All Songs Considered

Our no. 1 songs: 2012

October 9, 2025

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  • The hosts of "All Songs Considered" found 2012 to be a particularly difficult year to narrow down their favorite songs due to an overwhelming number of great options, including inescapable pop hits and significant discoveries. 
  • Stephen Thompson highlighted Frank Ocean's song (implied to be "Thinkin Bout You" based on lyrics) as his personal favorite from 2012 for its timeless quality and emotional depth, while Robin Hilton countered with Fun's "Carry On" as a feel-good anthem. 
  • The episode noted the massive cultural impact of Psy's "Gangnam Style" in 2012 as a harbinger that helped open the floodgates for K-Pop breaking through on U.S. pop radio, despite some viewing it as a novelty song. 

Segments

Introduction and 2012 Difficulty
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(00:00:15)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts are revisiting 2012 as part of the show’s 25th-anniversary retrospective, noting it was a challenging year to select top songs.
  • Summary: Robin Hilton and Stephen Thompson opened the episode of “All Songs Considered” dedicated to their number one songs from 2012. Thompson had previously indicated that 2012 would be a tough year for narrowing down choices. The difficulty stemmed from an overwhelming number of terrific options, including inescapable pop hits and great discoveries.
Frank Ocean’s Timeless Track
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(00:01:15)
  • Key Takeaway: Stephen Thompson selected a Frank Ocean song (implied to be “Thinkin Bout You”) as arguably his favorite of 2012, noting its enduring quality and the impact of its bridge.
  • Summary: Thompson played a Frank Ocean track, calling it timeless and a classic that has stood the test of time. He specifically praised the guitar work in the bridge, which compels him to immediately listen to the song again after hearing it. Robin Hilton admitted he hadn’t played the song since its release year.
Fun’s Anthem ‘Carry On’
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(00:03:32)
  • Key Takeaway: Stephen Thompson chose Fun’s “Carry On” over their more famous hit “We Are Young” as his selection for 2012, emphasizing its uplifting emotional quality.
  • Summary: Thompson played “Carry On” by Fun, noting it was a song he wrote down immediately when considering 2012 selections. He suggested this track might be superior to “We Are Young” and described the album Some Nights as something to put on when one wants to feel good about everything. The song’s lyrics encourage perseverance when lost or sinking.
JapanDroids’ Fire Highway
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(00:09:25)
  • Key Takeaway: Stephen Thompson cited JapanDroids’ “Fires Highway” as the soundtrack to turning 40 in 2012, representing a fire still burning despite age.
  • Summary: Thompson revealed his favorite album of 2012 was by JapanDroids, playing “Fires Highway.” He shared an anecdote about being recognized while loudly playing the song in his minivan by a colleague, Jacob Gans. The album served as a personal soundtrack for Thompson navigating his 40th birthday that year.
Kishibashi’s Electrifying Discovery
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(00:11:20)
  • Key Takeaway: Kishibashi’s “Bright Whites” from 2012 was considered an electrifying discovery with a near 100% approval rating among listeners.
  • Summary: Kishibashi’s song “Bright Whites” was highlighted as an electrifying discovery from 2012 that felt like it would have universal appeal. Hilton predicted the song would sustain the artist’s career through placements in movies and commercials. This track was released the same year as Exit Music’s album Passage.
Exit Music’s Darker Tone
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(00:13:25)
  • Key Takeaway: Exit Music’s song “The Night” from the 2012 album Passage was noted for its dark, evocative lyrics and connection to a Tiny Desk performance.
  • Summary: Exit Music’s track “The Night” was described as being very “Robin Hilton-coated” and part of their 2012 album Passage. The lyrics deal with themes of decay and separation, using imagery like walls folding like bones. The band, featuring Alexa Palladino and Devon Church, also performed a Tiny Desk concert in 2012.
Psy’s Global K-Pop Breakthrough
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(00:15:11)
  • Key Takeaway: Psy’s “Gangnam Style” was acknowledged as a massive juggernaut that threw open the floodgates for K-Pop’s viral breakthrough in the U.S. pop market.
  • Summary: The hosts addressed the inescapable presence of Psy’s “Gangnam Style,” recognizing it as enormously influential despite being processed by many as a novelty song. This track marked a significant moment for K-Pop gaining traction on mainstream U.S. pop radio. The song’s success preceded the more sophisticated K-Pop that followed.
Cat Power’s Rebirth Album
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(00:16:56)
  • Key Takeaway: Cat Power’s 2012 album Sun, featuring the title track, was considered a triumphant return of all-original songs after a six-year gap, signaling a rebirth for Chan Marshall.
  • Summary: Stephen Thompson named Cat Power’s Sun as his number one album of 2012, playing the title track. Marshall had not released an album of original material in about six years prior to this release. The album title symbolized a personal rebirth for the artist after navigating various difficulties.
Carly Rae Jepsen’s Ubiquitous Hit
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(00:18:47)
  • Key Takeaway: Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” was the ubiquitous pop song of 2012, and it became the recurring musical trope for the start of the show’s annual holiday extravaganza.
  • Summary: Robin Hilton played “Call Me Maybe,” acknowledging it as the song that dominated pop radio and charts in 2012, despite debates between the hosts. Hilton revealed that this song was playing when he first arrived at the 2012 recording of their first holiday show. This established a tradition where the year’s biggest pop song opens every subsequent holiday extravaganza.