Nominees:

Rihanna, "We Found Love"
Katy Perry, "Part of Me" (pictured)
Beyoncé, "Love on Top"
Nicki Minaj, "Starships"
Selena Gomez & The Scene, "Love You Like a Love Song"

Both Lady Gaga and Lana Del Rey got locked out this year, as did Carly Rae Jepsen, which just seems odd. Beyonce’s “Love on Top,” is a great retro-soul song, but the video is only so-so. Katy Perry’s “Part of Me” is definitely the most ambitious as Perry goes all “GI Jane” on us after dropping her beau. “Starships” is a colorful explosion that fits the lightweight song, but isn’t anything special. Rihanna’s “We Found Love” has a grittiness to it that matches the lyrics. Selena Gomez’s clip is a fun fashion show through the ages, but not much more and she won’t have the votes to win unless she harnesses the Bieber vote (except Beliebers wish she wasn’t in the picture).

Should Win: Katy Perry, “Part of Me”

Will Win: Katy Perry, “Part of Me”