21. will.i.am - "Scream and Shout" featuring Britney Spears
Courtesy Interscope
With a little assistance from Britney Spears sporting an accent, will.i.am finally has a major pop hit single as lead solo artist. Reportedly, he is doing significant work on Britney Spears' upcoming next solo album.
22. Psy - "Gentleman"
Courtesy Schoolboy Records
This is the follow up to the worldwide breakthrough pop smash for Psy "Gangnam Style." It is an uptempo slice of dance pop that will be instantly familiar to fans of the previous hit. Check out the accompanying music video for more of Psy's inimitable visual humor.
23. Imagine Dragons - "It's Time"
Courtesy Interscope
Indie rock band Imagine Dragons blasted into the mainstream with this hit song. It received national exposure through being covered on the TV show Glee. "It's Time" spent over half of 2012 in the top 10 of the alternative songs chart. The song was co-produced by British producer Alex Da Kid.
24. Avril Lavigne - "Here's To Never Growing Up"
Courtesy Epic
After her last album was a commercial disappointment, Avril Lavigne promised her fans something more upbeat this time around. She is right and this song celebrates eternal youth. It features songwriting and backup vocal contributions from her fiancee Chad Kroeger of Nickelback.
25. Ariana Grande - "The Way" featuring Mac Miller
Courtesy Universal
Make way for the newest teen pop queen. Nickelodeon's TV star Ariana Grande splashes on to the chart with this collaboration with hot rapper Mac Miller. She has a powerful voice that looks destined to stick around on the charts for awhile
26. Muse - "Madness"
Courtesy Warner Bros.
UK's rock band Muse change directions and create a bass heavy sexy rock sound. "Madness" earned the group a Best Rock Song Grammy Award nomination and the 19 weeks spent at #1 on the alternative songs chart set a new record.
27. Mumford and Sons - "I Will Wait"
Courtesy Glassnote
English folk rock band Mumford and Sons have broken into mainstream pop radio with this single. The album Babel, which includes "I Will Wait," debuted at #1 on the album chart last year. Last week it climbed back to #1 after winning the Album of the Year Grammy Award.
28. Jonas Brothers - "Pom Poms"
Courtesy Jonas Brothers
The Jonas Brothers come roaring back after a four year hiatus. "Pom Poms" is a new addition to the tradition of "cheerleader rock" and carries the trademark energy of the Jonas Brothers.
29. Miguel - "Adorn"
Courtesy RCA
"Adorn" may lay claim to being the sexiest R&B recording of the past year. Miguel won his first Grammy Award with the song taking home the title of Best R&B Song. It is one of the biggest hits of all time on the R&B singles chart.
30. The Lumineers - "Ho Hey"
Courtesy Dualtone
The Lumineers have spearheaded a wave of folk influenced pop and rock that has blasted into the pop mainsteam in the past year. "Ho Hey" gained significant television exposure when it was used in commercials for the hit movie Silver Linings Playbook. The song's success helped propel the group's self-titled debut album to #2 on the album chart.
