30. Kelly Rowland - "Motivation" featuring Lil Wayne
Courtesy Motown
In case you wondered what happened to slow, smoldering, sexy R&B ballads, Kelly Rowland decided to remind us. This is the sexiest pop hit of the year, and the biggest solo hit of Kelly Rowland's career.
29. Adele - "Rumour Has It"
Courtesy Columbia
The heavy, pounding northern soul style beat here just may stick in your head for days. Adele takes us all to her own personal dance floor in a popwerful song of emotional catharsis. "Rumour Has It" also provided the base for the best moment of Glee so far this year.
28. Florence and the Machine - "Shake It Out"
Courtesy Universal
"It's hard to dance with the devil on your back, so shake him off!" That lyric line seems to sum up the overall approach of Florence and the Machine to their music. Don't be surprised if you find yourself getting up and dancing or spinning in place to this powerful anthem.
27. Fun - "We Are Young" featuring Janelle Monae
Courtesy Fueled By Ramen
It took Glee to finally pull this song into the pop charts, and it is a fortunate thing. There is an anthemic feel here that grabs your attention. When you listen a bit closer you will realize how complex the song and the lyrical picture really is. The music video is a challenger for the title of most disturbing music video of the year.
26. Foo Fighters - "Walk"
Courtesy RCA
"Walk" closes Foo Fighters' album Wasting Light, and it provides a truly uplifting, anthemic coda. In a year in which rock seemed to fade into the background, the Foo Fighters provided a bracing example of how engaging straightforward rock music can be.
25. Kelly Clarkson - "Mr. Know It All"
Courtesy RCA
The first time through Kelly Clarkson's introductory single from her Stronger album may seem a bit underwhelming. However, when you realize that you are wanting to hear it again, and then you want to sing along, it just might be one of your favorite songs of the year. Kelly Clarkson's vocals have never sounded better than here, and you will likely detect a pleasing R&B vibe animating the song.
24. OneRepublic - "Good Life"
Courtesy Interscope
Waking Up, the album which features "Good Life," may be a couple of years old, but most of us had not really recognized the charms of this song until this year. Trademark percussive, hooky pop from OneRepublic was very welcome this year. The hook feels so simple that it may take awhile before you realize how beautiful "Good Life" truly is.
23. Katy Perry - "E.T." featuring Kanye West
Courtesy Capitol Records
Katy Perry's "E.T." is one of the sexiest pop hits of the year. It also owes much of the sexiness to Kanye West's brilliant featured rap. There is a relentless, pounding quality to the song which is hypnotic, and, for lack of a better term, otherworldly. "E.T." is one of the biggest selling pop songs of the year.
22. The Black Keys - "Lonely Boy"
Courtesy Nonesuch
If it brought the Black Keys to the pop charts, it must be a towering achievement. "Lonely Boy" is a massive collision of pop hooks with chugging garage rock. The accompanying music video is unforgettable, too. "Lonely Boy" topped both the alternative songs and rock songs charts.
21. LMFAO - "Party Rock Anthem"
Courtesy Cherrytree Records
For many pop fans LMFAO seemed to come out of nowhere. However, party music fans were already familiar with the tongue in cheek approach of this duo. "Party Rock Anthem" is arguably the catchiest pop song of the year, and it was a #1 smash around the world. No self respecting party soundtrack in 2011 would be without it. We were all shufflin'.
