40. Dev - "In the Dark"
Courtesy Universal Republic
Dev proved she is a very compelling pop artist all on her own here. Dev lets her vocals slide all over the words in powerfully sexy fashion here. The Cataracs proudction is hypnotic as always. Don't miss the accompanying video which features...hands.
39. Chris Brown - "Look At Me Now" featuring Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes
Courtesy Jive
Chris Brown tries out rapping, and then he is shown how it is really done by two of the masters. Busta Rhymes' rapid fire raps in particular will blow you away. That stripped down "Look at me now" chorus is positively infectious as well.
38. Mumford and Sons - "The Cave"
Courtesy Island
British folk rockers Mumford and Sons are nominated for Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the upcoming Grammy Awards for this song. Listen and the powerful lyrics will slowly sink in. Mumford and Sons transport us to a place somewhere between the sound of traditional music and the attitude of contemporary alternative rock.
37. Lupe Fiasco - "The Show Goes On"
Courtesy Atlantic
What happens when Pachelbel's Canon meets hip hop? Rapper Lupe Fiasco shows you here. "The Show Goes On" was also a centerpiece of battles between Lupe Fiasco and his record label. He has said the song is a record label creation and one which they wanted him to record, and it did not emerge out of his own personal inspiration. In this case, the record label seems to have been right.
36. Gym Class Heroes - "Stereo Hearts" featuring Adam Levine
Courtesy Fueled By Ramen
The team that brought us "Moves Like Jagger" also brought us a second, nearly as charming, pop hit which returned Gym Class Heroes to the upper reaches of the pop chart. Adam Levine's featured vocals are simply gorgeous and Travie McCoy delivers a sweet, metaphor filled rap that will make you smile.
35. Grouplove - "Tongue Tied"
Courtesy Atlantic
Thank you Apple for bringing us this song in your commercials for the iPod Touch. This upbeat celebration of friendship is not to be missed. It rides a simple guitar groove with chiming keyboards that is pure, sweet, alternative pop candy.
34. Kanye West - "All Of the Lights"
Courtesy Def Jam
Here Kanye West took a unique approach to using featured artists. "All of the Nights" includes contributions from, literally, a small army ranging from Elton John to John Legend, but you would be hard pressed to pick out the voice of any single contributor other than Rihanna. However, the song is dense, catchy, and anthemic.
33. Pitbull - "Give Me Everything" featuring Ne-Yo, AfroJack, and Nayer
Courtesy J Records
Pitbull gathered what seemed a small army of collaborators here and nothing was going to stand in the way of his path to the top of the pop charts. "Give Me Everything" celebrates his rise from poverty and encourages having a transporting night of sexual engagement all at the same time. Ne-Yo's gorgeous vocal performance sends the song over the top.
32. Demi Lovato - "Skyscraper"
Courtesy Hollywood Records
No one knew quite what to expect from the return of Disney pop princess Demi Lovato to music after a stint in rehab. What we got was this fragile anthem of slowly building strength that is riveting. Her vocals have never been this compelling in the past.
31. Lady Gaga - "You and I"
Courtesy Interscope
Lady Gaga in a country honky tonk mood? It sounds a whole lot better than you might have imagined. Lady Gaga heads to Nebraska to rekindle a lost love. The accompanying video is one of the wildest visual trips of the year, and it is completely Lady Gaga.
