There have been some major hits and misses in music this year – and then again, there were some major hits that were just terrible misses, despite being hits (see “Call Me Maybe,” “Gangnam Style,” Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, etc.).  This marks the sixth year I’ve done year-end “Best Of” with music and the first year I’ve created a Top 50 – so after you’re done reading this – go, get your listen on.

Breakthrough Artist of the Year:  Gotye

With his mega hit “Somebody That I Used To Know (feat. Kimbra)”, Gotye burst onto the music scene in 2012.  Unfortunately, Gotye the rest of his album wasn’t as spectacular.  Let’s hope this game-changer continues to evolve and doesn’t fade into obscurity, or be recognized as a one-hit wonder.  Gotye bested Emeli Sande, Phillip Phillips, Elizaveta, and Frank Ocean. (2011’s Winner:  Tinie Tempah)

Mainstream Group of the Year: Train

Train kept the hits coming this year from “Drive By” to “50 Ways To Say Goodbye.”  They ultimately beat out Maroon 5 for this spot – not to say that Adam and Co. weren’t worthy contenders, but when the dust settled, Train was standing tall over a field that also included Muse and The Killers.  (2011’s Winner:  GLEE Cast)

Dance Artist of the Year:  Rihanna

With Mother Monster’s (Lady GaGa) absence from the airwaves (as well as Guetta’s) for a good part of the year, the category was open to just about anyone – most notably Rihanna, who had many of her 2012 hits remixed and re-released on EP’s.  If there’s one thing we can take away from the club it’s that we can “shine bright like a diamond” before answering questions about where we’ve been.  (2011’s Winner:  David Guetta)

Pure Vocalist of the Year: Christina Aguilera

One of the greatest voices of our time (Aguilera) was rivaled for this spot by twelve-year-old prodigy Jackie Evancho, but in the end, Aguilera’s voice soared to the top with experience and age.  Despite not being the most popular coach on NBC’s The Voice, Aguilera released Lotus, her seventh studio album.  Although Lotus received mixed reviews from critics, there’s no denying Christina Aguilera a spot in the ranks of previous winners like Adele and Josh Groban.  Aguilera makes pop music with a real voice. (2011’s Winner:  Adele)

Collaboration of the Year:  “Somebody That I Used To Know” – Gotye and Kimbra

These two harmonized perfectly with “Somebody That I Used To Know.”  It seems like the pairing was a match made in heaven, that delivered a little slice of that heaven to our ears. For the spot, Gotye and Kimbra contended with Pink and FUN front-man Nathan Ruess’ “Just Give Me A Reason” and Lifehouse and Natasha Bedingfield’s “Between The Raindrops.” (2011’s Winner:  “On The Floor” – Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull)

Alternative Rock Group of the Year:  10 Years

There seemed to be a lack of great music coming from the Alternative Rock genre this year, or maybe I just wasn’t listening right, but 10 Years certainly caught my attention again with the single “Battle Lust.”  Beating out The Killers, Muse, Three Days Grace, and Taproot, 10 Years keeps making music I keep loving to listen to.  Well done.  (2011’s Winner:  Nickelback)

Male Country Artist of the Year:  Jason Aldean

Every year, I find the men of country music have to work extra-hard to compete in a world dominated by Brad Paisley (who, ironically enough, hasn’t been it since 2008 and 2009).  But my ears would not be denied “Night Train,” or “Black Tears,” two amazing songs offered up by Aldean.  (2011’s Winner:  Luke Bryan)

Female Country Artist of the Year:  Carrie Underwood

The American Idol, Carrie Underwood, has done it again (the fourth time in fact 2012, 2009, 2008, 2007) with her soaring vocals.  Her lead single “Blown Away” is pure delight and her album of the same title displays her versatility and growth.  Underwood is clearly reigning queen of country music and barring any tragedies, should remain so for the forseeable future.  (2011’s Winner:  Dolly Parton)

Mainstream Male Artist of the Year:  Jason Mraz

Mr. A-Z released the album “Love Is a Four Letter Word” this year, which boasted singles including “Living In The Moment,” “I Won’t Give Up,” and “93 Million Miles.”  Mraz, despite being one of my favorite artists, made this year his first to win this spot – and did so beating out the likes of Ne-Yo, Bruno Mars, and Phillip Phillips.  (2011’s Winner:  Bruno Mars)

Mainstream Female Artist of the Year:  P!NK

It’s hard to argue the success P!NK found this year on the radio, especially with her hit single “Blow Me (One Last Kiss).”  Not to mention how solid her album “The Truth About Love” was.  She displayed versatility and even mixed it up a bit – going as far as to collaborate with Eminem on “Here Comes The Weekend,” and Nate Ruess on “Just Give Me a Reason.”  P!NK finds herself on top of a group consisting of Nicki Minaj, Christina Aguilera, Rihanna, and Madonna.  (2011’s Winner:  Adele)

Music Video of the Year:  “Somebody That I Used To Know” – Gotye f. Kimbra

How awesome was that paint job?  And I know, I know, before you all burn me for not picking that horrid thing called “Gangnam Style,” please consider that this video accompanied actual music and talent, and wasn’t some horse and pony show that reminded me of a rodeo as I would imagine it in The Hangover franchise.  Gotye has officially ended the reign of GaGa in this category, who won with videos for “Bad Romance,” “Alejandro,” and “Born This Way” the last three years. (2011’s Winner:  “Born This Way” – Lady GaGa)

Album of the Year:  “The Truth About Love” – P!NK

It’s versatile – it’s groovy – it’s upbeat – it’s empowering – it’s daring.  “The Truth About Love” proves that P!NK can put out a number one album that should spawn several popular singles.  Time will tell, but I’ll enjoy listening while time is waiting to figure it out.  Pink defeats Carrie Underwood’s “Blown Away,” Christina Aguilera’s “Lotus,” Phillip Phillips’ “The World From the Side of the Moon,” and Nicki Minaj’s “Roman Reloaded.” (2011’s Winner:  “21” – Adele)

TOP 50 Songs of 2012

50. Free – Graffiti6

49. Let’s Go – Calvin Harris f. Ne-Yo

48. Where Would I Be Without You? – Jamar Rogers

47. Parler a Mon Pere – Celine Dion

46. Looking Hot – No Doubt

45. 50 Ways to Say Goodbye – Train

44. Take Care – Drake f. Rihanna

43. Lemonade – Alexandra Stan

42. Ritual – Ellie Goulding

41. Young Girls – Bruno Mars

40. Dream Love – Megan Joy

39. Chasing The Sun – The Wanted

38. Your Body – Christina Aguilera

37. Losing You – Solange

36. Just A Fool – Christina Aguilera and Blake Shelton

35. Payphone – Maroon 5 f. Wiz Khalifa

34. Living In The Moment – Jason Mraz

33. Black Sheep – Gin Wigmore

32. Invincible – MGK f. Ester Dean

31. Gone, Gone, Gone – Phillip Phillips

30. Part of Me – Katy Perry

29. If I Didn’t Know Better – Sam Palladio and Clare Bowen (Nashville)

28. Dance Again – Jennifer Lopez f. Pitbull

27. Where Have You Been – Rihanna

26. Girl Gone Wild – Madonna

25. Night Train – Jason Aldean

24. Supremacy – Muse

23. Army of Me – Christina Aguilera

22. Mermaid – Train

21. Brave – Josh Groban

20. Daddy – Emeli Sandé f. Naughty Boy

19. Between The Raindrops – Lifehouse f. Natasha Bedingfield

18. Locked Out of Heaven – Bruno Mars

17. Battle Lust – 10 Years

16. Drive By – Train

15. Beautiful Sinner – Nicki Minaj

14. Skyfall – Adele

13. Battle Scars – Lupe Fiasco and Guy Sebastian

12. Outlaws of Love – Adam Lambert

11. Wild Ones – Flo Rida f. Sia

10. Hearts – Psychobuildings

9. Home – Phillip Phillips

8. Blow Me (One Last Kiss) – Pink

7. One More Night – Maroon 5

6. I Won’t Give Up – Jason Mraz

5. Let There Be Love – Christina Aguilera

4. Just Give Me A Reason – P!NK f. Nate Ruess

3. Blown Away – Carrie Underwood

2. Cough Syrup – Darren Criss (Glee Cast)

Song of the Year: Somebody That I Used to Know – Gotye f. Kimbra

(2011’s Song of the Year”  Rolling In The Deep – Adele)

Your thoughts are encouraged and welcomed, and stay tuned for the BEST OF TELEVISION – coming later this week.  All of this builds up to BEST OF MOVIES (my favorite, but hardest, to do!), which is coming at the end of January, in conjuction with The Golden Globes!

-Bobby-james