Top 10 Original Movie Songs of 2012

My year end coverage of 2012 officially begins today with my list of the top 10 best original songs of 2012. It's been a stronger than usual year for movie songs, as the last few years has seen a bit of a dry spell in that area.

1
"Song of the Lonely Mountain"
Neil Finn - THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY



This folksy ballad, which incorporates part of Howard Shore's sweeping Misty Mountain theme as well as Tolkein's poetry, returns us to Middle Earth in grand fashion.

2
"Safe & Sound"
Taylor Swift feat. The Civil Wars - THE HUNGER GAMES



Taylor Swift's gorgeous lullaby adds a wistful element to the wildly popular phenomenon.

3
"Abraham's Daughter"
Arcade Fire, T. Bone Burnett - THE HUNGER GAMES




Under the direction of T. Bone Burnett, The Hunger Games had the year's best soundtrack album, and this knock-out track ended the film with the bang.

4
"Learn Me Right"
Birdy, Mumford & Sons - BRAVE



So good it later ended up on Mumford & Sons' new album, "Babel."

5
"Skyfall"
Adele - SKYFALL



This is what a Bond theme song is supposed to sound like.

6
"This Gift"
Glen Hansard - THE ODD LIFE OF TIMOTHY GREEN



If this movie slayed you like it slayed me, this end credit track sent you soaring out of the theater.

7
"Noble Maiden Fair (A Mhaighdean Bhan Uasal)"
Patrick Doyle - BRAVE



Brave may not have had the same emotional resonance as some of its Pixar predecessors, but Patrick Doyle's score was undeniably gorgeous, summed up by this Celtic lullaby memorably sung by Emma Thompson.

8
"Gone"
Ioanna Gika - SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN


This chilling acapella number perfectly captures the film's dark, chilly tone.

9
"From Here to the Moon and Back"
Dolly Parton - JOYFUL NOISE



It's Dolly. 'Nuff said.

10
"Strange Love"
Karen O. - FRANKENWEENIE


Karen O. caps off Tim Burton's wonderfully macabre animated tale of a boy who brings his dead dog back to life with this infectiously off-kilter little ditty.

HONORABLE MENTIONS
"Breath of Life" - Florence + The Machine, SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN
"Touch the Sky" - Julie Fowlis, BRAVE
"Suddenly" - LES MISERABLES

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