31. One Direction - "Kiss You"
Courtesy Columbia
"Kiss You" is an instantly classic sounding song from One Direction. It is brimming with pop hooks and cheeky charm from the group. "Kiss You" became the group's sixth top 10 pop hit single at home in the UK.
32. AWOLNATION - "Sail"
Courtesy Red Bull
"Sail" was first released over a year and a half ago by rock band AWOLNATION. However, it has slowly taken hold with pop audiences. The record samples Foreigner's classic hit "Cold As Ice." "Sail" peaked in the top 5 on the alternative songs chart.
33. Nelly - "Hey Porsche"
Courtesy Universal
34. Maroon 5 - "Daylight"
Courtesy Octone
Maroon 5 shift away from some of their usual funky soul influences here to deliver a rock ballad. The group's vocalist Adam Levine has said that this is his favorite track from the album Overexposed.
35. Baauer - "Harlem Shake"
Courtesy The Sunny Coast Skate
Trap dance music producer Baauer first released the track "Harlem Shake" last summer. However, it did not significantly catch on until it became the subject of thousands of 30 second "Harlem Shake" videos posted to YouTube. Since that point the song has quickly become a smash hit around the world debuting at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 here in the US.
36. Phillip Phillips - "Gone Gone Gone"
Courtesy Interscope
American Idol champion Phillip Phillips now holds the title of the bestselling "coronation song" for his first single "Home." This is the follow up and should prove that Phillip Phillips is not a one hit wonder. The song digs once again into a folk-inflected rock sound.
37. Emeli Sande - "Next To Me"
Courtesy Virgin Records
Emeli Sande is an artist all pop fans in the US should know. She won the Brit Award for Album of the Year with her release Our Version Of Events. It has become one of the biggest debut albums of all time in the UK. "Next To Me" is the spearhead of efforts to launch this talented singer-songwriter to similar success in the US.
38. Rihanna - "Pour It Up"
Courtesy Def Jam
Rihanna delivers a combination strip club anthem and song about personal independence. Musically it will be familiar to fans of her island style of music. Although not officially promoted to mainstream pop radio, the song has been picked up by a number of stations after it was promoted to urban radio.
39. Little Mix - "Wings"
Courtesy Columbia Records
Girl group Little Mix, the first group to win on the UK's X Factor come storming to America with a recording that compares favorably with classic hits by R&B girl group En Vogue. "Wings" was their second #1 pop hit in the UK.
40. Justin Bieber - "Beauty and a Beat" featuring Nicki Minaj
Courtesy Schoolboy Records
Teen superstar Justin Bieber dives straight into dance club territory with this song. He brings rapper Nicki Minaj along for the ride. Don't miss the accompanying music video. It is pure pool party fun.
