The Greatest Showman #1146 - Golden Years

Standing at the close of 2012, it's undeniable that this has been a landmark year for Renly. His achievements in both the music and film industries are beyond remarkable, making him a dominant figure in popular culture.

Renly's album topped the North American year-end sales charts, with Don Quixote securing the third spot. His singles also performed exceptionally well, solidifying his position as a key player in the industry. This year alone, four singles surpassed six million sales in North America.

Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know" led the pack as the year's top-selling single, while Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" came in at a close second. At number three, Renly's "Cleopatra" made waves—although it never reached number one on the Billboard charts, it became a record-setting, folk-inspired track, writing its own unique success story.

Other notable mentions include Fun's "We Are Young" and LMFAO's "Sexy and I Know It," both of which reached the six million sales mark, securing spots in the top five.

Interestingly, the genres dominating the charts this year were considered unconventional. While "Electric Me" was a pop hit, the remaining three songs—"The Most Familiar Stranger" and "In the Mood for Love" (alternative rock) and "Cleopatra" (folk)—reflected a shift in listener preferences. These genres, once fading, experienced a resurgence in 2012, signaling a major change in the music market.

While the album market showed signs of decline, the singles market boomed, especially with the rise of digital music. Seven singles crossed the four-million sales threshold, including Rihanna's "We Found Love," LMFAO's "Sexy and I Know It," and Fun's "Some Nights." The diversity of these songs—spanning indie rock, folk, and dance music—became the year's defining theme.

Among the top 50 singles of the year, Renly occupied five spots, with four of them coming from Don Quixote—"Cleopatra," "Another Light," "The Beast," and "Your Bones." These performances made him the most successful artist on the singles chart. Additionally, "Say You Won't Give Up" and "Ophelia" ranked 51st and 88th, respectively.

Don Quixote had a far-reaching impact, reminiscent of last year's 21. While both albums became cultural phenomena, Don Quixote, with its folk style, played a crucial role in revitalizing music genres once considered outdated. Its influence extended beyond music, injecting fresh energy into the North American music scene and sparking a resurgence in indie rock, folk, and jazz.

Amid this, George Slender made a comeback, partnering with Eleven Studio to support independent musicians and create more groundbreaking music. His shift from commercial success to artistic dedication further highlighted the changing landscape of the music industry.

In the film world, Renly also made waves. After Fast & Furious 5 ranked third in the North American box office last year, this year's Edge of Tomorrow became a box office juggernaut, grossing $550 million and securing the runner-up spot in North America. The film's impressive performance, especially considering the lack of previous franchise build-up, further proved Renly's commercial appeal.

Meanwhile, The Avengers dominated with a historic $623 million in North America, making it the year's top performer. Following closely behind, Edge of Tomorrow surpassed expectations and solidified Renly's place as one of Hollywood's new box office stars.

Other notable films in the top ten included The Dark Knight Rises, The Hunger Games, and Skyfall. The success of these films, despite varying expectations, highlighted the evolving structure of the North American film market. Particularly interesting was the rise of films based on adaptations—comic book movies, teen adaptations, and reboots—leading some to question whether original works could ever regain their previous prominence.

In global box office terms, The Avengers again led the charge with $1.5 billion, followed by Edge of Tomorrow at $1.18 billion. Other box office titans included Skyfall, The Dark Knight Rises, and The Hobbit. Pixar's Brave was the highest-grossing original film of the year, grossing $237 million, though it was clear that original content was now overshadowed by adaptations.

The success of Edge of Tomorrow, particularly given the lack of franchise buildup, proved that Renly had transcended expectations, both in music and film. His ability to captivate audiences and dominate multiple industries marked 2012 as a transformative year, with his influence extending well beyond the charts and box office.

Looking at the trends in both the music and film industries, it's clear that 2012 will be remembered as a pivotal year for Renly, whose impact on both sectors has been nothing short of revolutionary. The changes seen this year suggest that creativity is making a comeback, and Renly will undoubtedly continue to play a significant role in shaping the future of entertainment.