Part 2 of Philip Lickley’s run-down of his favourite 100 songs of 2012…
Top 100 Songs of 2012 – Part 2
It’s time to continue my countdown of my favourite songs of the year as we head towards the half way point. Have you seen your favourites yet?
75. Nicola Roberts – Yo-Yo
Released: 6th January 2012
The Girls Aloud singer released this strong single in the first week of the new year. Great tune and should have been more commercially successful.
74. Kylie Minogue – Timebomb
Released: 30th May 2012
The Australian pop princess came back this year with this hit. It’s not her strongest but the chorus is powerful and it’s a grower.
73. Lawson – Standing In The Dark
Released: 12th October 2012
A great release from the “grown up” boyband. Touching lyrics, good guitar and an enjoyable chorus.
72. Lana Del Rey – National Anthem
Released: 6th July 2012
From one of the strongest albums of the year, this was one of my favourites well before it was released as its own single in July.
71. Noisettes – That Girl
Released: 12th August 2012
From an incredible double a-side from the Noisettes, this second side was a retro-sounding classic back in August.
70. Snow Patrol – In The End
Released: 10th February 2012
One of my favourite songs released by the band, the slow build up works really well leading into a powerful chorus.
69. Pet Shop Boys – Winner
Released: 5th August 2012
One of several unofficial Olympics tracks released over the summer, this is one of the strongest, with an easily singable chorus.
68. The Wanted – I Found You
Released: 21st November 2012
A change in sound for the band but one that really works, especially in its use of falsetto.
67. will.i.am feat. Jennifer Lopez and Mick Jagger – T.H.E (The Hardest Ever)
Released: 3rd February 2012
One of the weirdest sounding tracks of the year with an increasingly camp persona, especially when Jagger appears. With the sound of a hedgetrimmer and dodgy rapped lyrics that would make even Dappy blush, it’s a weird ‘un but a good ‘un.
66. Marcus Collins – Seven Nation Army
Released: 2nd March 2012
It may be a note-by-note remake of the Ben L’oncle Soul adaptation of the White Stripes classic, but it’s a great version, just check out the original instead.
65. Girls Aloud – Something New
Released: 19th November 2012
It may be shouted more than sung but it’s a fun pop song that announced the girls are back in a big way.
64. One Direction – Live While We’re Young
Released: 28th September 2012
It may borrow its opening chords from the Clash, but this a perfect slice of summer pop, even if it was released in September.
63. Paloma Faith – 30 Minute Love Affair
Released: 10th August 2012
Though ‘Picking Up The Pieces’ was a great first cut from her second album, it’s this follow-up that really scores big in my eyes.
62. Reverend and the Makers – The Wrestler
Released: 13th May 2012
Second of three singles from the Sheffield lads from their third album (“Out Of The Shadows”, not in the chart here, is a brilliant third single) is a catchy, uptempo pop hit with McClure’s distinctive vocals, and some cracking lyrics.
61. Robbie Williams – Different
Released: 19th December 2012
The second single from his ‘Take The Crown’ album is not his greatest ballad ever but it has all the elements of one of his better ones.
60. Cover Drive feat. Dappy – Explode
Released: 24th August 2012
Proving that the annoying ‘Twilight’ was an anomaly, this third single from ‘Cover Drive’ is sexy and singable and even Dappy makes it through with credibility.
59. Emeli Sande – Read All About It (Pt. III)
Released: Autumn 2012
Though popular before, the Olympics made this track famous. Adapted from her guest appearance on the Professor Green track, this is slower and much more emotional.
58. Coldplay and Rihanna – Princess of China
Released: 3rd June 2012
After ‘Paradise’ was never off the radio in 2011, this eventual follow-up took a while to grow on me but is a great duet with some neat production values.
57. Fun feat. Janelle Monáe – We Are Young
Released: 27th May 2012
Another great release from 2012 that is very singable, with a great building verse and a memorable chorus.
56. Labrinth – Last Time
Released: 16th March 2012
Taken from one of my favourite albums of the year this wasn’t as immediately grabbing as ‘Earthquake’ from 2011 but is a grower.
55. Maroon 5 feat. Wiz Khalifa – Payphone
Released: 17th June 2012
2012 was the year Maroon 5 went much more commercial, kicking off with this catchy number that boasted a by-numbers, but interesting, rap from Wiz Khalifa.
54. Keane – Silenced By The Night
Released: 15th April 2012
Another great single from Keane, perhaps not as experimental as those from its ‘Night Train’ release, but a cracking tune nonetheless.
53. Katy Perry – Part Of Me
Released: 19th March 2012
Added as one of the questionable bonus tracks to make a deluxe album, it’s nonetheless a spunky single with a great attitude-filled chorus.
52. Ilan Eshkeri and Andy Burrows – Light The Night
Released: 17th December 2012
The ‘Walking In The Air’ from this Christmas’ Snowman sequel, it’s a beautifully written and sung song that fits in well with the season.
51. Cheryl – Under The Sun
Released: 31st August 2012
It may feature the dodgiest line in any song this year, but it was a great catchy song for the summer.
