We’ve reached the home stretch in counting down the top 100 songs of 2011! Before we begin, let’s go over the rules.

The rules for the list are simple:

• The song was released as a single
• Charted or peaked in 2011
• Songs released toward the end of 2010 are eligible
• Rankings are based on MY iTunes plays, charting on Billboard, and  presence on World According to Monté.

Simple and easy to follow, right?  Cool. Let’s countdown the top songs of 2011!

39.”Yoü and I” – Lady Gaga

Musically, Yoü and I  is Lady Gaga at her best. Blending country, blues, and pop, Yoü and I shows there’s more to the world’s biggest pop star than the catchy dance tunes she’s become know for.

38. Tonight Tonight – Hot Chelle Rae

Hot Chelle Rae’s “Tonight Tonight”  feels like SUMMER!  Warm weather, cold drinks, and a damn good time!

37. “Paradise” – Coldplay

The music video to Coldplay’s “Paradise” is what drew me to the song. Released as the second single from their fifth album Mylo Xyloto, “Paradise” is the perfect tonic after a stressful day.

36. “5 O’Clock” – T-Pain featuring Lily Allen and Wiz Khalifa

For a two-year span, T-Pain ruled the airwaves, with his own material and as a featured artist. Following the release of Jay-Z’s “D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune),” the “Rappa Ternt Sanga” saw his popularity decline. After receiving the cold shoulder on the charts for a while, T-Pain caught another hit with “5 O’Clock” featuring Lily Allen and Wiz Khalifa. Next to “Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin’),” “5 O’Clock” is my favorite track from the king of Auto-Tune.

35. “Far Away” - Marsha Ambrosius

Marsha Ambrosius had a breakout year in 2011. In addition to the release of her long-awaited solo debut, Ambrosius delivered one of year’s best R&B singles with “Far Away.”  The mid-tempo groove talks about dealing with missing someone who is gone.  The music video featured a African American same-sex couple, who commit suicide after battling with acceptance within the community. Not many artists, especially ‘new’ artists, take the time to shed light on social issues. Marsha took the leap; we can only hope others put their celebrity to good use.

34. “I’m On One”- DJ Khaled featuring Drake, Lil Wayne & Rick Ross

DJ Khaled took a break from his yelling schedule to drop this gem. “I’m On One” stayed in rotation over the summer — the hook is infectious! #YOLO

33. “All of the Lights” – Kanye West featuring Rihanna and Kid Cudi

The album version of “All of the Lights” features half of the music industry. Not really, but it does feature 14 guest vocalist, including Alicia Keys, John Legend, The-Dream, Drake, Fergie, Kid Cudi, Elton John,Ryan Leslie, Charlie Wilson, Tony Williams, Elly Jackson, Alvin Fields, Ken Lewis, and Rihanna.  The combination of Kanye’s verses and the added vocals from the artists makes “All of the Lights” one of the most ambitious and cohesive collaborations of the year. I’d pay to see all them perform it together.

32. “Ima Boss” – Meek Mill featuring Rick Ross

I’m definitely ’bout that life.

31. “So In Love” – Jill Scott featuring Anthony Hamilton

Jill Scott returned in a big way this year. Her fourth album, The Light of the Sun, debuted at No.1 on Billboard’s Top 200 and spawned the record-setting “So In Love” featuring Anthony Hamilton. This is grown folks music!

30. ”Marvin & Chardonnay” – Big Sean featuring Kanye West and Roscoe Dash

“Hold up, Hold up, Hold up, Hold up, Hold up…” In his fourth appearance on the list, Big Sean dropped hits that reigned supreme on Urban radio. “This was all inspired by a little Marvin Gaye and Chardonnay.”

29. “Last Friday (T.G.I.F.)” – Katy Perry

In what became her fifth consecutive No.1 single on the Hot 100, Katy Perry gives us details on what sounds like a kick-ass Friday night!

28. “That Way” – Wale featuring Jeremih and Rick Ross

Capping off a marquee year, Wale makes his second appearance on the list with “That Way” featuring Jeremih and Rick Ross.  Jeremih’s career singing hooks looks promising. His work here is undeniable!

27. “Price Tag” – Jessie J featuring B.o.B

Jessie J’s “Price Tag” defines feel-good music!

26. “S&M” – Rihanna

Of all the songs released by Rihanna in 2011, “S&M” remains my favorite. Easily the best track from LOUD, “S&M” is so bad it’s good! “Na na na na, Come on!“

25. “Moment 4 Life” – Nicki Minaj featuring Drake

Though Drake steals her shine, Nicki Minaj holds her own “Moment 4 Life,” one of the better collaborations from Pink Friday.  For whatever reason, this song continues to be one of my favorites.

24.  ”How to Love” – Lil Wayne

Lil Wayne? Singing? Say WHAT!?!??!?!? Who knew Dwayne Carter could hold a note…or two? Not I. “How to Love” is one of few, very few, gems on Tha Carter IV. Led by an acoustic guitar, Wayne gives a 4-minute pep talk about self-love (not the Cinemax After Dark-kind either).

23. “Sleazy (Original Remix)” – Ke$ha featuring André 3000

Even with the “Sleazier” version featuring T.I., Lil Wayne, and Wiz Khalifa available on iTunes, the original remix featuring André 3000 is still my favorite. I wouldn’t describe Ke$ha as a “singer,” but her 3-minute stint as a rapper on “Sleazy” was one of the highlights of the year.  Don’t sleep! Get into the kitty litter-scented diva!

22. “Sure Thing” – Miguel

The talented singer-songwriter delivered a trifecta of hits in 2011. His second single, “Sure Thing,” zoomed to the top of Billboard’s Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and solidified Miguel as one of the industry’s brightest new stars.

21. “Walk” – Foo Fighters

There’s nothing like getting back to the basics. Foo Fighters put it into song form for “Walk,” the second single from their seventh album Wasting Light.  The music video is HILARIOUS!!! (Oprah’s voice)

20. “Pieces of Me” – Ledisi

Ledisi’s voice is like cool rain on a hot, hell-like day. She could sing me the menu at my favorite restaurant and I’d listen with open ears and growling stomach. The lead single and title track from her sixth album, Pieces of Me, is just a small taste of what she can do when she steps in front of a microphone.

19. “Novacane” – Frank Ocean

Lifted from the best mixtape of the year, “Novacane” is the type of song you can’t deny no matter how much you resist. People sing the praises of The Weeknd, but Frank Ocean has my vote as the hottest newcomer in the game.

18. “Work Out” – J. Cole

J. Cole’s “Work Out” is a song I wrote off in the beginning and only later learned of its greatness. Featured as bonus track on his debut album, “Work Out” stands out as one of the most jig-worthy tracks on the disc.

17. “E.T. (Remix)” – Katy Perry featuring Kanye West

This is the quintessential song for Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream era.  Kanye West’s inclusion on the remix took the song to another level; his verses are among the best from a featured rapper this year. How addictive is the stomp-stomp-clap pattern of the song’s beat? So addictive my reaction when I hear the song come on is this:

16.  ”Best Thing I Never Had” - Beyoncé

If Vanessa Carlton’s “A Thousand Miles” and Beyoncé’s “Irreplaceable” had a child, its name would be “Best Thing I Never Had.”   What separates Beyoncé  from her contemporaries is her ability to outdo and top herself.  Though it’s been dubbed a sequel to her 2006 smash, “Best I Never Had” packs are harder punch that makes it more than just some sappy break-up song.

15. “Give Me Everything”- Pitbull featuring Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer

Get up! Let’s jig! Made for the dance floor, “Give Me Everything” grabs you and doesn’t let go. Even when the music stops, you’ll still want to dance. And I did!

14. “Otis” – Jay-Z & Kanye West

This is what you get when the biggest rappers in the game up for a collaborative album — GREATNESS!

13. “Fool for You”- Cee Lo Green featuring Melanie Fiona

As if it was recorded in the heyday of Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield and Donny Hathaway, Cee Lo’s “Fool for You” featuring Melanie Fiona is the best R&B/Soul collaboration of the year.

12. “Dance (A$$)” – Big Sean featuring Nicki Minaj

Onika shows her a$$ on the remix to Big Sean’s “Dance (A$$)” and steals the show! Don’t believe me? Watch the video and listen to her verse. Thank me later.

11. “Moves Like Jagger” – Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera

Adam Levine and his fellow The Voice judge Christina Aguilera teamed up to create a pop masterpiece. Perhaps the most inescapable single of the year.

10. “Super Bass” – Nicki Minaj

You can’t talk about inescapable singles without mentioning “Super Bass.” Nicki got in touch with her pop side for the infectious cut. “Boom, badoom, boom, boom, badoom, boom, bay, Nicki made the top 10.” Like my version? No? *hangs head*

9. “If I Die Young “- The Band Perry

I almost feel ignorant for discovering this song so long after it was released. Needless to say, “If I Die Young” ranks high on my personal list of BEST SONGS EVER! Even with its somber lyrics, it feels good.

8. “Pumped Up Kicks” – Foster the People

I could listen to this all day and NEVER get tired! The whistling near the end gets me every time.

7. “Motivation” – Kelly Rowland featuring Lil Wayne

Kizzy stepped out of her shell in 2011. Marching to the beat of own drum, Kelly spiced things up with “Motivation” featuring Lil Wayne. No doubt, “Motivation” takes the crown for sexiest song of the year.

6. “Just a Kiss” – Lady Antebellum

5. “Judas” – Lady Gaga

It’ll go down as the song people didn’t understand, but “Judas” was/is/and will remain my favorite song from Born This Way. Gon’ Stefani!

4. “Ni**as in Paris” – Jay-Z & Kanye West

Despite my side eye at the title, my reaction when the song comes on usually resembles this:

3. “Rolling in the Deep” – Adele

With over 12 million copies of 21 sold in 2011, Adele sits at the top of the music industry. “Rolling in the Deep” will go down as the song that changed the game.

2. “Countdown” - Beyoncé

Marching-band drums, horns, and a Boyz II Men sample make “Countdown” the best single from 4, and  the best second-best song of 2011.

FINALLY! We’ve reached NUMBER ONE!

1. “Someone Like You” – Adele

This monster of a hit takes the crown as my favorite song of the year. Led by nothing more than a piano, Adele takes you on a journey through her heartbreak after a break-up and finding her former lover has found someone knew. Not to be a sap, sound cliché or corny, but “Someone Like You” evokes emotions you didn’t know existed. And that’s what music is supposed to do; grab you, take your mind into uncharted territory, and bring out emotion –whether good or bad.  Adele ruled 2011, and “Someone Like You” is one of the reasons why.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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