Top 20 songs of 2012

20. Scissor Sisters - Let's Have A Kiki

Is this one not obvious? If I need to explain its amazingness, just go and watch the video and see for yourself.

Best Lyric: "Oh What A Wonderful Kiki. This Kiki is marvellous"

19. Part of Me – Katy Perry

Katy Perry’s third UK number one couldn’t have been released at a more appropriate time: it lyrics that seem to talk directly to ex-husband Russell Brand and coincided with KP's concert film that used the same title. ‘Part of Me’ has one of the most memorable choruses from the year and an equally unforgettable video where Katy P chops of her hair to join the army.

Best Lyric: “In fact, you can keep everything. Except for me”

18. Beneath Your Beautiful – Labrinth ft. Emeli Sandé

This is surely everyone’s favourite ballad of 2012 and from such an unexpected duo. I never realised how good Labrinth actually was until he released this song and Emeli Sandé has popped up literally everywhere this year (so why should my blog be any exception?). The two together have produced one of the most beautiful songs of the year, even if I’m not sure where he wants to see exactly.

Best Lyric: “You’ve built your wall so high that no-one could climb it, but I’m gonna try”

17. Sick Love – Vince Kidd

‘Sick Love’ is a song that is so good, but will never reach a big enough audience. It’s frustrating. This song has some ‘sick’ lyrics (get it!) – in all senses of the word. That is the genius of this song- its explicitness and ability to make you feel dirty and turn you on!! Vince is recording an album for a 2013 release, and his other songs seem set to follow in a similar vein (he posted one about masturbation on his twitter earlier this month). Can't wait.

Best Lyric: “Live faster, fuck harder. Die in my arms”

16. Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) – Kelly Clarkson

The Best Kelly Clarkson song in a long time. Fact. In ‘Stronger, Clarkson is independent, confident and vocally on it. This song reminds me of many of her earlier hits like ‘Since U Been Gone’ and ‘My Life Would Suck Without You’ which can’t be a bad thing. With her Greatest Hits having just been released, hopefully there’s more where this came from in 2013.

Best Lyric: “In the end the day you left was just my beginning”

15. Something New – Girls Aloud

You can’t say Girls Aloud play it safe with songs like this. Indeed, I find their safe songs, like 'Beautiful 'cause You Love Me', really dreary. I like them best when they’re not being all serious and going for the big notes. Stick to your ‘Something New’ and ‘Something Kinda Ooh’ when it comes to GA I say. A great song that makes you walk with a certain confident strut when it comes on your iPod.

Best Lyric: “We’re the leaders of the pack. Tell me, can you handle that?”

14. Wings – Little Mix

Little Mix’s proper debut, ‘Wings’ had to live up to a lot of expectations. As far as X-Factor winners go, the second single is always a big test of the artist’s longevity; take Leona’s ‘Bleeding Love’ and compare that to Joe McElderry’s ‘Ambitions’ and you’ll get my drift. But ‘Wings’ went straight in at number one and too right too. Little Mix are fast becoming one of the UK’s best girl bands thanks to songs like this that strike the right chord with their target audience. I should know, my 8-year old cousin is obsessed with them.

Best Lyric: “If they give you shhhh then they can walk on by”

13. Beauty and A Beat – Justin Beiber ft. Nicki Minaj

When I heard JB was teaming up with Nicki Minaj on his new album, I was excited I’m not going to lie. But these are two fairly marmite popstars, I wasn’t sure ‘Beauty and a Beat’ would be the hit that it has become. Obviously, Minaj’s bizarre rap is a highlight.

Best Lyric: “Buns out, weiner! But I gotta keep an eye out for Selenuuur”

12. Primadonna – Marina and the Diamonds

Marina and the Diamonds made undoubtedly one of the coolest pop records of 2012, Electra Heart . Lead single ‘Primadonna’, with Dr. Luke at its helm, also does a great job of teetering on that fine line between full-on pop and cool indie record. ‘Primadonna’ is lyrically and vocally fantastic and has a beat to match.

Best Lyric: “I can’t help that I need it all: the primadonna life, the rise and fall

11. Diamonds – Rihanna

Once again, Rihanna absolutely raked it in this year. ‘Diamonds’ is her sixth UK number one and the first take from her seventh album, Unapologetic. Well she did warn us “that Rihanna reign just won’t let up” so I’m sure we’ll be hearing her seventh number one single and fifth number one album next year. But ‘Diamonds’ is pure RiRi and she sounds incredible.

Best Lyric: “Shine bright like a diamond!”

10. Pound the Alarm – Nicki Minaj

‘Pound the Alarm’ became the official follow-up to ‘Starships’, and although it didn’t make as much of a chart impact, it is just as good, just as epileptic, just as summer-y. In fairness, they are very very similar. Minaj showcases her shifting abilities as a rapper and a dance act best in this song: her opening verse is on point and the RedOne production is all kinds of throw-your-hands-in-the-air-wave-em-like-you-just-don’t-care crazy.

Best lyric: “Bottle. Sip. Bottle. Guzzle. I’m a bad bitch, no muzzle”

9. Do You Think of Me – Misha B

After getting eliminated from The X-Factor (a bit too early) in 2011, Misha B now has two singles under her belt and with ‘Do You Think of Me?’ her first top-10 hit. She’s even supported Nicki bloomin’ Minaj on the UK leg of her tour. Not bad for finishing in fourth place. ‘Do You Think of Me?’ is emotional and lyrical, whilst being a bit of a club-banger too. Well done Mish.

Best Lyric: “I never told you you’re my somebody, everybody, somebody, everybody”

8. Give Your Heart A Break – Demi Lovato

Now it’s no secret that I’m a big Disney freak and no-one likes a Disney Channel starlet more than me. But I admit, I was never a big fan of Camp Rock or Sonny with a Chance, both of which starred Miss Lovato. It wasn’t until her solo career that I took any notice, and indeed, not until her appearance as a judge on The X-Factor USA that she really made an impression and I went back to this song and remembered how great it was and how good Demi’s voice actually is!!

Best Lyric: “’cus you’ve been hurt before, I can see it in your eyes. You try to smile it away, some things you can’t disguise”

7. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together – Taylor Swift

2012 has been the year of infectious, inoffensive pop music thanks to the likes of Taylor Swift. Her smash hit was on everyone’s lips later in the year. But it is actually a very good, very simple song; Taylor admitted that it took 5 minutes to write but then, great pop songs have been written in shorter time!

Best Lyric: “This is exhausting you know like we are never getting back together. Like ever”

6. As Long As You Love Me – Justin Beiber ft. Big Sean

I think it’s safe to say that Bieber may have converted a few non-Beliebers with the release of his second album Believe this year. And it comes as no surprise with songs like this; ‘As Long as You Love Me’ is a perfect blend of Hip-Hop and Pop music that makes you stop and take notice - a stand-out track on the album and, indeed, of the year.

Best Lyric: “I know we got issues baby true true true but I’d rather work on this with you than to go ahead and start with someone new as long as you love me”

5. Your Body – Christina Aguilera

I had expected this song to do very well. It has everything: great vocals, a club-worthy beat and lyrics about anonymous sex. So I have no idea why the British Public didn’t take to it (maybe it just wasn’t heard enough). Anyway, while Christina Aguilera’s comeback might have fell a bit short, this single is definitely one of the best of the year.

Best Lyric: “So open the box. Don’t need no key, I’m unlocked”

4. Spectrum (Calvin Harris Mix) – Florence and the Machine

It’s hard to believe that was actually Florence’s first number one single. Not because it’s bad (because it’s bloody brilliant) but because she’s so popular. Spectrum is taken from the band's second album Ceremonials and given a Calvin Harris mix for the single cut. It was already a great song but when you add the EDM genius you get as near to perfection as a song can get.

Best Lyric: “We are shining, and we will never be afraid again”

3. Call My Name – Cheryl

It’s been a good year for Cheryl fans: two great singles, a new album and a brief return to The X-Factor. ‘Call My Name’ was a huge hit and went straight to number one, quickly becoming the fastest selling single of the year (until James Arthur came along). Cheryl has a new single too so I’m sure she’ll continue to dominate well into 2013.

Best Lyric: “How d’you think I feel when you call my name? Say my name baby”

2. Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen

Summer wouldn’t have been the same without Carly Rae Jepsen, would it? Her debut single was so good that it shot to number one and had everyone singing (or miming) along. It’s infectious bubblegum pop at its best and I predict big things for Jeppers in 2013, as her follow-up single ‘This Kiss’, that she released earlier this year, was also a blinding pop record.

Best Lyric: “Before you came into my life I missed you so bad. I missed you so so bad”

1. Starships – Nicki Minaj

So summer started in Feruary in 2012, when Nicki Minaj released ‘Starships’, and ended in September when it slipped out of the top 40. ‘Starships’ is Minaj’s most successful single to date and made her the highest charting female rapper in history (the fact it’s a dance song is irrelevant!) It’s insane, it makes people dance and it gets in your head whether you want it there or not.
Best Lyric: “Let’s go to the beach-each”...purely because it’s the line everyone found themselves rapping.