Top 30 Songs Of 2011- Part One

Here are Consider Me Named's top 30 for the year 2011  If you've been reading the other lists from the past few days, you'll probably recognize most of them.  This playlist was mostly organized by how many times I played each song (the most played being the highest on the list, obviously), but I also took personal preference into account.  Since a 30-song playlist would take forever to read/load, this will be split up into two parts; 30-16 now, 15-1 later today.  Enjoy!

30. Jessie J- "Domino":

One of the best pure pop songs of the year, this one barged its way onto the list despite only coming out late in the year, and it will certainly barge its way to the top of the charts in 2012.

29. Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris- "We Found Love":

This song hit #1 and stayed there for eight weeks, making it one of the biggest hits of the year along with "Rolling In The Deep" and "Party Rock Anthem," (neither of which you'll find on this list).  But because of Billboard's ridiculous timeframes, much of its chart success in 2011 will actually count towards 2012, and it's denied its rightful place in the top 5.  Well, Rihanna will always have a home here, although this only comes in at #29.  Sorry, RiRi- there were better songs out there this year!

28. Radio Killer- "Don't Let The Music End":

This might be the most recent release to make the year-end list.  It may not stand the test of time, but for right now, I still think it's an unquestionably epic jam, so it gets to sit pretty at #28.  Maybe it's just the awesome and colorful video.

27. Hot Chelle Rae- "I Like It Like That":

Like "Domino," this is just an impossibly catchy pop song, one of those songs you can't stop playing because it gets stuck in your head, one that you really do need to play with the radio up and windows down.  Unfortunately, it's gonna be hard to do that in most places right now...but hey, how bout this mild winter we're having?  Maybe you can blast this with the windows down!  Until we get blasted by the inevitable blizzard that we all know is coming at some point.

26. Swedish House Mafia- "Save The World":

Epic arena dance anthem.  Video with dogs.  What else could you ask for?

25. Britney Spears feat. Ninki Minaj & Ke$ha- "Till The World Ends (Remix)":

I had the regular version on my Top 20 of 2011- Billboard Edition, but since I get to put whatever I want on this list, I'll put the remix on here because I like it better.  Apparently this song was actually written by Ke$ha, so it only makes sense that she gets her turn to perform it on the remix.  Unfortunately, it's pretty much the same song after after the first 90 seconds, but that's not such a bad thing.

24. Kaskade- "Turn It Down (Le Castle Vania Remix)":

Just featured this one on my Top 10 Dance Jams Of 2011 list yesterday, and it was so good it made it onto this list as well.  The original is good, but this remix is better, trust me.

23. Avicii- "Silhouettes":

Yep, this one was on yesterday's dance list too!  Not the last time you'll see a repeat from that list, trust me.  Anyway, this is a jam, and Avicii will be tearing up the charts in 2012 if he keeps making songs like these.

22. Sultan & Ned Shepard feat. Nadia Ali- "Call My Name (Spencer & Hill Remix)":

This was a big-time jam for me over the summer.  It somehow slipped out of my Top 10 in dance, but here it is at #22 for the year.  Definitely a headbanger.

21. Rihanna feat. Jay-Z- "Talk That Talk":

Correction: THIS is the most recent entry into the Top 30.  This was released in late November, but it's such a great song, it jumped into the countdown anyway.  And unlike the last song I said was a late addition, this one will almost definitely stand the test of time.

20. Nadia Ali- "Rapture (Avicii Remix)":

Another Nadia Ali song, this one was on the Dance Jams list as well.  The original version of this song came out back in 2001, when Nadia Ali was the vocalist for a group called iiO.  Now, ten years later, it was decided that the song was so iconic that it needed commemorative remixes, and Avicii's was so good, it started getting played in all the clubs in 2011.  And it comes in at #20 here.  Beast.

19. Chris Brown feat. Busta Rhymes & Lil Wayne- "Look At Me Now":

Yep, once again, this song shows up on a year-end list.  And once again, I remind you that the real video you should be watching is this Literal MSPaint version, which has to be one of the funniest videos of 2011.  Or maybe, this "nerdy white kid" impressively rapping his own version, or these people doing a remarkably good (and clean) cover.  And one day, maybe I'll record myself doing the Lil Wayne verse to prove to everyone I really know it.  But for now, at least just enjoy the regular version of this jam one more time.

18. Nadia Ali, Starkillers, & Alex Kenji- "Pressure (Alesso Radio Edit)":

Wow, I guess 2011 was the year of Nadia Ali!  Four songs already on the year-end Top 30!  That's an incredible pace!  Spoiler alert: she doesn't keep it up.  This is it for Nadia Ali in 2011, but maybe (hopefully) we'll see more of her in 2012, since her presence seems to signify a quality song.  And boy, was this one quality.

17. Lupe Fiasco- "Beautiful Lasers":

This was one of the best hip-hop tracks of the year, as you can tell from its placement on my Top Rap Songs of 2011 list.  It's just intense; there's no other word to accurately describe it.  But not intense in a bludgeon-you-over-the-head way, more in a let-this-wash-over-me way.  If you know what I mean.  You know what, just listen to the song.

16. Nicole Scherzinger feat. 50 Cent- "Right There":

A lot of you might hate on this selection, but hey, my list.  Nicole's obviously trying to ape Rihanna here, but there's no problem with that in my book.  If more singers tried to do that, there's be a lot more good music on the radio.  I will admit the "me like"s are a little cringeworthy.  But aside from that, this is a great mid-tempo island-flavored pop song.  Nothing to hate on there.

Check back later today for songs #15-1!