After doing a 12 Best Albums Of 2012… So Far list earlier in the year, here’s a list of the 12 best songs of 2012 so far. In the opinion of this writer, of course, and in no particular order…

Saint Etienne – Over The Border

If you love music as much as I do and as much as Saint Etienne do, this is pretty much the story of your life. From album Words And Music By Saint Etienne

Beach House – Wishes

The best example of ‘Beach House doing a Beach House type song’ from their excellent new album Bloom.

Brad – A Reason To Be In My Skin

Shawn Smith’s vocals can light up any song and this soulful rocker is typical of what makes Brad of the best side projects around. From United We Stand.

Willie Nelson – The Scientist

There’s few better interpreters of other people’s songs than Willie Nelson, and this is one of his best, adding a real fragility to the Coldplay song. From his Heroes album.

Garbage – Not Your Kind Of People

Garbage’s return has been one of the year’s most pleasing developments and this title track from their album is just wonderful.

Richard Hawley – Leave Your Body Behind You

Richard Hawley has added a punch to his sound this year with Standing On The Sky’s Edge, and this Jools Holland performance showed what that meant.

Norah Jones – Say Goodbye

Teaming up with Danger Mouse has revitalised Norah Jones’s sound and image and this jaunty track is the best example from her album Little Broken Hearts.

Marilyn Manson – Breaking The Same Old Ground

Not only the best song from his new album Born Villain, it’s the best thing he’s done since Mechanical Animals and would have fit on that album well.

Jack White – Weep Themselves To Sleep

Piano and keyboards are as prominent on Jack White’s solo album Blunderbuss as guitars were on White Stripes albums and this shows how well they are used.

Rufus Wainwright – A Song Of You

Rufus is on fine form on his new album Out Of The Game and this song for his fiance is the definite highlight.

Ginger – Another Spinning Fucking Rainbow

The freedom to experiment that comes with making a triple album funded by your own fans pays off big style on this deliriously entertaining track from 555%.

Bruce Springsteen – Death To My Hometown

The best example of Springsteen’s righteous anger at the people who screwed the world, blended in with a wonderful song, this is definitely my favourite track from Wrecking Ball.