2012 was a dynamic year in music, filled with infectious pop anthems, introspective indie tracks, and genre-bending hits that dominated the airwaves and shaped the soundscape of the early 2010s. From global sensations to underground darlings, the Top Songs Of 2012 showcased a diverse range of artists and styles, leaving a lasting impact on popular culture. This list revisits the standout tracks that defined the year, exploring the sounds and stories behind the music that resonated with audiences worldwide.
Carly Rae Jepsen, ‘Call Me Maybe’
Carly Rae Jepsen performs her global hit Call Me Maybe, a defining pop song of 2012
Image Credit: Vanessa Heins
Unexpectedly, 2012 delivered a universal pop song that transcended genres and demographics: Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe.” This track had all the elements of a perfect pop confection. It blended a disco-infused guitar riff with a Chic-inspired bassline, layered with Philly soul-esque synth strings, all culminating in a vibrant expression of teenage infatuation and the thrilling anticipation of new romance. It was a masterclass in pop songwriting, capturing the giddy feeling of overheated hormones in a catchy and irresistible package.
Kacey Musgraves, ‘Merry Go Round’
Kacey Musgraves pictured for her breakthrough country single Merry Go Round, a top country song of 2012
Image Credit: Courtesy of UMusic
Kacey Musgraves emerged as country music’s next big thing with her debut single, “Merry Go Round.” In contrast to typical celebratory country anthems, Musgraves offered a bleak yet cleverly insightful perspective on small-town stagnation and boredom. The song portrays the cyclical nature of life in a small town, comparing it to a merry-go-round that’s more about monotony than carnival fun. Despite its somber theme, the melody is undeniably beautiful, showcasing Musgraves’ talent for crafting poignant and memorable tunes even when tackling darker subjects.
Deadmau5, ‘The Veldt’
Deadmau5 DJing, creator of The Veldt, an innovative electronic track from the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Roger Kisby/Getty Images
EDM kingpin Deadmau5, known for his robot-rodent persona and knob-twisting mastery, delivered “The Veldt,” a track featuring Chris James. James’ vocals wryly praise a “digital family” and a “happy life with the machines scattered around the room,” highlighting the increasing integration of technology into modern life. Intriguingly, Deadmau5 discovered James on Twitter, making “The Veldt” a potential milestone as perhaps the first charting single to incorporate crowd-sourced lyrics and vocals, a trend that was predicted to become more common in the music industry.
Superchunk, ‘This Summer’
Superchunk band photo, known for their indie rock anthem This Summer, a highlight among the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Jason Arthurs
Indie-rock veterans Superchunk, hailing from North Carolina, unleashed a burst of youthful energy with “This Summer.” The song captures the spirit of school’s-out freedom and teenage fun, evoking images of storming the beach and carefree days. It’s a perfect embodiment of summertime bliss, messy and exhilarating like sand-in-your-Converse good times, complete with the allure of sun-kissed shoulders and the raw, well-honed guitar heat that could cut through even the thickest SPF 50 sunscreen.
Maroon 5 feat. Wiz Khalifa, ‘Payphone’
Adam Levine of Maroon 5 performing Payphone with Wiz Khalifa, a chart-topping pop collaboration from 2012's best songs
Image Credit: Courtesy of Universal Music Group
Maroon 5, featuring Wiz Khalifa, surprised some with “Payphone.” The title itself might have puzzled younger listeners unfamiliar with payphones, but the song’s success was undeniable. It was a burst of pure, spun-sugar pop perfection, packed with catchy hooks and a surprisingly cynical message beneath its sweet surface. The lyrics, hinting at love song fatigue with lines like “One more fucking love song, I’ll be sick,” added a layer of unexpected depth to this otherwise upbeat track.
Justin Bieber, ‘Die in Your Arms’
Justin Bieber in a promotional shot for Die in Your Arms, an R&B influenced track from the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Darren Tieste/CPi
Justin Bieber showcased his vocal prowess in “Die in Your Arms,” a throwback blue-eyed R&B single. Bieber’s vocal tone, a soulful rasp hinting at deeper emotions, was his strongest asset. This track deployed that tone to wondrous effect, evoking the vibe and lilting melody of prime-period Hall & Oates. Bieber’s manager confidently labeled it “hater-proof,” and indeed, its classic R&B feel and Bieber’s heartfelt delivery made it broadly appealing.
The Wanted, ‘Glad You Came’
The Wanted boy band group photo, known for their teen pop hit Glad You Came, featured in the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Lee Strickland
Irish-English teen-pop group The Wanted pushed the boundaries of the genre’s PG-13 rating with “Glad You Came.” This club-ready track flirted with themes of underage drinking with lines like “Hand you another drink/Drink it if you can.” The song’s unshakably catchy chorus and blunt 4/4 beats were key to its success, along with the suggestive double entendre present in the title itself, making it a slightly edgier teen pop hit.
Tanlines, ‘All of Me’
Tanlines duo performing All of Me, an indie dance-pop track recognized among the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Courtesy of True Panther
Brooklyn indie duo Tanlines, known for their album Mixed Emotions, delivered exactly that with their signature song, “All of Me.” Singer Eric Emm’s mournful yelp conveyed the emotional complexity of the track. The music cleverly twisted Eighties dance pop, incorporating witty elements like chant-like background vocals and a distinctive “steel drum” synth solo, creating a sound that was both familiar and refreshingly unique.
The 2 Bears, ‘Bear Hug’
The 2 Bears performing Bear Hug, a disco-infused house track celebrated as one of 2012's top songs
Image Credit: Courtesy of Girlie Action
The 2 Bears, a side project featuring Joe Goddard from Hot Chip, along with Raf Rundell, created a club-centric celebration of dance and cheesy disco lyrics with “Bear Hug.” The track’s irresistibly rubbery house groove is paired with chants like “We’ve brought you all a gift/For maximum dance-floor uplift,” perfectly capturing the duo’s intent to create pure dancefloor joy. It was a fun and infectious contribution to the year’s dance music scene.
Danny Brown, ‘Grown Up’
Danny Brown rapping Grown Up, a hip-hop track marking his rise among the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images
Danny Brown’s “Grown Up” is an exultant and self-satisfied anthem celebrating his rise from underdog to Detroit’s prominent rap figure since Eminem. Lines like “Scribbled in my notebook and never did homework/Low attention span/Guess these Adderall worked” playfully acknowledge his unconventional path to success. Enhanced with old-school scratching, the track delivered a sunny hip-hop nostalgia trip, showcasing Brown’s unique style and lyrical wit.
Craig Finn, ‘Rented Room’
Craig Finn performing Rented Room, a narrative-driven rock song recognized in the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Mark Seliger
The Hold Steady frontman Craig Finn crafted a narrative-rich song with “Rented Room.” It tells the story of a struggling metalhead in a cheap motel post-breakup, “Playing records in a rented room/Hotter Than Hell into Bark at the Moon.” Finn’s guitar work is particularly poignant, tolling like a funeral bell, adding a layer of darkness to this already somber tale of personal misfortune and isolation.
Dwight Yoakam, ‘A Heart Like Mine’
Dwight Yoakam performing A Heart Like Mine, a Beck-produced country track among the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Randee St. Nicholas
Dwight Yoakam’s “A Heart Like Mine,” from his first album of original material in seven years, featured production from Beck on a couple of tracks. This song is a standout, hitting hard with a blend of Buck Owens-style California country and Sixties garage psychedelia. The result is a ringing, clattering sound that feels both classic country and unexpectedly fresh and modern, showcasing Yoakam’s traditional yet innovative approach to the genre.
Teen, ‘Better’
Teen band performing Better, a girl-group inspired indie pop track from the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Courtesy of The Windish Agency
Despite their name, Teen, a Brooklyn-based quartet of twentysomethings, captured youthful energy in “Better.” The song blends swirling keyboards with a muscular, low-fi thump, giving classic girl group sounds a contemporary makeover. The chorus, with its pure youthful bravado, “I’ll do it better than anybody else,” is a declaration of confidence and sets the tone for this neo-girl pop gem.
Muse, ‘Madness’
Matt Bellamy of Muse performing Madness, a stadium rock anthem considered among the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Gavin Bond
UK prog-rockers Muse experimented with a Kid A-esque sound on their album The 2nd Law, with “Madness” being its pop-ready centerpiece. Matt Bellamy’s sweet Bono-like crooning, combined with electronically distorted backing vocals and a deep-space bass wobble, gave the song an otherworldly feel. The track then explodes with a guitar riff, bringing it back to earth. Chris Martin famously called it Muse’s best song, a sentiment echoed by many fans and critics.
Himanshu, ‘Womyn’
Himanshu, also known as Heems of Das Racist, performing Womyn, a humorous love song from the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Roger Kisby/Getty Images
Himanshu, also known as Heems from Das Racist, delivered “Womyn,” a charmingly goofy love song. Over a Bollywood-infused boom-bap beat, he reels off amusing observations about women, like “Women like to watch You’ve Got Mail with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks/Women you’re great; on behalf of men, ‘Thanks!'” The song is filled with lighthearted, if stereotypical, “dude talk” about women, making it a humorous and endearing track.
Icona Pop, ‘I Love It’
Icona Pop duo performing I Love It, an energetic club anthem recognized among the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Courtesy of The Windish Agency
Icona Pop’s “I Love It” became the Euro-slut club jam of the summer, reliably igniting dance floors. The Swedish synth-pop duo pout about a difficult boyfriend: “You’re so damn hard to please/We gotta kill this switch/You’re from the Seventies/But I’m a Nineties bitch.” The song’s raw energy and defiant attitude, coupled with its catchy synth-pop hooks, made it an unforgettable party anthem of 2012.
Kendrick Lamar, ‘Swimming Pools (Drank)’
Kendrick Lamar rapping Swimming Pools (Drank), a standout hip-hop track from the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Dan Monick
Kendrick Lamar, a breakout rapper in 2012, offered a woozy and introspective take on drinking culture with “Swimming Pools (Drank).” The song masterfully captures the internal conflict of a drinker. The verses alternate between slow-motion and hyperspeed, mirroring the progression of a drinking binge. The groove, flow, and chorus possess a liquid seductiveness, making it, ironically or not, a compelling drinking song that also explores the darker side of alcohol consumption.
Miguel, ‘Adorn’
Miguel performing Adorn, a smooth R&B slow jam celebrated as one of 2012's top songs
Image Credit: Timothy Saccenti
Miguel’s “Adorn” is a sensual and modern take on sexual healing. This R&B track sounds both current and deeply rooted in soul tradition. Miguel’s masterful delivery, particularly his lingering tongue on the “ll-l-let you” hook, showcases his talent and positions him as a new master in the genre, blending classic soul with contemporary R&B sensibilities.
Bruce Springsteen, ‘We Take Care Of Our Own’
Bruce Springsteen performing We Take Care Of Our Own, an anthemic rock song from the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Courtesy of Sony Music
Bruce Springsteen delivered a massive, double-edged anthem with “We Take Care Of Our Own.” Initially sounding like jingoism, closer listening reveals a critique and challenge. Lines like “From the shotgun shack to the Superdome/There ain’t no help, the cavalry stayed home,” referencing Hurricane Katrina, serve as both a commentary on societal neglect and a call to collective responsibility, appealing to both believers and skeptics.
Low Cut Connie, ‘Boozophilia’
Low Cut Connie band performing Boozophilia, a piano-slapping rock and roll track featured among the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Courtesy of Big Hassle Publicity
Low Cut Connie’s “Boozophilia” is old-fashioned, piano-slapping rock & roll with a punk-rock spirit. Imagine Jerry Lee Lewis having a religious experience at a Replacements show, and you get the vibe. The song is a skunky, slippery ode to lowbrow fun, evoking dive bars from Philly to Chicago’s South Side, and you can almost smell the cheap beer emanating from its raw, energetic sound.
The Beach Boys, ‘That’s Why God Made The Radio’
The Beach Boys performing That's Why God Made The Radio, a nostalgic comeback track listed among the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Jakubaszek/Redferns via Getty Images
The Beach Boys returned with “That’s Why God Made The Radio,” offering another hit of sun-baked nostalgia. The song is a hymn to a deity who sounds a lot like Phil Spector, with lyrics like “He waved his hand, gave us rock & roll/The soundtrack of falling in love.” Their signature Sistine-ceiling harmonies are in full effect, potentially converting listeners into believers of their timeless sound and musical legacy.
Grizzly Bear, ‘Yet Again’
Grizzly Bear band performing Yet Again, an indie rock track highlighted as one of the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Anne-Helene Lebrun / Redferns via Getty Images
Grizzly Bear’s “Yet Again” condenses their signature sound into five taut minutes. Lead singer Ed Droste’s tender tenor shines on a yearning melody, playing off the band’s restless musical energy. The song builds to a richly cathartic feedback freakout, showcasing the band’s dynamic range and ability to blend delicate melodies with powerful instrumental passages.
Grimes, ‘Oblivion’
Grimes performing Oblivion, an electro-pop breakthrough single from the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Courtesy of The Windish Agency
Grimes’ breakthrough single “Oblivion” juxtaposes sugar-dust vocals with a thwunking synth loop, creating a dreamy yet unsettling atmosphere. The lyrics reveal a darker undercurrent: “I never walk alone after dark. . . . /Someone could break your neck/Coming up behind you and you’d never have a clue.” The song’s catchiness only amplifies its underlying creepiness, making it a uniquely captivating and unsettling pop track.
A$AP Rocky, ‘Goldie’
A$AP Rocky in a stylish pose for Goldie, a brag-rap track recognized among the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Brock Fetch
A$AP Rocky’s “Goldie” is a winkingly delivered bragfest about sex, drugs, and luxury goods. The song’s magic lies in the details – the wicked groove, the punch-line non sequiturs like “Got a condo out in space/Open up your legs, tell me how it taste,” and the vocal inflection, particularly the way his voice jumps octaves on the word “dick.” It established A$AP Rocky as a new master of style and swagger in hip-hop.
The Lumineers, ‘Ho Hey’
The Lumineers performing Ho Hey, a folk-pop hit that became one of the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Mark Sink
The Lumineers’ “Ho Hey” introduced America’s answer to Mumford & Sons. Complete with a roots-rock barn-stomp, chain-gang choir, and lyrics about waiting for a girl in Chinatown, the song resonated widely. Wesley Schultz’s heart-on-sleeve delivery of lines like “I don’t know where I belong. . . ./I know I can write a song” cemented the song’s appeal as a sincere and relatable folk-pop anthem.
Psy, ‘Gangnam Style’
Psy performing Gangnam Style, a viral sensation and one of the biggest top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Marco Del Grande/The Sydney Morning Herald/Fairfax Media via Getty Images
Psy’s “Gangnam Style” was a global phenomenon in 2012. Seoul Brother Number One invented a dance craze and conquered America, even breaking through in markets that had previously resisted Korean pop music. The song blew up on YouTube and became a Top 10 hit globally, proving that a monster beat and infectious energy can transcend language and cultural barriers.
Japandroids, ‘The House That Heaven Built’
Japandroids duo performing The House That Heaven Built, a fist-pumping indie rock anthem among the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Leigh Righton
Vancouver duo Japandroids delivered “The House That Heaven Built,” a fist-pumping indie-rock scorcher. Evoking Springsteen with a raw, energetic edge, Brian King rails against a “lifeless life” amidst atomic-buzz-saw chords and a catchy hook. The song’s defiant spirit culminates in the powerful line, “If they try to slow you down, tell ’em all to go to hell,” making it an anthem of rebellion and raw energy.
Randy Newman, ‘I’m Dreaming’
Randy Newman playing piano for I'm Dreaming, a satirical song included in the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Chris Felver/Getty Images
Randy Newman’s satirical track “I’m Dreaming” sparked controversy and conversation. Singing like a mush-mouthed Bing Crosby, Newman delivers lines like “I’m dreaming of a white president.” While some missed the joke, as evidenced by YouTube comments, it’s classic Newman satire in the vein of “Short People,” offering a deceptively breezy and humorous take on a sensitive and complex aspect of American society.
Skrillex feat. Sirah, ‘Bangarang’
Skrillex DJing Bangarang with Sirah, a dubstep track that pushed genre boundaries and became a top song of 2012
Image Credit: Courtesy of Atlantic Records
Skrillex, featuring Sirah, pushed dubstep into the mainstream with “Bangarang.” For dubstep purists, it might have been a controversial, genre-bending moment. For others, it was speaker-blasting thud-funk, proudly obvious and commercially successful. “Bangarang” rewired Daft Punk in a way that Daft Punk rewired Chic, throwing down a populist gauntlet for EDM and solidifying Skrillex’s status as a superstar DJ.
Donald Fagen, “Weather in My Head’
Donald Fagen in a portrait for Weather in My Head, a smooth cynicism track among the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Danny Clinch
Steely Dan’s Donald Fagen delivered “Weather in My Head,” a track embodying smooth-as-butter cynicism. With a perfectly manicured R&B groove and wry lyrics hinting at ecological optimism (“They may fix the weather in the world, just like Mr. Gore said”), the song is characteristically Fagen. However, the weather in his head remains stormy, reflecting a perpetual state of unease and cynicism.
Leonard Cohen, ‘Going Home’
Leonard Cohen in a contemplative pose for Going Home, a reflective track from the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Courtesy of Sony Music
Leonard Cohen, at 78, offered a profound reflection on mortality with “Going Home.” The folk-poet OG receives a call from God, reminding him that it’s time to go home. Cohen’s voice rumbles with ancient wisdom, accompanied by honeyed background vocals and a restful organ, paving his path towards the afterlife, suitless but burdenless, in a deeply moving and introspective track.
Beach House, ‘Other People’
Beach House duo performing Other People, a minimalist dream-pop track recognized in the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Liz Flyntz
Beach House continued to refine their gorgeous minimalism with “Other People.” Victoria Legrand cryptically ponders love over vaporous organ sounds. The song’s delicate beauty is punctuated by moments of near silence, broken only by a drumstick hitting a cymbal, creating a sound that feels both familiar and utterly new. The chorus blooms like fireworks, making the world feel fresh and renewed.
The Rolling Stones, ‘Doom and Gloom’
Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones performing Doom and Gloom, a blues-rock apocalypse anthem among the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Rankin
The Rolling Stones returned after seven years with “Doom and Gloom,” delivering an apocalypse-blues kick only they could. It’s “Start Me Up” stripped raw for a dystopian future filled with zombies, war, and environmental chaos. Mick Jagger stretches out the word “screw” with gritty intensity, embodying the song’s sense of impending global catastrophe and defiant rock spirit.
Kitty Pryde, ‘Okay Cupid’
Kitty Pryde rapping Okay Cupid, a viral teen-rap hit featured in the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Roger Kisby/Getty Images
Kitty Pryde, representing suburban teen-rap, went viral with her homemade mumblecore hit “Okay Cupid.” In the voice of a bored Florida kid, the song is full of wit (“It’s my party, couldn’t cry if I wanted to”) and mall-rat ambience. It captures the angst of waiting for late-night drunk dials from a boyfriend at 3:30 a.m., resonating with teenage ennui and digital-age romance.
Van Halen, ‘Stay Frosty’
David Lee Roth of Van Halen performing Stay Frosty, a reunion track celebrated as one of the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Robert Yeager
Van Halen’s reunion was validated by “Stay Frosty.” Diamond Dave rides the Van Halen brothers’ most dazzling riffs in decades, delivering one-liners with strip-club Zen master wisdom, from “You want to be a monk, you got to cook a lot of rice” to “Look beyond that kung-fu fighting/God is love, but get it in writing.” The song proved the reunion’s musical vitality and Van Halen’s enduring rock prowess.
Usher, ‘Climax’
Usher performing Climax, an electro-R&B track recognized among the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Francesco Carrozzini
Usher demonstrated his ear for contemporary sounds with “Climax.” Teaming up with Diplo for the beat proved to be a savvy move. The understated electro production highlights a stunning sensitivity in Usher’s vocals. While the lyrics address a harsh breakup, the delivery is so ethereal that the pain is almost masked by the song’s heavenly soundscape.
The Vaccines, ‘Teenage Icon’
The Vaccines band performing Teenage Icon, a punk-rock influenced track listed among the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Nicky J. Sims/Redferns
London’s Vaccines blended Strokes-like tightness with self-deprecating humor in “Teenage Icon.” Justin Young sings against breakneck guitar riffs, “I had a photo where John Lennon may have stood/Or so I’m told,” adding to the canon of punk-rock songs about being a poseur. It’s a catchy and ironic take on rockstar aspirations and the inherent absurdity of fame.
Mumford & Sons, ‘I Will Wait’
Mumford & Sons with Marcus Mumford performing I Will Wait, a folk-rock anthem from the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Courtesy of Big Hassle
Mumford & Sons’ “I Will Wait” showcased their Bono-meets-banjos brand of folk-rock on a grand scale. The ballad of road-weary longing proved that music could be soul-wrenchingly heavy without amps or power chords. Its scope and ambition were rare in 2012 rock music, and it solidified Mumford & Sons’ place as stadium-filling folk-rock giants.
Fiona Apple, ‘Hot Knife’
Fiona Apple performing Hot Knife, an experimental and rhythmically complex track from the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Courtesy of Epic Publicity
Fiona Apple’s “Hot Knife” is an experimental and rhythmically complex track. Over chattering jungle drums and rolling jazz piano, Apple scats, murmurs, and hollers a double entendre (“I’m a hot knife, he’s a pad of butter”) while searching for “the genesis of rhythm.” She sounds like a mythic blues Eve discovering rhythm and sensuality, resulting in a uniquely captivating and avant-garde track.
fun., ‘Some Nights’
fun. band performing Some Nights, an anthemic pop-rock track recognized among the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Rahav Segev/Getty Images
fun. followed up their hit “We Are Young” with another skywriting anthem, “Some Nights.” This track is even more tinged with lush melancholy, capturing young-adult angst with relatable lines like “I try twice as hard and I’m half as liked.” The martial beat and soaring vocals somehow made the feeling of entropy feel epic and awesome, cementing its place as a generational anthem.
First Aid Kit, ‘Emmylou’
First Aid Kit duo performing Emmylou, a harmonious folk track featured in the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Courtesy of Cobracamanda Publicity
Swedish sisters First Aid Kit paid homage to country music legends in “Emmylou.” Singing in stunning harmony, they name-check country partnerships: “I’ll be your Emmylou and I’ll be your June/If you’ll be my Gram and my Johnny, too.” The song served as a reminder of America’s rich musical heritage, delivered with heartfelt sincerity and exquisite vocal blend by these international admirers.
Bob Dylan, ‘Pay in Blood’
Bob Dylan in a portrait for Pay in Blood, a vicious and politically charged track from the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Courtesy of Sony Music
Bob Dylan unleashed one of his most vicious songs ever with “Pay in Blood.” Conjuring a demonic figure – military brass, politician, CEO – Dylan’s guitars glint like a switchblade. Announcing, “Our nation must be saved and freed,” he explains the deal: “I pay in blood, but not my own.” The song feels like a pilot pitch for a “Masters of War” miniseries, showcasing Dylan’s enduring power to confront and critique societal ills.
Jack White, ‘Sixteen Saltines’
Jack White performing Sixteen Saltines, a high-energy rock track listed among the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Jo McCaughey
Jack White’s “Sixteen Saltines” is frisky, loud, and utterly unhinged. Unleashing his most aggressive riff since “Seven Nation Army,” White reaches into his wiggiest falsetto to testify about being under a demon lady’s spell. When he yelps, “Spike heels make a hole in a lifeboat,” he sounds delighted to be going down with the ship, embracing the chaotic and destructive nature of love and desire.
Bruce Springsteen, ‘Rocky Ground’
Bruce Springsteen performing Rocky Ground, a gospel and hip-hop infused track from the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Courtesy of Sony Music
Bruce Springsteen’s “Rocky Ground” boldly melded church hymn, plain-folks lament, and hip-hop protest. On tour, Springsteen amplified its power, turning on his arena-preacher persona. The song somberly assesses America’s state of equality, but live, Springsteen amplified the light and promise, proving the song’s full impact was best experienced live, beyond digital formats.
Kanye West feat. Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz, ‘Mercy’
Kanye West performing Mercy with Big Sean, Pusha T, and 2 Chainz, a collaborative hip-hop track among the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: W. VanDerper
Kanye West took a backseat in “Mercy,” featuring Big Sean, Pusha T, and 2 Chainz. This track is pure Yeezy and friends having fun, delivering catchy nonsense about cars and women over old reggae samples and deep bass stabs. “Mercy” is an invitation to stop overthinking and start bouncing, embracing the carefree and hedonistic side of hip-hop.
Neil Young and Crazy Horse, ‘Ramada Inn’
Neil Young performing Ramada Inn with Crazy Horse, an epic 17-minute track featured in the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Danny Clinch
Neil Young and Crazy Horse delivered “Ramada Inn,” a 17-minute epic on the scale of “Like a Hurricane.” Surveying a long-term relationship after children are grown, the song explores the toll of time and drinking, with love as a near-savior. A road trip becomes a revelation without a clear resolution. “Every morning comes the sun,” Young sings, as the guitars play on, in a sprawling and deeply reflective track.
Frank Ocean, ‘Thinkin Bout You’
Frank Ocean performing Thinkin Bout You, a deeply emotional love song recognized as one of the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: C Flanigan/FilmMagic
Frank Ocean’s “Thinkin Bout You” became the year’s deepest love song. It captivated listeners with subtle gender-flipping in the opening verse, but the rest of the lyrics are equally powerful. “Since you think I don’t love you, I just thought you were cute, that’s why I kissed you,” Ocean sings. The leap into aching falsetto is universally resonant, expressing vulnerability and longing in a profoundly moving way.
Passion Pit, ‘Take a Walk’
Passion Pit band performing Take a Walk, a synth-pop track reflecting the economic anxieties of 2012
Image Credit: Courtesy of Sony Music
Passion Pit’s “Take a Walk” is a synth-pop gem that captured the anxieties of the Great Recession. “My partner called to say the pension funds were gone,” sings Michael Angelakos with suppressed panic. The bright, uplifting chorus that follows is a reminder of pop music’s power to mute pain and offer solace in difficult times, making it a poignant and relatable song for 2012 and beyond.
Taylor Swift, ‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together’
Taylor Swift performing We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, a chart-topping pop anthem from the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Sandra Mu/Getty Images
Taylor Swift joined forces with pop maestro Max Martin for “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.” The result was a perfect three-minute teen tantrum about country girls and indie boys, topping charts rapidly. It’s a stadium-chant breakup song that may be less about a specific ex and more about Swift’s massive fanbase and her dominance in the pop music world, showcasing her evolution from country star to global pop icon.
Alabama Shakes, ‘Hold On’
Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes performing Hold On, a soul-rock track praised among the top songs of 2012
Image Credit: Pieter M. van Hattem / Contour by Getty Images
Alabama Shakes and Brittany Howard delivered a raw and powerful sound with “Hold On.” In a year of spectacle-driven divas, Howard reincarnated the spirit of Sixties rock and soul without resorting to histrionics. “Bless my heart, bless my soul/Didn’t think I’d make it to 22 years old,” she sings in a husky drawl, riding a groove steeped in Muscle Shoals and Stax-Volt. The song is a battle cry against failure, resonating with anyone facing steep odds in 2012, making it a standout track of the year.
