Best of 2011 (music)

My sister and I were talking while at dinner at Chris' last night, and it seems she likes the top music lists I put together. On occasion, they've been useful to her for finding new things to listen to. And what the heck, I never mind exposing my taste in cheese and other stuff for what it is.

I have every good intention of revitalizing this blog in the year ahead, so perhaps closing 2011 with a posting or two will be a good segue. While I have cake layers in the oven, then, a Top 25 songs of 2011 from me.

(Oh, and a word on how I came about with this list - I went to my iTunes, sorted it for 2011 releases, then sorted by most played and from that pulled this list. The result is presented alphabetically by song.)

Here we go!

1. About As Helpful As You Can Be Without Being Any Help At All - Dan Mangan (lead track from the new album, which continues to grow on me, though not as quickly and easily as Nice Nice Very Nice did)
2. Blind Faith - Chase & Status (I also listened a lot to an older track by them, End Credits)
3. Bounce (Radio Edit) - Calvin Harris
4. Broken Record (Jacques Greene Remix) - Katy B (I also had Katy on a Mission on play a bunch)
5. Calgary - Bon Iver (never heard anything else by him despite all the Grammy nom hoopla – this was a free track I took a chance on and rather liked)
6. E.T. (feat. Kanye West) - Katy Perry (I am unashamed of my Katy Perry love acquired at the gym)
7. Leaves, Trees, Forest - Dan Mangan (my favourite track from Oh Fortune)
8. Lights - Ellie Goulding
9. Lotus Flower – Radiohead (terrific album through and through)
10. Marathon - Tennis
11. Moves Like Jagger (Studio Recording from "The Voice" Performance) [feat. Christina Aguilera] - Maroon 5 (I didn’t pay attention to this one until it got me dancing quite happily at my wedding)
12. Never Be Mine - Kate Bush (of all the re-recordings that made up The Director’s Cut, this was my favourite)
13. Party Rock Anthem (feat. Lauren Bennett & GoonRock) – LMFAO (come on, who didn’t enjoy this one?)
14. Pumped Up Kicks - Foster the People (I also liked a remix of Waste that I have on my iTunes)
15. Rolling In the Deep – Adele (though I confess I got tired of hearing it at the gym all summer)
16. Rows Of Houses - Dan Mangan (a nice rocking side to the man)
17. Set Fire to the Rain – Adele (great third single from the album)
18. Someone Like You – Adele (no, I don’t cry listening to this)
19. Swagger Jagger - Cher Lloyd (hilariously cheesy! And a great use of Darling Clementine)
20. The Tide Pulls From The Moon - William Fitzsimmons (I can’t remember how I stumbled on this, but a nice little strummer of a song)
21. Till the World Ends - Britney Spears (I am gay, after all)
22. ÜBerlin - R.E.M. (typical for them – one decent single, and then nothing more from the album)
23. We Found Love (feat. Calvin Harris) – Rihanna (I’m so-so on Rihanna, but this song hooked me)
24. What the Water Gave Me - Florence + The Machine (so glad I saw her live this past summer)
25. 50 Words for Snow - Kate Bush (title track from a gorgeous album that will be on heavy play for months to come - my favourite from it will change again and again, I know)

Honourable mention to a song I only heard for the first time post-Christmas: Love You Like a Love Song - Selena Gomez & The Scene