2012 Big Songs

Taylor Swift officially blew up her country image and went full pop in 2012. This song was a mission statement. With a bouncing banjo and a spoken-word rant about a hipster ex, Swift turned heartbreak into a cheeky, victorious chant. It was her first #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and it set the stage for the Red album era—arguably the most beloved "transitional" album of the decade.

If you’re building a 2012 playlist, do not forget these heavy hitters: 2012 big songs