The Rob’s Year End Picks: Top 5 Songs of 2013

5. Say Something by A Great Big World feat. Christina Aguilera

The first time I ever heard this song was live on a "Voice" results show. I usually fast-forward through the coaches' performances but for some reason I left this one on in the background when I was taking a dump. I couldn't recognize who the male singer was so I washed my hands and rewound my DVR because I had to know who that was and what song this was.

4. Berzerk by Eminem

When this song came out I was so thirsty for new Eminem music. In my opinion, he's easily the greatest rapper of all time and he hadn't released an album of new music in over three years. I loved it upon first listen. The Billy Squire and Beastie Boys samples combined with the rock production of Rick Rubin was the perfect foundation for Eminem's less serious, more humorous lyrics. This album got me extremely excited for Em's LLP 2 album, which didn't disappoint.

3. Beneath Your Beautiful by Labrinth feat. Emeli Sande 

I've always been a fan of piano ballads and this was among the year's best. (But there was still one better. Keep reading!) I had never heard of Labrinth before this song, but that did not stop me from falling in love with it. The song has been used in many television shows and pop culture references and even though it didn't tear up the charts, I believe you'll be hearing this song for quite some time.

2. Blurred Lines by Robin Thick feat. TI & Pharrell

Before radio got a hold of this song, I saw the video on MTV. When I first heard it, I literally dropped everything and began dancing. This beat is nothing short of genius. The song became legendary over the course of one summer and was easily 2013's summer song. I don't care about the lyrical content; I don't care if he stole the beat and from whom. All I know is, when I hear this song, I have to dance!

1. Stay by Rhianna feat. Mikky Ekko

I had a hard time settling on a top spot between this and "Blurred Lines," which is funny because the songs are so incredibly different. But this song, was so powerful and relateable to anyone who has ever experienced loss that I wound up listening to this song so many times. Technically, the oldest song on this list - it's easy to forget its power because by now we've heard it so many times. Probably more so than any other song on this list. But when this song was new, I would stop what I was doing and just listen intently because its execution is flawless.