20. Scissor Sisters “Let’s Have a Kiki” (#1 Dance US)

“And I’m greeted, not by Miss Rose at the door
But our friend, Johnny Five-O
Yes honey, the NYPD shut down the party
So no fee for me, and I don’t even know what’s the tea!”

While the song doesn’t SAY “gay,” “Let’s Have a Kiki” became a gay anthem at the clubs and on patios around the country this past summer. Coming from an album that many thought was a bit neutered, “Kiki” proved that there was still a twisted soul to the Scisters screaming to come out. Literally.

19. Bruno Mars “Locked Out of Heaven” (#1 US)

“You bring me to my knees
You make me testify
You can make a sinner change his ways”

Yes, I know. “Message in a Bottle.” I heard it the first time I listened to the track, and I didn’t care. “Locked Out of Heaven” is a jam no matter what way you cut it. After some more downbeat singles (and the HORRIBLE “Lazy Song”), Bruno kicked off his sophomore release with a an upbeat cut that had an irresistible energy. World domination was inevitable.

18. Pink “Just Give Me a Reason” (Not Charted in US)

“I never stopped
You’re still written in the scars on my heart
You’re not broken just bent and we can learn to love again”

I won’t lie…Pink’s new album The Truth About Love completely underwhelmed, save a few ballads that I thought were really powerful. By far the strongest of these to my ears is the duet with Nate Ruess, “Just Give Me a Reason.” The dialogue between the two as a couple in trouble when one of them doesn’t even know it is so clever in structure yet simple in concept that the listener is drawn into the conversation going on. Add to that the magic from Pink and Ruess’ vocals, and you have a almost-certain smash waiting to happen.

17. SHINee “Sherlock” (#3 KPOP US)

“Oh I’m curious yeah
Sajin sok nega sungan misojieo wae
Oh I’m so curious yeah
I’m so curious yeah”

“SHINee’s in the house!” Sorry…couldn’t help myself. While I’ve enjoyed English songs from crossover KPOP stars Wonder Girls over the past few years, I didn’t fully get on board the KPOP train until 2010, when blogger extraordinaire Mel introduced me to Onew, Jonghyun, Key, Minho and Taemin, otherwise known as SHINee. “Lucifer” caught my attention partially because a boyband was actually DANCING. I know, right? But from the opening strings of “Sherlock,” I was hooked. To my ear, it sounds like a brilliant continuation of the Michael Jackson/Teddy Riley sound of the 90s, and I need more of that in my life. (For some more recommendations, you can check out the KPOP feature I did here back in October)

16. Carly Rae Jepsen “Curiosity” (Not Charted in US)

“Walked the streets all night
Until you came around
Knew that you would come
Before you ever even made a sound”

My favorite Kylie Minogue song of 2012 was not by Kylie Minogue. As I already attested to, I love me some “Timebomb,” but the best Kylie Minogue song for me was Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Curiosity.” Released in May in Canada on the heels of “Call Me Maybe,” the original version was a more Gaga-esque version, but by the time “Curiosity” made it onto Carly’s US debut Kiss, it had been remixed into a pop song Kylie’s people would have snatched up in a heartbeat. Was it the best Carly Rae song of 2012? Stay tuned…

15. Carrie Underwood “Blown Away” (#20 US)

“There’s not enough rain in Oklahoma
To wash the sins out of that house
There’s not enough wind in Oklahoma
To rip the nails out of the past”

The above quote wins my award for best lines from a song. It’s not rocket science, but the visual those words create brought this song to life for me. Yes, Carrie is Country Pop, but man, she does it so well. “Blown Away” should have done better at Top 40 radio than it ended up doing. If you haven’t figured it out yet, Carrie Underwood is going to be around for a LONG time.

14. The Wanted “I Found You” (#89 US to date)

“Found you in the river of pure emotion
I found you, my only truth
I found you with the music playing
I was lost ’til I found you”

There already was no question in my mind about which boy band from the UK I put my support with, but The Wanted took a huge leap forward with “I Found You.” While “Found” was reminiscent to their US breakthrough “Glad You Came” with the accordion synth, the lyrical content and the falsetto vocals showed a more mature sound that helped differentiate The Wanted from One Direction. The band has indicated they may actually have two albums in 2013: one in April and a second one before Christmas.

13. fun. “Some Nights” (#3 US)

“Some nights I stay up cashing in my bad luck
Some nights I call it a draw
Some nights I wish that my lips could build a castle
Some nights I wish they’d just fall off”

The fun. bandwagon circled me a few times in 2012 before I got on board, but when I did, it was full-fledged support. Debut single “We Are Young” was a killer sing-along with PMN favorite Janelle Monae along for the ride, and then “Some Nights” dropped with yet another sing-along chorus. It wasn’t all about the songwriting, though. Lead singer Nate Ruess has a distinctive voice that you would know anywhere, and he knows how to use it. Third single “Carry On” should keep them at the top of the charts, and the odds are strongly in their favor to pick up Best New Artist at the Grammys this year.

12. Frank Ocean “Thinkin’ Bout You” (#32 US)

“No, I don’t like you, I just thought you were cool
Enough to kick it
Got a beach house I could sell you in Idaho
Since you think I don’t love you, I just thought you were cute
That’s why I kiss you
Got a fighter jet, I don’t get fly it, though”

This slot could have easily been filled by “Sweet Life” or “Pyramids,” but since “Thinkin’ Bout You” was the only one released as a single, this made my decision easy. Ocean’s narrative style comes across so effortless and natural that he could probably record a song about grocery shopping that would be compelling. Bonus points for living life matter-of-factly.

11. Sam Sparro “Happiness” (Not Charted in US)

“But if you’re blinded by the light
You can’t see anything in sight
Sit tight sit tight it’ll be alright”

Preach, Brother Sam! If this song doesn’t make you at least dance in your chair when it comes on, check your pulse. This isn’t what I was expecting to follow up his “Black and Gold” era music, but I’ll take it. Second single “I Wish I Never Met You” was outstanding as well. This was my go-to “make me happy” track for a good month.

10. The xx “Angels” (#103 US)

“And everyday
I’m learning about you
The things that no one else sees
And the end comes too soon
Like dreaming of angels”

Would it be clichéd of me to say that it’s appropriate for Romy Madley Croft sounds like an angel? Because she does to me, and it creates a cool counterpoint when singing a song like “Angels” where she is talking about someone else. The lyrics, the stripped-down track, the tone of Madley Croft’s voice…it’s a magical combination.

9. Carly Rae Jepsen “Call Me Maybe” (#1 US)

“Your stare was holdin’,
Ripped jeans, skin was showin’
Hot night, wind was blowin’
Where you think you’re going, baby?”

I struggled with how high to rank this song, but if you stick with the facts, “Call Me Maybe” is a perfectly executed Pop song. The lyrics are basic and relatable, the chorus is hook-tastic, and the delivery by Jepsen captures the angst and the joy of unrequited love. If you have to have cheese in your diet, why not have high-quality cheese.

7. Estelle “Thank You” (#100 US)

“Sometimes I wonder could she be
More of a woman to you than you were a man to me”

Estelle doesn’t get nearly the credit she deserves, both as a vocalist and a versatile performer. While US fans may consider Estelle a one-hit wonder, she has had several hits in the UK since 2004, although none of her recent singles have hit the UK Top 100. “Thank You” is a throwback to that Quiet Storm vibe that seems to be making a comeback. Lush.

8. Anita Baker “Lately” (#13 US R&B)

“Don’t think twice of our love
I say these things because
I love you but it’s hard to explain
And I’m hoping that you’re feeling the same”

Welcome back, Anita! “Lately” embodies everything I love about Anita Baker and her musical legacy. The stunning thing about this is that “Lately” sounds classic and current, all at the same time. Now, if we could just get her to let Blue Note release the full album…

6. Frankie Knuckles presents Director’s Cut featuring B. Slade “Get Over U” (Not Charted in US)

“I can’t get over you
No matter what I say or what I do
I can’t get over you”

My pick for best dance track of the year would also be a huge Pop hit in a perfect world. “Get Over U” is truly irresistible, and I couldn’t get the groove out of my head for weeks at a time. I love it when the old guard comes out and shows the new school how to do it, and Frankie’s team is doing it well.

5. Lee Brice “Hard to Love” (#27 US)

“I am a short fuse
I am a wrecking ball
Crashing into your heart like I do.”

If there is a guy who can’t relate to this lyric, I want to meet that guy and ask him the secret to his mellowness. We all have our moments as guys where we don’t handle a love situation as well as we should, and Lee Brice summed that all up into a three-minute song called “Hard to Love.” Unlike the usual cliché-laden country songs that we have become used to, Brice took a different take on the “you’re better than I deserve” theme and hit a home run.

4. Jessie Ware “Wildest Moments” (Not Charted in US)

“Baby in our wildest moments.
We could be the greatest, we could be the greatest.
Baby in our wildest moments.
We could be the worst of all.”

Rookie of the Year has to go to Jessie Ware, who melded early 90s influences including Soul II Soul, Sade and Lisa Stansfield with contemporary production and soulful vocals that made her one to watch throughout 2012. “Wildest Moments” is an epic ballad that captured the feeling a relationship can generate when it’s at its best or at its worst. Here’s hoping Ware expands her US tour plans in 2013.

3. Miguel “Adorn” (#17 US to date)

“These lips, can’t wait to taste your skin…baby
And these eyes, can’t wait to see your grin
Just let my love, just let my love adorn you”

To my ears, R&B music made a rapid recovery in 2012, and no song impacted me more rapidly and completely than “Adorn,” which helped propel Miguel from just R&B sensation to Pop sensation as well. There is a lushness to “Adorn” that would make any potential paramour swoon if it was directed to them, as well as a sexiness that still shows restraint compared to most “sexy time” songs. If this is the sound of where R&B is going, I’m right on board.

2. Phillip Phillips “Home” (#8 US to date)

“Just know you’re not alone
Cause I’m gonna make this place your home”

After a year of not watching American Idol, I came back for Season 10 and was a bit underwhelmed at times. For some reason, I continued to watch in Season 11, and I was struck by Phillips’s raw and powerful voice, which originally sounded too much like Dave Matthews but eventually evolved into a more distinct vocal tool. Despite his ending up the fifth white guy with a guitar in a row to win Idol, something miraculous happened: an Idol winner got a good song released as their introduction to the rest of the world! Not only did “Home” debut strongly, but it then went on to be the theme of the US women’s Gymnastics team on TV and a standalone hit on its own.

1. Bright Light Bright Light “Moves” (Not Charted in US)

“Cause I can see you in me and me in you
And no matter what the distance it comes through
In a laugh, in a shadow, in a dream, when we move
No matter what the distance it comes through”

In a year where many of my contemporaries are singling out the deserving “Feel It” for their Best Of lists, I have to go in a different direction and choose an album cut as my top song of the year. Rod Thomas took a subject that has been written about so much that it has become clichéd and gave it new life, thanks to a collaboration with Jon Shave that only took four hours to pull together. On an album (Make Me Believe in Hope) that has so many standouts, “Moves” is Pop music perfection.

50. Joey and Rory “When I’m Gone” (Not Charted in US)

“A bright sunrise will contradict
The heavy fog that weighs you down.
In spite of all the funeral songs,
The birds will make their joyful sounds.”

Sometimes the brilliance of a song cannot fully reveal itself until placed in the proper context. In the case of “When I’m Gone,” it took the death of a dear friend of mine in July of 2012 to understand the depth of the lyrics Joey Feek sings in a patient, compassionate way. While I am completely at peace with my friend’s passing, just the thought of “When I’m Gone” is enough to choke me up. “When I’m Gone” is a testament to the power of a great song matched with its perfect vocalist and interpreter that can connect with listeners on a more than superficial level.

49. Ciara “Got Me Good” (Not Charted in US)

“My back is aching, my bra too tight
My booty’s shaking from the left to the right
My back is aching, I’m so in love
Baby all I know is you got me good”

They don’t make jams like this anymore, and that’s a shame. It’s not a cure for cancer, but it will cure what ails ya on the dancefloor. Ciara always amazes me that for as amazing a dancer she is, she can also sing better than many of her contemporaries. If there is any woman in the industry not named Beyoncé who can duplicate the success of Usher and Chris Brown on both the Pop and R&B charts, it’s Ciara.

48. Aiden Grimshaw “Is This Love” (Not Charted in US)

“An extension of hope, this could be misleading
Could you write it down now
Cause I can’t speak”

I rooted for Aiden on the UK version of the X Factor in 2010, and I was disappointed when he was eliminated seventh in the live shows, all but dooming him to Christmas lightings and karaoke parties. Fortunately, Grimshaw escaped the X Factor tractor beam and went in a more experimental direction with his first single release “Is This Love.” I hadn’t expected drum and bass, but I loved it.

47. Kylie Minogue “Timebomb” (#1 Dance US)

“We’re on a timebomb, you might not last long
So let’s just do it right now, do it come on
We’re on a timebomb, before the night’s gone
Let’s just do it right now, do it come on”

The K25 celebration that Kylie rode all through 2012 was a sight to behold. Vintage performances, lounged-up remakes (The Abbey Road Sessions), and a bangin’ new track called Timebomb that let Kylie show off one of her best assets in the video. No, this song didn’t revolutionize the pop industry, but it was fun, it was catchy, and snagged her another #1 dance hit in the US.

46. Calvin Harris “Sweet Nothing (feat. Florence Welch)” (#33 US to date)

“You took my heart and you held it in your mouth
And, with the word all my love came rushing out
And, every whisper it’s the worst, emptied out by a single word
There is a hollow me now”

If you had asked me earlier in the year, this spot most likely would have been taken up with “Spectrum (Say My Name)” after it got the Calvin Harris treatment. Luckily for all of us, we didn’t just have to settle for a remix, but instead we got a full-fledged collaboration between Harris and Florence Welsh. “Sweet Nothing” takes Welch’s powerful vocal and transforms it into something both powerful AND lighter than air. Brilliant pairing that needs to happen again soon.

45. Kelly Clarkson “Don’t Rush (feat. Vince Gill)” (#89 US)

“Let’s wake up in the afternoon
Pretend that we got nothing to do
No we don’t have to go by any agenda
We can make up our own rules”

Full disclosure: I’m a child of the country-pop movement of the late 70s-early 80s. I come by my love of Ronnie Milsap, Crystal Gayle and the Eagles honestly. So when I heard “Don’t Rush” for the first time, I was instantly transported in several directions. The track itself reminds me of Amy Grant’s “House of Love,” the intro sounds just like James Taylor’s “Her Town Too,” and duet with Vince Gill is a match made in heaven. This is not mainstream, but it is beautiful.

44. Marina and the Diamonds “Primadonna” (Not Charted in US)

“Would you do anything for me?
Buy a big diamond ring for me?
Would you get down on your knees for me?
Pop the pretty question right now, baby”

Much like Robyn over the past few years ago, Marina and the Diamonds have been on the verge of US success throughout 2012. Even though “Primadonna” received some US Pop Radio airplay, that breakthrough never came along despite a successful club tour and several performances on US TV shows.”Primadonna” captured Marina at her flirty, playful best and deserved a much more successful fate in the US.

43. Gossip “Perfect World” (#8 Dance US)

“Relax, it’s only dreaming facts
Giving way to feelings
No one ever stays long
It’s over when you wake up”

Expectations were extremely high for Gossip’s fifth studio release A Joyful Noise, but the album itself was mostly met with a less than stellar reaction. That’s not a bad thing for most acts, but when you are a critical darling like Gossip are, that is a bit of a letdown. More surprising was the fact that only two singles were released from A Joyful Noise, and “Perfect World” was the greater of the two. A dark, funky groove propelled this track along a synth melody with lead singer Beth Ditto’s trailblazing vocals acting as a light through a darkened cavern. The fact that Gossip are still not mainstream mainstays is a fact that still boggles my mind.

42. LeAnn Rimes “What Have I Done” (Not Charted in US)

“Love is darkness blinded by the light
Let it lead you, listen for the cry
I will find you, every time I turn you’re there”

This was supposed to be LeAnn’s mainstream comeback, and it may pan out. Unfortunately, that comeback backfired a bit with a less-than-stellar performance on the X Factor finale, followed by an explanation that seemed to lay the fault for her crazy vocal on her 13-year-old duet partner. In a fair world, “What Have I Done” would get all the praise it deserves, but instead tabloid headlines and gossip mongering probably have doomed any chance of success.

41. Kenny Chesney “Come Over” (#23 US)

“You can say we’re done the way you always do
It’s easier to lie to me than to yourself
Forget about your friends, you know they’re gonna say
We’re bad for each other, but we ain’t good for anyone else”

To say I’m surprised that a Kenny Chesney song ended up on this countdown would be an understatement, but give credit where it’s due. After 2010′s duet with Grace Potter “You and Tequila” (a huge miss that should have been on my list last year), it became clear that Kenny wanted to take on material that had a bit more pop appeal. “Come Over” went to #1 on the Country chart and was certified Platinum in the US.

40. Zedd “Clarity (feat. Foxes)” (#44 Dance US to date)

“High dive into frozen waves where the past comes back to life
Fight fear for the selfish pain it was worth it every time”

While more high-profile recording DJs like David Guetta and Calvin Harris enlisted an all-star list of vocalists to bring their club bangers to life, Zedd went with lesser-known singers that knew how to find their way around a thumping track. “Spectrum” (featuring Matthew Koma) became the #1 Dance track of the year in the US, and as the year ended, “Clarity” began its ascent up the chart. I loved how the track started out with a minimal track behind Foxes’ vocal, but then built into a massive floor-filler by the chorus.

39. Christina Aguilera “Let There Be Love” (Not Charted in US)

“Want you to tell me you need it
I wanna hear it repeated
Want you to take me completely
Want you to tell me, want you to tell me”

Here’s a scenario I never thought I would be in: loving a Christina Aguilera album that many of my peers despised and placed on their Worst of 2012 lists. For me, Lotus was cohesive, well-sung and mostly well written. Yes, Aguilera plays the victim a bit much at times, but in the context of today’s pop landscape, that actually plays out well. “Let There Be Love” hasn’t been released as a single, but I have no doubt that it will be unleashed on the clubs in no time, perhaps alongside the more mellow current single “Just a Fool.”

38. Cheryl Cole “Call My Name” (Not Charted in US)

“It’s a constant thought of my baby taking up my time
It’s a non-stop vision of you that’s playing on my mind”

Fool of the year goes to Cheryl Cole, who passed up a perfect opportunity to break big in the US with “Call My Name,” a song that couldn’t have been more “of the moment” if it were recorded live on the air. Cole is actually signed to will.i.am’s label here in the States, and I have no doubt that if the song were released here, it would have been massive. Instead Cheryl appeared to continue squeezing those sour grapes from her US X Factor debacle, rather than making the best of the situation. Still, “Call My Name” was a refreshing blast that reaffirmed the magic touch of Calvin Harris. (I was also obsessed with the sleeveless dancer from her Graham Norton performance linked here. You’ll know who I’m talking about as soon as the video starts…)

37. Bat for Lashes “Laura” (Not Charted in US)

“You say that they’ve all left you behind
Your heart broke when the party died
Drape your arms around me and softly say
Can we dance upon the tables again?”

When I’ve loved Bat for Lashes, I’ve really loved Bat for Lashes, and “Laura” became an obsession for me for several weeks. This ode to a woman feeling that she is beyond her prime showed a more subtle side to singer Natasha Khan’s voice, and I ate it all up. “Laura” not only benefitted from a stunning vocal but also from a beautiful video (linked above).

36. Taylor Swift “Begin Again” (#7 US)

“I’ve been spending the last 8 months
Thinking all love ever does
Is break and burn and end
But on a Wednesday in a cafe
I watched it begin again”

I was not a fan of Taylor Swift’s coming into the release of Red. You can blame it on the massive PR campaign or the horrific “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” but I just wanted her to go away. And then I heard Red, and I had to give it its due. The album is a solid body of Pop music, and among the gems on the album was the Country-pop ballad “Begin Again.” When Swift isn’t playing the annoying teenage girl in her songs, she is a very good storyteller, and “Begin Again” paints a full picture of watching a new relationship blossom.

35. Delta Rae “Bottom of the River” (Not Charted in US)

“The wolves will chase you by the pale moonlight
Drunk and driven by a devil’s hunger
Drive your son like a railroad spike
Into the water, let it pull him under”

I try not to have regrets, but a big one for me in 2012 was missing the opportunity to see Delta Rae live in concert here in Denver. With the Alt-Country movement in full swing, Sire Records and founder Seymour Stein unleashed Delta Rae on the world, and the group, consisting of three siblings and three other members, didn’t disappoint. While more people may know “Morning Comes” from its You Oughta Know status on VH1, “Bottom of the River” is the song that hooked me, sounding like a funeral dirge with tight harmonies and a driving drum beat.

34. Ingrid Michaelson “Ghost” (Not Charted in US)

“I’m a ghost, haunting these halls
Climbing the walls that I never knew were there
And I’m lost, broken down the middle of my hard heart”

Possibly my biggest album surprise this year was just how much I loved Ingrid Michaelson’s Human Again, which was preceded by the gorgeous single “Ghost.” While I liked her previous singles, those were more passing fancies than the substantial joy I got out of listening to Human Again over and over for a good month. “Ghost” is a moving tale of a lover who can’t move on after her relationship is long gone, and that pain was palpable in the performance.

33. Mumford and Sons “I Will Wait” (#23 US)

“So break my step
And relent
You forgave and I won’t forget”

Upon my first listen to “I Will Wait,” I had the same response most people had: “did Mumford and Sons get happy?” Alas, in listening closer to the lyrics, it became clear that this song was more an ode to relief after a confession than actual joy. Still, the added energy and exuberance was contagious, and it carried over to their performance at Red Rocks in August that was recorded for both the song’s video as well as a live disc for a Deluxe Edition of Babel.

32. Little Big Town “Pontoon” (#22 US)

“5 mile an hour with aluminum side
Wood panelin’ with a water slide
Can’t beat the heat, so let’s take a ride”

Not only did Little Big Town have the most fun song on Country radio this past summer, they also single-handedly brought the term “motorboating” into everyday conversations across the US. While I’m not sure that’s a good thing, the song did a great job of catching that lazy vibe when you are enjoying a day on the lake with friends and whatever refreshments you decide to bring along.

31. TVXQ “Catch Me” (#25 KPOP US)

“Baby catch me. Catch me. Catch me, girl, tonight
Tteona beorigi jeone (I’m serious I’m serious)”

The first of two KPOP songs on this year’s countdown, TVXQ decided to chase US success on the heels of PSY’s massive success. While the song garnered a couple of TV show placements, there wasn’t much enthusiasm generated for the song. That’s a shame, because whether or not you understand the lyrics to “Catch Me” (and I don’t), the song is hugely contagious with a soaring chorus and a pretty cool video to go along with it. Sadly, the failure of songs by the likes of TVXQ and Girls Generation to break through in the US probably signals that PSY was more a video phenomenon than a musical milestone.

30. Adele “Skyfall” (#8 US)

“Skyfall is where we start
A thousand miles and poles apart
Where worlds collide and days are dark”

It is very rare that a song, a musical artist and a movie are so perfectly matched. Think Madonna’s “Beautiful Stranger” in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Irene Cara’s “Flashdance,” and Kenny Loggins’ “I’m Alright” for said perfect matches. Allow me to add Adele’s “Skyfall” to the list. While I believe the song’s detractors had a valid point that this was not Adele at her finest, to my ears that doesn’t matter. Movie music is meant to match the mood, the narrative and the reputation of a movie, and “Skyfall” was a worthy successor to songs like “Diamonds are Forever” and “Nobody Does It Better.” There’s a reason the song performed better than any Bond theme in the past decade.

29. Emeli Sandé ”Next To Me” (Not Charted in US)

“You won’t find him drinkin’ at the tables
Rolling dice and staying out ’til three
You won’t ever find him being unfaithful
You will find him, you’ll find him next to me”

So how is it that Cher Lloyd has garnered a hit in the US, yet Emeli Sandé is relatively unknown here, save her appearances in the opening and closing ceremonies at the Summer Olympics in London? No justice, no peace. “Next To Me” is the rare song that is vague enough that individual listeners can find their own meanings based on their past experience while still having enough meat to carry the song through. Despite Our Version of Events being a bit of a letdown, this song was a strong reminder of why much of the world is embracing Sandé.

28. Hunter Hayes “Wanted” (#16 US to date)

“You know I’d fall apart without you
I don’t know how you do what you do
‘Cause everything that don’t make sense about me
Makes sense when I’m with you”

A year ago I was praising Hunter Hayes’ self-titled debut album, hoping that he was given the opportunity to succeed. Apparently, a few other folks were feeling the same way. Fast forward 13 months, and second single “Wanted” topped to Country charts and is now climbing the Pop and Adult Pop charts while follow-up single “Somebody’s Heartbreak” is blasting up the Country chart faster than either of his previous singles. Next stop? A strong shot at Best New Artist at the Grammys in February.

27. The Weeknd “Wicked Games” (#61 US)

“Bring your love baby I could bring my shame
Bring the drugs baby I could bring my pain
I got my heart right here
I got my scars right here”

There was something so hypnotic about the Weeknd’s vocal delivery on “Wicked Games” that I couldn’t resist, but a good chunk of the credit should go to his production work that creates a grimy landscape that contrasts brilliantly with his brighter vocals. “Wicked Games” was originally released on the mixtape House of Balloons, but all three of the Weeknd’s mixtapes were released late in 2012 as Trilogy on a proper label, with all tracks getting cleaned up and remixed.

26. Ne-Yo “Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself)” (#1 US)

“I can see the pain behind your eyes,
It’s been there for quite a while
I just wanna be the one
To remind you what it is to smile”

In my opinion, Ne-Yo should get both the credit and blame for the current glut of R&B artists making club tracks with hot producers, as he was making cuts like this years ago in the form of “Closer” way back in 2008. In fact, I picked that song as my favorite of the year. “Let Me Love You” continued in that dance tradition, but didn’t have quite the same spark to my ear. Still, the song was a jam and carried the momentum forward from his own collaboration with a hot producer named Calvin Harris.

25. Ellie Goulding “Anything Could Happen” (#47 US to date, #1 Dance US)

“After the war we said we’d fight together
I guess we thought that’s just what humans do
Letting darkness grow”

Nothing ever seems to come easily for Ellie Goulding. Take 2011′s “Lights,” which was released mid-2011, made some minor noise at Adult Pop radio and mainly flopped in the UK. Then due to a series of events including Ellie playing gas stations and Starbucks locations across the US (it sure seemed that way), Pop radio picked up on the song, and it went on to become the #1 song at Pop radio for all of 2012. Unfortunately, the same thing seems to be happening to “Anything Could Happen,” but another funny circumstance appears to be helping the song grow at the end of the year: X Factor. Finalists Fifth Harmony performed the song two weeks in a row in their best-received performance, helping raise the song’s profile nationally.

24. Vicci Martinez “Come Along (feat. Cee Lo Green)” (#33 Hot AC US to date)

“Play with it while you have hands
Dust settles, cities turn to sand
Trespassing this is their land
Time flies, make a statement, take a stand”

Vicci Martinez potentially holds the title of “Most Successful Graduate of The Voice” based on the slow journey of “Come Along” at Adult Pop radio. The song originally debuted on The Voice back in May, and the song received some airplay but quickly dropped off the charts. To Vicci’s credit, she started a non-stop tour of radio stations and festivals across the country, and now the song has resurfaced and is steadily climbing the chart again. This could be the “Lights” of 2013!

23. Rihanna “Diamonds” (#1 US)

“You’re a shooting star I see
A vision of ecstasy
When you hold me, I’m alive
We’re like diamonds in the sky”

When “Diamonds” was released in September, I listened to it about five times in a row and declared that “Diamonds” was Rihanna’s best single release since “Umbrella.” For the most part, I still stand by that, despite my reservations endorsing anything having to do with RiRi. There’s no denying that Sia took Rihanna to a classier place that she needed to go, and I have to give credit where it’s due: Rihanna plays the chameleon well when she needs to change up her sound.

22. The Lumineers “Ho Hey” (#3 US to date)

“So show me family
All the blood that I would bleed
I don’t know where I belong
I don’t know where I went wrong
But I can write a song”

Speed round: name bands that rode Mumford and Sons’ coattails in 2012. Imagine Dragons, Of Monsters and Men, Phillip Phillips, Lumineers. At this point, The Lumineers have won that competition, as “Ho Hey” has outpaced all of those acts and even Mumford and Sons, reaching #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 at the end of 2012. The Denver-based band benefitted from product placements in the US (Microsoft) and the UK (E.ON), and they were rewarded with top 10 rankings on both sides of the Atlantic.

21. Demi Lovato “Give Your Heart a Break” (#16 US)

“Don’t wanna break your heart
Wanna give your heart a break
I know you’re scared it’s wrong
Like you might make a mistake”

“The day I/First heard this/I said that/I didn’t want to hear it again/So here I am/Eating crow/And praising it/Readers don’t you understand!”

Yeah…I was wrong. Great song, great delivery, and Demi’s inclusion on the X Factor was finally justified.

Bright Light Bright Light  - 203
Carly Rae Jepsen – 191
Frank Ocean – 175
Jason Mraz – 151
Owl City – 148
Calvin Harris – 133
Ellie Goulding – 128
Ne-Yo – 122
Melanie Fiona – 117
Mary Chapin Carpenter – 113

Now, some honorary mentions. Because I couldn’t get all of my favorites, I have five that came OH SO CLOSE!

51. The Gossip – “Perfect World”
52. Little Boots – “Every Night I Say a Prayer”
53. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis – “Same Love”
54. Haley Reinhart – Free
55. Western Avenue – Highway Heading Out of Town

And then, there are the award-winners. Some Grammys, some Razzies:

• Best carry-over from 2011: Aqua – “Playmate to Jesus”
• Best video: Pink – “Try”
• Best guilty pleasure: Tie between Flo Rida – “I Cry” & Stefano – “I’m on a Roll (feat. New Boyz & Rock Mafia)”
• Most overrated song – Gotye – “Somebody That I Used To Know”

Top 50 singles are on the way…

Can you say vintage 80s Country? Vince Gill is in my all-time top five Country vocalists, and his background vocals on the chorus only help to bolster Kelly’s Country cred, but this song is a smash with or without Vince’s vocals (or guitar from the sound of it). And don’t even get me going on the key change at the end of the song! “Don’t Rush” is one of three new songs on Kelly’s upcoming Greatest Hits, along with her current Pop hit “Catch My Breath” and “People Like Us.” The album hits November 19th, but if you can’t wait that long, the single is out on iTunes October 30th, and Kelly will be performing the song live with Vince Gill at the CMA Awards on November 1st on ABC.

I’m not sure what the video is supposed to be about outside the performance. Is Bruno a touring pimp?

Bruno’s follow-up to the ubiquitous Doo-Wops and Hooligans is Unorthodox Religion, and it drops on December 11th. If you can’t wait that long for a Bruno Mars fix, he will be the musical guest on this week’s Saturday Night Live.

JH: On a personal level, I have been drawn into single after single of yours because of how relatable the subject matter in your songs is. Does everything you release have a biographical slant, or is there a lot of fiction in your songs?

RT: A healthy mix of the two. I’m glad you said “biographical” and not “autobiographical”. People often assume that a record is like a diary. I tend to be more of a storyteller, so I write about things that friends have gone through, or ideas I get from things I overhear on the bus for example. ‘Feel It’ is based on Laura Palmer’s diary (Twin Peaks) and the idea of desire, passion and giving in to something. So I write about a mix of things, but put them all in first person.

JH: Is there any concern for you in 2012 about writing material that is blatantly about another man?

RT: No.

JH: “Moves” to me is one of the best “what comes next” break up songs I believe I have ever heard. How does the structure of a song like that develop?

RT: Completely by accident. We [Jon Shave from Invisible Men and I] wrote and recorded it in 4 hours. We sat down, talked about a kind of sound we wanted to create, found some synth sounds, played around with chords and I wrote the lyrics as we went along. It was maybe the most naturally made song we did together.

Bright Light Bright Light is making three appearances in New York this week: October 9th at Westgay (a dance pop set); October 10th playing a solo piano set at Mercury Lounge and premiering a brand new song; and October 11th DJing at Nowhere Bar. The official release of “Feel It” is on October 29th, but his full-length Make Me Believe in Hope is out and available now. For all things Bright Light Bright Light, check out the website at www.brightlightx2.com.

Readers of this blog know that country occasionally falls into my definition of Pop, and no country act has gotten more attention here than Lady Antebellum. While I was bit disappointed by their most recent release (Own the Night), I am still a fan and look forward to seeing their continued growth. As a result of their massive success, there are a lot of male/female vocal groups charting or attempting to chart on the Country chart. Here are three notable examples for your review.

Gloriana “(Kissed You) Good Night”

If there is one song from one group that seems to mimic the Lady Antebellum formula from “Need You Now” above all others, it has to be Gloriana’s “(Kissed You) Good Night.” One verse sung by a guy, one by a woman, and a soaring chorus where they met. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then “(Kissed You) Good Night” is a Lifetime Achievement Award for Lady A. The song has become Gloriana’s biggest hit to date as it sits at number two on the Billboard Country Songs chart with a solid shot at number one. They are also fellow Upstate New Yorkers, so I could not be happier to see them make it big.

Little Big Town “Pontoon”

Changing gears from a newer group to an established quartet, Little Big Town got off to a slow start when they first hit the charts in 2002, but their career kicked into high gear in 2005 with back-to-back top ten hits “Boondocks” and “Bring It On Home.” Their chart success has been mixed since then, but they are back in a big way with a monster hit called “Pontoon.” To my ear, “Pontoon” doesn’t sound very country, save a steel guitar buried in the mix, but whether it’s country or pop or Caribbean, it’s still a great song about “motorboatin’.” No, I didn’t make that up. Watch the video. While Little Big Town doesn’t fit the exact Lady Antebellum model, their combined harmonies and fun material always makes them one to watch.

Western Avenue “Highway Headin’ Out of Town”

When I write a compilation post like this, there is normally one idea or one song that inspires it. In this case, that inspiration goes to brand-new Canadian trio Western Avenue, who followed me on Twitter over the weekend. It isn’t often that Canadian country acts follow me, so I checked out their account and saw they have a debut single called “Highway Headin’ Out of Town.” I have a soft spot for Canadian country acts, and it is often very tough for them to break through in the US without living and working full-time in Nashville. So I found their song and played it. And I played it again. And again. Next thing you know, the chorus was stuck in my head for a solid hour.

One of the big reasons that “Highway Headin’ Out of Town” got lodged in my head is the hook in the chorus. It is one thing to write a song with a catchy hook, but it is another to capitalize on said hook with strong harmonies, and Western Avenue has that covered. The acoustic performance up above gives you a good idea, but check out the studio version to get the full impact of the song. A solid song, tight production and strong harmonies make “Highway Headin’ Out of Town” and Western Avenue ones to watch. In fact, I get the same vibe listening to “Highway” that I did from Lady Antebellum’s debut single “Love Don’t Live Here,” and look what happened there. Here’s hoping some success in the Great White North gets these folks some well-deserved attention in Music City.

“(Kissed You) Good Night,” “Pontoon” and “Highway Headin’ Out of Town” are all available now on iTunes. Gloriana’s A Thousand Miles Left Behind was released in July, while Western Avenue’s debut and Little Big Town’s Tornado are both slated for September releases.

In going back through my posts, I realized I have not mentioned the Mumfords previously, but that will change. There are few musical acts right now that excite me as much as they do, and I already have tickets to see them at Red Rocks at the end of August. Sigh No More was a revelation to me, and since that album came out I have had it on a pretty regular rotation.

“I Will Wait” continues their alt-Celtic, alt-bluegrass sound that sounds traditional yet contemporary, but it sounds as if Marcus Mumford has discovered what will bring a live crowd to its feet to sing along. As a huge fan of their live shows (this one will be number three), I’m glad to see a band give the fans what they want and still maintain their identity. If anything has changed, it seems that primary writer Marcus Mumford may have lightened up a bit: “I Will Wait” has a much more upbeat message than pretty much everything on Sigh No More.

Raise my hands
Paint my spirit gold
And bow my head
Keep my heart slow

Whether this is an anomaly or a precursor of a more optimistic theme, the Mumfords have successfully whipped their fans into a frenzy for their new opus Babel, which comes out on September 25th. If you can’t wait, “I Will Wait” is available for digital download now.

“Home” instantly shot to number one on iTunes and debuted at number ten on the Billboard Hot 100, but enthusiasm died after a couple of weeks. That enthusiasm returned during the 2012 Olympics, as NBC used his coronation song as the theme music for the now Gold-winning US Women’s Gymnastics team. “Home” currently finds itself back at home on top of the iTunes Singles chart, guaranteeing it will make a strong return to the upper half of the Hot 100 after re-entering at number 84 this week. Seeing that they have momentum at their backs, 19 Recordings decided to finally release the video for “Home.” It’s nothing exciting, which might explain why they didn’t bother releasing it, but it’s got some great scenery.

Someone who has taken a lot longer to finally break through is Season Six finalist Chris Richardson. We’ve been beating the drum for Chris pretty hard for a while now, but things have finally kicked into gear with the release of his first official single on Cash Money Records. Chris hit the Hot 100 last year singing the hook on rapper Tyga’s “Far Away,” and now Tyga is returning the favor by dropping a verse on the intro to “Joy and Pain,” a track that precedes his full-length debut later in 2012. “Joy and Pain” is very of-the-moment in sound and structure, and Chris sounds like he’s having fun with the track. The Tyga rap feels like an add-on rather than part of the song, but it doesn’t take much to picture this fitting in to current Top 40 and R&B radio station playlists. While I prefer some of his self-released tracks, “Joy and Pain” is not a bad way to introduce Chris to a wider audience.

Phillip Phillips’s “Home” is available on digital single now in the US. Chris Richardson’s “Joy and Pain” doesn’t have a release date yet, but he tweeted on July 29th “#JoyandPain cover art almost done. Radio add date is close. Hope y’all Are ready, cause I am.”

Some of you who know me may think that I am a sentimental kind of guy, but I tend not to dwell too much on the past. My life has been geared forward since I was young as if my best days were ahead of me, and that drive has served me well. Much of my life has been spent thinking “I can’t wait to get to [enter life change here].” However, the last year has seen a bit of a change in that charging-forward attitude. My mortality has come into view a bit more clearly, and as a result, I have been contemplating what happens when we leave this existence we call life. In case you’re wondering, I don’t have any answers for you. It is safe to say that if I did, I wouldn’t be here to type up this post.

I want to tell you a little bit about my friend Ty, someone else who had a “forward” drive. Ty came into my life three years ago as my partner and I were first dating. While we had met once, it wasn’t until a rodeo in July of 2009 that we really got to connect. By the time that weekend was over, I felt like I had been adopted by an older sister. Unfortunately, four months later that newly acquired relative ended up in the hospital with a diagnosis of cancer so aggressive that we were told she only had months to live. Well, months became years, and despite multiple end-of-life predictions, Ty soldiered on. Everyone around her was in awe of the way that she continued to beat the odds. That is, until two weeks ago. I have been told that the passing was peaceful and on her own terms, and for that I am grateful.

People outside of Ty’s inner circle think that she showed a lot of courage in the face of her prognosis, but sadly I know otherwise. She was terrified, as I think most of us would be. So terrified that she never allowed herself to know how serious her diagnosis was until near the end because she wanted to stay positive and fight. However well-intentioned this thinking was, there is no denying that all of us have an expiration date. Unless you die instantaneously in a freak circumstance, you will have to at least think about coming to terms with the inevitable. Please don’t think I am criticizing, because the strength that Ty showed throughout the past three years was amazing and awe-inspiring. In a perfect world, someone would show that strength while confronting their mortality, but what works for one person doesn’t for another and I am not here to judge the decisions that someone facing the end makes.

All of this has made me wonder how I will handle myself when my time arrives. Not only for myself, but also those I love. And then I came across a review of the new single by Country duo Joey + Rory, and I lost it. You are going to need a tissue box for this video. Don’t try to be tough…just give in to the suggestion.

“Just give it time
We’ll both be fine
When I’m gone”

I have no doubt my friend is fine now. Better than fine, even. No suffering, no worries, no doubt. I wish I could say the same about those of us she left behind, but we’ll get there. Eventually we all get there. The only consolation I have in all of this is the time I got to spend with Ty. While it may be cliched to say, my life is a better place for having known her.