2011 Top Singles - It's a Knockout (Winner: Someone Like You by Adele)

[Corki]

So, in order to break the tie in the first tie, I will be casting the winning vote, and that goes to Adele, who progresses to the semi-finals with a 3-2 win.

 

Jessie J had an easier time, easing to a 4-0 win and booking her place in the semi-finals.

 

Time for the remaining second round ties.

[Corki]

Round 2, Tie 3

 

 

 

Born This Way by Lady Gaga (14)

A top song list of the last few years probably wouldn't be complete without Lady Gaga. Released in February 2011, the electropop peaked at number 3 in the UK charts. In the USA, Born This Way was the 1,000th number 1 in the Billboard Hot 100, and was also the first single since Elton John's 1997 song Candle in the Wind to remain at number 1 for more than 1 month. Lady Gaga was developing ideas for her latest album while on tour in 2010. The title song was written in Liverpool, and described as a "magical message" song by Gaga. It was written in 10 minutes and compared the process to an Immaculate Conception. Described as a "disco anthem", some critics claimed it to be the biggest gay anthem ever.

 

 

vs.

 

 

Jar of Hearts by Christina Perri (11)

Jar of Hearts is the debut single by American singer-songwriter Christina Perri. Released in July 2010, it peaked in the UK charts at number 4. It is still in the chart over here in the UK - it is now charting for the 33rd week! The song premiered on So You Think You Can Dance in June 2010 before Perri had a record contract. It has been described as an autobiographical song as Perri recalls an ex-boyfriend who wanted to reconnect after a tough breakup. The "hook-heavy ballad" received positive reviews, and Perri was compared as being vocally-superior to Selena Gomez and Hayley Williams.

 

 

Voting ends Thursday 26th January 2012 at 9pm (GMT)

[Corki]

Round 2, Tie 4

 

 

 

Rolling in the Deep by Adele (9)

By selling over 5,921,000 copies in the US, Rolling in the Deep became the best selling single in the US in 2011 - and her best selling single outside the UK. Adele and Paul Epworth, who both wrote the song, have described it as a "dark blues-y gospel disco tune". In the UK, the song débuted at number 2 and spent its first 10 weeks in the top 10. Lyrically, it describes the emotions of a scorned lover. In November 2011, the song received three Grammy Award nominations for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Short Form Music Video.

 

 

vs.

 

 

Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera (2)

Released in July 2011 as the Maroon 5's fourth single from their third album, it features Christina Aguilera. The song is fundamentally an electropop song with influences of rock and funk, and is backed by grinding synths and electronic drums. Lyrically, the song refers to a male's ability to impress a female with his dance moves - these are compared to those of Mick Jagger, lead singer of the Rolling Stones. The song peaked at number 2, where it stayed for seven consecutive weeks. In the first 6 weeks, it was held off number 1 by six different songs! The song never managed to make it to number 1. And ironically, it was the 2nd biggest selling single of the year in the UK!

 

 

Voting ends Thursday 26th January 2012 at 9pm (GMT)

[Jeannaisais]

Gag

 

and

 

Moves Like Jagger

[Adrian44]

Perri & Maroon 5

[dragonlover]

Lady Gaga and Maroon 5

[Corki]

Corki is voting for Christina Perri and Adele.

 

And that means I create a tie in the Perri-Gaga tie, so I get to cast the deciding vote. Despite enjoying most of her music, Lady Gaga's song does nothing for me. So the tie-break vote goes to Christina Perri, who advances by 3 votes to 2.

 

And Maroon 5 wrap up the final semi-final place with a 3-1 win.

 

Semi-Finals on their way!

[Corki]

Semi-Final, Tie 1

 

 

 

Someone Like You by Adele (1)

Shifting some 1,242,000 copies, Someone Like You by Adele was the UK's biggest selling single of 2012. The pop ballad was inspired by a broken relationship of hers, and lyrically it speaks of how she came to terms with it. The song is only accompanied by a piano, which only enhances its power and the rather sombre feel of the song. The song achieved numerous number 1s across the world, cementing Adele's position as one of the top artists in the music industry at the moment. Released in January 2011, it reached number 1 in February 2011, where it stayed for 4 weeks. It has been nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance.

 

 

vs.

 

 

Price Tag by Jessie J ft. B.o.B. (4)

Jessie J was the winner of the BBC's Sound of... contest in 2011, and the year was a big break out for the artist. Released in January 2011 as her second single, it débuted at number 1. It was Jessie J's first single in the US, where it peaked at number 23. The song is an up-tempo, "feel good" track inflected with reggae bounce. Lyrically, the song is about Jessie J trying to make the world dance by forgetting about how much money we have. Again, it was another song that received positive reviews from the critics.

 

 

Voting ends Sunday 29th January 2012 at 9pm (GMT)

[Corki]

Semi-Final, Tie 2

 

 

 

Jar of Hearts by Christina Perri (11)

Jar of Hearts is the debut single by American singer-songwriter Christina Perri. Released in July 2010, it peaked in the UK charts at number 4. It is still in the chart over here in the UK - it is now charting for the 33rd week! The song premiered on So You Think You Can Dance in June 2010 before Perri had a record contract. It has been described as an autobiographical song as Perri recalls an ex-boyfriend who wanted to reconnect after a tough breakup. The "hook-heavy ballad" received positive reviews, and Perri was compared as being vocally-superior to Selena Gomez and Hayley Williams.

 

 

vs.

 

 

Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera (2)

Released in July 2011 as the Maroon 5's fourth single from their third album, it features Christina Aguilera. The song is fundamentally an electropop song with influences of rock and funk, and is backed by grinding synths and electronic drums. Lyrically, the song refers to a male's ability to impress a female with his dance moves - these are compared to those of Mick Jagger, lead singer of the Rolling Stones. The song peaked at number 2, where it stayed for seven consecutive weeks. In the first 6 weeks, it was held off number 1 by six different songs! The song never managed to make it to number 1. And ironically, it was the 2nd biggest selling single of the year in the UK!

 

 

Voting ends Sunday 29th January 2012 at 9pm (GMT)

[dragonlover]

Jessie J and Maroon 5

[Corki]

It looks like I am making this a tie as I am voting for Adele and Christina Perri. So, whoever votes next (as I will post the final and 3rd/4th play-off tomorrow morning) will determine the winner!

[Dwynwen]

Adele and Christina Perri.

[Corki]

So, that is the tie ended! Both Adele and Christina Perri progress to the Grand Final with 2-1 victories.

 

Time for the last ties then!

[Corki]

The Grand Final

 

 

 

Someone Like You by Adele (1)

Shifting some 1,242,000 copies, Someone Like You by Adele was the UK's biggest selling single of 2012. The pop ballad was inspired by a broken relationship of hers, and lyrically it speaks of how she came to terms with it. The song is only accompanied by a piano, which only enhances its power and the rather sombre feel of the song. The song achieved numerous number 1s across the world, cementing Adele's position as one of the top artists in the music industry at the moment. Released in January 2011, it reached number 1 in February 2011, where it stayed for 4 weeks. It has been nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance.

 

 

vs.

 

 

Jar of Hearts by Christina Perri (11)

Jar of Hearts is the debut single by American singer-songwriter Christina Perri. Released in July 2010, it peaked in the UK charts at number 4. It is still in the chart over here in the UK - it is now charting for the 33rd week! The song premiered on So You Think You Can Dance in June 2010 before Perri had a record contract. It has been described as an autobiographical song as Perri recalls an ex-boyfriend who wanted to reconnect after a tough breakup. The "hook-heavy ballad" received positive reviews, and Perri was compared as being vocally-superior to Selena Gomez and Hayley Williams.

 

 

Voting ends Tuesday 31st January 2012 at 9pm (GMT)

[Corki]

3rd/4th Play-Off

 

 

 

Price Tag by Jessie J ft. B.o.B. (4)

Jessie J was the winner of the BBC's Sound of... contest in 2011, and the year was a big break out for the artist. Released in January 2011 as her second single, it débuted at number 1. It was Jessie J's first single in the US, where it peaked at number 23. The song is an up-tempo, "feel good" track inflected with reggae bounce. Lyrically, the song is about Jessie J trying to make the world dance by forgetting about how much money we have. Again, it was another song that received positive reviews from the critics.

 

 

vs.

 

 

Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera (2)

Released in July 2011 as the Maroon 5's fourth single from their third album, it features Christina Aguilera. The song is fundamentally an electropop song with influences of rock and funk, and is backed by grinding synths and electronic drums. Lyrically, the song refers to a male's ability to impress a female with his dance moves - these are compared to those of Mick Jagger, lead singer of the Rolling Stones. The song peaked at number 2, where it stayed for seven consecutive weeks. In the first 6 weeks, it was held off number 1 by six different songs! The song never managed to make it to number 1. And ironically, it was the 2nd biggest selling single of the year in the UK!

 

 

Voting ends Tuesday 31st January 2012 at 9pm (GMT)

[Jeannaisais]

Adele

 

Moves like Jagger

[Lessa Nikia]

Adele

 

Jessie J

[dragonlover]

Adele and Jessie J

[Corki]

Corki is voting for Adele and Jessie J.

[Corki]

And time to wrap this up!

 

In the Grand Final, Adele eased to a 4-0 victory over Christina Perri, and takes the crown of the Top Single of 2011!

 

And in the 3rd/4th Play-Off, Jessie J took the honours, winning 3-1 over Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera.

 

Thank you to everyone who took part! The next "It's A Knockout" will be along shortly!