The Playlist: Best Songs of the Year 1960-2012

From Adele Calvin Harris to Ray Charles

At the end of every year I look back and think of what I thought were the best songs of the year. This past year I made my list public with my post - Top Ten: Songs O' 2012 (also check out my Top Ten: Songs O' 2011). 

I've decided to take that idea and stretch it back to 1960 and so without further ado, what I think are the best songs of the year (along with runner-ups), starting with 2012 and going backwards. Surprisingly good playlist if played in order. 

Also, if you were a fan of this list back in 2011, I have to warn you that I made some changes since then. Please criticize as such.

Totally Untrue Origins of Rap Names: EMINEM

Marshall Bruce Mathers III saw a small piece of trash, carelessly floating in the wind before his eyes. He immediately thought to himself:

"And this wrapper was, like, dancing with me. Like a little kid begging me to play with it. For fifteen minutes. And that's the day I knew there was this entire life behind things, and... this incredibly benevolent force, that wanted me to know there was no reason to be afraid, ever... But it helps me remember, and I need to remember, sometimes here's so much beauty in the world I fell like I can't take it, like my heart's going to cave in"

From then on, Marshall took that discarded wrapper floating in the wind as a sign to pursue a new career path as a rapper, calling himself "Milk Chocolate M&Ms".  He later shortened it down to Eminem.