Our Top Free Music Downloads of 2012

January 04, 2013

At the end of every year, "Top 10" and "Best of" lists are released on just about every topic imaginable — Time’s "Top 10 Everything of 2012," E! Online’s "Top 10 Celebrity Photos," and the New York Times’ "10 Best Books of 2012." MCPL's free downloadable music resource, Freegal Music, is no different.

Top Freegal Music Downloads of 2012
Skyfall by Adele
Gangnam Style by Psy
Try by P!nk
Catch My Breath by Kelly Clarkson
Some Nights by Fun.
Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys
Hall of Fame by The Script
All I Want for Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey
Don’t Stop the Party by Pitbull feat. TJR
50 Ways to Say Goodbye by Train
Hallelujah by K.D. Lang
Live While We’re Young by One Direction
Die Young by Ke$ha
Little Things by One Direction
Blown Away by Carrie Underwood
What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction
Somebody That I Used to Know by Gotye feat. Kimbra
Carol of the Bells/God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by The Piano Guys
I Will Wait by Mumford & Sons

A variety of artists and genres make up this list, and I was curious how it stacked up to other "Best of" lists for music in 2012. I first went to Billboard’s "Best of 2012, Hot 100 Songs" list. Curiously enough, less than half of the songs listed above are also listed on the "Hot 100 Songs." Most notably, Billboard’s number one song, "Somebody That I Used to Know, is number 17 above; however, the number two song on our list, Gangnam Style, placed number 47 on Billboard’s list. Gangnam Style is also the only song from this list to rank on Time’s "Top 10 Songs" list at number two.

Check out MCPL's downloadable music resource for some great free songs. A few notes to remember when using this resource — there is a maximum of three downloads per week, songs are downloaded in mp3 format, downloaded songs do not have to be returned, and you need to have a Library card in good standing to log in to the site. This free music resource can be used on most mobile devices and internet browsers. For more information on how to use MCPL's free downloadable music resource or to get started, go to the Downloadable Music page.

Andrew M.
Electronic Resources Department