12 Favorite Pop Songs of 2011

12. Waiting for the End-Linkin Park
One of the best-selling rock bands of the 2000s dropped a one of their least-overtly angry songs, but I found it all the more effect. The line, "All I want to do/is trade this life for something new" haunts me, and the vocal contrast between the raggae-rapped verses and the sung verses compliments each other perfectly. This is a rock ballad that doesn't come off as boring or overblown.
11. Ready to Go-Panic! At the Disco
Best concert I went to this year. While you're favorite Indie band probably has some whispery, thin-voiced dude singing, Panic! At the Disco really sings out, showcasing a vocal poweress rarely displayed by male singers these days. This song motivates me, and definantly deserved more airtime this year. Buy Panic's new album, it's rad.
10. Rolling in the Deep-Adele
Part old-school, part original, Adele did exceptionally well with this beltin' tune. It's vindictive lyrics actually seemed like they were about somebody (they were) instead of a pack of contrived pop song rhymes. Over this year, I've found myself using the term, "Rolling in the Deep" to describe someone (A.) Someone with a lot of money, and (B.) someone overweight.
9. Young, Wild & Free-Wiz Khalifa, Snoop Dogg, and Bruno Mars
Catchy as all get out, a fun little song that makes me feel nostalgic for right now. Snoop Dogg's flow is beautiful, Wiz is youthful, and Bruno Mars has some pipes put to good use. This is a perfect song to listen to when driving to a party, along with "I've Gotta Feeling" by the Black-Eyed Peas, and "Stronger" by Kanye West.
8. Britney Spears-'Til the World Ends
Britney Spears went from making Teeny-Bopper stuff to making great, GREAT club jams. I had to pick between "Hold it Against Me," this, and "I Wanna Go." All of those songs could have taken this place, but I decided on this number, because its sexual tones are a little more subtle, and its song structure is a little different, but well-welcomed.
7. Pumped up Kicks-Foster the People
Indie kids got some time in the sun with Foster the People. Pumped Up Kicks has an unconventional topic (School shooting? Kid playing with dad's gun?) warped vocals, and easily the best bassline I've heard in quite a while. Sometimes, you find a fantastic dance song from the most unlikely places.
6. Edge of Glory-Lady Gaga
Edge of Glory has a strong level of sincerity, which can be hard to do with a happy-sounding song. Fortunately, she spares no expense with the vocals this time around. But let's be honest, it's the sax solo that lifts this song to such great levels, managing to evoke 80's era pop, while also giving it a timeless quality to set it apart of the other banal club jams. Lady Gaga, you make me believe in the pop song.
5. Next 2 You-Chris Brown and Justin Bieber
Haters back off, J. Bibbs has some pipes, and Breezy's got moves. Ignore the controversy, the public behavior, and the jokes, this is a really good song by two really good vocalists with an interesting melody (Tell me if you Pitchfork-reading punks ever talk about melodic quality!), and doesn't throw in a rap verse just to follow the formula. I'm a Belieber.
4. N****s in Paris-Jay-Z and Kanye West
If "Next 2 You" doesn't throw in a rap verse to follow the formula, "N****s in Paris" doesn't have a singer in it for some contrived hook. Instead, we get a floor-destroying beat, and two World-Class rappers do what they do best. This is a straight-up hip-hop jam with no apologies, and we were all the better for it.
3. Scary Monster and Nice Sprites-Skrillex
Everybody's been talking about dubstep this year, and part of that is thanks to this killer DJ. I hear this song, and I think of the nighttime, endless possibilities, and simply the joy of dancing. This is music! I just has to sound good to be good!
2. Paradise-Coldplay
Coldplay is a band everybody pretends they don't like, but they really love. They really take all the good parts about straight-up rock music and pop music to create wonderful sounds for the masses. Their music, and especially this song, is BEAUTIFUL in a way a lot of popular music doesn't try to be, especially since so much rockier music seems to be competing for who can be either more unlistenable or more esoteric.  Paradise finds a good balance, and chimes like a bell to my ears.
1. F*** You!-Cee-low Green
 I'm sure after Cee-Low recorded this, he probably said to himself, much like Johnny Depp as Ed Wood in the film of the same name, "This is it, this will be what they'll remember me for."