Some say cultural or societal events affect music, so we will go through the years and see what is going on, the music that was popular and see what you think regarding this.
CULTURAL, SOCIETAL AND MAJOR EVENTS THAT HAPPENED IN 2012
Culture:
London Olympics: The 2012 Summer Olympics hosted in London were a global spectacle, showcasing athletic feats, cultural performances, and national pride. The opening ceremony, directed by Danny Boyle, was a vibrant celebration of British history and creativity.
Gangnam Style: The South Korean pop song “Gangnam Style” by Psy became a global phenomenon, with its catchy melody and dance moves sparking countless parodies and memes.
Rise of social media: Facebook and Twitter continued their dominance, while Instagram saw explosive growth and Pinterest emerged as a popular platform for sharing creative ideas.
Fashion: Boho chic, metallics, and neon colors were popular trends, while statement shoes and bold accessories completed the look.
Society:
Arab Spring: The pro-democracy protests that began in Tunisia in 2011 continued to unfold throughout the Middle East, with varying degrees of success, raising questions about political change and human rights.
Occupy Wall Street: The Occupy movement galvanized public outcry against economic inequality and corporate greed, sparking similar protests around the world.
Legalization of same-sex marriage: Same-sex marriage was legalized in several countries, including the Netherlands and Uruguay, marking a significant shift in LGBTQ+ rights.
Hurricane Sandy: The devastating hurricane battered the eastern US coast, causing widespread damage and sparking debates about climate change and disaster preparedness.
Major events:
US Presidential Election: Barack Obama was re-elected President of the United States, defeating Republican challenger Mitt Romney.
Death of Whitney Houston: The iconic singer’s death from drug overdose sent shockwaves through the music industry and sparked conversations about addiction and fame.
Felix Baumgartner’s skydive: Austrian daredevil Felix Baumgartner broke the record for the highest skydive, exceeding the speed of sound in his freefall.
Khurana’s Higgs boson discovery: Scientists at CERN confirmed the existence of the Higgs boson, a fundamental particle crucial to the Standard Model of particle physics.
This is just a snapshot of the cultural, societal, and major events that shaped 2012. Each event had its own unique impact and continues to resonate in various ways today.
TOP 40 SONGS OF 2012
- Gotye ft. Kimbra – Somebody That I Used to Know (2011)
- Carly Rae Jepsen – Call Me Maybe (2011)
- Fun. ft. Janelle Monáe – We Are Young (2011)
- Maroon 5 ft. Wiz Khalifa – Payphone (2012)
- Ellie Goulding – Lights (2011)
- Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris – We Found Love (2012)
- Adele – Set Fire to the Rain (2011)
- Kelly Clarkson – Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) (2011)
- Flo Rida – Good Feeling (2011)
- Katy Perry – Wide Awake (2012)
- David Guetta ft. Sia – Titanium (2011)
- James Arthur – Impossible (2012)
- Rihanna – Diamonds (2012)
- Rita Ora ft. DJ Fresh – Hot Right Now (2012)
- One Direction – Live While We’re Young (2012)
- Emeli Sandé – Next to Me (2012)
- Nicki Minaj – Starships (2012)
- Jason Mraz – I Won’t Give Up (2012)
- Psy – Gangnam Style (2012)
- Usher – Scream (2012)
- Train – Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me) (2007)
- Calvin Harris ft. Rihanna – This Is What You Came For (2016)
- Drake ft. Rihanna – Take Care (2011)
- Avicii – Levels (2011)
- Pink – Just Give Me a Reason ft. Nate Ruess (2013)
- Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – Thrift Shop (2012)
- Maroon 5 – Moves Like Jagger ft. Christina Aguilera (2011)
- Pitbull ft. Christina Aguilera – Feel This Moment (2012)
- OneRepublic – Good Life (2011)
- LMFAO – Party Rock Anthem (2011)
- Rihanna ft. Kanye West & Paul McCartney – FourFiveSeconds (2015)
- Bruno Mars – Locked Out of Heaven (2012)
- Taylor Swift – We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together (2012)
- Jessie J – Domino (2011)
- P!nk – Try (2012)
- Neon Trees – Everybody Talks (2012)
- Flo Rida ft. Sia – Wild Ones (2012)
- Jason Mraz – I’m Yours (2010)
- Avicii – Hey Brother (2013)
- Owl City & Carly Rae Jepsen – Good Time (2012)
TOP ALTERNATIVE AIRPLAY SONGS OF 2012
- The Black Keys – “Lonely Boy”
- Mumford & Sons – “The Cave”
- Fun. – “We Are Young” (ft. Janelle Monáe)
- The Lumineers – “Ho Hey”
- Imagine Dragons – “Radioactive”
- Gotye ft. Kimbra – “Somebody That I Used to Know” (2011)
- Florence + the Machine – “Shake It Out”
- Of Monsters and Men – “Little Talks”
- Muse – “Madness”
- Lana Del Rey – “Born to Die”
- The Killers – “Runaways”
- Band of Horses – “The General Specific”
- Foster the People – “Pumped Up Kicks”
- Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – “Thrift Shop”
- The Black Keys – “Little Black Submarines”
- Kings of Leon – “Supersoaker”
- Mumford & Sons – “Little Lion Man”
- Florence + the Machine – “Dog Days Are Over”
- The Black Keys – “Tighten Up”
- The National – “Bloodbuzz Ohio”
- Alabama Shakes – “Hold On”
- Band of Horses – “No One Knows”
- The xx – “Angels”
- Local Natives – “Hummingbird”
- Of Monsters and Men – “Engin”
- Passion Pit – “Take a Walk”
- Death Cab for Cutie – “Codes and Keys”
- The Black Keys – “Howlin’ For You”
- The Decemberists – “The Hazards of Love (4)”
- Vampire Weekend – “Ya Hey”
- The Vaccines – “If U Wanna”
- Real Estate – “It’s Real”
- Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “Maps”
- Alt-J – “Fitzpleasure”
- Band of Horses – “Silver”
- The Shins – “Simple Song”
- Bon Iver – “Perth”
- M83 – “Midnight City”
- Animal Collective – “Brother Sport”
- Kendrick Lamar – “Swimming Pools (Drank)”
TOP ROCK AND ROLL SONGS 2012 IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER
- The Black Keys – “Lonely Boy”: Bluesy swagger, Dan Auerbach’s raspy vocals, a Grammy winner.
- The Lumineers – “Ho Hey”: Stomping folk-rock singalong, infectious chorus, global phenomenon.
- Imagine Dragons – “Radioactive”: Dark anthem, pulsating beats, Dan Reynolds’ powerful vocals, rock radio staple.
- Florence + the Machine – “Shake It Out”: Soaring orchestral rock, Florence Welch’s powerhouse vocals, dancefloor anthem and signature song.
- Muse – “Madness”: Prog-rock epic, bombastic guitars, Matt Bellamy’s operatic vocals, theatrical energy, and musical ambition.
- The Kills – “Runaways”: Garage-rock revival banger, raw energy, Alison Mosshart’s commanding vocals, classic rock and roll spirit.
- Band of Horses – “The General Specific”: Melanchonic indie rock, introspective lyrics, Ben Bridwell’s soulful vocals, Band of Horses at its best.
- The Decemberists – “The Hazards of Love (4)”: Epic ballad, storytelling prowess, musical versatility, concept album showcase.
- Alabama Shakes – “Hold On”: Bluesy, soulful rock, Brittany Howard’s powerful vocals, tight-knit groove, force to be reckoned with.
- Kings of Leon – “Supersoaker”: Swaggering arena-rock anthem, Caleb Followill’s signature raspy vocals, stadium-filling appeal.
TOP CHRISTIAN ROCK SONGS OF 2012 IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER
- Tenth Avenue North – Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)
- Chris Tomlin – Burning Lights
- Casting Crowns – Courageous Heart
- TobyMac – Me and the Holy Ghost
- Skillet – Comatose
- Lauren Daigle – How Can Love Win
- Newsboys – God’s Not Dead (Like a Stained Glass Window)
- Kari Jobe – Forever
- For King & Country – Fix a Broken World
- Jeremy Camp – Reckless Love
SOME COMMON THEMES IN SONGS OF THE 2012 BILLBOARD HOT 100
Looking back at the top hits of 2012 on the Billboard Hot 100, several common themes emerge, reflecting the cultural pulse of that time:
Party Time!: Dance floor anthems and feel-good vibes abound, from the infectious pop of Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” and Rihanna’s “We Found Love” to the club-bangers like Flo Rida’s “Good Feeling” and Maroon 5’s “Payphone.” This trend showcased the desire for escapism and fun amidst a challenging economic climate.
Overcoming Adversity: Many songs resonated with themes of resilience and rising above struggles. Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain” and Kelly Clarkson’s “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” offered anthems of self-empowerment, while Fun.’s “We Are Young” and James Arthur’s “Impossible” encouraged embracing hope and chasing dreams. These lyrics reflected the spirit of overcoming personal trials and societal anxieties.
Nostalgia and Retro Vibes: A touch of nostalgia permeated the charts, with artists reviving past sounds and genres. The Black Keys’ blues-rock revival in “Lonely Boy” and Gotye’s genre-bending “Somebody That I Used to Know” with its vintage influences demonstrate this trend. This harking back to the past offered a sense of familiarity and comfort in a rapidly changing world.
Love and Relationships: Of course, the age-old theme of love remains a constant. Rihanna’s “Diamonds” and Katy Perry’s “Wide Awake” explored different facets of love, from self-love and empowerment to vulnerability and introspection. These songs resonated with listeners navigating the complexities of love and relationships.
Social Commentary: While not dominant, some songs touched on social issues. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “Thrift Shop” addressed consumerism and inequality, while Kendrick Lamar’s “Swimming Pools (Drank)” offered a poignant view of societal struggles. These tracks reflected artists’ voices on relevant social issues of the time.
MOST POPULAR MUSIC GENRES OF 2012
Pop: Pop music reigned supreme in 2012, dominating the Billboard Hot 100 and capturing the attention of mainstream audiences. Chart-topping hits like Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe,” Rihanna’s “We Found Love,” and Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know” showcased the diversity and catchy appeal of pop music.
Rock: Rock music maintained its strong presence in 2012, particularly Alternative Rock. The Black Keys’ bluesy revival in “Lonely Boy” and the anthemic energy of Imagine Dragons’ “Radioactive” demonstrated the genre’s enduring popularity and ability to evolve.
Hip-Hop/R&B: Hip-hop and R&B continued their rise in popularity, with artists like Jay-Z and Kanye West’s collaborative album “Watch the Throne” and Rihanna’s chart-topping success pushing the genre to new heights. Nicki Minaj’s playful “Starships” and Kendrick Lamar’s thought-provoking “Swimming Pools (Drank)” further diversified the scene.
Country: Country music remained a strong force, particularly in the US. Taylor Swift’s chart-topping “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” and Jason Mraz’s heartfelt “I Won’t Give Up” showcased the genre’s emotional resonance and commercial success.
Electronic Dance Music (EDM): EDM continued its surge in popularity in 2012, particularly with club-bangers like David Guetta’s “Titanium” and Calvin Harris’ “This Is What You Came For.” The rise of DJs and electronic festivals further solidifed EDM’s place in the musical landscape.
Other notable genres: Latin music saw continued growth with hits like Enrique Iglesias’ “Bailando” and Pitbull’s “Feel This Moment.” Indie rock also witnessed success with bands like The Lumineers’ “Ho Hey” and Mumford & Sons’ “The Cave” captivating audiences.
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