Best of 2011 ~ Top Singles Of The Year Part One

It's quite hard doing these end of year lists isn't it? Songs that you were absolutely obsessed with upon their release may not seem so exciting now. Conversely, songs you are very fond of at this very second may pale into significance when you reflect on them a while later. So what I'm trying to say is it's all a bit subjective really. Anyway, in some sort of semblence of an order, here are the songs that made an impact on me at various points throughout the year :)

HIGHLY COMMENDED (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER):

• Andreas Johnson ~ One Man Army: I love a good romantic power ballad and the "Glorious" Andreas Johnson delivered this swoon worthy number with elegance and panache...
• Boy Banned ~ Stars Are Saying Yes: Gorgeous harmonies, dreamy lyrics and a delightful hook, all set over a festive jingle bell shuffle. It's back to basics & a timeless sounding ditty emerges because of this :)
• Bryan Finlay ~ Sentimental Fool: Young Bryan gives a corking vocal performance that belies his young years on one of the most infernally catchy ditties I've heard in a long time. Kudos to Hollister for popping it on their instore playlist and giving me the opportunity to discover it :)
• Daniel Volpe ~ Red BMX: I do enjoy a nice, lyrically nostalgic pop romp and Daniel has created an enchanting look back at his carefree child hood days. It helps that it has a lovely flowing melody and a chorus to die for...
• Darren Hayes ~ Bloodstained Heart: One of three excellent singles released by Mr Hayes this year, this is the one that resonated with me the longest. Lyrically devastating, musically beautiful - this is a track that rewarded over and over again with each listen...

• Erasure ~ When I Start To (Break It All Down): I don't think I will ever fall out of love with Erasure and this frankmusic penned little ditty made me remember all the reasons why I like them. Effortlessly melodic, definitely melancholic - it was a triumphant return to the pop world even if it didn't set the charts on fire...
• Gravitonas ~ Lucky Star: The ever reliable Andreas and Alexander continued to inspire and delight with their fifth single - a brooding, sweeping number with an amazing chorus, layered instrumental, top notch production and an absolutely mesmerising video. Hurrah.
• JLS ~ Take A Chance On Me: They may have their regular forays into ensuring the club is still alive or making people oh oh oh oh oh oh, and i'm not averse to that, but I'm a sucker for a sincere, earnest boy band ballad and this delivered lovely chorus & tight harmonies. That song Do You See What I See is a riot as well isn't it??!
• Lady Gaga ~ Born This Way: It was always going to be difficult to top The Fame (Monster) & it took a while to grow on me, but now I'm quite fond of this 'screw you all' anthem of the GG. And as you will see later on, it's a song that works well in a variety of formats which is always a testament to the original composition...
• Le Kid ~ Oh My God: Excuse me for being coarse and blunt, but Le Kid are fucking amazing aren't they? Oh My God is a prime example of why they are - perky pop, soaring chorus, exuberant delivery, catchy lyrics and a massive ball of energy & fun pulsates throughout every note of the song. This is surely only the start of their massive pop career...

• Martin Rolinski ~ Blame It On A Decent Matter: Ex BWO singer Martin goes solo on this 80s inspired, electro-dance pop number that demonstrated he can more than hack the pop world on his own. Along with his snazzy new hair cut, he represents someone to keep an eye on in 2012. Now hurry up with your next single please Mr Rolinski?!
• Olly Murs ~ Dance With Me Tonight: He's really stepped into his own this year has the jolly Olly. Proving a right boost to the Xtra Factor and covering a variety of styles on his album, this jaunty rockabilly meets pop romp charmed me from first listen and I've yet to grow tired of it. Long may he and his crotch huggingly tight trousers reign!
• One Direction ~ What Makes You Beautiful: Not only a brilliant single, but a brilliant statement of a first single. Sure it made sure that it appealed to their core audience of tween girls, but it was a jangly catchy tune that bypassed the current boy band trend of getting down with ibiza esque beats in a club and went for a more organic sounding approach. And rather addictive it was too :)
• Simon Curtis ~ Flesh: Absolute filth. I love it. Sweaty grindings, pseudo bondage yearnings and a desperate throbbing for human contract - blimey! And that's just the lyrics! Any good song about sex should reflect the act itself and musically this exploded into a orgasmic finale...
• The Warblers ~ Teenage Dream: Darren Criss & The Warblers saved an uneven second season of Glee, so I'm missing their harmonies even more this year (although I may be the only person in the world who wants Sebastian Smythe to get together with Blaine). This glowing track was representative of the best the Warblers had to offer and only further highlights what an asset Darren Criss is to the show...

THE TEN-ISH (SONGS THAT SHOULD ALL BE AT NUMBER TEN!):

• Elouise ~ Born This Way: The express yourself pillaging, disco inferno is gone and replaced by a much more studied & beautiful piano arrangement, with Elouise's storytelling vocals bringing a much more nuanced performance to the aforementioned Gaga number. It's a completely different song yet no less celebratory...
• Eric Saade ~ Made of Pop: I don't think I need to say anymore if I quote "Got my degree at the big P.O.P..." Should've been a single from Saade Vol. 1. Wasn't. Still utterly utterly magnificent...
• Same Difference ~ Music/Karma Karma: Two songs, both an exhilarating statement of modern pop music that the returning champs Steps should be paying attention to. Furiously brilliant choruses, vibrant production and as always a tour de force vocal delivery from both Sean & Sarah. God, let there be a 3rd album in 2012... That is all.
• William Young ~ Jealousy: Ten years into his career, William has become that rare popstar that continually evolves but with a firm grasp on what elements of his career have determined his success and an eye on a quality output. His latest return single Jealousy was a charmer from start to finish...