There were so many great tracks from 2012 that you might not remember them all. We are going to give you our list of the 45 best songs from 2012, so keep reading to see what made the cut.
1. Set Fire to the Rain – Adele
First up is Adele with Set Fire To The Rain, which comes from her album 21. This song went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, Mainstream Top 40, Adult Contemporary chart, and Adult Top 40. It was the third track from this album to hit number one in America. She also won a Grammy for Best Pop Solo Performance for her Live At The Royal Albert Hall version of this song.
2. Rolling In The Deep – Adele
Next is Adele again with Rolling In The Deep, which was one of her biggest hits and the lead single released from her album 21. The song is what propelled her to success, and it became her first number-one hit in the US and stayed at that position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for seven weeks. This track received a lot of praise and became a hit worldwide with more than 8.7 million copies sold in America alone.
3. Sexy and I Know It – LMFAO
LMFAO had a hit with Sexy And I Know It from their album Sorry For Party Rocking. This song hit number one in America, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, and Israel. It hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and stayed there for two weeks and was their second track to top the charts after Party Rock Anthem.
4. Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen
Canadian artist Carly Rae Jepsen had a hit with Call Me Maybe from her album Kiss, and this song was one of the biggest tracks of 2012. It hit number one on the Dance Single Sales chart, Mainstream Top 40, and Billboard Hot 100 chart. It’s all about how a girl hopes she is going to receive a call from the guy she is crushing on.
5. Moves Like Jagger – Maroon 5 feat. Christina Aguilera
On our list next is Maroon 5 with their hit song Moves Like Jagger, which features Christina Aguilera. The track is about how a guy can impress someone he likes by dancing similar to how The Rolling Stones lead singer Mick Jagger dances. It comes from their album Hands All Over, which was a re-release that originally came out in 2010. The song hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, Adult Top 40, and Mainstream Top 40 chart.
6. Diamonds – Rihanna
Pop singer Rihanna makes the list with Diamonds, which comes from her album Unapologetic. The pop song hit number one in over 20 countries including the UK and US. It hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and it was the 12th time that she had a number one hit on the chart.
7. Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) – Kelly Clarkson
![Kelly Clarkson - Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) [Official Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Xn676-fLq7I/0.jpg)
Calling all fans of American Idol, you probably know Kelly Clarkson as the season one winner of the show, and she had a huge hit with Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) from her album Stronger. This song is a pop and dance track that is all about recovering from a breakup and feeling empowered. It went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, Pop Songs, Hot Dance, Adult Pop Songs, and Adult Contemporary charts.
8. We Are Young – fun. Feat. Janelle Monáe
![Fun.: We Are Young ft. Janelle Monáe [OFFICIAL VIDEO]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Sv6dMFF_yts/0.jpg)
Next up is fun. with the song, We Are Young, which features Janelle Monáe and comes from their album Some Nights. It hit number one in multiple countries including America where it went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also was covered by Glee and was used in a commercial during Super Bowl XLVI.
9. Drive By – Train
Rock band Train had a hit with Drive By, which comes from their album California 37, and this song was the first single to be released for the album. It was a hit for the band and went to 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, but this would become their last track to make the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In over 13 countries, the song would end up charting in the Top 10, and it’s one of their more famous tracks in recent years.
10. We Are Never Getting Back Together – Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift had a massive hit with We Are Never Getting Back Together from her album Red, and this song is about how an ex wanted to get back with her, but she doesn’t feel the same way. It’s catchy and very radio-friendly, which made it one of her most successful crossover hits from country into pop. It hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and went to number one in New Zealand and Canada too.
11. Want U Back – Cher Lloyd
Up next is Cher Llyod with the song Want U Back from her album Sticks And Stones. This track is all about a girl that is jealous her ex-boyfriend found someone else, and she wants him back. It went to 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and nine on the Pop Songs chart but hit three on the New Zealand Singles chart. It became her signature track and her most successful song to date.
12. Springsteen – Eric Church
Country star Eric Church is next with the song Springsteen from his album Chief, and this track takes inspiration from a girl he knew, and he uses Bruce Springsteen, who was his idol, to tell the story of a young romance. It went to number one on the Hot Country Songs chart but only peaked at 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
13. Lights – Ellie Goulding
Lights is on our list, which is a song by Ellie Goulding from her album of the same name that was re-issued, and the track deals with how she feared the dark as a child. It peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart after being on the chart for 33 weeks, and it ended up staying on the charts for more than a year.
14. Without You – David Guetta feat. Usher
R&B singer Usher was featured on Without You by David Guetta, and this song comes from his album Nothing But The Beat. It went to number one on the Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart and Mainstream Top 40 charts but only peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
15. Brokenhearted – Karmin
Karmin is on our list with Brokenhearted, which comes from their EP debut Hello, and it’s all about how a woman is trying to beg a man not to break her heart tonight. It peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 chart at number 16 and hit within the Top 10 in countries including the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
16. Wanted – Hunter Hayes
Next up is country star Hunter Hayes with the track Wanted, which comes from his self-titled debut album. It quickly went up the charts and went to number one on the Hot Country Songs chart. Chart performance led this track to become the third-best country song ever according to Billboard. He became the youngest guy to reach the number-one position on the Hot Country Songs chart.
17. Scream – Usher
Usher makes the list with Scream, which comes from his album Looking 4 Myself. The track went to number one on the Dance Club Songs chart and nine on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It ended up selling more than a million copies in America even though the track itself has a lot of sexual innuendo and lyrics.
18. Drunk On You – Luke Bryan
Next is the country music song Drunk On You by Luke Bryan, which comes from the album Tailgates & Tanlines. This track went to number one on the Hot Country Songs chart and 16 on the Billboard Hot 100.
19. Paradise – Coldplay
Coldplay makes the list with Paradise, which was on the album Mylo Xyloto. This track went to number one on the Alternative Airplay and Adult Alternative Songs chart. It also went to number one on the UK Singles chart after 10 weeks on the chart. While this track might not be as popular as Viva La Vida, it hit 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and remains one of their more popular songs.
20. Boyfriend – Justin Bieber
Pop star Justin Bieber had a hit with Boyfriend in 2012, which came from the album Believe, and this is an R&B song that is similar to a Pharrell Williams type of track. While some thought this song was immature and childish, it managed to become commercially successful landing at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also hit number one in Canada and nine on the Billboard Pop Songs chart.
21. Someone Like You – Adele
Adele is on our list again with her hit Someone Like You, which also can be found on her album 21. This track is about breaking up with someone you thought you’d be with forever and trying to deal with that loss. Much like her other hits, it went to number one on the Adult Contemporary, Adult Pop Songs, and Billboard Hot 100 charts.
22. Whistle – Flo Rida
![Flo Rida - Whistle [Official Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cSnkWzZ7ZAA/0.jpg)
Flo Rida is a rapper who had a huge hit with Whistle from his album Wild Ones, and this song has a melody featuring whistles, hence the name of the track. It sounded very pop and had a hook that was incredibly catchy, which is why it became a hit. It went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and also hit number one in other countries such as New Zealand, Ireland, and Canada.
23. Part of Me – Katy Perry
Pop singer Katy Perry is next with Part Of Me, which comes from her album Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection. This was the first single from the album released, and it went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and Dance Club Songs chart. It also went to four on the Adult Top 40, and it’s one of the more popular tracks on this album.
24. What Makes You Beautiful – One Direction
One Direction is on the list with What Makes You Beautiful, which comes from their debut album Up All Night. This song has a great guitar-based chorus and a hook that goes “Na-na-na,” and it hit four on the Billboard Hot 100.
25. Some Nights – fun.
![Fun.: Some Nights [OFFICIAL VIDEO]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qQkBeOisNM0/0.jpg)
Pop band fun. is on our list with Some Nights, and this song was on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for seven months before it hit number three on the charts and stayed there for six weeks. The lyrics are about an existential crisis, and it was their second track to reach the Top 10 on the charts. It was also a hit internationally, topping the charts in multiple countries.
26. Everybody Talks – Neon Trees
Coming from the album Picture Show was a hit by the Neon Trees called Everybody Talks. This track hit six on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It went to number one on the Adult Pop Songs chart and seven on the Alternative Songs chart. The track was about an ex-girlfriend putting rumors out there that the lead singer was gay, and he was still in the closet at the time.
27. It Will Rain – Bruno Mars
Calling all fans of Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1, Bruno Mars had a hit with It Will Rain, and this song hit number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and Adult Top 40 chart. It’s all about the stages of heartbreak, which is why it became the signature track for the movie.
28. Ho Hey – The Lumineers
The Lumineers are on the list with the song Ho Hey, which comes from their debut album, and this track hit number one on the Hot Rock Songs chart and stayed there for 18 weeks non-consecutively. It is about the people that go to concerts and aren’t interested in it and act like they don’t really care to be there. The track was such a hit that it also hit number one on the Alternative Songs chart and Adult Pop Songs chart.
29. Red Solo Cup – Toby Keith
If you enjoy partying and drinking out of red Solo cups then you’d probably enjoy the tune by Toby Keith titled Red Solo Cup. This song is all about the famous cups and the occasions you’d use them for, and it was a track from his album Clancy’s Tavern. You may remember the song from Glee where it appeared in an episode, and it was his biggest crossover hit to date.
30. We Run The Night – Havana Brown feat. Pitbull
Up next is Havana Brown with the song We Run The Night, which features Pitbull, and this track was from his debut album Flashing Lights. It went to five on the ARIA Singles chart in his home country of Australia and went to number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. On The Hot Dance Club Songs chart, it managed to hit number one.
31. Fly Over States – Jason Aldean
Country star Jason Aldean is next with Fly Over States from his album My Kind Of Party. It was a sleeper hit and went to number one on the Hot Country Songs chart in May 2012. It’s a track about the Midwest and Southern states, which are dubbed flyover states.
32. Starships – Nicki Minaj
Female rapper Nicki Minaj had a hit in 2012 with Starships, which comes from her album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. This song went to five on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed within the Top 10 on the chart for 21 weeks. It’s one of the biggest singles of all time with more than 7.2 million copies sold worldwide by the end of 2012.
33. I Won’t Give Up – Jason Mraz
![Jason Mraz - I Won't Give Up (Official Video) [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/O1-4u9W-bns/0.jpg)
Jason Mraz is on the list with I Won’t Give Up, which comes from Love Is A Four Letter Word, and this was the first song released for the album. It’s a mix of folk blended with blues and pop and is about not giving up on your dreams and believing in yourself. It’s an inspiring and emotional track that went to eight on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
34. Rack City – Tyga
Rapper Tyga had a hit with Rack City, which comes from his album Careless World: Rise Of The Last King. This song hit 53 on the Hot 100 Canadian chart and seven on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. You may know it from Boo! A Madea Halloween since he appeared in the film and sang the track.
35. Feel So Close – Calvin Harris
Calvin Harris is a DJ from Scotland, and he had a hit with Feel So Close, which comes from the album 18 Months. This song peaked at one on the Scotland chart, two on the UK Singles Chart, and hit number one on the American Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart. However, it only made it to 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, and by the end of 2012, sold more than 2 million copies in America.
36. Domino – Jessie J
Up next is Domino by Jessie J, which comes from the album Who You Are, and this song is a mix of dance and pop. It went to number one on the UK Singles Chart and hit six on the Billboard Hot 100. It also had been nominated at the BRIT Awards in 2012 for Best British Single, although she didn’t win the award.
37. Too Close – Alex Clare
On the list next is Alex Clare who had a hit song with Too Close from the album The Lateness Of The House, and it’s all about how he wants to end things with a romantic partner on good terms because he’s just not ready for a relationship. The track hit three on the Rock Airplay chart and peaked at seven on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
38. Even If It Breaks Your Heart – Eli Young Band
Reaching number one on the Hot Country Songs chart and 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart is Even If It Breaks Your Heart by Eli Young Band. This track was from the album Life At Best, and it’s one of the more popular songs from this country group.
39. Hard To Love – Lee Brice
Up next is Lee Brice with his track Hard To Love, which is from his album Hard 2 Love, and this country song went to number one on the Country Airplay chart. It’s similar in melody to the Tracy Chapman track Fast Car, and it’s all about him feeling that he is hard to love and wondering why his girlfriend is still with him.
40. It’s Time – Imagine Dragons
Rock band Imagine Dragons had a smash hit with It’s Time coming from their EP called Continued Silence. This track is all about having to face a lot of changes during times of trouble and turmoil. It went to number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart after being covered in the television show Glee and was used in multiple commercials. It also hit four on the Alternative Songs chart and stayed on the chart for 32 weeks!
41. Glad You Came – The Wanted
A perfect summer song to listen to from 2012 is Glad You Came by the band The Wanted, and it comes from their album Battleground. This song peaked at three on the Billboard Hot 100 but reached number one in Ireland, Venezuela, and on the UK Singles chart.
42. Love You Like a Love Song – Selena Gomez & the Scene
Pop star Selena Gomez released Love You Like A Love Song with her band The Scene, and this song is a dance electro song that is about a relationship, and it’s more quality and mature lyrics than other tracks she’d released in the past. It went to number one on the Dance Club Songs chart and hit 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
43. Heart Attack – Trey Songz
![Trey Songz - Heart Attack [Official Music Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4r3MZNCGzVY/0.jpg)
Rapper Trey Songz is on the list with Heart Attack, which was nominated for a Grammy Award, although he didn’t win. This song comes from Chapter V and hit 35 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and 28 on the UK Singles chart.
44. Somebody That I Used To Know – Gotye feat. Kimbra
![Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know (feat. Kimbra) [Official Music Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/8UVNT4wvIGY/0.jpg)
Up next is Goyte with the song Somebody That I Used To Know, which features Kimbra, and this track went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and on almost all of the other Billboard charts too. The song is all about the past relationships that he had and reflecting back on those times and the women he was with.
45. Blow Me (One Last Kiss) – P!nk
Last on our list is P!nk with Blow Me (One Last Kiss) from her album The Truth About Love. This electropop song is about her thinking back on her life and relationships. It hit five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and is one of her more successful tracks from the album.
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From the time she was little, Florence loved listening to music and quickly learned how music can make you happy and feel fulfilled. One of her favorite memories is being in the garage with her dad working on classic cars with the local rock station blaring in the background. Ever since Florence was 3, she loved grunge music and spent hours listening to bands such as Alice in Chains, Mad Season, Soul Asylum, and Soundgarden.
She also enjoys classic rock, modern rock, nu metal, alternative rock, and old 90’s R&B. Her love of music grew as she got older, and used music to help her get through tough times in her life. More often than not, you’ll see Florence with earbuds in while she’s writing, cooking, cleaning, and doing other tasks. She also loves to debate music with her friends such as which lead singer is the best vocalist, the most iconic guitar solos in music, and what songs are really the best of the decade.
