The Top Latin Music Hits of 2012

Looking for the hottest Latin music hits of 2012? Look no further than this list of the top 10 songs, compiled by Billboard magazine. From reggaeton to bachata to salsa, these are the tunes that will get you moving and groove all night long!

Introduction

It’s no secret that music lovers enjoy listening to a variety of genres. And, Latin music is no exception. There are a number of reasons why people enjoy listening to this type of music. For instance, it can be very moving and emotional. In addition, it can be quite energetic and exciting.

Whatever the reason may be, there is no doubt that Latin music is extremely popular all over the world. In fact, it has even managed to crossover into the mainstream in recent years.

With that said, what were the top Latin music hits of 2012? This is a question that many people are asking. And, we have the answers!

“Gangnam Style” by Psy

#Gangnam Style” is a single by the South Korean rapper Psy. The song was released on July 15, 2012, as the lead single of his sixth studio album Psy 6 (Six Rules), Part 1. “Gangnam Style” debuted at number one on the Gaon Chart, becoming the first YouTube video to do so. The song has sold over 8 million copies in South Korea as of December 2012. In October 2012, “Gangnam Style” became the most viewed K-pop video on YouTube with 290 million views. As of January 2013, the music video for “Gangnam Style” has been viewed over 803 million times on YouTube, and is currently the site’s second most viewed video of all time.

“We Are Young” by Fun

This song was a huge hit in 2012, and it’s no wonder why. It’s catchy, upbeat, and just plain fun. “We Are Young” is about living life to the fullest and enjoying every moment. That’s a message that everyone can get behind, no matter what language they speak.

“Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye

“Somebody That I Used to Know” is a song written by Belgian-Australian singer-songwriter Gotye, featuring New Zealand singer Kimbra. The song was released in Australia and New Zealand on 5 July 2011 as the second single from Gotye’s third studio album, Making Mirrors (2011). It was later released by Universal Music in December 2011 in the United Kingdom, and in January 2012 in the United States.

The song’s muiscal style has been described as indie pop, downs templateelectro pop, and reggae-influenced pop. The song received commercial success worldwide, reaching number one in Belgium (Flanders), Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal Romania Spain Switzerland Turkey the United Kingdom and the United States. In 2012 it was ranked number one on Triple J’s Hottest 100 of all time list. In 2013 it was voted 9th on Pitchfork Media’s Top 100 Tracks of 2013 list.

“Payphone” by Maroon 5

“Payphone” is a song by American pop rock band Maroon 5 featuring American rapper Wiz Khalifa. It was released on April 16, 2012, as the lead single from their fourth studio album, Overexposed (2012). The song was written by Adam Levine, Benny Blanco, Ammar Malik, Robopop and Wiz Khalifa, with production handled by Blanco. “Payphone” peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Internationally, it peaked at number one in New Zealand and Australia and became the band’s sixth consecutive top ten hit in Canada while reaching the top five in many countries including Denmark and the United Kingdom.

“Lights” by Ellie Goulding

“Lights” is a song by English singer and songwriter Ellie Goulding from Bright Lights (2010), the reissue of her debut studio album, Lights (2010). Written by Goulding, Richard Stannard and Ashley Hicklin and produced by Stannard and Hicklin, it was released on 13 December 2010 as the second single from Bright Lights. “Lights” was well received by critics, who praised it for its melody and production. It became Goulding’s second top-ten single on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number two. In January 2012, “Lights” was certified five-times platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). A remix EP featuring dubstep artists including Skream, Nero and Bassnectar was also released.

The song has been certified platinum in Australia, Canada and the United States. An accompanying music video was directed by American fashion photographer Mariano Vivanco. It depicts Goulding dancing in various locations inside a nightclub without ever leaving it. The club’s main hall is decorated with large illuminated star-shaped lamps which change colours throughout the video.

“Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen

“Call Me Maybe” is a song recorded by Canadian singer-songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen for her debut studio album, Kiss (2012). The song was written by Jepsen and Tavish Crowe as a folk song, but its style was modified into a pop track by Jepsen and producer Josh Ramsay. It was released as the lead single from the album on September 20, 2011, in Canada and the United States.

“Call Me Maybe” achieved widespread success worldwide, reaching number one in over eighteen countries including Australia, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Lebanon, New Zealand, Poland, Slovakia and the United Kingdom. In the United States the song peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified quadruple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) after selling over 10 million digital copies. An accompanying music video was directed by Ben Knechtel. The video portrays Jepsen seeking attention from her hidden love interest and has been compared to Bob Dylan’s 1966 music video for “Subterranean Homesick Blues”. After reaching number one on YouTube’s Global Chart for seven consecutive weeks it became YouTube’s most-viewed music video of all time before being surpassed in November 2012 by PSY’s “Gangnam Style”. As of June 2014 it is still YouTube’s fourth most watched music video of all time with over 780 million views.

“What Makes You Beautiful” by One Direction

The lyrics for “What Makes You Beautiful” focus on female self-esteem and describe how the protagonist’s girlfriend is beautiful despite not realizing it. It is set in common time with a moderate tempo of 112 beats per minute. The intro is eight measures long and features a I–V–vi–IV chord progression, while the verse is sixteen measures long and features a ii–V–I–vi chord progression. The chorus is eight measures long and features the repeated hook “you’re beautiful”, which is harmonized for two measures each time. The song ends with a V7 chord.

“Home” by Phillip Phillips

Phillip LaDon Phillips Jr. (born September 20, 1990) is an American singer, songwriter and musician who won the eleventh season of American Idol on May 23, 2012. His coronation song, “Home,” debuted at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there for four weeks. It also peaked at number one on the Adult Contemporary and Hot Digital Songs charts. In addition, it became the best-selling coronation song in the history of American Idol. Phillips’ debut album The World from the Side of the Moon was released on November 19, 2012, and peaked at number four on the Billboard 200 album chart and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

“Ponteme a Bailar” by Cosculluela

“Ponteme a Bailar” by Cosculluela was one of the top Latin music hits of 2012. The song peaked at number one on Billboard’s Latin Rhythm Airplay chart and stayed there for six weeks. The song was also a huge hit in Cosculluela’s native Puerto Rico, where it topped the island’s airplay chart for eight weeks.