This is my first chart, hope I'm doing this right.

 

Songs must be released, charted or re-released in 2011

 

 

#1 Natalia Kills- Mirrors (CD Single/18th April 2011)

UK chart peak- #190

 

Listen to this song LOUD to really appreciate how good it actually is. Probably overshadowed by Rihanna's S&M and Gaga deciding she wanted to be something from a Tim Burton film. Kills wanders the line between pop, dance and the dark in a way Gaga couldn't without looking as if she really needs a bath. Had this been a Gaga song we would have been looking at the next Bad Romance. As it is bad marketing and bad timing killed Kills' chances in the UK.

 

 

#2 Drake ft. Rihanna- Take Care (Download/14th November 2011)

UK Chart Peak- #9

 

Ah, the Harvester of Pauses returns with a Gil Scott Heron cover version. This should never have worked. It is the most beautiful song this year and subverts the usual rap duet focused on the tough man and emotionally fragile woman much like Puff Daddy and Faith Evans, Nicki Minaj and Drake and Rihanna and er...Drake. Yet, its not a ballad, its baseline is constant and coupled with the haunting vocal creates something mesmerising. Now Drake isn't it better when you're not trying to posture your 'manliness' and don't succumb to rapper sterotypes?

 

 

#3 Warpaint- Undertow (Download/11th April 2011)

UK Chart peak- ##

 

I almost have no words for this song. Its sweeping, its passionate, its summer nights in 4 minutes 26 seconds and I'm in love.

 

 

#4 Clare Maguire- The Last Dance (Download/20th February 2011)

UK Chart Peak- #23

 

I first discovered Maguire with her debut, the Breakage Remix of Ain't Nobody and The Last Dance continues that fusion of the high energy, epic, gothic love song. In fact, between this and Ain't Nobody you can see the forerunning of Adele's massive Rolling in the Deep which shares a similar tune.

 

 

To be Continued...

Edited December 28, 201113 yr by Paramore

#5 Kanye West ft Rihanna- All of the Lights (Download/January 18th 2011)

UK Chart Peak- #15

 

I was so utterly frustrated with this song not going top 10. This is a proper party starter, DAT INTRO. Only Kanye would get the trumpets out, roll out the red carpet and proceed to crush the competition. I always credit Kanye for bringing dance music back properly with Stronger, well here he is showing us how its going to go forward. Kanye brought it with this song, its relentless.

 

 

#6 Katy B- Broken Record (Download/25th March 2011)

UK Chart Peak- #8

 

Having not been a fan of Katy B's previous stuff I was shocked that I loved this as much as I did. Its a graceful and melancholy song focusing the the lyrics and not consciously becoming a club hit.

 

 

#7 The Joy Formidable- Whirring (Download/March 2011)

UK Chart Peak- ##

 

Probably the best rock song of the year, a re-release of a 2009 EP track. There is something glorious about the frail voice given steel by the backing of a constant drum beat. Its oddly uplifting.

 

 

#8 Ben Howard- Keep Your Head Up

UK Chart Peak= #74

 

Ben Howard taps into the british spirit in the same way Mumford and Sons do. Howard finds that core of us that with weather any storm with your head held high if you can complain about doing it a bit. This is a song about the triumph of muddling through and holding on to who you are throughout. Its an anthem of getting through the hard times and finding joy in it.

 

 

To Be Continued...

#9 Chase and Status ft. Delilah- Time (Download/ 29th April 2011)

UK Chart Peak: 21

 

There is something beautiful about Delilah's voice in this wistful melody.

 

 

#10 Wretch 32 ft. Josh Kumra- Don't Go (Download/14th August 2011)

UK Chart Peak: 1

 

Its rare to see two men dueting these days. This song just seems no effortless, so natural.

 

 

#11 Adele- Rolling in the Deep (CD Single + Digital EP/ January 17th 2011)

UK Chart Peak: 2

 

I didn't much like Adele before 21. She always seemed a bit mopey so I was blown away when she actually brought out a song with so much momentum. Then she just kept on going with Someone like You, Set Fire to the Rain and Turning Tables. She's just evolved so much. Now even her songs that strips away the instruments have some interesting flourishes in the tune.

 

 

#12 Foo Fighters- Arlandria (Live) (Download/ 5th September 2011)

UK Chart Peak: #79

 

Notice I specify the live version. The studio version lacks the strength and rawness that comes across in Foo performances. This song is brought alive by playing it with all the faults and passion in Dave's voice.

 

#13 Deftones- Beauty School (Download/ September 2011)

UK Chart Peak- ##

 

 

#14 Lana Del Rey- Video Games (Download/ 10th October 2011)

UK Chart Peak- #9

 

 

#15 Noah and the Whale- L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N (Download/ 21st January 2011)

UK Chart Peak- #14

 

 

#16 James Blake- The Wilhelm Scream (Download/ 3rd March 2011)

UK Chart Peak- #136

 

Edited December 30, 201113 yr by Paramore

#17 Rihanna ft Calvin Harris- We Found Love (Download/ 22nd September 2011)

UK Chart Peak: #1

 

 

#18 Maroon 5 ft Christina Aguilera- Moves Like Jagger (CD Single and Download/ 21st June 2011)

UK Chart Peak: #2

 

 

#19 Paramore- Monster (Download/ 7th June 2011)

UK Chart Peak: #21

 

 

#20 Foster the People- Pumped up Kicks (Download/ 19th June 2011)

UK Chart Peak: #18