The Top 40 Songs of 2012 – #28-23

28. One More Night – Maroon 5

The Adam Levine-fronted Maroon 5 had a successful year after only achieving moderate success with their previous outing Hands All Over. After the success of their lead single “Payphone,” the reggae-tinged “One More Night” was a mega success, becoming the group’s third #1 chart topper.

27. Want U Back – Cher Lloyd

It amazes me how Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” was able to eclipse the US market, but UK implant Cher Lloyd was unable to replicate. This isn’t to say that Lloyd hasn’t gotten a name for hersef stateside in her own right, because her candy-coated pop confection “Want U Back” reached #12 on the Hot 100 and Lloyd appeared all over our TV’s as a mini, spunky, British Katy Perry. I’m sure that we are just beginning to see Cher over here.

26. I Don’t Like – Chief Keef (with Kanye West, Big Sean, etc.)

When “Don’t Like” first came out, every one concluded that newcomer 17-year-old rapper Chief Keef could not get anymore ratchet. However, now we have found out that it is possible for him to do so. Anyway, “I Don’t Like” was one of the mega rap hits of the year, even being remixed by Kanye West, Big Sean, Jadakiss and Pusha T on the G.O.O.D Music compilation album, Cruel Summer. With succeding singles, I don’t think Chief Keef is a one and done rapper.

25. Heart Attack – Trey Songz

Trey Songz has delivered sex jams over and over and over again the past few years, some of them even blending together. So you are forgiven if you thought “Love Faces” and “Neighbors Know My Name” were the same song. Songz decided to change the game with “Heart Attack” a love song, and it paid off. Not only did the song reach #35 on the Hot 100 (his first non-crossover single to reach this high), it made #28 on the UK Singles Chart. This is a formula he may should stick to.

24. Lights – Ellie Goulding

It took the Ellie Goulding’s “Lights” almost a year to make it up the US chart. Among many UK implants, Goulding’s track took the nation by storm and reached #2 on the Hot 100. Her unique indie-baroque sound seemingly fit in well on US radio and produced a hit here. Goulding is still making moves here with her latest track, “Anything Can Happen.”

23. Boyfriend – Justin Bieber

Regardless if you thought Justin Bieber’s lead single from Believe was a Timberlake/NSYNC rip-off or not, the Biebs definitely delivered on his urban-pop banger which neared the top of the charts worldwide. If only the song had a sick music video to go with it. I guess you can’t get everything right every time!