"The most amazing things come from the most terrible nights"

2012 is coming to a close and it's time for my annual 2012 list. The music that comes out in a year says a lot about the generation of people listening to it. It was the year of boy band come backs, fun dance music, slow ballads, and chills. Lets take a look back at the top 20 songs of the year (chosen by me) :

1. Some Nights by Fun. : This was hands down my favorite song of the year. 2012 was the year that music changed. Bands made a come back. They weren't just scremo people with fun instrumentals. They were people with big voices that can sing harmonies that you wouldn't believe. The drums in the song blew me away, and who wouldn't want to dance the night away to this.

2. Payphone by Maroon 5 ft. Wiz : "If happy ever after did exist, I will still be holding you like this. All these fairytales are full of shit. One more f***ing love song i'll be sick..I'm at a payphone". Who wouldn't love this song? Everyone has felt angry about love before. Wiz Khalifa came in with a couple simple lines and hyped you up even more in what was already a very lovable song. The image of being at a payphone and giving someone a piece of your mind was something everyone could relate too. Lets not forget how cute Adam Levine is; You know you were thinking it..

3. Call me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen : Around January of this year, not many people knew about Carly Rae Jepsen. Jelena went to Canada and tweeted that they were both into the song. I checked it out and was obsessed with it. It was my get happy song for the first half of the year. It's so fun to sing along to. I would put this song on to Youtube Karaoke on my television and sing until I couldn't remember why I was so upset. By June there wasn't a single person in the country who hadn't heard call me maybe. And for the record, I know a couple people who used the line and got the guy. It's worth a try.

4. Adorn by Miguel : I saw Miguel for the first time when he was opening for Ushers opener on tour. I had the pleasure of seeing him again this year when he opened for Trey Songz. He is definitely moving up and is a name you'll want to remember in the upcoming years. The song has a good beat. It's sweet and seductive at the same time. His voice sounds super sexy, and his word choice is superb. Let me Love Adorn you though? It's so romantic and you can't say no.

5. Wanted by Hunter Hayes : People who stick on the whole "I hate country" thing are really missing out. My family thinks I've been in Kansas for too long, but I really enjoy the lyrics. Hunter Hayes is a gentleman and he sings to ladies. Unlike most artists in 2012, Hunter wasn't trying to get in your pants; he was trying to get in your heart. This is when I lose half my readers for being too cheesy, but it's so true. I loved every aspect of this song. The music video of him sitting behind that piano. The whole thing just melts your heart.

6. Marilyn Monroe by Nicki Minaj : I personally believe that Nicki doesn't get enough credit for her talent. She's one of the most bad ass females in the business. She's fiercely unique and independent. The lady who walks around like she doesn't give an ish about anything showed a really personal, soft side in this work. I related to this song more then any other in 2012. There's a lot of pressure to be perfect. If your not perfect, fake it. But she gives Marilyn Monroe's most famous quotes a new twist and applies them to the younger generation. "I'll never be perfect believe me I'm worth it. So take me or leave me".

7. Simply Amazing by Trey Songz : This song brought back the kind of R&B I held so close to my heart in the 90s and 00s. Tremaine has an unbelievable talent. His voice is pure and touching, no filters or craziness necessary. The only thing cuter then the lyrics was the music video. The little aspects he adds to his music always make me smile. It used to be the Yuuuup's, but in this song I like the scoop he does in the "and she loves me, and it's simply amazing". He did it again with this song.

8. Dive In by Trey Songz : Trey makes baby making music. Even a girl with modest values like myself can't resist. In the year of Magic Mike and 50 shades of Grey, Dive in was that song that just puts you in a mood. His voice leaves you awestruck as always. Chapter V was a fantastic album as a whole, but this track sure did stand out.

9. Begin Again by Taylor Swift : In my opinion, Red was my favorite album of the year. I knew it would be without a shadow of the doubt. I never think twice about purchasing a Taylor Swift album, because I know that every single track is going to be gold. Sure, Taylor gets a lot of negativity about all these relationship problems, but at least she's honest. This song gave hope that even after the bad, there's always a chance to start over and begin again. Everyone has dry spells very well described by this line "I've been spending the last eight months, thinking all love ever does is break and burn and end". It was the perfect song for falling for someone new again. Letting go, and letting God.

10. Fall by Justin Bieber : Save the lecture, I know i'm too old to enjoy Justin bieber. He's for screaming little girls and gay men. I see a talent in him. He reminds me a lot of Justin Timberlake in NSYNC. He's finding his grove, but one of these days  he's going to be a big artist. This year he put his name on the map for a lot of people that wouldn't have given him a chance two years back. Though I enjoyed Boyfriend and As Love As You Love Me, this was the song that left a mark on me. I may have cried to it a couple times. Who doesn't want someone to feel that way about them?

11. Stay Stay Stay by Taylor Swift : I said Call Me Maybe was my original get happy song for the first half of the year, this was it for the second half. The song was so fun and upbeat. She even breaks out laughing at the end of it. The guitar chords set the mood perfectly. Nothing more to say about it. I just love it.

12. Castles by B.o.B. ft. Trey Songz : This was one of those songs I was very lucky to discover. It wasn't that popular and you probably haven't heard it on the radio. As a B.o.B. fan I skimmed through the album and found this one. It was a good inspirational song. The choir oohing in the background made you feel like you were unstoppable and Trey killed that hook.

13. Little Things by One Direction : I debated weather I should put this song on the list seeing as I only discovered it a little over a week ago. I didn't listen to One Direction, so I didn't even recognize the voices when I heard it in the card. I heard the cutest little accent singing "You can't go to bed without your cup o tea" and thought of myself. The song has a great acoustic feel to it, and the words are quite inspiring. They may be young, but they sing about love in a mature way. You know you love someone when you recognize that their imperfections are what makes them who they are.

14. Don't Judge Me by Chris Brown : It was another really big year for Chris Brown. Not only did he win Rihanna back after doing the unthinkable, but he had an amazing album with plenty of hits. Lets be real, if he sang the song to me I wouldn't judge me. I think the song was real, because it came from a place that he knows a lot about. His voice sounds really nice and floaty in a lot of parts. It's a hit.

15. We Are Young by Fun. ft. Jannelle Monae : This song came out at the perfect time, because I am young. It was a great song about being grateful for being young and alive. Nothing too complicated, but it was a hit.

16. Quickie by Miguel : This was my guilty pleasure song. The reggae vibe are almost as hot as the idea of the whole thing. That's all I'm gonna say. But you know it's good.

17. Freedom by Nicki Minaj : "what other female perfume in there cause I must have missed it" haha. This was Nicki's Over My Dead Body. It was her time to talk about the changes in her life. Haters are real, and she survived the struggle. I always like the songs artist make like this. The choir at the end was noticeably awesome.

18. Don't Wake Me Up by Chris Brown : This song wasn't on the list, but it came on shuffle, and I realized it is more then worthy of the list. Once again, the voice in the song is unbelievable. It was a good dance hit, and it got stuck in my head more then a couple times. Even people in Africa were listening to this one.

19. Beautiful by Carley Rae Jepson ft. Justin Bieber : This duet was quite adorable. They sounded good together, and it just painted pictures of people on a picnic or running hand in hand towards the sunset. I like stuff like that.

20. Don't Make Em' Like You by Neyo ft. Wiz : I started listening to 103.3 this year and came to the realization that it wasn't nearly as bad as I had made it seem in my mind. I still think it's better to avoid inappropriate concepts, because just like you are what you eat...you are what you listen to. Long story short this came on there while I was on my way driving myself to college again, and I felt good about myself. I'm doing something with my life, and it was nice to hear a black man singing about how he loves the fact that a women is successful for once. He didn't call her a baby mama, but the mother of his kids and even said the word...wife. wow. I sound judgmental, but it was refreshing.  The claps in the background are fun as well.

Honorable Mention : 

Who didn't hear Gangnam Style? This is the dance that swooped the nation. Everyone from my little brother to the KU basketball team was doing the dance. This little asain guy was everyone, and pretty much no one understood the Korean. Pretty sure it has the most views on youtube.

 Don't Drop that thun thun thun : I heard this song on Marrying the Game. This was the song he jokingly (I think?) wanted his wife to walk down the aisle to. It was pretty funny. Then it got stuck in my head during my entire math final. I got an A, so it deserves mention.

Beauty and a Beat : I loved this song, but the promotion for it was what made it worth a mention. There was absolutely no advertising or anything. It was done completely through social media. Justin tweeted that his laptop was stolen then created a fake account (very realistic, the picture was an egg) which said he was going to release something dirty about Justin. His manager was releasing statements and everything. Then the video he posted was the music video for Beauty and a Beat which he directed himself. Nicki was great too, even though she didn't get in the water. No one blames you girl. That weave was too cute to get wet.

Songs New To Me :

 Landslide by The Dixie Chicks : Three incredible singers did this for our high school choir performance and I had never heard it before, but the words were really good and it was really fitting. I listened to it a ton.

Somebody's Chelsea by Reba : This was the song one of my oldest and dearest friends walked into at her wedding. This was my first time going to a wedding for a friend, so I knew I was getting older. Her husband, her, and their too children looked stunning. The words were just so sweet. It was a picture perfect moment, and I always think of them when I ehar this now.

Grammy Nominations : " A tornado flew around my room before you came excuse the mess it made, it usually doesn't rain. In southern Califnoria much like Arizona my eyes don't shed tears.."

The Grammys are my favorite award show of the year. It should be no surprise that I was glued to my television when the news of the nomination came out. My aunt and I were putting our christmas lights on, but we took a break to see what was out there. I will give congratulations where congratulations should be given, and i'l lpull a Kanye West when that needs to happen too. Taylor Swift and LL Cool J hosted the show and did a phenomenal job. It was different seeing Taylor in that light, but she did it with grace and elegence like she does everything else. I was in love with her white lace drace. Lace is totally my thing right now. There's a black lace dress at Kieus with my name on ti. I might get it for my birthday dinner. Anyways back to the nominees:

A huge much deserved congratulations to Trey Songz, Frank Ocean, Miguel, Taylor Swift, Hunter Hayes, Usher, Carley Rae Jepson, Fun., Maroon 5, and all my contemporary christian artists.

Frank Ocean got huge notice from the grammy comittee for Thinkin Bout You (record of the year nom) as well as the entire Channel Orange album. To be honest, just listening through the album I was a bit disapointed. The only one that was slightly decent was Pyraminds. I was expecting a ton more songs like Thinkin Bout You, but that's not how it was. That song on it's own is good enough to get the album nominated though. No one has made music quite like that in some time. I'll be rooting for him.

Nominated For : Record of the Year, Album of The Year, Best New Artist, Best Urban Contemporary Album

Miguel has come a long was in the last two years. Just about two years ago, I saw him opening from Trey songz who was opening for Usher. I saw him just last friday and you won't believe how much he has grown as a performer. He's much more confident, has pleanty of dance moves, and a unique fashion sense that reminds me of a young Prince. The song that caught my attention was Adorn. I was originally against listening to it, because someone I have problems with suggested it and I was being petty. When I finally heard it, I fell in love. It's a wonderful R&B track. Quickie Wasn't nominated for anything this time around, but I like that one too...(shh don't tell anyone)

Nominated For : Song of the Year, Best R&B Performance, Best R&B Song, Best Urban Contemporary Album

Trey Songz : My husbad, my boo, the man who stold my heart and never gave it back. I have a milliona and one different ways to describe my love for him. The truth of the matter is he's a brilliant singer, uncomparably attractice, and a kind soul at that. Heart Attack was that song that got him the recognition he needs, and I couldn't be prouder of him for that. It's a really good heartfelt track with a great music video along with it.

Nminated for Best R&B Song

Taylor Swift : I'm not quite positive about this, but I believe the only song she was eligable for was We Are Never Getting Back Together. Her one possibility was nominated for Record of The Year. That's exactly what kind of big deal Taylor is. I love her music, I loved the Red album. Every track was like stardust. Magnificant in every way. She had her big year in 2010 when she swooped pretty much every away she swas nominated for. I doubt the grammy's will give it to her this time, but it's nice seeing her as a nominee again. The show wouldn't be the same without her.

Nominated For : Record of the Year, Best Country Duo/Group Performance (Safe & Sound)

Hunter Hayes : I love that little cutie. How can you listen to the song Wanted and not? I just want him to scoop me up and let me be his southern bell you know. He sings with so much soul, and it's not angry or inappropriate. All country artists remind us that gentlemen do still exsist, and not every man is angry and butt obbsessed. It's just him and his guitar  making music. Simple, but very worthy of all the nominations he recieved.

Nominated For : Best Country album, Best Country Solo Performance, Best New Artist,

Usher : I've made endless blog posts about you so i'll keep it short. No one can do it like Usher. No one. "Going nowhere fast we've reached the climaxxxxx..." Every single person is guilty of belting this out at least once this year. End of story.

Nominated for : Best R&B Performance (Climax),

CRJ : Other songs everyone sang? Call Me Maybe. I was proud to be one of the first to discover this song. It made me happy when skies are grey. It's just upbeat and fun. I had the pleasure of hearing it live.

Nominated For : Song of The Year, Best Pop Solo Performance

Fun. : reminds me of Queen. I'm particularly fond of queen because Freddie Mercury reps my island, Zanzibar. The lead singer can hit the notes that Freddy could. The way the band harmonizes gives the songs they make unimaginable depth and it really is hit after hit. We are Young and Some Nights are songs with a vibe we haven't heard in ages. I'm happy to have the return of music like that. Fun loving with awesome instrumentals.

Nominated for : Record of the Year (with Janelle Monae), Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist, Best Pop Duo/Group performance, Best Pop Vocal Album,

Maroon 5: henever I think them my mind goes back to This Love. But another song took the place of that one in my heart this year. That was Payphone. I loved that song almost as much as I love Adam Levines tattooed body (yeah, I said it). That song kind of describes how I felt about love all year. "If happy ever after did exsist, I would still be holding you like this. All these fairytales are full of ish, one more stupid love song i'll be sick...now i'm at a payphone". The drums in that were also fabulous on an entirely different levels. As I said, I'm African. I totally dig the drums.

Nominated For : Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Best Pop Vocal Album,

Christian contemporary artists meaning : Chris Tomlin, Toby Mac, Israel, Matt who sang 10,000 reasons, and so many more are near and dear to my heart, because their songs boost moral when times are tough. They give hope to the hopeless and lead people to the light truth and way. Though none of them will get on stage recognition for their work, their music is the most meaningful.

Now for the snubs, let me tell you I was a little upset about these this year :

I personally belive that Drake did not ge the recognition that he deserves for all the work he put in this year. Take Care, in my opinion was the best album of the year. None of the other artists work cna even compare. Each song he wrote was a heartfelt, musical masterpiece. The fact that he only got recoginition in the rap categories is completely unjust. His music trancended genres this time around. I think the logic behind this snub is two years back it was Eminems year and a rap artist won it all. Now their favorite the more urban sounding/feeling musicians. It's their time to shine, but I don't like the politics of the whole thing. He deserved more.

Drake is Nominated For : Best Rap Performance (HYFR), Best Rap Song (The Motto), and Best Rap Album

Justin Bieber : Though I am a belieber, I wasn't as outraged about this one as a lot of others were. I personally thing that Justin just wasn't there yet. The songs on his album that I view as grammy worthy would be Fall, Be Alright, As Long As You Love Me, and Believe. Those were all songs that were not promoted enough to get Grammy attention with the exception of As Long As You Love Me. But looking at it from another persepective, Call Me Maybe was nominated. I would say that Justin's songs are on the same level of musical excellence that that is, so it was an example of the grammy comittee simply saying no teen stars. Typical snub.

Nicki Minaj : Roman reloaded was a deserving album. Yes her raps were different from the others in the rap album cateogries, but what do you expect. She's a girl. She's going to rap about boys and self esteem. That's what we know. I think this snub was again a matter of not promoting the right songs off of the album. Marilyn Monroe, Young Forever, and Masquerade are definatly grammy deserving hits. Beez in the trap? Not so much.

That's my synopsis. Agree, disagree. It's all the same to me.