EDM-Pop’s “definitive anthem” starts off the year squaring off against the genre’s goofy self-parody, but mid-year, Billboard incorporates on-demand streaming into the Hot100 and the internet becomes Pop’s main stage, with oddball viral hits ruling all Summer in “The Year of the Newcomer.” Meanwhile, Gen-Z flexes on the charts with British Boy Bands and Glee, and Maroon 5 cracks the code on radio.

#1 Song of the Year   The top song according to our Chartcrush ranking of all Hot100 songs that earned the majority of their chart ranking points in the year

Artists of the Year   The top three artists based on all charted songs during the calendar year

1. Rihanna
2. Flo Rida
3. Maroon 5

Artist with Most Charting Songs   Artist(s) with the most Hot100 charting songs during the year (song count in parentheses)

• Glee Cast (26)

Average #1 Artist Age   The average of how old artists who scored #1 Hot100 hits during the year were when their songs first reached #1

• 28.9 years

#1 Songs   List of Hot100 #1 songs that earned the majority of their chart ranking points in the year, and (in parentheses), the month the song first hit #1 and the total number of weeks it was #1

1. Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris – We Found Love (November ’11, 10 wks)
2. LMFAO – Sexy and I Know It (January, 2 wks)
3. Adele – Set Fire to the Rain (February, 2 wks)
4. Kelly Clarkson – Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) (February, 3 wks)
5. Katy Perry – Part of Me (March, 1 wk)
6. Fun. feat. Janelle Monáe – We Are Young (March, 6 wks)
7. Gotye feat. Kimbra – Somebody That I Used to Know (April, 8 wks)
8. Carly Rae Jepsen – Call Me Maybe (June, 9 wks)
9. Flo Rida – Whistle (August, 2 wks)
10. Taylor Swift – We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together (September, 3 wks)
11. Maroon 5 – One More Night (September, 9 wks)