*As it turns out, some of these came out in 2010 [Ed. note: And...uh...maybe before that...]. But I enjoyed them primarily in 2011, so they're staying on the list.
10. Firework - Katy Perry
This song is on here, not only because I just really liked it in the beginning, I liked the message and the video, and I just plain like fireworks in general, but most importantly: it was 2011's Teddi Line Dance. Which was a great one, in that I was capable of learning it and remembering it for a really long time!
9. Don't You Wanna Stay - Jason Aldean f. Kelly Clarkson
This song caught me by surprise at whatever award show they performed this at. Jason Aldean started singing, and I immediately stopped paying attention, because he's not one of my favorites, and I could not even tell you another song that he sings. But then my girl Kelly started singing, and I did not know how much I had missed her until I heard her voice again. But even more than that, I love a good wistful country power-ballad!
8. Edge of Glory - Lady Gaga
There are two reasons this song made the list. 1) That Google Chrome commercial. Compelling stuff, people. Every time I hear this song I picture Gaga prancing across the Brooklyn Bridge. Really gets me going. 2) Clarence Clemons, aka The Big Man, aka Saxophonist and original member of the E Street Band, aka, the sax solo in this song. I am a sucker for a good sax solo, because I am a huge sax nerd, but The Big Man is just hands down THE BEST. Best there ever will be. RIP.
7. Moneygrabber - Fitz and the Tantrums
I realize there is a pretty decent chance you have never heard this song before. But it is so goddamn sassy, and catchy, and retro, and this is hands down the best band name in the history or band names. I will fight anyone who says otherwise. Seriously, can everyone just channel musical styles of olde? It just works out so nicely. New stuff sucks.
6. Turn to Stone - Ingrid Michaelson
So, turns out this song was actually released in 2009, so I'm really adhering to this whole "2011" thing pretty loosely. But I first heard of this song in 2011, and it's too good to not include on a list, and I didn't have a blog in '09, so y'all can suck it. Anyway, the lyrics are beautiful, and somewhat pertinant to my 2011, and HOLY SHITBALLS it was part of one of the greatest SYTYCD dances ever. Plus, I had to include some emo chick crying music on here. Because emo chick crying music is my default genre.
5. Not Over You - Gavin DeGraw
This song started as a slow burn. I has GdG's first album, and loved it, so he's one of those artists that I'm always happy to hear has a new song out. I heard this, thought it was decent, but didn't think much beyond that. Cut to the song burrowing its way into my brain with its wonderful catchiness. Plus, I saw him in concert for the first time in 2011, which was exciting. AND, he got attacked and subsequently hit by a car, all in one night in NYC. So he deserves some jolly associations with 2011.
4. Paris (Oh la la) - Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
Now, see, this song was 2011's top choice for Colleen's 2011 Rock Star Daydreams. Grace Potter is pretty much the bomb diggity, on top of looking like Heidi Klum, so I would love to walk a day in her sequined minidress. The way she snarls through this song, which is possibly sort of a stereotype of French people, is just so great. I just want to be a rock star. I don't think that's too much to ask.
3. Love the Way You Lie - Eminem f. Rihanna
I am just as surprised as anyone else to see Eminem here on my list. Not the biggest Eminem fan, (at least not since Stan, which I was obsessed with, because I'm a little bit twisted.) But does it even matter? I mean, is Eminem even in this song? For me, it is allllllll about Rihanna. This song has the best hook of 2011, unquestionably. (Hook, is that the right word, hook? I'm trying to be cool, but I don't actually know anything about anything. Chorus. It has a great chorus.) Although Eminem does contribute: "now you get to watch her leave out the window, guess that's why they call it window pane", for whatever that's worth. This song also gets the award for favorite video of 2011, because oh my dear sweet baby jesus. Dominic Monaghan, who played my love Charlie on Lost, but also Merry in LOTR, and someone on Flashforward, is in it, playing Eminem's character, basically. Opposite Megan Fox, who doesn't really do much for me, but good for you, hobbit. Super hot and angsty video. And those are two of my favorite qualities in a music video.
2. Rumour Has It - Adele
This song, while a bitchin song in it's own right, also represents all other Adele songs from this year, mainly Rolling In The Deep and Someone Like You, but I am currently on the outs with those songs due to oversaturation, so I am giving the main mention to Rumour Has It, which was really an album standout for me from the very beginning, and as of recently, was part of a GREAT and emotional mashup on Glee. THAT BEAT! SO GOOD!
1. Colder Weather - Zac Brown Band
I am begging you, if you have not heard this song, please listen to it. You can disregard everything else on this list, but this song is too beautiful and perfect to ignore. I first heard this song in a live performance with Amos Lee on CMT. Amos Lee is also awesome, which made it even greater. The song is just...wistful, bittersweet, and it makes me heart feel things for unknown reasons. Video in the link above is the official video, video below is the version with Amos Lee.
Honorable Mention
Best Guilty Pleasure Song: Skyscraper - Demi Lovato
A melodramatic song with silly lyrics, wailed by a Disney starlet fallen from grace, AND possibly about a Jonas Brother? It's like this song was made for me.
Best "Welcome Back": Red Hot Chili Peppers - The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie
I want to live in the world evoked by RHCP music. I guess that world would be California. Really though, this song sounds just like their old stuff, which is a good thing. Welcome back, old friends. Keep up the good work.
Best Glee Songs: A TIE!
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - Finn
Finn normally sucks so much on Glee, but he really knocked it out of the park with this one. Song choice is key, first of all, because this low register suits him so much better than big belty showtunes. He pretty much has the weakest male voice on the show, I don't know why they fancy him a belter, but whatever. FURTHERMORE, Cyndi Lauper is my hero, this is one of her most amazing songs, and the fact that they transformed it into an darker arrangement that sounds like a mix of early-90s Seattle rock and something that belongs on the Garden State Soundtrack....amazing. Well done.
I Feel Pretty / Unpretty - Quinn and Rachel
I Feel Pretty / Unpretty is possibly my favorite mashup they've ever done. Just so perfect, especially fitting for the theme of the episode. I pretty much loved everything TLC did back in middle school, much like every girl my age did. But I remember loving this song especially, for its message. Cause, you know, I was sort of unpretty in middle school. It was a tough time for all of us. So, I don't know if anyone else feels the same, but just hearing the intro of this song makes my heart break a little bit, thinking of all the little girls across the country, staring in the mirror and picking apart their imperfections. I'm notoriously not the biggest fan of West Side Story, I Feel Pretty included, but it's a fine song, and I'm a sucker for a good mash-up (even before Glee coined the title), and these two are so prefectly matched. It's also an awesome showcase for Dianna Agron's voice, which, while not the strongest on the show, is just so...sweet, and perfect for this.
Honorable Mention for this Honorable Mention: Songbird - Santana
Because this song basically just makes me shit tears anyway, and Naya Rivera has one of my favorite voices I have ever heard, and even though I am not Team Brittana (I imagine that's their title), Naya Rivera is really knocking it out of the park with her emotions. Also, holy shit, I can't believe they did Songbird. Ugh. My heart.
Here's to 2012 being even more wonderful!
I absolutely love Gavin's Not Over You song. It's nice to have a different song of his other than One Tree Hill's theme song stuck in my head :)
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