Last year I called the latter portion of the most-played list the section of "shame." I don't know if 2012 just marked a good year, whether my music taste shifted or it was just dumb luck, but I have to say I'm pretty darn proud of the lower half this year.
There's a good mix of popular, club, critically acclaimed and a little cheese. Let's get started, shall we?
20. Gotye - Somebody That I Used to Know (feat. Kimbra)
Perhaps what's most shocking is Gotye's massive hit single Somebody That I Used to Know didn't rank higher. After all, it was inescapable by mid-March. But if I've learned anything it's that songs that are overplayed on the radio often have a short shelf life on my playlist. Gotye might be considered a one-hit wonder in many circles, but his album is solid and this live performance video I shot at the Kool Haus in Toronto proves he shouldn't be dismissed.
19. Caro Emerald - Back It Up
Every year I'm a little late to the game on one obscure song, and this year it was Dutch singer Caro Emerald's Back It Up. However, in this case I was really, really late. The song came out in 2009 but it took a batch of remixes released a year ago to bring it to my attention. The thing is, Back It Up is a good enough song that it doesn't need a remix to bring it to life.
18. Infinity Ink - Infinity
I'm a sucker for a song that sounds like a legit early '90s dance track, and Inifinity Ink pulled that off and then some with their sort of self-titled single Infinity. The song even has a gratuitous, meaningless rap section that appears middtrack, with the nameless rapper proclaiming that Infinity Ink "has got the sound." Yes, it's all a little silly, but damn is it a great combination of cool and fun.
17. Loreen - Euphoria
It's no secret that I have a sick obsession with Eurovision, so it's probably no surprise that a couple of tracks from the European pop song competition snuck onto my list. The first comes from Sweden's Loreen who took the contest by storm and nabbed the top prize with Euphoria. After her victory I heard this song pumping out of headphones on commuter buses and at a few clubs in Canada, which is rare considering that Eurovision is basically off of Canadians' radar. Perhaps not for much longer?
16. Amelia Lily - Shut Up (And Give Me Whatever You Got)
I can't really explain how this single from Amelia Lily, the 8th place singer on the UK version of X Factor, snuck onto my "most played" list, especially considering that I only first heard it back in November. But the clumsily titled song Shut Up (And Give Me Whatever You Got) has a pumping sugar pop beat and screaming vocals that encouraged me to sing it a lot and clearly put it on repeat. The rest is shameful history...
15. ZZ Ward - Put the Gun Down
It frustrates me that ZZ Ward's killer pop-blues single Put the Gun Down didn't get more recognition this past summer because it's exactly what should appeal to the Southern Americans with a sense for classic revenge songs. Perhaps the concept of the song was a little too dark. Either way, I hope they bring it to a kareoke club nearby soon because it'd be a great song to sing to a crowd of drunken partiers.
14. Hoodie Allen - No Interruption
Hoodie Allen helped redefine the truly independent musician this year when his debut album jumped into Billboard's Top 10 without any major publicity, and if you haven't heard of him it probably means you're too old. When it came to the pre-teen crowd this guy was edgy and hyped, and when it came to his live conerts, I can tell you I saw young teens doing things there I wish I could unsee. Let's focus on the music, shall we? No Interruption was his first single and its video is a spectable of gritty nerd-cool shot on a shoestring budget.
13. Emeli Sande - Next to Me
The fickle U.S. market paid hardly any attention to Emeli Sande's debut album earlier this year. The Brit scored massive attention and accolades overseas, but in North America she fizzled, even after practically hosting the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics. No matter, he label hasn't given up on her yet. In January they will re-release the incredibly catchy Next to Me in the U.S. in hopes that it'll catch fire on the second go 'round. Maybe if they angle her as the new Alicia Keys...
12. St. Lucia - Before the Dive
St. Lucia is my proudest find of this year. They're a consistently good band, they're cool, creative and hark back to the sounds from the '80s that I enjoyed most. Their debut EP was practically perfect so I hope their debut album (due sometime in 2013) will impress me just as much. Before the Dive was a song I fell in love with late this year, after practically skipping it everytime I put on the EP, in favour of other songs.
11. Frank Ocean - Thinkin Bout You
Big surprise (not!) that Frank Ocean made my list, especially considering that he's on practically every critc's list this year. There's no doubt that Channel Orange was the most surprising, consistent and exciting debuts of the year. Ocean poured his soul into that album and you can feel it in every track. Thinkin Bout You isn't the best song on the album (the best song wasn't the single, I think that prize goes to Bad Religion), but it was the first released and therefore takes a high ranking position on my most-played list.
Next up, the Top 10 Most Played Songs of 2012...coming soon.
