually reached #1 on Christmas day!
#10
At The Skylines - "Shady Dreamin' (Tension)"
With 1721 YouTube likes and 485 dislikes, I'm not sure why about a fifth of people who would be looking up this song wouldn't enjoy it. Can't go to a video for a song like this these days without a bunch of losers arguing in the comments, either. But it's good enough to start off the top 10.
#9
Rubicon Cross - "Locked & Loaded"
If this song doesn't get you going...then I do not know what to tell you. It is so full of energy that it just makes me wanna go crazy.
#8
Palisades featuring Tyler Smith - "Disclosure"
#8 isn't bad for a band which formed in 2011 and released this less than a year after in 2012. I was also fortunate enough to get an mp3 of this about a month before it went on iTunes.
#7
Deadmau5 featuring Gerard Way - "Professional Griefers" CAN: #66, CAN Alt: #26, UK: #81
Still not sure if this is alternative, but it is an amazing song. It's become an anthem at every party I've gone to recently, and I was happy to see it charting on CAN pop lately. The highest charting Canadian song you'll see on this chart.
#6
Dead Sara - "Weatherman"
Another one missing from active rock radio here. "So go for the kill, 'cause no one else cares" is just awesome when screamed by Emily Armstrong.
#5
In This Moment - "Blood"
...and another. This chorus gives me shivers too, especially the very subtle "oh yeah" or whatever. You've gotta listen carefully to hear that. You know I didn't like this song when I first heard it? Maybe I should take a second listen more often, because it could end up being my 5th favourite song of the year.
#4
Lower Than Atlantis - "Love Someone Else"
I heard a song from them earlier in the year that was just all right, but then heard this and was like WOW. The hints of emoness help make this song as awesome as it is.
#3
Polysics - "Lucky Star"
YouTube upload is country-restricted. Polysics are a pretty obscure band, in fact, too obscure for me at many points (the single after this is). "Lucky Star" is the poppiest I've heard them, but it still rocks and is such a fun song. Usually the male does most of the singing, but on this track it's about %90 female.
#2
The Gaslight Anthem - "45" CAN Act: #24, CAN Alt: #7, UK: #75
I like their previous work too, but this was their breakthrough, as it should be. That guitar during the verses is just fantastic.
#1
Bloc Party - "Octopus" UK: #121
This was actually the easiest part of my chart, really! I knew as soon as I had the idea in my head that I'd make a year-end chart that this would be #1. Quite a good story behind this song and the album too. Condensed version: Bloc Party was on hiatus, then out of nowhere Kele says that they've already recorded some songs for a new album, then this gets uploaded to YouTube with no prior notice. Say what?
____________________________________________________
40-31|30-21|20-11|10-1
#40
Rah Rah - "Art And A Wife" CAN Alt: #43
You know, at first listen, I wouldn't have guessed that thing song would be any better than most songs that get a couple of weeks squeezed in on CAN alt, but it is.
#39
Cancer Bats - "Road Sick"
I wonder how close this came to charting on CAN alt? It was getting a few spins a day from The Edge for a while, and was voted into their top 5 at 5.
#38
Green Day - "Stop When The Red Lights Flash"
I've yet to listen to the three albums, but this one is my favourite from what I've heard. I just hope the rest of Tre isn't as boring as "The Forgotten".
#37
Nonpoint - "I Said It"
I'm a big fan of nu metal, so I'm glad I discovered Nonpoint this year. From this site, nevertheless!
#36
The Rolling Stones - "Doom And Gloom" CAN: #72, CAN Act: #1, UK: #61
I'm rarely interested in new songs from bands popular before I was born (I've yet to listen to active rock #1 "Legendary Child" by Aerosmith), but this really hit it for me.
#35
Rival Sons - "Keep On Swinging" CAN Act: #4
They released the new album so soon after the last, that the previous album's second single was still charting when this debuted.
#34
Saving Abel - "Bringing Down The Giant"
We should be very glad that this is so different from the rest of the album. And how did it not chart on CAN act but it did in the US, you ask? It's too good, I guess.
#33
Alabama Shakes - "Hold On" CAN Act: #10, CAN Alt: #11, BEL: #60, NZ: #98
I didn't realize it was a woman singing until I saw the video a few months ago. Whoops!
#32
Foxy Shazam - "I Like It" CAN Act: #18
I've yet to hear this at a strip club. How is that possible?
#31
Anberlin featuring Julia Marie - "Self-Starter"
This was a sleeper hit. Didn't listen to it much at first, but then one day BAM I loved it.
#30
Marilyn Manson - "Slo-Mo-Tion"
I didn't have high hopes from Marilyn Manson at this stage in his career, but here we are.
#29
Nero - "Won't You (Be There)" BEL: #90, UK: #156, UK Dance: #29
The first dubstep entry. Luckily, the rest of this song makes up for the boring, pointless first minute. Get to the song, already!
#28
Hellyeah - "Band Of Brothers"
Not too shabby for a song I didn't even like at first. Sometimes a song I didn't like at first listen will just come to my head, and I'll YouTube it and fall in love. This is one.
#27
Wintersleep - "In Came The Flood" CAN Act: #30, CAN Alt: #7
I love me a bit of guitar craziness, and this song is, subtly, all about that.
#26
Texas Hippie Coalition - "Turn It Up"
Haven't heard this at a strip club either! Now, I've only gone to one twice this year, but, some songs are meant to be strip club anthems! ANYWAY, I first heard "Pissed Off Mad About It" 4 years ago on XM, and I was glad to hear something else from them after the years.
#25
Muse- "Madness" CAN: #43, CAN Alt: #2, CAN Act: #31, UK: #25, US: #60
So simple, yet the guitar solo is one of my favourites of all time.
#24
Elliphant featuring Adam Kanyama- "Tekkno Scene"
It's time to playyy: GUESS! THAT! GENRE! Described by some as an annoying, headache song.
#23
Pantera - "Piss"
Sure, a song recorded in 1994! Why wait so long to release it, though? Also, a music video that is mostly all getting punched in the face and headbanging is a great idea.
#22
Big Wreck - "Albatross" CAN: #71, CAN Act: #1, CAN Alt: #2
Is it ironic that a Soundgarden-sounding song has beaten out all Soundgarden songs on this chart?
#21
Before Their Eyes - "Lies"
The first post-hardcore song on the chart. There would be more than what there is if the scene were as easy to follow as other ones.
#20
Azealia Banks feat. Lazy Jay - "212" AUS: #68, BEL: #17, UK: #12
A song that's about as "poppy" as you'll see on this chart. The lyrics are so awesome and unique, not to mention the beats.
#19
Enter Shikari - "Sssnakepit" UK: #62, UK Indie: #11, UK Rock: #1
Electronicore FTW? Yes. The single was released in September 2011 and peaked in that year too, but the album squeezes in on January 16, 2012.
#18
Imagine Dragons - "It's Time" CAN: #58, CAN Alt: #10, US: #19
The only pop-crossover on the chart. Fun, Of Monsters And Men, Grouplove, etc are all good in my books, though.
#17
POD - "Lost In Forever"
A top 10 US active song that didn't even chart here. Ugh. F*ck it, I don't listen to active rock radio anyway.
#16
Jack White - "Sixteen Saltines" CAN: #93, CAN Act: #16, CAN Alt: #6, BEL: #66, FRA: #171, UK: #129
I hope that douchey night in New York this year was not true to his real character, because I don't want to hate a guy whose music I love. Also just noticed that this song being #16 is pretty ironic. Subliminal mind tricks on the go here.
#15
Skrillex featuring Damian Marley - "Make It Bun Dem" CAN: #34, AUS: #27, FRA: #155, NZ: #16, SWE: #48, UK: #66
What can I say? Skrillex meets reggae was one of the essential summer 2012 songs.
#14
Thousand Foot Krutch - "Let The Sparks Fly"
Well we've talked about some songs that didn't chart on CAN active, and here's one that's even CanCon but didn't make it up here. Also, someone remind me how this is "Christian rock?"
#13
Mother Mother - "Let's Fall In Love" CAN Act: #35, CAN Alt: #3
I saw them in November last year. I was excited for them to announce their tour dates, but it turns out they're not coming this time. But they said they'd be back, so they better be because I'd die to see this active-sorta-breakthrough single live.
#12
Cobra Ramone - "Wrath Like A City" CAN Act: #35
Guitar that sounds like that is just...
#11
Passion Pit - "Take A Walk" CAN Alt: #1, BEL: #77, JPN: #36, US: #85
A big breakthrough for Passion Pit, and I love it. A slow starter on in Canada, but it eventually reached #1 on Christmas day!
#10
At The Skylines - "Shady Dreamin' (Tension)"
With 1721 YouTube likes and 485 dislikes, I'm not sure why about a fifth of people who would be looking up this song wouldn't enjoy it. Can't go to a video for a song like this these days without a bunch of losers arguing in the comments, either. But it's good enough to start off the top 10.
#9
Rubicon Cross - "Locked & Loaded"
If this song doesn't get you going...then I do not know what to tell you. It is so full of energy that it just makes me wanna go crazy.
#8
Palisades featuring Tyler Smith - "Disclosure"
#8 isn't bad for a band which formed in 2011 and released this less than a year after in 2012. I was also fortunate enough to get an mp3 of this about a month before it went on iTunes.
#7
Deadmau5 featuring Gerard Way - "Professional Griefers" CAN: #66, CAN Alt: #26, UK: #81
Still not sure if this is alternative, but it is an amazing song. It's become an anthem at every party I've gone to recently, and I was happy to see it charting on CAN pop lately. The highest charting Canadian song you'll see on this chart.
#6
Dead Sara - "Weatherman"
Another one missing from active rock radio here. "So go for the kill, 'cause no one else cares" is just awesome when screamed by Emily Armstrong.
#5
In This Moment - "Blood"
...and another. This chorus gives me shivers too, especially the very subtle "oh yeah" or whatever. You've gotta listen carefully to hear that. You know I didn't like this song when I first heard it? Maybe I should take a second listen more often, because it could end up being my 5th favourite song of the year.
#4
Lower Than Atlantis - "Love Someone Else"
I heard a song from them earlier in the year that was just all right, but then heard this and was like WOW. The hints of emoness help make this song as awesome as it is.
#3
Polysics - "Lucky Star"
YouTube upload is country-restricted. Polysics are a pretty obscure band, in fact, too obscure for me at many points (the single after this is). "Lucky Star" is the poppiest I've heard them, but it still rocks and is such a fun song. Usually the male does most of the singing, but on this track it's about %90 female.
#2
The Gaslight Anthem - "45" CAN Act: #24, CAN Alt: #7, UK: #75
I like their previous work too, but this was their breakthrough, as it should be. That guitar during the verses is just fantastic.
#1
Bloc Party - "Octopus" UK: #121
This was actually the easiest part of my chart, really! I knew as soon as I had the idea in my head that I'd make a year-end chart that this would be #1. Quite a good story behind this song and the album too. Condensed version: Bloc Party was on hiatus, then out of nowhere Kele says that they've already recorded some songs for a new album, then this gets uploaded to YouTube with no prior notice. Say what?
____________________________________________________
Here are pop songs that I liked this year. I won't count alt-crossovers. These are in alphabetical order because I couldn't decide, but I would say I'd give Psy #1.
Adele - "Skyfall" CAN: #3, UK: #2, US: #8
Didn't like it at first, but it grew. Rolling In The Deep gave me pretty high expectations, I suppose.
Cher Lloyd - "Want U Back" CAN: #11, UK: #25, US: #12
The album came out in 2011 in the UK and 2012 in North America, so it wouldn't count on my normal chart but for the sake of here it doesn't matter. Someone needs to explain to me why everyone hates Swagger Jagger so much, because I like that too.
DJ Fresh featuring Dizzee Rascal - "The Power" UK: #6, UK Dance: #2
Grime
Icona Pop featuring Charli XCX - "I Love It" AUS: #6, AUT: #7, NZ: #9, SWE: #2
I'M A 90s BITCH!
Karmin - "Brokenhearted" CAN: #19, UK: #6, US: #16
It's rocky, rappy, and poppy. How cool is that? I always wonder if it's "call me, baby" or "call me 'baby.'" Thinking about these things is how I spend my free time.
Kay - "My Name Is Kay" CAN: #63
That bass riff is so awesome. Released over a year ago, but the EP came out in 2012. She needs some better marketing because no one knows if her artist name is Kay or My Name Is Kay.
Norah Jones - "Happy Pills" BEL: #16, FRA: #188, JPN: #7, US AC: #13, US Rock: #44
KP would hate the format even more, but I probably wouldn't hesitate to play this and Brokenhearted on an alt station.
Psy - "Gangnam Style" KOR: #1, CAN: #1, US: #2
Luckily for you, the video is linked because I doubt you've seen it.