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

[Corki]

Following in the footsteps of "It's A Knockout" for the best selling singles of 2008, "It's A Knockout" for the best selling singles of 2009 and "It's A Knockout" for the best selling singles of 2010, the annual contest continues with the top 16 singles from the UK chart from 2011, according to the Offical Charts Company, since I can't find the equivalent thread on the BBC.  

 

"It's A Knockout" will be of longer format this month - and this means there are 16 songs instead of 8! And the 16 songs are the top 16 from the Official Charts Company link.

 

 

"It's a Knockout" - Format

For those of you who have not been involved with a "It's A Knockout" thread before, the rules are quite simple. The Band of the Red Hand is DM's travel, music and eating out Social Group, and "It's a Knockout" is a knock out competition to find out the winner of any chosen category - this time, it's the top selling singles of 2011. Each day, 2 of 2011's best selling singles will be posted, along with a link so you can listen to the song if you do not know it, and all you have to do is post which of the 2 songs you prefer. After a day, the votes will be counted, and the winning song will progress to the next round, until we only have 1 song left as the winner at the end of the competition - which will be crowned the Band of the Red Hand's best selling single of 2011! It's very simple, so I look forward to seeing you getting involved!

 

So without further a-do, let the competition begin!

[Corki]

RESULTS

 

Please Note: The numbers in brackets refer to their placing in the top selling singles for 2011 in the UK Charts.

 

Round 1

 

1. Someone Like You by Adele (1) beat (16) Beautiful People by Chris Brown ft. Benni Benassi (3-0)

2. The A Team by Ed Sheeran (8) lost to (12) S&M by Rihanna (1-4)

3. Wherever You Are by Military Wives and Gareth Malone (13) beat (6) Give Me Everything by Pitbull ft. Ne-Yo, Afrojack and Nayer (4-1)

4. On the Floor by Jennifer Lopez ft. Pitbull (10) lost to (4) Price Tag by Jessie J ft. B.o.B. (1-3)

5. Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO ft. Lauren Bennett and Goonrock (3) lost to (14) Born This Way by Lady Gaga (1-3)

6. Grenade by Bruno Mars (7) lost to (11) Jar of Hearts by Christina Perri (1-3)

7. We Found Love by Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris (5) lost to (9) Rolling in the Deep by Adele (0-4)

8. The Lazy Song by Bruno Mars (15) lost to (2) Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera (1-4)

 

2nd Round

 

1. Someone Like You by Adele (1) beat (12) S&M by Rihanna (3-2)

2. Wherever You Are by Military Wives and Gareth Malone (13) lost to (4) Price Tag by Jessie J ft. B.o.B. (0-4)

3. Born This Way by Lady Gaga (14) lost to (11) Jar of Hearts by Christina Perri (2-3)

4. Rolling in the Deep by Adele (9) lost to (2) Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera (1-3)

 

Semi-Final

 

1. Someone Like You by Adele (1) beat (4) Price Tag by Jessie J ft. B.o.B. (2-1)

2. Jar of Hearts by Christina Perri (11) beat (2) Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera (2-1)

 

3rd/4th Play-off

 

1. Price Tag by Jessie J ft. B.o.B. (4) beat Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera (2) (3-1)

 

Final

 

1. Someone Like You by Adele (1) beat Jar of Hearts by Christina Perri (11) (4-0)

[Corki]

THE CHOSEN SONGS

 

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.

 

 

2. Beautiful People by Chris Brown ft. Benni Benassi (16)

The uptempo song features elements of electro house, dancehall, Europop, and R&B. Released in early March 2011, it peaked at number 4 in May 2011. It achieved numerous high chartings in charts across the world. Written by Chris Brown, along with Jean Baptiste, Marco Benassi (aka Benni Benassi) and Allessandro Benassi, it was received well by music critics. The song's lyrics revolve around Brown encouraging "everyone on the dance floor to keep their heads up and discover the beauty inside."

 

 

3. The A Team by Ed Sheeran (8)

The A Team was released by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran in June 2011. The single served as the lead single from Sheeran's début album +. Selling 57,607 copies, the track peaked at number 3, which was its highest place in the chart. The song was written following a last minute performance at an event for the homeless. The song narrates the story of a homeless prostitute living on the streets of London, who is played by actress Selina MacDonald.

 

 

4. S&M by Rihanna (12)

Firstly a warning - the video is quite explicit! And that led it to being banned in 11 countries. Released just about a year ago in late January 2011, S&M peaked at number 3 in the UK charts where it remained for 3 weeks. It achieved number 1s across the world, including Australia, Canada and Poland. The Eurodance and dance-pop received positive reviews from critics. Rihanna sings about sex and BDSM related acts but she explained that the song should not be interpreted literally, but rather, metaphorically. According to Melina Matsoukas, the director of the music video,  the video was inspired by Rihanna's "sadomasochist relationship with the press... it isn't just about a bunch of whips and chains".

 

 

5. Wherever You Are by Military Wives and Gareth Malone (13)

Wherever You Are by Military Wives and Gareth Malone was the UK's Christmas number 1. Thankfully it wasn't some tripe from a glorified karaoke song contest! Released on 19 December 2011, it sold 556,000 copies in the week, which was more than the rest of the Top 12 combined. The Military Wives are a British choir and were formed during the fourth series of the BBC TV series The Choir. Gareth Malone, who formed the group, sought to enlist voices for an all-women choir, who were the wives and girlfriends of military personnel deployed to Afghanistan. The text of Wherever You Are is a love poem compiled from letters written between the women and their absent husbands and partners.

 

 

6. Give Me Everything by Pitbull ft. Ne-Yo, Afrojack and Nayer (6)

Seriously, how many more people can you mention as the artists? The single was Pitbull's first number 1 in the UK, and scored number 1s across the world, including the US. The song received mixed reviews from the critics. Some said it had infectious qualities, for example, the beats (which I do like) and it had the right formula to please club-goers. However, NME panned  "the song for having too many random components". 

 

 

7. On the Floor by Jennifer Lopez ft. Pitbull (10)

On the Floor is an up-tempo dance, electropop and electro house song that was released as a single in February 2011. In April 2011, the song reached number 1 in the UK, becoming Lopez's third chart topper. The song contains heavy synths and elements of Eurodance, Latin American and techno music. When speaking about the song, Lopez said that she wanted a song that would evolve her sound, "it feels like me today, which I like". Overall, the song received generally positive reviews, and stormed to several number 1s across the world.

 

 

8. 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.

 

 

9. Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO ft. Lauren Bennett and Goonrock (3)

The electro house song is by recording duo LMFAO (Stefan and Skyler Gordy) and features Goonrock and British singer Lauren Bennett. Released in January 2011, it reached the top of the UK charts and the top of many other charts, including Australia and the USA. In New Zealand, it was top of the charts for 11 weeks - the longest chart topper since 2009! The song has been used much in popular culture, and there is a viral copy featuring the Ohio University's marching band, The Marching 110.

 

 

10. 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.

 

 

11. Grenade by Bruno Mars (7)

Grenade was the second single from his début album Doo-Wops & Hooligans. Released in September 2010, the pop and R&B ballad peaked at number 1 in mid January 2011. Across the world, it also topped the charts. Lyrically, the Grenade contains masochistic themes and tells the story of heartbreak caused by a failed relationship. The song has been well received by artists. The song has received three nominations for the 54th Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year and Record of the Year.

 

 

12. 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.

 

 

13. We Found Love by Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris (5)

Released in September 2011, this was the lead single from Rihanna's sixth studio album. The electro house and dance-pop song débuted at number 1 in the UK by selling over 87,000 copies. When it reached number 1 in the USA, it became Rihanna's 20th top 10 single - the shortest time for an artist on the US Billboard. Music critics have given the song mixed reviews, with some praising Rihanna's vocal performance. Unfortunately, others felt that the lyrical content was sparse and came second to Harris' production.

 

 

14. 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.

 

 

15. The Lazy Song by Bruno Mars (15)

Released in February 2011 as the third single from the début album, it became Mars' fourth number 1 in the UK within a year. The song displays influences of reggae and Hawaiian music and was well received by the music critics. One described it as humorously kicks reality out the door for a romanticized view of a day in which the protagonist 'will not do anything'", and another as "sounds like the perfect soundtrack for a summer happy-hour meetup".

 

 

16. 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!

[Corki]

Round 1, 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.

 

 

Beautiful People by Chris Brown ft. Benni Benassi (16)

The uptempo song features elements of electro house, dancehall, Europop, and R&B. Released in early March 2011, it peaked at number 4 in May 2011. It achieved numerous high chartings in charts across the world. Written by Chris Brown, along with Jean Baptiste, Marco Benassi (aka Benni Benassi) and Allessandro Benassi, it was received well by music critics. The song's lyrics revolve around Brown encouraging "everyone on the dance floor to keep their heads up and discover the beauty inside."

 

 

Voting ends Monday 9th January 2012 at 9pm (GMT)

[Corki]

Corki is giving his vote to Adele.

[Lessa Nikia]

I vote Adele. Brown's would be great to dance to but Adele speaks to the heart

[Dwynwen]

I vote for Adele. Pure brilliance.

[Corki]

Any additional votes??

[Corki]

Voting is over and Adele has beaten Chris Brown and Benni Benassi by 3 votes to 0.

 

Time for the next tie!

[Corki]

Round 1, Tie 2

 

 

 

The A Team by Ed Sheeran (8)

The A Team was released by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran in June 2011. The single served as the lead single from Sheeran's début album +. Selling 57,607 copies, the track peaked at number 3, which was its highest place in the chart. The song was written following a last minute performance at an event for the homeless. The song narrates the story of a homeless prostitute living on the streets of London, who is played by actress Selina MacDonald.

 

 

vs.

 

 

S&M by Rihanna (12)

Firstly a warning - the video is quite explicit! And that led it to being banned in 11 countries. Released just about a year ago in late January 2011, S&M peaked at number 3 in the UK charts where it remained for 3 weeks. It achieved number 1s across the world, including Australia, Canada and Poland. The Eurodance and dance-pop received positive reviews from critics. Rihanna sings about sex and BDSM related acts but she explained that the song should not be interpreted literally, but rather, metaphorically. According to Melina Matsoukas, the director of the music video, the video was inspired by Rihanna's "sadomasochist relationship with the press... it isn't just about a bunch of whips and chains".

 

 

Voting ends Tuesdy 10th January 2012 at 9pm (GMT)

[dragonlover]

im gonna have to vote for S&M by Rihanna

[Corki]

I don't like either song. I find them both a little dull. But I have to pick one to vote for, so it will probably be Rihanna's S&M.

[Jeannaisais]

Also not a huge fan of either, but I made it all the way through Rihanna's

[Adrian44]

Rihanna's S&M

[Lessa Nikia]

Ed Sheeran

[Corki]

And that is a 4-1 victory for Rihanna's S&M.

[Corki]

Round 1, Tie 3

 

 

 

Wherever You Are by Military Wives and Gareth Malone (13)

Wherever You Are by Military Wives and Gareth Malone was the UK's Christmas number 1. Thankfully it wasn't some tripe from a glorified karaoke song contest! Released on 19 December 2011, it sold 556,000 copies in the week, which was more than the rest of the Top 12 combined. The Military Wives are a British choir and were formed during the fourth series of the BBC TV series The Choir. Gareth Malone, who formed the group, sought to enlist voices for an all-women choir, who were the wives and girlfriends of military personnel deployed to Afghanistan. The text of Wherever You Are is a love poem compiled from letters written between the women and their absent husbands and partners.

 

 

vs.

 

 

Give Me Everything by Pitbull ft. Ne-Yo, Afrojack and Nayer (6)

Seriously, how many more people can you mention as the artists? The single was Pitbull's first number 1 in the UK, and scored number 1s across the world, including the US. The song received mixed reviews from the critics. Some said it had infectious qualities, for example, the beats (which I do like) and it had the right formula to please club-goers. However, NME panned "the song for having too many random components".

 

 

Voting ends Thursday 12th January 2012 at 9pm (GMT)

[Corki]

An easy pick for me - Wherever You Are by Military Wives and Gareth Malone.

[Lessa Nikia]

As someone who's had family part of the military I'm going with Wherever You Are

[Adrian44]

Wherever You Are

[dragonlover]

defo the Military Wives

[Jeannaisais]

shame on me but I'm going with Give Me Everything[/i]

[Corki]

A comfortable 4-1 win for the Military Wives and Wherever You Are.

 

Time for the next two ties.

[Corki]

Round 1, Tie 4

 

 

 

On the Floor by Jennifer Lopez ft. Pitbull (10)

On the Floor is an up-tempo dance, electropop and electro house song that was released as a single in February 2011. In April 2011, the song reached number 1 in the UK, becoming Lopez's third chart topper. The song contains heavy synths and elements of Eurodance, Latin American and techno music. When speaking about the song, Lopez said that she wanted a song that would evolve her sound, "it feels like me today, which I like". Overall, the song received generally positive reviews, and stormed to several number 1s across the world.

 

 

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 Monday 16th January 2012 at 9pm (GMT)

[Corki]

Round 1, Tie 5

 

 

 

Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO ft. Lauren Bennett and Goonrock (3)

The electro house song is by recording duo LMFAO (Stefan and Skyler Gordy) and features Goonrock and British singer Lauren Bennett. Released in January 2011, it reached the top of the UK charts and the top of many other charts, including Australia and the USA. In New Zealand, it was top of the charts for 11 weeks - the longest chart topper since 2009! The song has been used much in popular culture, and there is a viral copy featuring the Ohio University's marching band, The Marching 110.

 

 

vs.

 

 

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.

 

 

Voting ends Monday 16th January 2012 at 9pm (GMT)