10 Best Songs of 2011 (So Far)

10

'Higher' Feat. Travie McCoy

Taio Cruz

British singer Taio Cruz scored another hit from his American debut 'Rokkstar' with 'Higher.' The original version for U.K. audiences featured Kylie Minogue, but the American version showcases rapper Travie McCoy, whose introductory verse kicks off a song that celebrates dance music itself. Cruz sings, "Music's got me going higher / I feel like I could touch the sky."

09

'More'

Usher

'More' has been around for over a year -- Usher performed it at last year's NBA All-Star Game -- but it finally hit radio in 2011 as a single from the deluxe edition of 'Raymond v. Raymond.' On the RedOne-produced dance track, Usher tells his fans, "If you really want more, scream it out louder."

08

'Blow'

Ke$ha

When it comes to songwriting, Ke$ha has clearly identified her niche -- club bangers about partying. On 'Blow,' she sticks to the musical formula that worked on 'Tik Tok' and 'We R Who We R.' "This place about to blow," she warns on the second single from 'Cannibal,' an electropop track she co-wrote with Max Martin and Dr. Luke.

07

'Born This Way'

Lady Gaga

'Born This Way' was one of the most-anticipated singles in a long time, and within five days of its release, Gaga had performed it live at the Grammys and watched it soar to the top of the charts, becoming the 1000th No. 1 song in Billboard history. Gaga acknowledged that when she wrote the self-affirming dance track, she imagined Whitney Houston singing it.

06

'Hold It Against Me'

Britney Spears

Brit has never shied away from cheeky double entendres, so it makes perfect sense for her to ask, "If I said I want your body now, would you hold it against me?" over a beat from Dr. Luke and Max Martin. The lead single from her 'Femme Fatale' album became her fourth career chart-topper and an easy choice as one of the Top 10 Songs of 2011.

05

'What the Hell'

Avril Lavigne

Years after she was written off by some as a pop-punk flavor of the moment, Avril Lavigne just keeps racking up the hits. She got a head start on 2011 by debuting 'What the Hell' on Dick Clark's New Year's Eve broadcast. The catchy song includes retro keyboards, an undeniable hook, and lyrics about throwing caution to the wind and having fun.

04

'S&M'

Rihanna

"Feels so good being bad," Rihanna teases, setting the stage for a raunchy electro track from her 'Loud' album. Though the subject matter involves being naughty in the bedroom, Rihanna claims the lyrics are metaphorical. Produced by Stargate and Sandy Vee, the track features an edgy music video that created nearly as much buzz as the song itself.

03

'Perfect'

P!nk

On the heels of the party anthem 'Raise Your Glass,' Pink unleashed 'Perfect' as the second single from her 'Greatest Hits... So Far!!!' collection. Pink wrote the ballad about ignoring your faults and being proud of yourself, with inspirational lines like, "Pretty pretty please, if you ever ever feel that you're nothing, you are perfect to me."

02

'Tonight' feat. Ludacris

Enrique Iglesias

Enrique Iglesias was always known for his ballads, but last year the Spanish crooner presented a new side with the dance hit 'I Like It.' The follow-up single 'Tonight' goes even further, embracing risqué lyrics, a Ludacris cameo and a beat that feels tailor-made for the club. 'Tonight' got to No. 4, equaling the peak of 'I Like It.'

01

'Grenade'

Bruno Mars

Even though Bruno Mars would "catch a grenade" and "take a bullet straight through my brain" for his love interest, she doesn't feel the same way. The emotional heartbreak story helped Mars continue the momentum of his fantastic debut year by hitting No. 1 and taking the lead spot on our list of the Top 10 Songs of 2011.