Photo: WENN

2012 has been a great year for women in music. The charts have been dominated by Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Cheryl Cole - as well as many more we just don't have room to list here.

But this time, you're not here to hear us talk about music. Instead, we're looking at the hottest women behind the music - from Instagram photos to live performances to the women who somehow manage to look even better in candid photos.

Amongst the contenders? A summer hit singer who we'd definitely say yes to if she asked us to call her (maybe), an X Factor winners who seem to have that certain something in her 'DNA' and someone who we have No Doubt is one of the hottest female stars around. (See what we did there?)

If that's got you intrigued, then we won't keep you in suspense any longer. Check out our gallery to see the first 25 women in our countdown of 2012's 50 hottest female stars...