The 50 Best Songs of 2012

2012 saw a year of mediocrity music-wise. Artists such as Nelly Furtado, Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, and No Doubt all set there comeback, but no one really made the impact they wanted to have. 2012 also saw the alternative music rise once more, mainly because of fun. and Gotye, who had two of the most gigantic hits of the year. The electrosynth (care of Ellie Goulding) and retro (care of Bruno Mars) sounds also emerged, making a refreshing wave on the radio. However, dance music continued to dominate. The music industry also celebrated because of another album that was certified Diamond for selling 10 million copies in the US alone: "21" by Adele (Usher's "Confessions" and Linkin Park's "Hybrid Theory" also reached the said milestone this year). Here, I list the 50 best songs of 2012 based upon my personal preferences alone. Feel free to read, ignore, agree, contend, and enjoy!

50. Pusong Bato Alon

Guilty pleasure of the year. There’s nothing wrong with this song!

49. Skyfall Adele

Adele and company accompanied this movie’s opening credits very well. Haunting, interesting, inviting.

48. Stubborn Love The Lumineers

The vocals and guitars plus a message all of us can relate to at one point in our lives.

47. Ho Hey The Lumineers

It’s kind of silly, but catchy.

46. Climax Usher

The video made this one interesting to me. A low-key sound from Usher.

45. Hall of Fame (Orginal Version) The Script

Just in time for the Olympics. Either way, this is a good song.

44. Feel Again One Republic

I always can’t help but be in a groove every time I hear this calming and breathtaking tune.

43. Good Time Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen

Aware of what pop radio loves, they made a catchy tune work to their advantage.

42. I Will Wait Mumford & Sons

2012 saw the emergence of folk pop, courtesy of Mumford & Sons.

41. Anything Could Happen Ellie Goulding

The first single from Ellie’s second offering still reflects the element that makes her sound unique.

40. Stuttering Jessica Sanchez

I will forever wonder why my favorite performance of hers was the one that almost sent her home.

39. Volcano Phillip Phillips

Raw and in your face, exactly what this voice should be singing.

38. Girl On Fire Alicia Keys

I’ve always seen Alicia as a passionate musician. She’s taken that literally in this song.

37. Home Phillip Phillips

The humming is everything.

36. Dance Again Jennifer Lopez

The new found love depicted in a song. What up!

35. Try P!nk

Wordplay in a not so obvious way.

34. Locked Out of Heaven Bruno Mars

Damn this is catchy!!!

33. Die Young Ke$ha

Singing is not what Ke$ha does best, but still.

32. Too Close Alex Clare

Tragic is when you need to let the head prevail no matter how much the heart longs.

31. Call Me Maybe Carly Rae Jepsen

Those three beats during the chorus is the reason I listen to this song.

30. Somebody That I Used To Know Gotye

Bitterness with a hint of sarcasm and uniqueness.

29. Brokenhearted Karmin

The talent all rolled into a wonderful song.

28. Finally Found You (feat. Sammy Adams) Enrique Iglesias

Enrique continues to deliver ear candy year after year after year.

27. Get Up (A Cowboy's Anthem) Kelly Clarkson

Kelly delivers another gang anthem for empowerment and fun.

26. Huling Sayaw Kamikazee

What a way to get those dancers emotional.

25. You Da One Rihanna

Laziness at its finest! The syllables are fun to hear, you know.

24. Lights Ellie Goulding

Ellie’s breakout hit is a breath of fresh air from our bitterness-filled playlists. Who knew being afraid of the dark could turn into this wonder?

23. Between The Raindrops (feat. Natasha Bedingfield) Lifehouse

The vocal combination perfectly depicts this great love song of surviving hurricanes.

22. I Won't Give Up Jason Mraz

Mr. A-Z exposes his soul in this minimalist love song. Great for the imagination.

21. Diamonds Rihanna

RiRi goes slow for her seventh first single, and it works! The simplicity of this song is what makes it extra special.

20. The Last Song I'll Write For You David Cook

Self released, but still one of the best offerings from David Cook.

19. The Vision Of Love Kris Allen

Kris Allen’s second album is a major improvement, and this one and only single deserved to smash!

18. It's Time Imagine Dragons

A go-to song if you think all is lost and you need a boost to keep your sanity.

17. Titanium (feat. Sia) David Guetta

Sia’s voice is one of a kind. I can listen to this all day in awe.

16. Payphone Maroon 5

Stupid concept. Stupid lyrics. Stupid video. But what the heck, it's damn catchy!

15. Say You Like Me We The Kings

A simple alternative rock song for a simple day when you’re having a simple crush.

14. We Are Young Glee Cast

Perfect for the scene and much more tolerable than the original version.

13. Spirit Indestructible Nelly Furtado

Nelly’s latest effort after six years of hiatus might have flopped, but at least it gave us this masterpiece.

12. Take Care (feat. Rihanna) Drake

This is just so easy to listen to, but it has a special element that keeps it fresh and fluid all the time.

11. Bat For A Heart Ashlee Simpson

Ashlee Simpson comes back with a new sound that falls flat at first listen but boasts a magnificent vibe overtime.

10. 50 Ways To Say Goodbye Train

Feels like Morocco with unrealistic twists on the way there.

9. Where Have You Been Rihanna

Rihanna saves the ‘Talk That Talk’ era with a generic fifth single sure to fire up the charts. The video which showcases a wicked choreography on the desert helped too.

8. Begin Again Taylor Swift

Taylor goes country again with a song about a beginning of a relationship: something she knows much about.

7. Don't Rush (feat. Vince Gill) Kelly Clarkson

A laidback and romantic track for getting it on during the only day off you and your partner have. Oh, what love can do.

6. Dark Side Kelly Clarkson

A song about coming clean and being vulnerable to your special someone about your dark side (sa Tagalog, maitim na singit)

5. Give Your Heart A Break Glee Cast

This song seemed to work better as a duet and only with a piano. The message is clearly delivered in this rendition because of the heartfelt vocals of Lea and Dean.

4. Summer Paradise (feat. K'Naan) Simple Plan

This is such a feel good song especially, well, during the summer. Ha! This is a track you can enjoy while having a bonfire at the beach, reminiscing special moments while holding your lover’s hands.

3. Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) Kelly Clarkson

The good thing about this anthem is it is not limited for relationships gone wrong, but for everyone who needs empowerment during hard times. It also helps that it makes you want to dance and have a good time.

2. Some Nights fun.

Dealing with identity crisis and finding your purpose in this world has never been this good to listen to. fun. nailed it by finding the right balance of uncertainty and discovery we all need to achieve.

1. Catch My Breath Kelly Clarkson

The top spot goes to a song Kelly specifically wrote to celebrate the past ten years of her career and her vision of what the upcoming years would be. It is a new sound for Kelly, with lyrics reflecting where she is now. It is a joy to follow this humble artist, and listening to this song makes me feel so proud of what she has accomplished. Living the life is getting to do exactly what you want to do and having people appreciate who you are, and this song captures that thought oh so clearly.