Top 25 Songs of 2011: "You've got that smile that only heaven can make/I pray to God every day that you keep that smile"

1. Next 2 You by Justin Bieber and Chris Brown: I've listened to this song over and over again since I heard it this summer. I was really hoping the F.A.M.E. album Chris Brown released would be good and he didn't disappoint. It was spectacular but this was the shining star of the album. Their voices sounded perfect and very similar. The music video was amazing. The song and everything about it was and still is simply perfection.

2. Rolling in the Deep by Adele: Adele's album 21 was hands down the best album of the year. Every single song on the album was heart felt and perfect, but this is the one everyone was singing. You could just feel the anger and regret in her voice. It was the perfect soundtrack to an upsetting evening. Not to mention her voice is flawless in this track.

3. How To Love by Lil Wayne: If you asked me a year ago, I would tell you there was absolutely no way Lil Wayne would ever make my top five songs of the year, or even top 25. This song was different though. There was no cussing and it was slow and heart felt. The guitar instrumental in the back was simple and wonderful. The lyrics were relatable. The Justin Bieber remix blew me away. This song is number three and rightfully so. It made me see Weezy in a whole different light.

4. If I Die Young by The Band Perry : A lot of people said this song was sad and depressing, but I was super impressed by how different it is from the other songs that came out this year. It wasn't really about love, sex, or partying. It was about a girl and her brothers having serious thoughts about the very real possibility of them dropping dead that very instant. The lyrics were really smart and made you think. It was a brilliant song.

5. Best Thing I Never Had by Beyonce : 2011 was the year Beyonce released her 5th album which wasn't quit the success everyone thought it would be. But this song was exactly what the entire album should of been. It had catchy lyrics. For once the girl wasn't sitting around wishing the guy would come back to her. She showed what a strong woman looks like. I was also very in love with the music video. She looked gorgeous in that wedding dress. And her voice was stunning. She hit all kinds of notes and hit them with power. She earned her title of Queen B.

6. Just A Kiss by Lady Antebellum : I know there are a lot of country haters out there but how could you not love this song. The harmonies are beyond amazing and the words are just perfect, "I don't want to mess this thing up. I don't want to push too far. Just a shot in the dark that you might be the one i've been waiting for my whole life. So baby I'm alright with just a kiss goodnight". The hopeless romantic in me loves every moment of the song and can just see it playing out.

7. Stereo Hearts by The Gym Class Hero's ft. Adam Levine :The gym class hero's are back and they came back with a bang. I absolutely adored this song. It was really sweet and the kind of slow rap that I enjoy listening too. It had a cute theme and is hard not to love.

8. Someone Like You by Adele : I adored this song in every possible way. Start any verse and I can finish it for you. It was another heartfelt piece from Adele's album 21. I really felt her pain in this song, and once again you can just really hear her heart in it. It makes a song that much more special when it's sung with passion.

9. Headlines by Drake : This year I fell head over heels in love with Drake. I always thought he was cute and new his hit songs but this year I became a true fan. I love love love love his album Take Care. His lyrics are just really catchy and make you think. I liked this line, "Listen to you expressing all them feelings. Soap Opera rappers all these n****s sound like All My Children" . All my children is a soap on television drama and he's comparing their dramaticness to the stuff on the show.

10. Marvin's Room by Drake : Yes, Drake got two songs back to back. He's just that great. It was a touch decision picking which of these songs belonged higher on the list. Their both equally good songs. I love this song because Drake shows his emotional side. I like the little details he added with the people he's talking to on the phone. A billion people went ahead and made covers of this song (my favorite was JoJo's). I felt like he was singing to me, and I was ready to leave somebody for him (if I had someone to leave haha). Who wouldn't leave for Drake. He's a handsome canadian that is completely irresistible. He shone real bright this year.

11. Lights by Bad Vs. Evil (aka Eminem and some other guy) ft. Bruno Mars : I've been an Eminem fan for forever and couldn't wait for him to release more music. Imagine how ecstatic I was when I found out he was releasing it with Bruno Mars. Ahhhh. The song was awesome and beyond inspirational. I loved the video they released and for once he wasn't angry; he was hopeful. His lyrics were fabulous as always and I really enjoyed the song this year.

12. The Edge of Glory by Lady Gaga : There is no one like mother monster. I am proud to be a little monster and this was the song I couldn't get enough of on Born This Way. I shed seven pounds listening to this song on the treadmill. It just lifts my spirits up and is fun and exciting. Her voice continues to blow me away time after time. It's almost like she's better without auto-tune. Seriously, did you hear her on her thanksgiving special? Good stuff.

13. Should've Kissed You by Chris Brown : This was the other song on the F.A.M.E. album I couldn't get enough of. It's about a feeling I know about. Getting all nervous around someone that really means a lot to you. His voice is exquisite in the song, and brought out the cute cuddly non-tattooed Chris Brown I fell in love with back in 2007.

14. Turning Table by Adele : Now that I think about it this is the song I related to the most on Adele's album. I really loved the line "Next time i'll be braver, i'll be my own savior". I tweeted it a million times and when something bad happened I would think those words to myself. And I was braver the next time. Adele's song brought out the fearless, bad girl in me.

15. Skyscraper by Demi Lovato : This song represents the amazing come back she made this year. The lyrics also spoke to me. It was about how people can do everything in their power to bring you down, but it won't work. This song represented the struggle Demi had her whole life before rehab. It was the anthem to all of us lovatics saying "Stay Strong" and "Love is Louder". It also got me into the ARTs talent search before I found out I couldn't afford to go. It meant a lot to me.

16. Up 2 You by Chris Brown : I love me some slow and sexy Chris Brown songs. This was the one that really stuck out to me on the album. It had a classic R&B sound and it spoke to me. There's not much to say about it. I just loved it and still do. I thought it was cool how he talked about how he's "messed up in love before" and was going to be careful with whoever he dates next or is with (cough cough ME cough cough)

17. A Thousand Years by Christina Perri : This song came to my life just a couple months ago. It was featured on one of my favorite movies of year - Breaking Dawn. The lyrics were beautiful. I hadn't heard more music from Christina since Jar of Hearts but this was a different happier song. I loved the lyrics, "I have died every day waiting for you. Darling don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years". It really represented Bella and Edward well. I was bummed it wasn't featured in the movie with words. They just played the tune during some scenes.

18. We Found Love by Rihanna : I LOVE this song. It's just so upbeat and fun. It makes me break out in dance no matter where I am. Like all of Rihanna's music it's just so loud, fun, and alive. She's never sappy or torn up about stuff. She's just an energetic island girl and it really comes out in her music. It makes me want to be an energetic island girl and dye me hair red. Just kidding about the hair part. The beat was awesome though and this was another big workout song for me this year.

19. The One That Got Away by Katy Perry : The first thing that came to mind as I was typing the name of the song was the video and how creepy it was. I love Katy Perry but she makes a scry looking old person. Video aside the song was awesome. It was an upbeat approach at loosing someone who was close to you. We all know what that feels like so the song was relatable and fun like every Katy Perry song is.

20. Without You by David Guetta ft. Usher : This was the perfect duet by two guys. I feel like it's rare two guys that aren't rappers will come together and sing an emotional duet like this. The beat was awesome and got me dancing. Usher is always amazing. Living proof that great music still exists in our generation.

21. Take Care by Drake ft. Rihanna : I listened to the song and told myself it was definitely worth the wait. I like the drum beat that starts playing halfway through the song. It has an African or Jamaican vibe. Rihanna's voice is beautiufl and Drake just kills the whole song with the lyrics. My favorite line is "What's a life with no fun? Please don't be so ashamed. I've had mine, you've had yours, we both know". That's the part where I always really start dancing. For once the song that the album was named after wasn't a disappointment.

22. It Girl by Jason Derulo : Couldn't you just hear the whistling when I mentioned the song? I thought that it was a nice touch to an already great song. It was cool that he used a star from my favorite show Gossip Girl in the video. Lots of cool points for that.

23. God Gave Me You by Blake Shelton : I can't tell you how many times I found myself on long walks listening to this part. I start relating from the first line "I've been a walking heartache, i've made a mess of things. The person that i've been lately ain't who I want to beeeee". It's a good song to listen to when you have hit rock bottom because it reminds me of the people who can make me smile through it all.

24. Drummer Boy by Justin Bieber ft. Busta Ryhmes : The little drummer boy was always one of my favorite Christmas carols. When I heard Justin Bieber was making a Christmas album I said he has to do this one, because he plays the drums. I was super impressed with what I got. He added the awesome rap part as Shawty Mane and Busta Rhymes did his thing amazingly as always. My favorite line was "Playing for the King. Playing for the title. I'm surprised you didn't hear this in the bible"

25. Best Love Song by T-Pain ft. Chris Brown : I was obsessed with this song when it came out. I've actually been a T-pain fan since 7th grade. Everyone always makes fun of him for being auto-tuned or whatever but i've always liked his lyrics and this song took it a different level. The piano part was killer, and everything else was on point. The music video was adorable. I loved the song and listened all year long.



Honorable Mention: This goes out to all the songs I love that were technically released in 2010. Shoutout to Nicki Minaj and Bruno Mars for making some of the best songs that topped the charts this year. If it was just songs I enjoyed this year in general Super Bass would have definitely been number one. The Lazy Song by Bruno Mars would also be high up there. Not to mention Fly my anthem. Rihanna would be on there with California King Bed.