The best songs of 2012
1. “Emmylou” by First Aid Kit – A country-folk gem by a pair of Swedish sisters.
2. “Wasted Days” by Cloud Nothings – A heavy rock epic.
3. “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen – Irresistible pop. Hard to pick a favorite video among the orginal, the Harvard baseball team tribute and the U.S. swim team tribute.
4. “After It’s Gone” by Patterson Hood & the Downtown 13 – One of the Drive-By Truckers makes a plea to save small-town downtowns.
5. “Revolution” by Saidah Baba Talibah – A sexy cry for change.
6. “100” by Brandi Carlile – One of the highlights of the Melody Tent season was Carlile’s August show.
7. “The Magic Clap” by the Coup – The catchiest rap song since “Hey Ya.”
8. “Putin Lights Up the Fires” by Pussy Riot – The Russian band’s fight for free speech didn’t stop at the jailhouse doors. This version has an English translation of the lyrics.
9. “Pyramids” by Frank Ocean – An R&B epic.
10. “Sugar Man” by Rodriguez – The lead song from his 1970 debut finally got some attention, thanks to a documentary about the great, long-lost folksinger.