Me Against the Music 2011

As we learned last year, my songs of the year come in no particular order, with no particular genre and no particular number.  I don't really like to get into particulars.  But I do love music.  Here are some of my favorites from 2011, the best year for party music sine 2004.  Some of these songs you'll definitely know, some you may not.  Give them a try, maybe they'll make your 2012 a little brighter.

Give Me Everything - Pitbull featuring Ne-Yo, Afrojack and Nayer
Pitbull's collaboration with Ne-Yo, Afrojack and Nayer was not only the song of the summer, but pretty much the perfect going out song.  It's fast and has an easy beat to dance to along with a hook that you cannot stop singing.  And, like all great pop songs, it has lines that are endlessly quotable as status messages letting all your social network contacts know that you are ready to party.  I can't promise tomorrow, but I'll promise tonight.

The Cave/Little Lion Man - Mumford and Sons

I couldn't choose just one song off Mumford and Sons awesome album, Sigh No More.  I loved this album almost as much as I loved their outfits at every single photo shoot.  Sometimes I don't really understand what Mumford songs mean, but I pretend like I do because it makes me feel smarter.  Either way, I think they're awesome.

Dancing Till the World Ends - Britney Spears
Finally a Britney song that I can actually do all the choreography to.

We Call This Dancing - The Parlotones
I spent most of the spring listening to this song.  And pronouncing dancing with a British accent.  Busting out of our skin, our hearts exploding, escape from this life, we call this dancing.  All you need is love and our love is overflowing, escape from this life, we call this dancing.


I Need A Doctor - Dr. Dre featuring Eminem and Skylar Grey
There may not have been anyone in the country as excited about Dr. Dre comeback as me. (Don't call it a comeback, I've been here for years.)  Except maybe Dre's wife, I bet he was a real pain in the ass hanging around the house and such.  I loved this song, and especially the introduction of Skylar Grey, who is so f-ing talented.

How to Love - Lil Wayne
You had a lot of moments that didn't last forever.

Holocene - Bon Iver
It haunts me.  In a good way.  When I listen to this song I feel like I'm in the Wisconsin cabin that everyone always talks about when they talk about Bon Iver.

When My Time Comes - Dawes
I went to Texas for SXSW last March.  It was a fantastic experience, and one that all music-lovers should have at some point.  The one concert that we tried to go to and couldn't was Dawes and Deer Tick (performing that night as Deervana and doing the entire Nevermind album, yeah, we were pretty upset we couldn't go).  Luckily, we were able to hear the entire concert from the bar across the street.  Just one of the million reasons that SXSW is amazing - you hear awesome music practically by accident.  Dawes is a fantastic group.  I'm also in love with their song, That Western Skyline.  Their music makes me want to wear ruffled dresses with denim jackets and drink beer on a Texas porch.  It made sense in my head.

Rolling in the Deep/One and Only - Adele
21 was hands down the album of the year.  As far as I'm concerned, it may well be the album of the decade.  I wrote about Someone Like You and Set Fire to the Rain back in March and there is a case to be made for every single song on this album to make my list.  I settled on Rolling in the Deep because it is the most famous and most perfect pop song.  And I went with One and Only because it makes me want to fall in love.  You know, with someone besides Adele.  I'm amongst all those holding my breath for Adele's safe and speedy recovery from her reason throat surgery.  And amongst those who is almost thankful that her ex-boyfriend is such a fucking idiot.

Call Your Girlfriend - Robyn
My roommate Ezra dances exactly like Robyn.  Exactly. Like. Robyn.  And pretty much everything that Robyn does is amazing.  This is no exception.  It hasn't been on an episode of Gossip Girl yet, which is actually it's only draw back.

Grenade - Bruno Mars
Okay, so in the interest of full disclosure, I totally thought that Bruno Mars was going to be like a flash in the pan kind of pop star, so I'm as surprised as anyone that he keeps coming out with so many great songs.  I didn't see it coming, but I'm not complaining.

Super Bass - Nicki Minaj
I can't help it.  I just love it.  Best new artist.

I can't believe I somehow got through this list without including any David Guetta.  Nothing But the Beat makes me dance so hard.

Who did I miss who kept you rocking in 2011?

xo kate