Manky's Year In Review: Pop Edition

[mastodon421]

I'm not saying I like One More Night or Maroon 5 in general, but that wasn't even the worst song Maroon 5 released this year. Payphone and Moves Like Jagger were much, much worse imo. If I were doing a list like this, Starships would be hands down number 1. When Nicki Manjai starts doing that fucking fake-British accent, It sends me into a blind rage.

[mankvill]

MANKY'S TOP 10 POP SONGS OF 2012!!!!

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10.

Kelly Clarkson - Stronger



Kelly Clarkson is relevant again?! "Stronger" is Kelly's best single in three years. It's upbeat, powerful and actually features one of her best singing performances. Of course she's still on that "GRRRR ANGRY GIRL POWER!" thing, but whatever works, right? This is how you do dance-influenced pop music right.

[mankvill]

Originally Posted by mastodon421

I'm not saying I like One More Night or Maroon 5 in general, but that wasn't even the worst song Maroon 5 released this year. Payphone and Moves Like Jagger were much, much worse imo. If I were doing a list like this, Starships would be hands down number 1. When Nicki Manjai starts doing that fucking fake-British accent, It sends me into a blind rage.

I had to decide between that and Payphone, but ultimately I hated One More Night more. Moves Like Jagger was released last year.

[powerslave_85]

Off to a good start.

[mankvill]

9.

Taylor Swift - We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together



If you still think T-Swizzle is still a country artist and not a full-blown pop princess, this song should've quelled any doubts. A pounding beat and a super infectious chorus make this one of Taylor's best songs. It's a different type of music from her, but she pulls it off extremely well. Note to self: do not break up with Taylor Swift.

Also: this song has had some pretty sweet pop punk covers

[mankvill]

8.

Ke$ha - Die Young



No, Ke$ha still isn't the best singer in the world, nor is she the best "rapper" or whatever you want to call her singing style. But I guess being BFF's with Wayne Coyne has paid off, because this song has more integrity and better music than pretty much anything she's done in the past. I think she finally understands that she doesn't have to be a joke 100% of the time and can actually take some pride with her music. Catchy as sin!

[powerslave_85]

>implies there's a difference between most pop-punk and Taylor Swift

[mankvill]

7.

Carly Rae Jepsen - Call Me Maybe



Here it is, the biggest song of the year - especially for a first time hit. If this song wasn't stuck in your head at least once this year, then you're a goddamned liar. The entire song is so sugary sweet that it gives me cavities and the chorus is the catchiest thing ever written. The model pop song for 2012.

[mankvill]

6.

Neon Trees - Everybody Talks



Rejoice, for instrument-based/actual band-based pop music is back! Well, maybe not fully, but Neon Trees released one of the best traditional pop songs in so long. It's catchy, upbeat and is on actual instruments! Super refreshing and super fun. Their other couple of singles are pretty awesome as well, so let's hope they stay around a while!

[mankvill]

5.

Train - 50 Ways To Say Goodbye



Let's be real here for a second - Train is basically pop music for my Dad. But after literally falling off the face of the Earth after their huge year back in 2001 (11 goddamn years ago), they came back out of nowhere with a few really great pop/rock songs. Although their other big song this year, Drive By, was also really good, 50 Ways is funny, upbeat, catchy...pretty much everything a good pop song needs to be. Its Mariachi band backing track adds to the Southwest flavor that Train has always had, too. THAT'S how you do it, Maroon 5!