The Top 40 Songs of 2012 - #22-17
22. Locked Out of Heaven - Bruno Mars
It was like Bruno Mars never fully left the music scene when he roared back with the rockin' single "Locked Out Of Heaven." I still wasn't feeling like someone would catch a "Grenade" for me, but I'm not mad at Bruno for catching another #1.
19. Live While We're Young - One Direction
Of course, whatever One Direction attempted to put out would not be as triumphant as "What Makes You Beautiful." In my opinion, they gave it a pretty great shot with "Live While We're Young." The song was a grower, but apparently One Direction singing about "getting some" infatuated their young followers and allowed it to soar on worldwide charts. I mean, it really isn't a bad tune.
20. Ready Or Not - Bridgit Mendler
Last year this time, I was just a growing fan of Bridgit Mendler. Like her Disney contemporary, Debby Ryan, I was confused as to how the Mouse House planned to make Mendler into the next Miley, Demi, or Selena. Boy did she prove me wrong with her stellar debut single, "Ready or Not," which had a nice reggae hip-hop flair. Even better, she delivered just as well on her first album, Hello My Name Is. If this is what we can expect from Ms. Mendler in the future, I'll be checking.
19. Diamonds - Rihanna
Upon initial listen, many critics said that Rihanna was rushing just to get an album out before the end of 2012, and "Diamonds" sounded unfinished. After radio ate it up, that didn't matter. Rihanna had her #1, and albeit sounding like Sia, she delivered with a new sound and stunned naysayers with great vocal performances of the song. All of this resulted in the Barbadian songstress getting her first #1 album in the US. How's that for a great Christmas present?
18. Somebody That I Used To Know - Gotye feat. Kimbra
Along with Fun's "We Are Young", Gotye's "Somebody That I Used To Know" was an out the cut mega hit of the year, reaching #1 and hitting almost all genres. Another song that I loved-to-hate, but I'm not going to be a hater because I was singing along right with 'em.
17. Adorn - Miguel
If you had told me that this song would be Miguel's biggest hit to date I would have said you were a liar. If you had told me it would reach #17 on the Hot 100, I would have not called you maybe, I would have called you crazy. However, when I look back, this song's future presence was indeniable. An R&B cut that was so smooth, "Adorn" ruled the urban radio roost for the latter part of the year, and we all wanted to let our love adorn.