Two recent singles have forced me to admit that certain artists are better than I thought.

So following President Obama’s lead on the whole Tom Daschle thing, I’m going to admit my mistakes. When it’s time to reevaluate your choices—or the artists on the radio—then Crank These Hits!

(1) “Right Round” by Flo Rida

You may remember that I hated Flo Rida’s breakthrough hit “Low.” And although they didn’t make me hurl, his follow-ups “Elevator” and “In the Ayer” weren’t un-terrible enough to overcome the apple bottom jeans and the boots with the fur.

And yet I love Flo Rida’s new single, “Right Round.” Love it. Despite the fact that it’s yet another song about going to a club and throwing money at a stripper. Despite the fact that Flo Rida once again insists a hot woman should be “on a poster.” (Really… who says that?)

But unlike “Low,” this song has a couple of surprises. For one thing, it’s produced by Dr. Luke, electro-pop maestro behind Kelly Clarkson’s “My Life Would Suck Without You,” Avril Lavigne’s “Girlfriend” and many, many more. Building off a sample of the 80s classic “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record,)” he delivers a beat that’s half bubbly beeps and half dirty drum machines. It’s kind of like the hip-hop/dance track he created for Pink’s “U + Ur Hand,” only with less grungy noise.  

The cascades of Atari sounds dancing around the persistent drum beat give “Right Round” a playful lightness that separates it from grimier party tracks like “Low” or even “My Humps.” It’s not a quality you hear every day, which I like.

Also, it’s nice that the hook—which may or may not be sung by Katy Perry, based on my limited internet research—has an alt-rock vibe instead of the expected R&B silkiness. It’s like Flo Rida has to contort himself to fit the spirit of the sample instead other way around.

But he’s totally up to it. I’ve always thought Flo Rida had a great flow, bouncing like a Superball over extra-long sentences, and it’s nice to hear him use it on a more inventive track.

Also, as suggestive as they are, the lyrics to this song just aren’t as demeaning to women as the ones in “Low.” They’re more flirtatious than mindlessly horny, and pearl-clutching prude that I am, I dig that.

(2) “Kiss Me Thru the Phone” by Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em featuring Sammie

Okay, look: This song isn’t genius, but Soulja Boy’s last hit, “Crank That (Soulja Boy),” is so mind-meltingly terrible that “Kiss Me Thru the Phone” is a Bach concerto by comparison. It’s got a decent beat, a catchy chorus, and a sweet video that shows couples of all ages and races flirting over their phones. It’s good enough to make me think that Soula Boy and his music may not be plagues unleashed on the earth as punishment for non-recyclable plastic and Cop Rock. 

(3) “Standing Still” by Jewel

When I saw the Lillith Fair in the summer of 1997, Jewel got on stage and sang about 300 of her songs, and then a few hours later, she messed up the words in a group-sing of “Least Complicated” by Indigo Girls. You know, one of the songs that made the whole Lillith era possible, Jewel. 

At some point during the day, I turned to my friends Stephanie and Laura and said, “I bet Jewel would cry if she knew how much I hated her.”

I’ve chilled out enough to realize that being annoyed by someone’s public persona and really, really disliking her music is not the same as hating her. I don’t hate anyone. But good lord, I’m so happy I don’t hear “You Were Meant for Me” on the radio anymore. Or “Hands” or “Intuition” or “Who Will Save Your Soul.”

And yet… I love “Standing Still.” Musically complex, filled with lovely vocals, and capped by this great part where Jewel sings short, staccato phrases in a loud, clear voice while underneath, she holds hold long, hushed high notes. It’s really beautiful, and it forces me to admit that in this narrow instance, I was wrong about her music. I even bought this song a few years ago. I don’t regret it.

(4) American Idiot by Green Day

This one’s obvious, but it’s worth remembering. I liked Green Day before they released American Idiot, and songs like “Minority” and “J.A.R.” even rented a studio apartment in my heart, but like so many people, I thought they were just a pleasant distraction. Then they dropped this album. Whoa! Social relevance! 9-minute epics! Incredible songwriting! Turns out Green Day isn’t just a great party band. They’re a great band. Period. Glad to find out I was wrong.

(5) Your turn! Which song or album has made you realize there was more to an artist than you thought?