My Top Songs of 2011: Why Did I Choose Them, Part 2

Wow, well I am annoyed, I saved half of this and somehow it erased and I had to start all over again.

Bruno Mars had a break out year when he collaborated with B.O.B. on Nothin on You, but he confirmed his credibility as an artist with Grenade. At the Grammy Awards last year, he showed a lot of seasoned pros how it's done with his performance of the very song that landed him atop many of the year end charts. The song is also up for some serious awards at this year's Grammys, including Song of the Year and Record of the Year.

Charts:
#1 US Billboard Hot 100
#11 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)
#3 US Adult Pop Songs (Billboard)
#1 US Pop Songs (Billboard)

Fave line from the song:

Black, black, black and blue
Beat me 'til I'm numb
Tell the devil I said "Hey" when you get back to where you're from
Mad woman, bad woman
That's just what you are
Yeah, you smile in my face then rip the brakes out my car



I was a fan of Drake before Best I Ever Had was officially released a single, his cool swagger, his quiet but strong personality, his confidence, it all told a story for me. Finally, there was a rap artist without all the drama, so different from the stereotype; Drake was born. There was so much hype before the release of his debut album Thank Me Later, and he lived up the type, much like label mate Nicki Minaj (more on her later). So, one can only imagine the hype for his follow up, Take Care. Drake did not disappoint once again and released the single Headlines. Headlines was simple in nature, a song about what else, Drake's fame! Drake was quick to say it is not the best single on the album, but it is the song of the moment, and it is a song with a clear message. Amen to that.

Charts:
#2 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)
#17 US Pop Songs (Billboard)
#1 US Rap Songs (Billboard)



Being that last year they made it official and are now husband and wife, it's only fitting that Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton just so happen to be back to back on my favorite songs list. I promise I didn't do it on purpose, I noticed it after I made my list and put all the songs into alphabetical order. Both had breakout years, she with the albums Revolution and Four and he with Red River Blue. Miranda Lambert has the personality of a spitfire. I admire her tenacity and toughness, she's the woman everyone wants to have as a friend and she's the woman every guy wants to be with. She's strong and last year was the year of her life, she won multiple awards at the CMA's and ACM's, and she looks to make it another banner year with the Grammy nominations she has lined up. Miranda talks about who she is in her hit Heart Like Mine, a song I hold close to my heart. Blake became a judge on the hit NBC reality series The Voice, and 2011 launched him to super stardom with the song Honey Bee. Honey Bee is a timeless song with lyrics that are fun, but also very real and honest. Much like his wife, Blake also took home loads of CMA's and ACM's this past year. I cannot even imagine what 2012 is going to bring for this country couple.

Charts:

Hers:
#1 US Country Songs (Billboard)
#44 US Billboard Hot 100

His:
#13 US Billboard Hot 100
#1 US Country Songs (Billboard)

Fave line from the song:

Hers:
I ain’t the kind you take home to mama
I ain’t the kind to wear no ring
Somehow I always get stronger
When I’m on my second drink

His:
If you’ll be my soft and sweet
I’ll be your strong and steady
You be my glass of wine
I’ll be your shot of whiskey
You be my sunny day
I’ll be your shade tree
You be my honeysuckle
I’ll be your honey bee

Honey Bee - Blake Shelton - Blake Shelton Videos

How To Love showed me a completely new and different side of Lil Wayne. The song has a powerful message, it's about loving yourself, making something of yourself; rumor has it that the idea for the video was all Wayne. The song was also a big crossover hit for Wayne making it onto the pop billboards as well.

Charts:
#5 US Billboard Hot 100
#2 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)
#9 US Pop Songs (Billboard)
#2 US Rap Songs (Billboard)

Fave line from the song:

See I just want you to know that you deserve the best
You're beautiful, you're beautiful



How long was it that we all waited for Dr. Dre to make a come back? I don't even remember now, but it was long enough, and it was well worth the wait. Not only was I Need a Doctor one of the best rap singles of the year, but it was genius to have Eminem and Skylar Grey as guests on the track. The video is exciting, explosive, and reflects on the career of a rap legend. It is my pick for Rap/ Sung Collaboration of the year at this year's Grammys (truth be told I want it to be a tie with this song, and DJ Khaled's I'm on One ;-)).

Charts:
#4 US Billboard Hot 100
#19 US Pop Songs (Billboard)
#24 US Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles (Billboard)
#16 US Rap Songs (Billboard)

Fave line from the song:

You saved my life now maybe it's my turn to save yours
But I can never repay you what you did for me is way more
But I ain't giving up faith
And you ain't giving up on me



Britney Spears confirmed her return to the pop princess throne when she released her seventh studio album Femme Fatale. Femme Fatale was deemed a dance album, but critics also proclaimed it as an album that returned Spears to top form, she had returned to her roots, and what made her famous in the first place. No song made that statement more true than I Wanna Go, a fun upbeat dance song with an infectious hook. The video was pure delight, a hidden message from Britney to what she thinks about the media. Some critics even went as far as saying that it is her best single ever! She was snubbed at this year's Grammys which, I must admit, I am not happy about.

Charts:
#7 US Billboard Hot 100
#1 US Hot Dance Club Songs (Billboard)
#1 US Pop Songs (Billboard)

Fave line from the song:

Be A Little Inappropriate
Cause I Know That Everybody’s Thinkin' It
When The Lights Out



The first time I heard I'm On One, I was in my car, and I heard Drake's voice, and the beat was ridiculously infectious. I listened to the song all the way through and then heard Rick Ross, and Lil Wayne and the D.J. started talking about how the track was produced by D.J. Khaled. At that moment, I thought to myself, wow, this guy is gonna blow up, and I texted my friend who is a huge music fan and the rest is history. I blinked and it went all the way to number on the Billboard Rap charts. The song is just good, the verses are so lyrically solid, the song just makes you smile if you understand rap music because there is something about it that is so swag.

Charts:
#10 US Billboard Hot 100
#1 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)
#1 US Rap Songs (Billboard)
#35 US Pop Songs (Billboard)

Fave line from the song:

But get it while you here boy
Cause all that hype don’t feel the same next year boy
Yeah and I’ll be right here in my spot with a little more cash than I already got
Trippin off you cause you had your shot

and

All I care about is money and the city that I’m from
I’ma sip until I feel it, I’ma smoke it till it’s done



One of the most underrated singles of the year, It Girl sung and co written by Jason Derulo technically should have been bigger than his first single Whatcha Say. I am still holding onto hope that at some point this year, it will pick up more radio air play. The lyrics are sweet and the song is exactly the type that anyone could sing along to. Best of all is the message and what the song is about, Derulo says, this song is about him finding the girl of his dreams. I bet a lot of ladies are wishing it was them.

Charts:
#17 US Billboard Hot 100
#6 US Hot Dance Club Songs
#10 US Pop Songs

Fave line from the song:

You could be my it girl
Baby you're the sh*t girl
Lovin' you could be a crime
Crazy how we fit girl
This is it girl
Give me 25 to life
I just wanna rock all night long
And put you in the middle of my spotlight
You could be my it girl
You're my biggest hit girl



If there's one thing Bruno Mars knows how to do, it's write a song full of emotion; he accomplished that perfectly when he co wrote It Will Rain for Twilight's Soundtrack. The song is a sweeping heartfelt ballad that's just as dramatic as the movie it accompanies, but it also stands on it's own. It Will Rain has timeless lyrics and Mars's vocals are on point as always. Mars says that he began writing the song when he was on tour, but he never finished it, seeing the Twilight movie inspired him to finish the song. Ii cannot wait to see what's coming up for him; I've been most impressed so far.

Charts:
#3 US Billboard Hot 100

Fave line from the song:

Cause there'll be no sunlight
if I lose you, baby
There'll be no clear skies
if I lose you, baby
Just like the clouds,
my eyes will do the same if you walk away
Everyday, it will rain,
rain, rain