Top 10 Best Songs of 2012

2012 was an incredible year for music, bringing together a wide range of styles, artists, and genres that made it nearly impossible to escape the constant barrage of hits on the radio or streaming services. From chart-topping pop anthems to alternative gems, the year was packed with songs that would go on to define the decade and soundtrack countless memories. Now, it's your chance to weigh in.

No matter how a song reached you in 2012, this list is all about celebrating the diversity and creativity of that year in music. Your vote matters just as much as anyone else's, whether you're a die-hard fan of pop, rock, indie, or any genre in between. This is your chance to help decide which songs truly stand the test of time.

The Top Ten

Burn It Down - Linkin Park

This proves rock music was alive and well in the 2010s. For the second half of the decade, see Weezer's cover of "Africa."
This song should swap places on the chart with "Glad You Came" or "Sexy and I Know It." Those were both pretty bad.

Best rock song of 2012. However, this song was only number 100 on the Billboard Hot 100, which is unbelievable. It should have been number 2 instead. Call Me Maybe should have been number 100 or never made it onto the Billboard Hot 100. Call Me Maybe is a piece of garbage, whereas Burn It Down is an awesome rock song of 2012.

Whoever likes One Direction and Call Me Maybe... Please, be quiet, because that isn't proper music. It's great that Linkin Park is catching up. We Are Young should be under this, as the second (which it already is). Just swap Call Me Maybe with this, and everyone will be happy.
Payphone - Maroon 5

The best song of 2012, in my opinion, is Enrique Iglesias's Finally Found You. This one would probably be second or third, though. Somebody That I Used to Know is so bad. I can't believe it was actually number one on MTV and others.

I am at a payphone... Trying to call home... All of my change I spent on you... Great lyrics and melody. Maroon 5 at its best.
A real song from a broken heart. It should be number one.

I am listening to this song right now! It has amazing lyrics, and I hope it gets to number one!
Somebody That I Used to Know - Gotye

This song never gets old. No matter how many times I listen to it, it still sounds awesome.
Then it gets stuck in my head, and I still don't mind!

This song is by far the best song so far this year. It has this ring to it that just gets stuck in your head.
That is what makes a song popular.

Wally somehow collaborated with a no-name singer named Kimbra to create the best breakup song of all time.
We Are Young - Fun.

I understand how the scar lyric can be questionable, but this is all in the past tense. If you can take a questionable decision, reflect on it to form a story, and turn that story into a song about having a drink and not thinking straight because of these past flaws and the atmosphere of this bar, backed up with one of the best vocal performances in a number one hit, bombastic production, and a glorious hook, then, yeah, I dig it. 6/5

The band Fun is really great, and I wish that We Are Young was ahead of the others. This song is so catchy and a really great song to dance to. Everyone should try to listen to it because it has meaningful lyrics and, true to the band's name, it's fun!
Some Nights - Fun.

Nate is comparable to legendary singers like Brad Delp and Freddie Mercury on this single. Some Nights is arguably the best motivational song of the 2000s. The opening lyrics are incredibly meaningful, and the chorus is fantastic.
Please come back, Fun. Everyone with good taste in music loves you.

This song is great! It has wonderful harmony and lyrics, but the auto-tuned part at the end was quite strange and might have done better without it.
Other than that, it was just about perfect!
Gangnam Style - PSY

The best song of this year. The music video is really funny but also really creative. The song (yes, it's in Korean, that might suck for us) is really cool, and dancing to this song on the dance floor is really hot. Everyone thinks you're gay, but it's way cooler to dance to this song than any other this year!

This song is absolutely amazing. I do not mind that most of the song is in a different language. It is a really good song - nothing bad about it. He sings like he means it.

It's totally crazy. But crazy is awesome, so Gangnam Style is awesome too!
Lost in the Echo - Linkin Park

A good quality Linkin Park song. Vocals and rhythm are good. But not enough to match Burn It Down.
Call Me Maybe - Carly Rae Jepsen

You can play this song just about anywhere. It's catchy, and also one of the reasons why I think 2012 was the best year of all time.

Ah! I love this song. So here's my vote so you're the best. Best song ever in the whole world. You rock, whoever did this. Love you.

I love this song. Carly Rae Jepsen is such a good singer. This song became popular in America.
We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together - Taylor Swift

My 2nd-favorite song from Red (after "I Knew You Were Trouble"). This began Taylor's transition to pop. Still, her country years were great too.

WANEGBT is an understatement of her talent and doesn't really represent Red for what it is. But she's still absolutely amazing.
It's quite a sassy song and one that many people can relate to, whether they admit it or not.

Taylor Swift looks so beautiful. She sings awesomely. I love her.
Just remembering the words "We are never ever getting back together," I can't get this song out of my head. I love you, Taylor Swift.
Starships - Nicki Minaj

Starships is such an awesome and colorful song, and it is really catchy. Nicki Minaj's voice is beautiful. The song just draws me in.

Really a fun song that makes you go to your happy place. Plus, it was really big on mainstream last year! She is a really good rapper!

One of the biggest songs of 2012 and I really like it. Definitely a good pop song from Nicki Minaj.

The Newcomers

?
Save Your Soul - Shadows Fall
?
Fire From the Sky - Shadows Fall

The Contenders

Radioactive - Imagine Dragons

"Radioactive" is a song that creates a feeling of a change - an immense, almost incomprehensible transformation - coming about and does it without overdoing it. Graced with a killer beat and a fittingly heavy bass line, the only thing that could improve this song is somehow fitting in some acoustic guitar. And what does this single do? Exactly that. The single is made even better within the context of Imagine Dragons' now two-year-old record, "Night Visions."
All in all, "Radioactive" is the best 2012 has to offer and should surely make it to the top of this list.

How can this be ranked lower than Demi Lovato and Taylor Swift's songs? Seriously, guys. I shudder to think this represents the preference of the voting majority. Demons and Radioactive should be in the top 10.
Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) - Kelly Clarkson

This song should be in the top three. Come on, guys! The song has great lyrics and a superb vocal performance from Kelly.
Plus, it has a nice and very inspirational video.

A true Kelly Clarkson masterpiece with striking lyrics and vocals.

I love this song. It is very inspiring. Kelly Clarkson is a good singer.
Skyfall - Adele

I had never been familiar with Adele until "Someone Like You," but she is extremely talented. Especially since this song won an Oscar and a Golden Globe and was featured in a James Bond movie, arguably the best one ever. This is even better than "Gangnam Style."

Very few artists can claim to have won Academy Awards. Adele is now in an elite group.

Should be first.
I love this song a lot.
Thrift Shop - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

I really like songs that go outside the norm and diss their own style. Case in point: Thrift Shop. Ryan Lewis's catchy saxophone loop, Macklemore's stellar rapping with thought-provoking lyrics, and Wanz's phenomenal baritone all add up to create one of the best rap songs of this decade.

It took a struggling indie rapper to platinum and opened people's eyes to the rest of his music, which is also good.
Bottom line: you go find me a song that's easier to get stuck in your head.

Seriously? How has this not been added yet? This was literally the third-best song of 2012, according to the charts, and it's amazing!
Great music and lyrics. It's amazing!
Hall of Fame - The Script

Brilliant song! It's been in the top 10 for ages and should be included in the top 10 at least! Inspiring song with all the lyrics that can make your day feel much better!

This is my favorite song. Everything in this song is awesome, from the intro to the last verse. It deserves a higher spot.

One of the most meaningful songs I have come across!
Wild Ones - Flo Rida

This song is stunning! Flo Rida is a great rapper.
Bangarang - Skrillex
Locked Out of Heaven - Bruno Mars

Locked Out of Heaven is such an upbeat and enjoyable song. It is great.

Bruno Mars has a lot of good songs.
One More Night - Maroon 5

So I cross my heart and I hope to die, that I'll only stay with you one more night! That is my favorite part.

Heh, that's my childhood right there.

I feel that this song is overhated.
Die Young - Ke$ha

This is my favorite Ke$ha song, and to be honest, how can you argue with me? It is the most infectious of all Ke$ha's songs with a great rap section and a chorus that you'll never feel ashamed to sing loud wherever and whenever you are. Great job, Ke$ha.

I miss the old Ke$ha, before she changed the $ to an S, sounded passionate, and didn't whine about white straight men when she is rich as all hell.
Wide Awake - Katy Perry

This song is great. It describes how Katy was in her Teenage Dream with Russell Brand until they divorced. At that time, she's wide awake and realizes that this is a dream and Russell Brand is not what she dreamt of in her Teenage Dream. Such a great song from Katy Perry.

For me, this song shines the most compared to others. Why? Because we, humankind, are inspired if you listen to this song. First and foremost, in this song, we see that Katy, the killer queen, ends her Illuminati practices. That is only my opinion.
Demons - Imagine Dragons

45? How is this behind... Nicki Minaj?! I've lost faith in this website. Seriously, Nicki Minaj is trash. She isn't even an artist.

14 isn't high enough. It should be first. More meaningful than everything else!

This song touches my heart. Good lyrics, powerful rhythm. It must be in the top 10.
Diamonds - Rihanna

I really, really like this song. I respect those who don't, but this is one of the BEST songs she has released, NOT the worst, in my opinion.

This song sounds amazing, and the beat and Rihanna's voice are really impactful. If only every line didn't end with "diamonds in the sky."

That's a very good song by Rihanna. You should definitely listen to it.
Castle of Glass - Linkin Park

Awesome chilled song from Linkin Park. When they came to South Africa to promote Living Things, I was disappointed they didn't play it. However, they did play other songs from their albums that I love, like Given Up, so it didn't bother me too much.
This song deserves a spot in the top ten.

Deserves a top five position. It has an awesome music video that can touch anyone's heart.
I would request people to vote for this song. Linkin Park is back!

It gives the feeling of what a child feels when his father is in the army! Too good!
Part of Me - Katy Perry

I used to not like this song. This song is addictive and great. The way she says "no" adds quality.