The Top 10 Songs of 2012

I must say, leading off, that music has gotten a whole lot better all of a sudden.  I make no secret that music has been bad since the early 90's, characterized by rap songs inflating poor choices and rock songs with a beat but no lyrics.

When Adele won all her Grammys last year, she may have led her peers down the right path.  While I still strongly believe that today's songs are nowhere near the quality of the 60's and 70's, meaning very good songs but no great songs, 2012 marked what could be a turning point.  We will see.  I'm hearing much more quality now, so much so that I have to have a tie at #10 because there are 11 really good songs that deserve inclusion in The Top 10 Songs of 2012*.  There now are melodies, something we haven't heard in decades, and musicianship, rather than the annoying so-called "sampling" that highlighted releases of the last 20 years or so.  And, more importantly, there are lyrics, another thing so sorely missing from music, with life-changing themes.  There is hope.

Without further ado, here they are, the best of the Class of 2012:

Talented singer/songwriter here.  He has the #8 song of 2012:
 
#10:  "I Won't Give Up" by Jason Mraz

This English group has impressed young and old alike. They are likely the best group to come out in quite some time. Another intriguing video of 2012:

#9: "Paradise" by Coldplay

Today's youth need hopeful songs.  In the 60's, we not only protested what we didn't like, we suggested solutions to the problems.  Keep searching, until you find The Good Life!:
 
#8:  "Good Life" by One Republic






#7:  We Are Young by fun




Strong performance on the Adult Contemporary chart places this song in the Top 10:

#6:  "Brighter Than The Sun" by Colbie Caillat




You want to talk talent? This group is so refreshing, with what they've brought to the world:

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  #5: "Just a Kiss" by Lady Antebellum

 

 

This group had a strong 2012--here's their biggest hit of the year:

 

#4:  Payphone  by Maroon 5


 She still has that great voice, but her move to up-tempo has paid off here:

#3:  "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You Makes You) by Kelly Clarkson



She had not only the #1 song last year but #2 as well.  We have Adele at #1 in 2012:

 

#2:  "Set Fire to the Rain" by Adele

Another great video here.  It's a unique song--people are creating again, and we celebrate that!
    

#1:  "Somebody That I Used to Know" by Gotye & Kimbra