50. Jamie Foxx featuring T-Pain - "Blame It"
Courtesy J Records
Jamie Foxx's smash hit single "Blame It" raises the question of whether too much auto-tune is ever really too much. Millions of pop fans seemed to think the answer was "no."
49. Rob Thomas - "Her Diamonds"
Courtesy Atlantic Records
The percussion pattern kicking off "Her Diamonds" carries the song forward with a gentle push and a bit of swing as the tune progresses. Thomas' soulful and smooth vocals deliver the lyrics on the feelings of powerlessness when seeing a loved one in pain with subtlety. The imagery of "tears like diamonds on the floor" is a powerful one.
48. Michael Franti & Spearhead feat. Cherine Anderson - "Say Hey (I Love You)"
Courtesy Anti
Franti doesn't drop his social consciousness entirely for the sake of a simple love song here. References to his travels and embrace of people around the world give "Say Hey (I Love You)" an engaging international feel. The back catalog of Michael Franti and his band Spearhead is one well worth exposing to a wider audience.
47. Shakira featuring Lil Wayne - "Give It Up to Me"
Courtesy Epic
46. Adam Lambert - "Time for Miracles"
Courtesy RCA
Perhaps Adam Lambert's single from the soundtrack to the epic disaster movie 2012 should be titled, "Maybe It's Time for a Power Ballad." The current pop music environment is so dominated by uptempo music at the moment, a true classic power ballad feels like an exhilarating breath of fresh air. Add to that feeling that this is also a very very good one that I suspect would make Jim Steinman and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler proud.<
45. Maxwell - "Pretty Wings"
Courtesy Columbia Records
Maxwell is a master of smooth R&B vocals. He returns here with his first top 40 pop hit in eight years to show us all how it's done.
44. Muse - "Uprising"
Courtesy Warner Bros.
British rock band Muse released one of the top rock songs of the year with Uprising. Its irresistible forward momentum pulls pop fans in. The song features the usual warnings of conspiracy and talk of revolution familiar to Muse fans.
43. Plain White T's - "1,2,3,4"
Courtesy Hollywood Records
Love songs don't get much more simply charming than this. Don't miss the video of real-life lovers that accompany this song that argues for the staying power of Plain White T's.
42. Flo Rida featuring Kesha - "Right Round"
Courtesy Atlantic
Flo Rida, more than any rapper of the moment, has a genius, along with his producers, for crafting incredibly hooky slabs of pop hip hop. On "Right Round," Dr. Luke steps into the production role and they create 3 1/2 minutes of tremendous fun. You will hear echoes of another pop classic, but this song stands on its own feet.
41. Colbie Caillat - "Fallin' for You"
Courtesy Universal
Colbie Caillat proved here she is no one-hit wonder. "Fallin' for You" will please any fan of laidback, soft, sweet pop music. Relax and enjoy.
