Top Pop Songs of 2011 (EXCLUSIVE)

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Gaga ... and Rihanna ... and Adele ... oh my! There were so many memorable pop music releases this year, it took the collective brain power of multiple AOL Music editors to round them all up. From Jessie J's infectious 'Price Tag' to Gym Class Heroes 'Stereo Hearts,' we look back and remember all the momentous musical moments that lit up the Top 40 charts. Read for a pop-tastic flashback of the year that was, and see if your favorite hits made the Top 21 countdown!

1. 'Till the World Ends,' Britney Spears

After a year of uprisings, occupations and riots, no song quite captured 2011's end-of-days vibe like Brit's biggest, boldest epic yet. Sure, the charts have been filled with similar electro bangers since Britney herself ushered in pop's rave-ival during her 'Blackout' days, but 'Til The World Ends' outshines 'em with the sinister euphoria of an exploding sun. And yes, it was better than the remix. -- Joshua Ostroff

2. 'Someone Like You,' Adele

Broken-heart ballads sell ... just ask British songstress Adele, who's smash hit 'Someone Like You' connected to lovelorn masses across the globe. The single, off her platinum-selling CD, '21,' isn't just drawing mass appeal, but critical acclaim as well. Adele's weepy song of moving on post-split is nominated for a Best Pop Solo Performance Grammy Award. -- Sarah Chazan

3. 'Party Rock Anthem,' LMFAO

People are always shocked to hear that LMFAO are related to Motown Records founder Berry Gordy -- a man known for being all business. But these guys ... they don't take themselves seriously at all, and that's why we love them. You can diss 'Party Rock's self-aware simplicity all you want, but this aptly-title anthem will be filling dancefloors forever. It may not be soul, but that sure sounds like a classic to me. -- JO

4. 'Call Your Girlfriend,' Robyn

After dancing on her own last year, Sweden's greatest popsmith returns as the other woman. In this throbbing club ballad, Robyn may have won the guy, but she's mostly concerned with making sure the girlfriend is let down easy. It's a rare angle to approach a love triangle and perfect example to play for anyone who says pop music has no heart. -- JO

5. 'The Edge of Glory,' Lady Gaga

Mother Monster had one monster year! But of all her brilliant 'Born This Way' chart toppers of 2011, we've picked 'The Edge of Glory' for our best of the best list. The song, which was inspired by Gaga's grandparents' mutual love during the last moments of her late grandfather's life, also features a riveting sax solo by Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band star Clarence Clemons recorded shortly before his own death. The critically acclaimed jam was also a huge commercial hit, peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. -- Contessa Gayles

6. 'Super Bass,' Nicki Minaj

A slice of pop-tinged rap goodness, Nicki Minaj's 'Super Bass' was a welcome departure from the Queens native's earlier gritty tracks. Here, the head Barb showed and proved she could rise to the top of the Billboard charts rhyming -- and singing -- about a dude she's smitten over. Even U.K. Barbs like 8-year-old YouTube sensation Sophia Grace fell in love with the song -- which appeared on the 'Pink Friday' LP -- taking it to the mainstream when she performed alongside Minaj on 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show.' -- Georgette Cline

7. 'Mr. Know It All,' Kelly Clarkson

"You don't know a thing about me." Oh, but we do little Miss Independent. When it comes to girl power anthems, you always have an ace up your sleeve -- the latest being 'Mister Know It All.' This soulful chart-topper sees the pop-rock powerhouse at her most confident as she reads the riot act to a bossy ex. Her American Idol-winning vocal gymnastics could have overwhelmed this pretty number -- so Clarkson wisely downplays the octave-jumping to waltz right into the winner's circle. -- Jenny Charlesworth

8. 'Hello Feat. Dragonette,' Martin Solveig

Veteran Franco-house producer Solveig -- consider him David Guetta's classier compatriot -- hooked up with Canadian electrop-pop act Dragonette to create this charming catchy tune which finally landed the Frenchmen on the worldwide radar. Next gig? Oh, just producing Madonna's new album. -- JO

9. 'Love You Like a Love Song,' Selena Gomez

Miss Gomez steps out from behind boyfriend Bieber's shadow with this meta-romantic dance-pop song that starts out sorta sappy before squelchy synths burble up into the earworm chorus. By the time she starts stuttering "re-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat," that's what she's got us doing... and least when it comes to hitting our iPod replay button! -- JO

10. 'We Found Love,' Rihanna

It's soulful, spastic and soooo damn irresistible. Rihanna hits near perfection on this rabid rave-up produced hit by UK dancefloor dynamo Calvin Harris. An emotional voiceover intro from a lovelorn RiRi belies the banger that surges forth from a dramatic clap of thunder. The fist-pumping breakdowns and freakishly addictive beats are only topped by Rihanna's angelic voice as she laments: "We found love in a hopeless place." -- JC

11. 'Stereo Hearts,' Gym Class Heroes

This radio-friendly collab with Maroon 5's Adam Levine helped to solidify Gym Class Heroes' comeback in 2011. Touted as a departure from the band's previous sound, the tune hit all the right chords -- appealing to toddlers, sororiety girls and grannies alike. "It's amazing to sit back and see how far we've come over the years ..." GCH's frontman Travie McCoy told MTV News when the hit's video was released. -- SC

12. 'Price Tag,' Jessie J

Before this hit took the nation by storm, singer Jessie J was probably best known stateside as the songwriter for Miley Cyrus' song 'Party in the USA.' But thanks to an up-tempo, catchy hook and an ill rhyme courtesy of B.o.B, Jessie is a star in her own right. The radio-friendly tune has more than one celeb fans, with stars like Selena Gomez covering the single at her own concerts! -- SC

13. 'Never Say Never,' Justin Bieber

There was no escaping Bieber Fever in 2011. The Canadian teen idol released everything from a signature fragrance to his first documentary concert film. That flick, inspirationally titled 'Never Say Never,' featured the re-release of Justin's previous song of the same name. The tune was such a hit for the Biebs during its original release in 2010, that it was shortlisted to become and Oscar contender for Best Original Song. The success of the film, and its uplifting message, helped drive the tune back on the charts when it was re-releases to coincide with the concert film. -- SC

14. 'Give Me Everything,' Pitbull

Rapper Pitbull is a pop artist as well these days with the massive success of 'Give Me Everything,' a single off his 'Planet Pit' album. His knack for catchy rhymes, Afrojack's thumping dance beat, Ne-Yo's crooning and Nayer's cooing, made this tune an undeniable smash. As a result, Mr. Worldwide moved from his Mr. 305 title and catapulted to No. 1 in countries from Scotland to Netherlands. -- GC

15. 'Best Thing I Never Had,' Beyoncé

Take one part 'If I Were A Boy,' throw in a dash of 'Independent Women' and a sprinkle of 'Single Ladies,' and you've got Beyonce's 2011 diss-hit 'Best Thing I Never Had.' The ballad climbed up the Billboard Hot 100 over the summer, spending 19 consecutive weeks on the chart and peaking at number 16. Bey worked with an array of super-producers on the track, incuding Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds ... and the talent shows. Despite the more upbeat tracks also featured on Beyonce's '4' album, this single stuck a personal chord with audiences, and this particular music editor! -- SC

16. 'Pumped Up Kicks,' Foster the People

Written back when Mark Foster was penning commercial jingles, 'Pumped Up Kicks' maintains that genre's airy melodies and catchy choruses. But as the song floats lightly along, its school-shooter lyrics -- "You better run, better run, outrun my gun" -- make you realize it's powered not by helium but explosive hydrogen. -- JO

17. 'Blow,' Ke$ha

The young lady who introduced herself by brushing her teeth with a bottle of Jack, raises the stakes with this tweaked-out party anthem. The dollar sign diva sings paints quite the vivid picture, singing about a dancefloor invasion by dirt and glitter-covered glam punks. And that's not even getting to its awesome video -- which climaxes with a laser fight in a unicorn nightclub between Ke$ha and "James Van der Douche." -- JO

18. 'Take Care Feat. Rhianna,' Drake

Two of pop music's biggest names join forces on the least pop-sounding song on our list. This title track to Drake's sophomore opus is a melancholy emo-rap piano ballad by a pair friends and ex-lovers remaking a Jaimie xx remix of the late Gil Scott Heron's 'I'll Take Care of U.' The result spans decades, genres and genders with aching aplomb. -- JO

19. 'Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F),' Katy Perry

Of all her 'Teenage Dream' chart toppers, Katy's 'Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)' was the one to make her the first female to earn five No. 1 songs off a single album ... and tie Michael Jackson's long-held record. Famed producers Dr. Luke and Max Martin worked their magic on the catchy song. The result? Pure pop goodness! And who doesn't love a good recap of all the embarrassing and hilarious moments from last Friday night's out-of-control party? -- CG

20. 'Without You' David Guetta Feat. Usher

With the help of Usher's soaring vocals, French DJ/producer David Guetta landed his first career No. 1 on the U.S. Top 40 airplay with 'Without You.' Peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, Guetta hit gold with his Usher collaboration, which he told AOL Music was "the most impressive [vocal] session" he's ever recorded with an artist. A romantic serenade and a club banger all in one song? Yes please! -- CG

21. 'This City,' Patrick Stump

When former Fall Out Boy lead singer Patrick Stump, sang "This city/Is my city/And I love it/I love it," he was referring to his hometown of Chicago. However, there was just something about the song that made it relatable to people everywhere. NBC Sports even used the high-energy track as their theme song for this year's New York City Marathon. "Less than going for a sound I just wanted to make what I wanted to listen to," Patrick tells AOL Music. Well, you aren't the only one who wanted to listen to it Pat – we love your tune! -- SC