The Best of 2012: The Year in Songs

Today I begin my wrap up of 2012 with my list of my favorite songs of 2012. It's a Fun list! The countdown will begin in inverse order.

10. "We Are Young" — Fun
Line: "Tonight, We are young; So let's set the world on fire; We can burn brighter; Than the sun."
Why: This was one of the first songs this year that really grabbed me. Every time I heard it on the radio, I cranked it and sang along. It led me to look up the band that made it, Fun, which led me to discovering the band. This song was eclipsed by another Fun release, but it's still one of the best of the year.

9. "Too Close" — Alex Clare
Line: "You gave me more that I can return; Yet there's so much that you deserve"
Why: This song really exploded thanks to Windows 8. The song was in every commercial and it just kind of stuck. It's got a good beat and it's infectious.

8. "Breath of Life" — Florence and the Machine
Line: "I was looking for a breath of life; A little touch of heavenly light; But all the choirs in my head sang."
Why: "Snow White and the Huntsman" was a marginal movie at best, but it did give us one of the best songs of the year in "Breath of Life," a single for the film released by Florence and the Machine. It's a fun song that has a good melody.

7. "Somebody I Used to Know" — Gotye featuring Kimbra
Line: "But you didn't have to cut me off; Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing; And I don't even need your love; But you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough"
Why: There was a time when you couldn't go anywhere without hearing this song. It's got a weird video, but a cool vibe. It's a song that perfectly sums up the pain of heartbreak without resorting to Taylor Swift levels. It's one of the most haunting and memorable songs of the year.

6. "Wild One" — Flo Rida featuring Sia
Line: "Show you another side of me; A side you would never thought you would see"
Why: What can I say, sometimes I like club music. This was one of my favorites from the year, and a tight release from Flo Rida. I have to say, I kinda like Flo Rida because his songs are fun and don't have a lot of swearing, which is a plus.

5. "Little Talks" — Of Monsters and Men
Line: "I don't like walking around this old and empty house; So hold my hand, I'll walk with you, my dear"
Why: My wife and I heard this song on the radio and I loved it right away. After finding it on iTunes, it's been on rotation ever since. It's a beautiful back and forth with a good beat and a catchy hook.

4. "Ho Hey" — The Lumineers
Line: "I belong with you, you belong with me, you're my sweetheart; I belong with you, you belong with me, you're my sweet"
Why: Another song that just draws you in. It's a simple little ballad that's been on the radio, in commercials, and on TV a lot. It's got a good beat and a pretty melody.

3. "Home" — Phillip Phillips
Line: "Hold on, to me as we go; As we roll down this unfamiliar road; And although this wave is stringing us along; Just know you're not alone; Cause I'm going to make this place your home"
Why: I am not an "American Idol" fan, so I wasn't familiar with Phillip Phillips, this year's winner. However, I did watch the Olympics, and this song was all over it. It was also one of the best parts of the trailer for "Trouble With The Curve," and soon found itself a go to in my iTunes.

2. "It's Time" — Imagine Dragons
Line: "It's time to begin, isn't it?; I get a little bit bigger but then I'll admit; I'm just the same as I was; Now don't you understand; That I'm never changing who I am"
Why: There are some songs that just click with you right away. "It's Time" was one of those songs for me. From the moment I heard it, the song was in my head, and is the most frequent song I turn to lately on iTunes. It has a good beat, hook, and melody.

1. "Some Nights" — Fun
Line: "Well, some nights I wish that this all would end; Cause I could use some friends for a change; And some nights I'm scared you'll forget me again; Some nights I always win, I always win..."
Why: No song was more, well, fun than this anthem from Fun. Every time it came on the radio I would crank it and sing along. While "We Are Young" launched them in the collective consciousness, "Some Nights" is the best release from 2012's biggest band, Fun. This song lives up to the group's name.