SINGLES: 85-81

 

http://media.thelineofbestfit.com/wp-content/media/2012/02/39654_frida_hyvonen-500x280.jpg

 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

Chart Peak: #1

'she's so foxy she could lead to my demise'

 

My second-lowest #1 comes not long after the first, and naturally, it's one of the album tracks that reached the top. Not long after getting 'The Midsummer Station' I began to get obsessed with Bombshell Blonde, the bonus track. It's unlike ANYTHING Owl City has done before, quite a MOMENT (if you're into that sort of thing of course). Furious production and vocals, it's really well worth a listen if you are into upbeat pop songs at all + obligatory dubstep breakdown to top it all off - Owl City isn't all fireflies and happy times, he has total diva moments in his back catalogue too now this exists. It's not too dissimilar from I'm Coming After You lower down but feels really quite mature for a song singing about love for a hot chick he's only met once. Or something. Either way, this is not how you expect Owl City to sound, it's more the sound of a popstar finally finding his feet.

 

Chart Peak: #16

'i'm living on the moon'

 

And that's XLVII done with, no more entries from that contest appear above this. First contest to fall, but it's still a fantastic song. Production is really great (I ran out of suitable synonyms a LONG time ago) and Grimes sounds the most committed out of the 3 songs I've heard her on this year. Also her vocals are allowed to shine through the production rather than being distorted with it like they were on Genesis and Oblivion. Should really have won (was really convinced it would).

 

Chart Peak: #7

'it's not a science'

 

The first time this group shows up solo on my singles chart (and unlike Jack's traitorous chart, they won't be done here for a long while). This wasn't exactly the strongest choice of single and I don't think I've listened to the version with Dappy once out of FEAR, but it has a convincing instrumental and pace that keep me coming back to it almost as much as its stronger counterparts and bigger hits. It's still stronger than that mess that was Lick Ya Down - everything they've released in 2012 has been absolute gold.

 

Chart Peak: #7

'i'm dying to see sunlight'

 

The atmosphere this song conjures up fits perfectly with the name. As in it feels dark. Dark, wonderful Scandipop - with a chorus that evokes desperation, a feeling of being lost. Another fine piece of music from Scandinavia and a great reason to use for why they are ahead of the rest of the world in music, I couldn't imagine a British or American artist making a pop song distinct or moody quite like this, and I wouldn't want them to try.

 

Chart Peak: #4

'and I'm playing with a dangerous flame again'

 

One more for Ghosty, my favourite Unknown Pleasures discovery of the year goes to Norwegian indie band Team Me and their simply titled song, Show Me. Starting off with a crash of drums and a great instrumental, the vocals come in quickly and tell you this is going to be something special, the way they end lines is aural bliss. And then we get to the chorus - the instrumentation mellows out to give precedence to the hook line, before coming back in for more of what was so wonderful before. The alternating sounds of this is just addictive for me, a triumph for this genre. Case in point #2 in this section for why Scandinavians are the best.

 

 

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ls-jBUFiD9I/TimMp4tonuI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/R_-SONorB6Q/s640/267988_220327904675848_133232266718746_604081_448423_n.jpg

Nina! Still an incredible song, one of my favourite entries of recent years. Can't for the life of me understand why the public hated it so. Nice to see someone give her love :wub: Maria Mena is quite alright too, but 'You're The Only One' slays everything.

 

Well they did even worse to poor poor Anggun. Maybe fabulous female singers just weren't in this year. (Loreen is less fabulous, more epic)

 

I haven't heard that Mena one. Must check.

 

Eivør! :wub:

 

I must make an effort to like more of your entries as I do actually really like 7/10 of them this year yet I only gave points to Eivor, half of that was from your DNQs but still. UP alliance tho

Explode :wub: I literally cannot decide which i prefer between this and Twilight as my favourite from them (and sorry but the Dappy version is the only one i know :kink:)

Explode :wub: I literally cannot decide which i prefer between this and Twilight as my favourite from them (and sorry but the Dappy version is the only one i know :kink:)

 

The album version MUST be better than whatever Dappy's done to it though SERIOUSLY.

 

(Twilight's far better :kink:)

The album version MUST be better than whatever Dappy's done to it though SERIOUSLY.

 

(Twilight's far better :kink:)

I do love the album version, but my soft spot for Dappy gives his version the edge (sozzy).

 

And yeah, i think i do prefer Twilight, but this is a very close second. I've been meaning to give their album a proper listen, so maybe this countdown will finally encourage me to do so!

WOAH at all the BJSC so far, only two or three entries made my EOY top 100, I'm letting the side down almost as much as Bray :o

 

That said, it's very pleasing to see Gossling and Haloo Helsinki in here! :wub: The latter have a new single called Huuda! which is more rocky but very catchy and well worth a listen!

I must make an effort to like more of your entries as I do actually really like 7/10 of them this year yet I only gave points to Eivor, half of that was from your DNQs but still. UP alliance tho <3

 

Séyetyrddia 2013 must happen! :kink:

 

On the whole I really like your entries too! 8/10 of them in fact! ^_^

OUCH AT JOSEPH BEATING YOU ON VIEWS. SUICIDE IS THE ONLY OPTION.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chart Peak: #7

'it's not a science'

 

(and unlike Jack's traitorous chart, they won't be done here for a long while)

 

:angry:

 

I reckon it's time you take some advice from Lee.

 

 

 

(Woo "Phone Sex" though :kink:)

WOAH at all the BJSC so far, only two or three entries made my EOY top 100, I'm letting the side down almost as much as Bray :o

 

That said, it's very pleasing to see Gossling and Haloo Helsinki in here! :wub: The latter have a new single called Huuda! which is more rocky but very catchy and well worth a listen!

 

It starts to thin out very quickly, there are only 3 in my top 40 besides my own and entries that have since become big. But there are a lot around this area, yes. It makes up so much more of my listening habits than I normally like to let on, so all the entries in here are entirely deserved.

 

I ought to listen to Huuda! then, sounds right up my street. (quick Youtube while writing this post and yes indeed, that is FANTASTIC :wub:)

 

OUCH AT JOSEPH BEATING YOU ON VIEWS. SUICIDE IS THE ONLY OPTION.

 

I don't care. I don't hold down F5 like some people because it's not important to me how many people have viewed my topic.

SINGLES: 80-76

 

http://www.laestadea.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/nuevo-video-de-halestorm-i-miss-the-misery.jpg

 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

Chart Peak: #1

'i am the oxygen, i am your only friend, i am the life support, you're not ALOOOOOOOOOOONEEE'

 

My last BJSC entry of the year - and a wholly undeserved DNQ (it's by far my favourite track in that contest still, I can't avoid some bias but still). So therefore it needs to win the Rejects. Nothing Saint Saviour has done has impressed me as much as this, the fast-paced verses with inspired lyrics and the 'chorus' placing the emphasis on one word - along with the hook line repeated at various good places throughout the song - it's a fantastic composition, it's a shame it took me until nearly the end of the year to realise this.

 

Chart Peak: #26

'and I'm a god-damn coward but then again so are you'

 

The first of three entries for the fantastic band - First Aid Kit, this ended up being one of the first songs I discovered while on the hunt for contest entries (see, that helps) back in January. I ended up foolishly dismissing it. And then later it grew on me a lot. I love the duo's vocals, they're so warm and convincing. The Lion's Roar, more than their other songs, has a great beat, something not normally expected in a folk-pop song, and just when you think it's over, there's another blast of instrumentation to close it off. First Aid Kit, one of Scandinavia's greatest exports this year (really need to check out their first album). Also got used in Misfits (yay).

 

Chart Peak: #10

'I dare ya to call my bluff,

Can't take to much of a good thingm I'm tellin you!'

 

I will always be a fan of Paramore-adjacent bands. The fury and power that goes into those songs, with a vocalist singing her heart out always make for, not quite a pleasant listen, but one I enjoy a lot. And I Miss The Misery has that in spades. I know nothing else from Halestorm but them being on the music scene with just this is something that I can and will get behind.

 

77. Seo In Young - Anymore

Chart Peak: #7

'and I feel like we can't go on ANYYMORRRREEEE'

 

And this year the glass ceiling for Asian songs reaches as high as #77 for the very pretty Seo In Young. Oh and there's that Gangnam Style thing but that hardly counts. This is really a triumph of Asian pop, slightly Western in influence compared to a lot of K-Pop, and with a lovely, singable chorus. Even if you just pretend you're saying the Asian words properly.

 

76. Purity Ring - Obedear

Chart Peak: #33

'some ghastly predicament in mind you'll find'

 

So I can't believe I only charted this at #33 originally and gave it 1 point in BJSC, it's worth so much more than that. The backing on this and the unusual lyrics - along with a very creepy video, give the sense of something more than just a song, something more powerful than that. Incredibly unique song, really, what else would have 'bodies at dawn' as a hook line, and it really makes me want to check out their album, although I have no idea when or if I'll ever do that.

 

 

http://s.wat.fr/f/57es5_480x270_2902rf.jpg

I do love "I Miss The Misery" but it isn't the best from Halestorm. May I point you in the direction of

brilliant track, a fave from earlier in the year.

 

Paramore better slay everywhere next year.

I could never get into the First Aid Kit album as a whole (dull as) but that's probably one of the best songs on it. I listened to 'Terrible Dark' from randomfurlong's chart - wonderful! :D

I do love "I Miss The Misery" but it isn't the best from Halestorm. May I point you in the direction of

brilliant track, a fave from earlier in the year.

 

Paramore better slay everywhere next year.

 

'As heard on Glee'? Ha. Is ok, not as good as I Miss The Misery though.

 

I could never get into the First Aid Kit album as a whole (dull as) but that's probably one of the best songs on it. I listened to 'Terrible Dark' from randomfurlong's chart - wonderful! :D

 

Excellent, more people need to hear Ms Hyvonen's music if she can produce something like that (saying that I need to listen to a bit more).

 

SINGLES: 75-71

 

http://blog.promotion-us.com/blog.promotion-us.com/html/wp-content/uploads/concours-scissor-sisters-magic-hour-only-670x446.jpg

 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

Chart Peak: #6

'you don't know me cuz you're dead wrong'

 

One of the earliest hits of the year, it premiered in 2011 but it peaked for me in the first few weeks of 2012 so justifiably belongs here. While it got a little tiring towards the end of it run, right now it sounds like one of Kelly's best ever - and certainly one of her most well-known hits, trumping Mr Know It All easily. It's Kelly-by-numbers but I like that very much so I still win. No, I still have not heard Catch My Breath. :D

 

Chart Peak: #20

'Hoftener foljen min puls'

 

I have no clue what he is singing or what is going on (something about blood pumps?). All I know is that this is a STOMPER of an electro track and I have all the time in the world for it. I don't know anything like it I love, but it feels so alive and marching that I can't help but smile when listening to it.

 

Chart Peak: #2

'you thought there would be advertisements to give you something to go on'

 

In many ways, Only The Horses is the classic commercial Scissors song. Able to be played on pretty much any radio with a message that isn't really much of a message and a pleasant sounding beat. And it did well to support them in their waning career and is certainly the best choice on Magic Hour. Lines like 'this is our final bow' are quite poignant given it'll probably be a while before we see another album from them, if at all.

 

72. Cover Drive - I Know You Too Well

Chart Peak: #1

'I know why your giving up, so much history between us and I blew it up '

 

And it's another song from those wacky Bajans, this time one of their two #1s on my chart and the second of the three 'album track' #1s. Summery and addictive, it is exactly what you'd expect from a Cover Drive track. The starting instrumental is fantastic and leads into an unusually great performance from one of the male members. The chorus from Amanda complements the verses fantastically. This track has so much energy and it never loses any of it throughout the whole song. It's the song where Cover Drive, the most throughout Bajan Style, really feel like a fantastic group with real chemistry and should have been the 4th single over Explode (as much as I love that)

 

Chart Peak: #4

'i can only bring you happiness'

 

From one stomper of a pop song to another. Florrie is far more towards the credible end though - and while this isn't the best Florrie song I know, that goes to Experimenting With Rugs, this is a clear second favourite and really shows off her potential for success if only she had gotten a push. The production is fantastic and the chorus seemingly never-ending and so catchy. If you are a pop fan and can't see anything at all in this, I'd be incredibly surprised.

 

 

http://www.manstaworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Florrie-480x350.jpg

SINGLES: 70-66

 

http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/popcrush.com/files/2012/08/Owl-City.jpg

 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

Chart Peak: #1

'Typical middle name is Prada, fits you like a glove girl, I'm sick of the drama'

 

A record that consistently surprises me, from an artist who is well known for doing just that with me, Troublemaker is the definition of perfect hit. I do think its lyrics are amusingly apt, 'I know you're no good but you're stuck in my brain' and the majority of the rest of the lyrics could just as easily be talking about the song itself if we want to go META here. I couldn't resist it for this past month but it finishes rather low kinda arbitrarily because it's so tight round these parts and I can sense it MIGHT become annoying later on. Up until now I've enjoyed it almost completely though, Olly Murs has a good marketing team behind him, and if he makes commercial tunes like this then long may he reign.

 

Chart Peak: #15

'when I feel this cold they're like the fucking sun'

 

NOTIONALLY Kyla's biggest hit (going by Youtube views) Vampire Smile was cruelly underrated by me back when I first heard it, but recently I've began to notice it far more, and given what they've done to Heavy Stone, it's the standout on Ashes. It's a very short song, falling quite a bit short of the 3-minute mark but it's glorious while she is singing. It's the sort of song you can listen to over and over again because it really is one very long and very excellent chorus that one listen just does not suffice for.

 

Chart Peak: #3

'Vi dansar genom hela natten'

 

And finally we come to another Melodifestivalen-adjacent song, the force that was my discovery of the best foreign-language girlband in existence and their second single from the album of the same name. On hype after getting the album, this raced into my top 3 for two weeks and while it isn't quite up there with the best from this year, or anywhere near as good as Stormande Hav, it's a pretty fantastic song nevertheless, with a chorus that defies you to not sing along. Also a dubstep breakdown. Those are inescapable.

 

Chart Peak: #8

'is it over yet, will I ever love again'

 

The spiritual successor to Vanilla Twilight and Lonely Lullaby from Adam Young's past two albums, this is the token track where the instrumental gets more thoughtful and he pours out as much emotion as he possibly can into this one song. And that's done remarkably well, it doesn't really feel forced at all, all that's left is beauty. It's the opposite end of the album from Good Time or Bombshell Blonde, and I really appreciate Adam's versatility here. Towards the end particularly, 'cause I walk alone, no matter where I go' is a perfect lead-in to the final chorus also. I think I might cry. :cry:

 

66. Kaija Koo - Vapaa

Chart Peak: #9

'En odota yllätystä, en pidätä hengitystä.Mä haluan jättää sen kaiken taakse, tää mun pakoni loppuun juostu on'

 

I know it is a little old but this song is too fantastic to leave out. Sent to BJSC perhaps on a Finnish high after that country's success by Land Of Jack, this Finnish hit from 2010 was the best of them all. Unfortunately I got stuck in the opposite semi and wasn't able to help it out. In fact, I might not have, it didn't begin to hit me until afterwards and I realised that we'd ignored a gem. I have no clue what the chorus is about, but it really FEELS like skilled language, although that might be because of the bizarre spellings in the section I've highlighted alone. It lifts and lifts until there is no more lifting to be done, and some day I really want to find another song similar to this so I can finally send a Finnish-language song to a song contest here.

 

http://assets3.gcstatic.com/u/apps/asset_manager/uploaded/2012/47/olly-murs---troublemaker-1353336575-view-0.jpg

Florrie *.*

 

(and Frida)

This is taking far longer than I was anticipating. But I will not stop, oh no. RELENTLESS.

 

SINGLES: 65-61

 

http://c271451.r51.cf1.rackcdn.com/rachel-sermanni-black-currents.jpg

 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

Chart Peak: #3

'Now I've found you in my space I won't let go of you'

 

This is all really incredible stuff up here, btw. At number 65 is one of the more recent hits on my chart, Disclosure's breakthrough single Latch. It really passed me by at first and I was struggling to come back to it, yet as I continued listening I became addicted to it. It did help that a lot of people I knew at uni really loved it too, and with a catchy, dancey chorus, punctuated by little vocal sound effects here and there giving emphasis to Sam Smith's own vocals, it's one of the most skillful and unique hits of the year.

 

Chart Peak: #2

'you know I said it's true'

 

Big hit of the summer Rudimental's LOREEN-BLOCKING wonderful trumpet-filled hit comes in at #64. I forget what held it off #1 for me, although it probably was Loreen. If it wasn't for the trumpets and the great production it would be nowhere near here, the lyrics are incredibly basic - but they make it quite an event, especially in the final third. It hasn't aged GREATLY listening now but it's a summer dancefloor hit so listening to it with a part-hangover on a winter night is probably not the best idea to catch it at its greatest.

 

Chart Peak: #9

'must I hold my hands up...my BLOODY hands up'

 

Fljótavík's best entry this year - unpopular opinion probably with Youth, Spectrum and Cerahtonia around but it keeps dragging me back to it, a wonderful slice of moody indie-pop that gets almost creepy at times. It's gotten better with age as well, Rachel's vocals are not the sort one tires of easily, they really do sound 'foggy' in some way, and the chorus is very marchy in a subtle way. One of BJSC's best indie-pop entries this year.

 

Chart Peak: #6

'but I got the tendency to slip when the nights get wild''

 

Runaways would be far higher up on here if I was doing a points system but that's largely because I kept it around in the lull between its premiere and commercial impact. While it is a lovely song it doesn't quite match up to the previous highs of The Killers' releases and while they've survived a comeback better than Muse (neither of their singles made it near my top 212) one of my previous faves in alt rock are probably on their way out in producing ultimate moments.

 

Chart Peak: #4

'it's a love story for the new age'

 

Like Runaways this would have been far higher using a points system but again that's due to it being in my chart for ages waiting for the single release. It's only the third best Lana song that's charted for me (and the other two have higher peaks) - largely due to slightly less emotion than those other two masterpieces. An upbeat song from her is however very welcome after a lot of downtempos and for the most part it delivers excellently. Different voices in the verses and a positive feeling compared to the last few singles, and a video everyone says is amazing (but I don't really see don't MURDER me people), and you have quite the winner for success. Funny how that worked out.

 

 

http://static.nme.com/images/gallery/2012Killers03PR110712.jpg

Phone Sex YAY. I should definitely have tried to enter that instead of plumping for mvscles :(. OH WELL.

SINGLES: 60-56

 

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/2012/06/carly_rae_jepsen.jpg

 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

Chart Peak: #1

'but still my heart stops without you, cause there's something about you that makes me feel alive''

 

A hit that is on here almost entirely because I randomly charted it at the beginning of the year. It was never released as a single from All Things Bright And Beautiful and I had no reason to chart it other than I was playing it over and over. And over. It's now my second most played Owl City song behind Fireflies. Me and my brother have actually started working on recording a cover of it with me doing Breanne's vocals as I sing slightly higher :kink: (but it's nowhere near ready for public consumption before anyone asks). It's a perfectly paced duet, a wacky chorus about plants and birds and whatever and it's addictive. I might have said I like duets earlier in the countdown because of the contrast between the voices. This is a perfect example of that. So a random hit but no less one that's deserved for me.

 

Chart Peak: #8

'Testing all my weaknesses, exactly where to press'

 

My favourite winner of the BJSC this year, and surprise surprise, it goes to the only Finnish winner. Hyperventilating is, naturally, a rather breathless song made what it is by Ronya's delivery. I discovered it before BJSC but that's only because I listen when Pavel posts a song in the pop forum and says it is amazing. There is talent in this young woman and I hope it lasts beyond just this (and Annoying, yes). One of Finland's best non-Nightwish exports of the year.

 

Chart Peak: #10

'traded my soul for a wish'

 

This song really needs no introduction. However, I was fanning over it when it was only #20-ish on the Canadian charts, before it even got entered into BJSC #toteshipsterindie. It's lasted this long in my affections purely because it's so happy and joyful and unashamedly pop. The lyrics have been picked apart by every comedian ever by now and it will probably be remembered more for its memes than the actual good song it is (and it's by no means Carly's highest song on this chart), however I do love the whole package, no matter how mainstream or ridiculous it is. Also it's very fun to get a DJ playing this on the dancefloor.

 

Chart Peak: #1

'when I run through the deep dark forest long after this begun'

 

ANOTHER #1 so soon. They really are dropping like flies. Wolf was a bit of a 'need to change #1, lets give First Aid Kit one' thing in my chart and while it had a good run after, that was largely me listening to it more and justifying it. It's a very good song but has absolutely nothing on Emmylou. It does give a good impression of wolf life, at least the chorus does. Or I'm just making this stuff up, I just enjoy listening to it an awful lot.

 

Chart Peak: #4 (#5 in 2012)

'following the neon signs'

 

IIRC this was #66 last year, now it's 10 places higher. Despite the fact I really love it and it's probably deserving of a higher position overall, this is what you get when you spread out among two years. I recharted this because of its brief official chart resurgence and it has been given many a play this year, those synths have never ever gotten old. I think after this and Princess Of China, there is only one more song that was high up on my EOY chart last year getting up there again. And it's a fairly obvious one.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/78673131/Ronya.jpg

Phone Sex YAY. I should definitely have tried to enter that instead of plumping for mvscles :(. OH WELL.

 

MVSCLES is probably my favourite entry of yours so it'd be a shame if that hadn't been entered (why does that have to happen) but Phone Sex is LUSH I do agree.

Will this countdown ever end?