Here are my five most memorable songs of 2012, in no particular order. I really don't listen to mainstream top 40 radio that much, so I haven't really heard a lot of popular songs from this year enough to consider them memorable. Or in some cases, I've heard them but either can't stand them or they are not tasteful enough to include on this blog. One song I debated including but decided to omit is Taylor Swift's "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together." Yes, the song itself is memorable and catchy and it's not completely painful to the ears (I'd rather listen to it than that awful "Starships" song by Nicki Minaj) but Taylor Swift honestly annoys me these days. Which is a shame, because I used to like her a lot and still do listen to and enjoy her three previous albums. I just don't care for the direction her music has taken and declined to purchase her newest album. Anyways, enough of my T. Swift rant and without further ado here are my top five songs of 2012. I limited my list to songs that were actually released during 2012, as opposed to merely popular.
1. Home by Phillip Phillips
I will forever associate this top single by the May 2012 American Idol winner with the 2012 Summer Olympics and the Fierce Five's domination in the women's gymnastics competition. Since I don't watch American Idol, the gymnastics promos were the first time I really heard "Home" and I was hooked on both the melody and lyrics.
2. Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen
Some might find this viral hit of Summer 2012 annoying, but I think it's quite catchy and couldn't resist downloading to my iTunes. Many spoofs of the music video have been done, with the most noteworthy (in my opinion) being the USA Olympic Swim Team.
3. Good Time by Owl City & Carly Rae Jepsen
I can't resist liking this Carly Rae Jepsen hit either.
4. One Way Ticket by Carrie Underwood
This song didn't get any radio play, but it is my favorite from Carrie Underwood's newest album released back in May. I highly recommend downloading. It has a kinda reggae beat and amazing lyrics. My favorite line is "it's time to take your chips and cash them all in, cause it matters where you're going not where you've been." This catchy line is perfect to keep in mind as we prepare for a new year!
5. Good Girl by Carrie Underwood
And last but not least is one of the major singles from Carrie Underwood's new album.
What do y'all consider the most memorable music of 2012?
Missy Franklin, Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte and company dominated in the pool during the eight days of swimming competition in London. However, before the games began Team USA swimmers showcased their lip-synching and dancing prowess to the Carly Rae Jespen hit Call Me Maybe in this video. If you haven't watched the whole thing, do it now!
This debut single by American Idol winner Phillip Phillips was released back at the beginning of June, and it is currently ranked 2nd on the iTunes top singles list (one spot above Call Me Maybe). I would not be surprised if its ranking was boosted by the fact that it has been the theme song for the USA Gymnastics "Fab Five" during these Games. This song has played in the background every time NBC has shown a preview of women's gymnastics events, featuring close-ups and voice snippets of Fab Five members. I will forever associate Home with Gabby Douglas, Jordyn Wieber, McKayla Maroney, Kyla Ross, and Aly Raisman and the memory of them capturing the second ever team gold for the USA in women's gymnastics.
I love the floor exercise music selections of Team USA for these Olympics, particularly Kyla Ross' Phantom of the Opera, Jordyn Wieber's Wild Dances, and Aly Raisman's Hebrew folk music (can't remember exact name and spelling and don't want to Google it right now for fear of accidentally seeing spoilers for the floor exercise event finals). However, my favorite floor exercise music I've heard during these Olympics is Escala's instrumental arrangement of Live and Let Die that British gymnast Beth Tweddle used in the qualification round and team finals. It's just so fun and full of energy and I would totally use it if I was a gymnast.
Bugler's Dream and Olympic Fanfare & Theme
Then of course there is the classic Bugler's Dream composed by Leo Arnaud and Olympic Fanfare and Theme composed by John Williams that have been a staple of every Olympics for years. Bugler's Dream was originally composed for the 1968 Olympics and Olympic Fanfare and Theme was originally composed for the 1984 Olympics. Watch this YouTube video that has a medley of the two pieces set to a montage of great Olympic moments.
And last but not least, I get chills every time I hear The Star Spangled Banner playing with an American athlete(s) at the top of the medal podium.
What favorite songs do you associate with the Olympics?
