2012 THE YEAR IN REVIEW
Part 3- THE BEST SONGS

Here they are...  the Caffe` Latte` 30 Best songs from 2012. Some were massive hits, some were underrated or even overlooked, but they are all worthy songs...
1 AMAZING Danny Saucedo
When Sweden was selecting its Eurovision song in 2012, this song was the runner-up. Danny has been releasing great pop music for some years and this was his second finish in 2nd place at Melodifestivalen, having done so back in 2011 too. Having interviewed him a few times now, he is a bit of a Caffe` Latte` fave and this is a great example of why.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuFj1CeFVCs

2 DEDICATION TO MY EX Lloyd featuring Andre 3000

Fun hip hop single from Lloyd, featuring Outkast member Andre 3000. It's the "F{!k You" of 2012! The first link is for the original version with explicit lyrics. The bottom link is for the cleaner edit. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH9vu2BwpbU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW1W34A-n4I
3 SCARED OF HEIGHTS Morten Harket
The former lead singer from Norway's A-Ha released this cleverly penned song in 2012. Sadly, the rest of the album was very disappointing, with no other tracks to match this single's brilliance. "Scared of Heights" meets the standard of his underrated pop group's best releases. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_ioe5Tew-8  
4 SAD Elton John vs. Pnau
Australian duo Pnau was given access to Elton's masters and recreated new songs using samples from his back catalogue. This track primarily incorporates the music from "Crazy Water" and a loop using lyrics from "Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word" and "Curtains", as well as portions of "Friends" and "Nice and Slow". An hypnotic and creative reworking featuring my favourite male vocalist.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y-C9uT4aGQ

5 BOYS WILL BE BOYS Paulina Rubio
Mexican Rubio scored a Euro-dance style pop gem with "Boys will be Boys": one of the year's catchiest songs.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXywgkY2O5U
6 SKYFALL Adele
Title song by the hottest Brit soloist at the moment from the 2012 instalment from the 007 James Bond franchise; a classy return to the traditional opening classics and a fitting way for the most famous spy to celebrate his 50th birthday.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StJLvbPIvTw
7 A THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS 'Smash' Cast 

                                          (featuring Raza Jaffrey & Katherine McPhee)

A track from the TV series 'Smash' and its cast album. A great new series that premiered in 2012. On this one, the cast go Bollywood.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvZ3QSKtYvk
8 BLANK PAGE Christina Aguilera
Lovely ballad from Aguilera's current CD, 'Lotus'.
9 BRAND NEW ME Alicia Keys 
I've been under Alicia's spell since her debut album. She continues to wow with her latest album, from which this track is lifted.
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVHqxXmK4CI
10 WHEN I WAS YOUR MAN Bruno Mars 
Touching ballad from Mars' latest album with some mature lyrics from a male perspective.
11 SOMETHING NEW  [Alias Radio Edit] Girls Aloud

After taking a 3-year break, the UK girl group reunited to celebrate its 10th anniversary with, among other projects, this comeback single. I've not been a majot fan, but this one did prove irresistible. 
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_911861&feature=iv&src_vid=HkTgYpjmhw0&v=ZHSFTrcJYmM 
12 BEAUTIFUL Mathieu Bouthier featuring Sophie Ellis Bextor

French producer has created a classy dance song perfectly accompanied by the British singer: a great match.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dG2yQuxdcI
13 THIS IS LOVE will.i.am. featuring Eva Simons

Eva Simons provides guest vocals on this great hip hop/ dance song from the pivotal member of the Black Eyed Peas.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9I9Ar6upx34
14 HEAR ME (KUULA) Ott Lepland

The estonian entry for 2012's Eurovision Song Contest. Below is a link to his live performance in the original Estonian.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX6kBIVCQ-4
15 BOMBSHELL Ricki- Lee

Ricki- Lee turned in her best album yet- packed with upbeat and dance/pop attitude.  

16 NEXT TO ME Emeli Sande'

What an extraordinary song to announce the arrival of a new singer hailing from the UK.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nwdjQmc_N8
17 GOOD TIMES I'M IN LOVE [Lifelike Remix} Cerrone featuring Adjana

Legendary Italian disco producer returns with a collection of dancey tunes and disco tracks  accompanied by contemporary remixes.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U021sFCvRTI
18 BECAUSE I CAN Ricki- Lee

Track from the Australian singer's 'Fear and Freedom' 2012 album.

19 AFRODISIAC Eleftheria Eleftheriou

The Greek entry at the Eurovision Song Contest. Very catchy.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSiPUFBM4tE

20 WE ARE YOUNG [Alvin Risk Remix] Fun featuring Janelle Monae

Great remix of worldwide hit for Fun. The link below is for the original version of the song.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv6dMFF_yts

21 EUPHORIA Loreen

This is the one the Swedes eventually went for. It pummelled all competitors and went on to triumph at Eurovision. A different approach for Sweden and a resounding success.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcnWysA9gxo

22 THE BOY CAN DANCE Afro-Dite

Another Eurovision contender from Sweden's Melodifestivalen selectoin finals. Afro-Dite represented the country with a song called "Never Let it Go" in 2002.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_n5GM0prL0U

23 50 WAYS TO SAY GOODBYE Train

I'm not usually into this group, but the musical production was a change for the American band and the lyrics were humorous too.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSBFehvLJDc

24 RUSH Frida Amundsen

Norwegian pop singer with a catchy Scandinavian hit tune. Below is a link to an unplugged acoustic live version, but do check out the studio version.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDNu0qeshRk

25 SHARE MY LOVE R. Kelly

Single lifted off 'Write me Back' album from the hip hop artist. Smooth and cruisy feel.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3ufEF45-J4 

26 THE GIRL Charlotte Perrelli

Former Eurovision winner for Sweden (1999) tried out again but missed out with this catchy example of Swedish pop. The performance below is from the Swedish trials (Melodifestivalen) to select their 2012 entry. 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjwTtBmnFz0   

27 CALL ME MAYBE [Almighty Remix] Carly Rae Jepson

Global hit song with the humorous video clip featuring hottie Holden Nowell. Apparently CRJ is in the video too?

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWNaR-rxAic

28 MOONSHINE Bruno Mars

Great track lifted off Mars' 2012 album 'Unorthodox Jukebox'; bit of a change in direction. 

29 NEVER FORGET Greta Salome & Jonsi

Icelandic entry for the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest. 
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBDgLipYwqM

30  LOVE IS R. Kelly 

A track from Kelly's 2013 old skool feel album, 'Write me Back'. 

* More songs added tomorrow!