Part 3 of Philip Lickley’s personal list of the best songs of 2012. If you would like to contribute to All-Noise, get in touch on [email protected]
Top 100 Songs of 2012 – Part 3
It’s time to break into the top fifty of my favourite 100 songs of the last twelve months…
50. Status Quo – The Winner (Podium Mix)
Released: 9th July 2012
Another song with the word ‘winner’ in its title in the Olympic year, this is another song from the Quo that might not break away from their typical sound but is still a great track.
49. Sam and the Womp – Bom Bom
Released: 1st August 2012
The summer’s cheesy entry, ‘Bom Bom’ hit number one and though it’s as cheesy as anything it’s still fun.
48. Kelly Clarkson – Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)
Released: 3rd February 2012
Another brilliant come-back single from Clarkson, it quickly became one of the anthems of the year.
47. The Killers – Runaways
Released: 9th September 2012
Though the album this single was taken from wasn’t their best, this first cut was a classic Killers tune with some great guitar work.
46. Walk The Moon – Anna Sun
Released: 28th September 2012
With a great riff in ‘this house is falling apart’ this a song with many elements in it that builds to a great, singable tune.
45. Plan B – Ill Manors
Released: 23rd March 2012
From the album and film of the same name, this saw Ben Drew go back to his previous rap sound with great results.
44. Lana Del Rey – Off to the Races
Released: 30th January 2012
Taken from her ‘Born To Die’ album this was one of many strong singles from Lana Del Rey taken from a very strong album, even if the bonus deluxe edition track ended the year for her on a low.
43. Emeli Sande – Next To Me
Released: 12th February 2012
One of her big singles, 2012 was a great year for Emile Sande with appearances at the Olympics and many great hits.
42. Clement Marfo and the Frontline feat. Kano – Mayhem
Released: 23rd March
It might have elements of the Chemical Brothers ‘Galvanize’ in it but it’s a great upbeat track that works musically and lyrically.
41. Bob Sinclar feat. Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Gilbere Forte – Fuck With You
Released: Summer 2012
It’s radio-unfriendly title meant it didn’t get the exposure it should have done, but this is a sexy, fun single even if the rap does go a bit over the top.
40. The Band Perry – If I Die Young
Released: 24th February 2012
A low-key but no less great song, this is well produced and sung and was another low-key hit that should have done more commercially.
39. The Justice Collective – He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother
Released: 17th December 2012
The most recently released entry in this countdown and the Christmas number one for 2012, this star-studded emotional cover was released to pay the legal fees for the Hillsborough disaster.
38. Rumer – P.F. Sloan
Released: 18th May 2012
Another cover to be released in the last twelve months, this was a more obscure tune but sung beautifully and cementing its place in the top forty of 2012.
37. Rebecca Ferguson – Backtrack
Released: 12th October 2012
An X-Factor reject that has gone on to create some great tracks, this was a definite highlight of the autumn months.
36. Spector – Never Fade Away
Released: 10th August 2012
A re-release from their excellent ‘Enjoy It While It Lasts’ album, this ballad works its magic after a few listens.
35. Passion Pit – Take A Walk
Released: 26th October 2012
A great sounding indie hit with a story behind the lyrics, a cracking walking beat and some really effective production values.
34. Pink – Blow Me (One Last Kiss)
Released: 31st August 2012
Though follow-up ‘Try’ was a great track, it’s her first cut from her latest album that really made an impact in 2012 even if the title is up there with Britney’s Spears ‘If U Seek Amy’ as a shameless single entendre.
33. Labrinth feat. Emeli Sande – Beneath Your Beautiful
Released: 18th November 2012
A track that stood out on Labrinth’s ‘Electronic Earth’ album alongside ‘Treatment’ – another excellent song – before they were both released as singles, this is a touching ballad between two huge stars of 2012 and its grammatically correct, but confusing, title got a lot of people!
32. Cheryl – Call My Name
Released: 10th June 2012
A sexy first cut from her most recent album, ‘Call My Name’ ticked all the pop boxes though the Charlotte Church song of the same name is far better whenever I write the title!
31. The Script feat Will.I.Am – Hall of Fame
Released: 31st August 2012
Two judges from the Voice help each other out on this return track from the Script and make a really great tune for the end of summer.
30. Keane – Sovereign Light Café
Released: 22nd July 2012
Keane came back in 2012 with a great album of which this is the best song, another beautifully written and composed song and back to their classic sound.
29. Bruno Mars – Locked Out Of Heaven
Released: 2nd October 2012
Famous this year for being the song it’s impossible not to go ‘huh!’ during, this retro sounding return for Mars scored back in October.
28. Gabrielle Aplin – The Power of Love
Released: 10th November 2012
Gaining a number one in November coming off the back of the John Lewis advert, this acoustic cover of the ‘Frankie Goes To Hollywood’ classic is beautifully sung and compliments the original well.
27. Gary Barlow & The Commonwealth Band – Sing (Commonwealth Version)
Released: 31st May 2012
Released as the official Jubilee track, this song brought lots of worldwide talent – both famous and lesser known – together to create a great song, well written by Gary Barlow and performed by the large group.
26. Nicki Minaj – Starships
Released: 14th February 2012
It may be as shallow as a puddle, but this first single from Minaj’s latest album sticks in your head and refuses to leave, and was pretty much the soundtrack for the earlier part of the year.
