DJ Earworm is quickly becoming one of the world’s best when it comes to mashing songs together. He’s done some pretty awesome mash-ups of popular songs. Earlier this year, he did one called “Party on the Floor,” featuring parts of 19 different songs. Since 2007, he’s been doing what’s called “United State of Pop,” where he takes 25 of the year’s top songs and mashes them together into one big megamix. This year was no different, as “United State of Pop 2011 (World Go Boom)” was released right after Christmas. It’s already scored millions of hits on YouTube. You can watch and listen to the mix below.
So, DJ Earworm inspired me to compile my list of the top 11 songs of 2011. I’ve been doing a top 50 list for the past several years on various blogs, but this year, I thought I’d limit myself to 11 (and an honorable mention because I couldn’t quite get rid of the twelfth song). I asked co-workers at Fox 4 what their favorite songs of the year were, and I got these responses:
Eric Burke: Sexy And I Know It (LMFAO), Forget You (Cee Lo Green)
JW Edwards: Fall For Your Type (Jamie Foxx & Drake), What’s My Name (Rihanna & Drake)
Meagan Kelleher: Walk (Foo Fighters)
Karli Ritter: Honey Bee (Blake Shelton)
Fred Wittbrodt: Friday (Rebecca Black)
Rob Zerwekh: Moneygrabber (Fitz & The Tantrums), Lonely Boy (Black Keys), Stone Rollin’ (Raphael Saddiq)
Then, I asked my Facebook friends what songs they liked. They came up with Adele’s “Rolling In The Deep,” Florence + The Machine’s “Shake It Out,” Jason Aldean’s “Dirt Road Anthem,” Breathe Carolina’s “Blackout,” and several of the songs you are about to see on my list. So, without further ado, here are my picks for the top 11 (plus an honorable mention) songs of 2011.
HONORABLE MENTION: Blow – Ke$ha
I couldn’t quite get rid of this song completely from my list because of the bridge. When Ke$ha sings “Go insane, go insane, throw some glitter, make it rain,” it makes my heart skip a beat every time. I know that sounds ridiculous, but after attending Ke$ha’s concert earlier this year in Kansas City, it makes all the more sense. True, Ke$ha is not the greatest vocalist in the world, but she writes and performs catchy songs that are accessible to most people. Sure, we all need to take a shower after we listen to Ke$ha’s music, but that’s just part of her charm. America’s favorite party girl has had a quiet year after reaching the top 10 with “Blow” in the spring, but I’m sure she’ll make a roaring comeback in 2012. Perhaps she just has been passed out somewhere after brushing her teeth with too many bottles of Jack. So if you’re walking around and see Ke$ha sleeping in the gutter, poke her with a stick and wake her up. Tell her it’s time for more songs!
11) Love You Like A Love Song – Selena Gomez & The Scene
Some people strictly know Selena Gomez as Justin Bieber’s girlfriend. Others might only know her from her starring role on Disney’s ‘Wizards of Waverly Place.’ Then there are those who know her best as a singer. This year, Selena had her most successful year as a musician so far, scoring hits with “Who Says” and my number 11 song, “Love You Like A Love Song.” I’ll admit the song gets stuck in my head and I have to listen to it over and over again before I get it out. In fact, just writing about it is getting the chorus stuck in my head. I pity my co-workers as they will likely be subjected to “I keep hittin’ repeat-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat” for the rest of the day. The song became Selena’s first top 10 airplay song of her career. If she sticks with her dance-pop, she will likely have many more top ten hits to come. She just needs to get rid of Bieber at some point. Especially since she’s taller than he is. She could do better. Just sayin’. Also…who are The Scene? I know it’s allegedly Selena Gomez’s group, but I couldn’t pick them out of a crowd. Drop them, too. Give them to The Biebs. He can be Beiber & The Scene. And Selena can go by her name only.
10) I Wanna Go – Britney Spears
It’s hard to deny 2011 has been another good year for Britney. After that whole head shaving, “Gimme More,” and umbrella-wielding period of her life, the pop princess has certainly cleaned things up. She even got engaged at the end of the year! Let’s hope marriage number three is more successful than the first two. Britney reached the top 10 three times this year: first with her most recent number one, “Hold It Against Me,” then there was “Till The World Ends” and this song, “I Wanna Go.” So why did I pick this one instead of one of the others? There’s an easy answer: the song has whistling. It’s a well-known fact (amongst me and a few of my friends) that if a song is to be successful, it must contain one of the following three elements: whistling, spelling or whoop whooping. Shania Twain barking noises are also acceptable in place of whoop whooping. Obviously, since this song contains whistling reminiscent of a leprechaun skipping down a trail toward his lucky charm hiding spot, it was destined to be a hit. The rest of the chorus is pretty good, too, but the whistling is where it’s at! Britney whistled her way onto my top 11.
9) Born This Way – Lady Gaga
In a short amount of time, Lady Gaga has become one of the world’s most successful artists. She’s had number one hits and sold millions of albums in probably 75% of countries where music exists to be purchased. This year, she had one of the fastest selling albums ever when she released her sophomore effort, ‘Born This Way.’ The album featured the title track and first single, which is listed here. The song soared to number one in several countries, and caused quite a bit of controversy. Whether it comes from the video depicting Gaga (The Mother Monster) giving birth to herself or from the song itself sounding an awful lot like Madonna’s “Express Yourself,” Lady Gaga certainly got people talking. She kept people talking for the remainder of the year with a string of four more top ten hits from the album and a Thanksgiving special that featured Gaga and a chef making fried turkey and some sort of Grandma Gaga salami waffles. You can’t tell me Gaga eats fried turkey or waffles containing salami. Especially when she has to remove her couture coat to make the waffles. She just wasn’t born that way. However, I do want to make these Grandma Gaga salami waffles now. I was born in a way that those sound amazingly delicious. New Year’s Eve smorgasbord anyone?
8) Someone Like You – Adele
Adele became quite the international sensation in 2011 when her song, “Rolling In The Deep,” took off. I would have included it on the list, but it was technically released in 2010, so I couldn’t make an exception. There are very strict rules to my top songs lists and release dates are strictly adhered to. Therefore, I needed an Adele song to include, and “Someone Like You” fit the bill. It was another success for the soulful songstress, who is quickly becoming known for her songs of heartbreak and relationship dramas. In fact, I’m sure her songs are quite popular among cat connoisseurs the world over. Sitting there with a cup of tea while your 20 cats crawl all over you becomes a lot more soothing when you know Adele is going through the same things you are. Adele’s sophomore album, ’21,’ raked in six Grammy nods. She’ll surely win several of them and continue on as the leading choice of heartbreak chanteuses today. Perhaps she’ll even find that special someone at the Grammy’s. If my world pans out correctly, Selena Gomez will dump Justin Bieber and he’ll need a rebound. Adele would be perfect for that. Then she can write her whole third album about how awful Justin Bieber is. Ah, dreams. So wonderful.
7) Give Me Everything – Pitbull featuring Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that if you want a hit song, you need to include one of two people on it: Pitbull or Nicki Minaj. The appearance of one of those two increases your chances for a hit about 2,000 percent. And if you are one of those two, you use your successes guesting on other people’s songs to gain popularity so that when you release your own songs, they become huge hits. Pitbull follows this formula directly. The result? A huge hit known as “Give Me Everything.” Some people might be concerned by Pitbull’s rhyming skills; he does rhyme Kodak with Kodak. But what else rhymes with Kodak? Smack that? That’s a bit of a stretch, but the best I can do on short notice. Regardless of rhyming problems, Pitbull was able to put together a summer anthem hooked by the words “Grab somebody sexy, tell ‘em, hey!” I know I heard the song a lot on the beach in Miami, which makes me want to go back now. Perhaps I’ll just leave the top 6 in my dust and make you all figure out what songs I think are better than this one while I’m on my way to the coast. Eh, I’ll knock them out really quickly and THEN go to Miami.
6) Pumped Up Kicks – Foster The People
What’s this? Another song with whistling? That must mean it was a big hit, right? Bingo! This song is also pretty controversial considering it’s pretty much about a school shooting. “All the other kids with the pumped up kicks better run, better run, faster than my bullet.” It’s a pretty sensitive subject to write a song about, but then again, I’m sure there are far more offensive songs out there. In fact, I know there are far more offensive songs out there. And I’m really not that offended by this song. Mainly because of the whistling, but also because it’s just a really good song. It has an amazing beat behind the lyrics and is catchier than about anything else I’ve heard this year. Sadly, I’m guessing Foster The People will turn out to be a one hit wonder group, as I don’t think they will ever do anything quite as awesome as “Pumped Up Kicks” again, although their album, ‘Torches,’ is pretty amazing. Hopefully they shock me, but right now, I don’t see it happening. That just means we will all have to listen to “Pumped Up Kicks” for years to come.
5) Party Rock Anthem – LMFAO featuring Lauren Bennett & GoonRock
We’ve reached the top five. What better way to kick it off than with one of the year’s most overplayed songs. Not quite as overplayed as LMFAO’s follow up, “Sexy and I Know It,” but still overplayed nonetheless. Not that I am complaining about having to hear “Party Rock Anthem” over and over. Because I like the song quite a bit. Especially Lauren Bennett’s part where she just sings, “Get up, get down, put your hands up to the sound” over and over again. I even considered being her for Halloween, but quickly realized a silver one piece swimsuit type item and my body type don’t exactly mix for something people would want to give candy to. So that Halloween costume idea was quickly squashed. Maybe next year. This song will certainly be on my gym mix for many years to come. It pumps you up and makes you want to dance, move, or as the song suggests, shuffle. One of these days, I might even do a little shuffle in the club, but that day is still a long way out. Until then, I’ll just put my hands up to the sound and be happy with that.
4) Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) – Katy Perry
What a year it’s been for Katy Perry. Her second album, ‘Teenage Dream,’ managed to go double platinum in the United States and score five number one hits in a row. Quite impressive for the singer who until “California Gurls” was probably best known for her penchant for kissing girls. That cherry chapstick is allegedly irresistible to Ms. Perry. Katy started off the year on top with “Firework” and quickly followed up with another number one, “E.T.,” before racking up her fifth (sixth overall) with “Last Friday Night.” She’s still aiming for a sixth number one from her album with “The One That Got Away.” But what’s even more impressive about “Last Friday Night” is the music video. It has cameos galore. Ever wonder where Deborah (Debbie) Gibson, Hanson, Kenny G or Corey Feldman ended up? Wonder no more! They are all in the video. Then there are some appearances by ‘Glee’ stars and Rebecca Black, too. Apparently, the girl Katy Perry portrays, Kathy Beth Terry, was inspired by Ugly Betty. It’s pretty impressive Katy has amassed the collection of hits she has with just two albums. This one is certainly a party song with a chorus that you can chant over and over. And then some more. Will her success continue in 2012? She’ll need a new album, so we will see. She does write catchy songs. And she’s a little off center, which is just how I like my pop stars to be.
3) On The Floor – Jennifer Lopez featuring Pitbull
You can’t throw around the word “comeback” without referencing 2011’s huge comeback by Jennifer Lopez. She scored a multi-million dollar judging deal on ‘American Idol.’ Then she reached the top of charts around the world again with her comeback hit, “On The Floor.” Shockingly, it featured Pitbull, who if you will remember, I said is one of the keys to having a hit song these days. J. Lo knows what she’s doing, clearly. “On The Floor” proved the now over-40 diva still has what it takes to get people interested in her music. She also proved she’s still got the moves after several appearances performing the song while dancing. Then she delved into the world of design again with a line with Kohl’s (I might have a complete bedding set of hers. And by might, I mean I do). So 2011 has really been J. Lo’s year. She’s back in 2012 as a judge on ‘Idol’ again. Perhaps she’d like to share some of her earnings with the group. And by group, I mean me. I’ve referenced her enough lately. I think she owes me. Or we can just have a dance off to see who can take it to the floor the best. Pitbull can judge.
2) Super Bass – Nicki Minaj
I’ve gone back and forth between this song and the number one as to which actually belongs at number one. But now that it’s out there on the internet, I have to stand behind my decision and support it. Nicki Minaj is quite possibly the breakout star of 2011. She’s kind of like a Kardashian. You can’t turn on the TV, round the corner at the grocery store, or turn on the radio without hearing or seeing something about her. She’s always wearing something ridiculous and is usually rapping in some voice of one of her alternate personalities. That’s what makes her so great! She’s like eight rappers wrapped into one small package with a large collection of green wigs. “Super Bass” is Nicki’s biggest hit yet. I’m sure there are still many more to come. The song even caused an internet sensation for two British 8-year-olds when they performed the song on YouTube. Sophia Grace and Rosie ended up appearing on ‘Ellen’ in the United States. They even got to meet Nicki when they were on ‘Ellen.’ “Super Bass” is amazing because it invites people to shake their boom booms and sing along with Nicki the whole way through. Sure, she raps fast, but if you have enough whiskey in your system and you are dressed like the March Hare from Alice in Wonderland, you become capable of singing and rapping the entire song on the dance floor. Plus, if an 8-year-old can learn all the words, so can you!
1) Moves Like Jagger – Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera
Everything I’ve written has all directed us to this moment. The unveiling of my favorite song of 2011. That’s right. “Moves Like Jagger.” Why is it the best? Don’t question it. It is. It features two of my favorite singers ever: Christina Aguilera and Adam Levine. Those two together is better than any song featuring Nicki Minaj or Pitbull could ever be. I love Christina and Adam that much. Put them together with a rousing disco song, and you have yourself gold. Or in this case, platinum. Many times over. What’s not to like about this song? If anyone doesn’t like it, they should just crank up the old Victrola and listen to Doris Day or something completely opposite of “Moves Like Jagger.” After listening to this song right after “Super Bass,” I am confident in my decision to name it the best song of the year. It was a rightful number one song when it hit the top of the charts. Plus, it became the first number one for Christina Aguilera and Maroon 5 in many years. Perhaps the two should join together into a super group. With Adam Levine’s distaste for shirts and Christina’s distaste for pants, their near complete nudity would certainly draw in an audience. I know I’d buy a ticket. Several tickets.
So there you have it. My selections for the best songs of 2011. I know there are some songs I wanted on the list, but they are from Europe, and no one would have known them. Then there were a few really good songs from Nicole Scherzinger this year, which would have fallen on deaf ears sadly. Sigh. Perhaps 2012 will bring Nicole more radio play in the States. Then she can be on my top 12 of 2012 list. Until the end of 2012, keep downloading those songs and making the best music popular! Maybe I’ll like it, too. You never know.