Top 40 Songs of 2012 – #34-29

34. Pop That – French Montana feat. Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, and Drake.

Newcomer rapper French Montana enlisted Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, and Drake for his latest single and of course something they touched would turn into gold. Plus, a music video full of scantily clad women would please them masses. Anyway, the hip-hop song struck a chord with urban audiences and reached #36 on the Billboard Hot 100. Don’t stop, pop that, don’t stop.

33. Glad You Came – The Wanted

As did One Direction, The Wanted took the US by storm in the 2012 UK boy band invasion. Thought to be as the adult-friendly alternative to the Simon Cowell-created group, their first single over here, “Glad You Came” contains overtly sexual overtones and an infectious electro-bass feel which got us fist-pumping this summer harder than LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem.” Near the top of charts around the world, it reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

32. Let Me Love You – Ne-Yo

Ne-Yo encountered a huge flop state side with his creative album Libra Scale. When his comeback single “Lazy Love” didn’t quite shoot up the R&B charts, we thought all hope was gone. That is until with the release of the single “Let Me Love You.” It felt like the old Ne-Yo was back from the “Closer” days. The single peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and return Mr. Smith to the top of charts around the world. Albeit too “pop” for some of his audience, success is success. Not to mention it is a really good number.

31. Scream – Usher

Usher has scored hits with dance-pop in the past, and “Scream” has been added to the list. With a little mix of urban Usher went to #9 on the Hot 100 with this. Although this song was not as instant, successful, or memorable as numbers such as “DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love,’ “Scream” was just as good. It even took me a few listens to realize how good this song was. Usher definitely delivered in the song’s ghost-themed performances as well.

30. Clique – Kanye West, Big Sean & Jay-Z

As its predecessing single, “Clique” took the US by storm courtsey of the G.O.O.D Music clan’s Kanye West and Big Sean with the HOV himself, Jay-Z assisting. Jay-Z’s first was even declared by some as a standout of his career as of late. Like “Mercy,” clique has a thumping backdrop which made it dominate airwaves this year. It reached #12 on the Hot 100. Ain’t nobody ‘effin with my clique.

29. Leave You Alone – Young Jeezy feat. Ne-Yo

Young Jeezy came back strong, and he especially did with his collaboration with Ne-Yo, “Leave You Alone,” which peaked at #51 on the Hot 100. A perfect blend of hip-hop and R&B, this song became memorable, and reminded by of the hey-day of hip-hop music in the mainstream in the 2000s decade.