This morning, I read Paul Simon’s recent interview in New York magazine, where he talks about staying creative in his seventies, no longer fearing death, and several other things that remind one just how cool he is. Writer Alan Light adds that Simon’s mortality may be balanced by the apparent immortality of the Graceland album and the song “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”

That made me imagine the year 2230, when choral societies will perform “You Can Call Me Al” and the unfrozen head of Alex Ross will discuss the classical characteristics of the “Sail on, Silver Girl” verse.

And then I mused—while taking a shower—that “Bridge Over Troubled Water” might endure not only because it’s beautiful, but also because it’s simultaneously intimate and vague. The lyrics evoke a feeling of caring for someone, of loving them so much that you would do anything for them, but they never reduce that affection to a specific relationship. Is the song written from one lover to another? A parent to a child? A friend to a friend? It could be about any of those things, and that makes it suit any number of ceremonies and private fantasies in your kitchen while you imagine singing it to someone who lives 1,000 miles away and is having a very hard week. (Ahem. So I’d imagine.)

Then as I got out of the shower—face freshly scrubbed with Checks and Balances face wash—I realized that I’ve always heard “Bridge Over Troubled Water” as a message from one friend to another. Maybe that’s because I heard that Simon wrote it for Art Garfunkel, but whatever the case, I think of it as a loving song but not a romantic one.

And finally I thought about how much I love songs like that. Sometimes, friends can forget to tell each other how much they matter, and songs like this remind us to do it.

With that, I present my top five Songs From Your Best Friend. What do you think of my choices? What would you add to the list?

(1) “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon & Garfunkel

One time, no joke, I was walking through Park Slope, Brooklyn listening to this song, tearing up as I thought about my best friends… and then I got mugged. Oops! Not very friendly of the muggers, was it? I got away before they could steal anything, though I did get punched in the face. That sucked, but not enough to diminish my love for this song.

(2) “Trouble Me” by 10,000 Maniacs

When people discuss the great alternative artists of the 80s and 90s, they tend to overlook Natalie Merchant. That’s a shame, because both lyrically and melodically, her best work stands right next to Michael Stipe’s and Tori Amos’.

“Trouble Me,” for instance, is magnificent. That gently insistent percussion, those slightly ethereal harmonies, and that emotional-yet-unstrained lead vocal blend into a beautiful, haunting package.

Lyrically, Merchant gives a literate, impassioned explanation of why her friend isn’t actually helping anyone by bottling his or her emotions. “Speak to me,” she pleas. “Why are you building/this thick, brick wall/to defend me,/when your silence/is my greatest fear?” And in case her friend is worrying that no one in the world could possibly handle hearing all those secrets, Merchant says, “Why let your shoulders bend/underneath this burden when/my back is sturdy/and strong?/Trouble me.”

Only a true friend will tell you that.

(3) “Lean On Me” by Club Nouveau
Club Nouveau – Lean on Me by papafonk

I realize that Bill Withers originated this classic friendship song, and his melody and lyrics are undeniable. Sometimes we do all feel sorrow, and it would be great to lean on someone. Big ups to Bill Dubs for pointing it out.

But here’s the thing: Club Nouveau’s version has the melody and lyrics, and it has “We be jaaaa-mooooo-ooon!”

If you know this version, then I don’t need to explain what that means, since it’s already your favorite part of the song. If you don’t know it, then go to 3:10 and experience lite reggae bliss.

(4) “I’m Alright” by Jo Dee Messina

For a while there, Phil Vassar was cranking out the best songs in country music. He wrote this and “Bye Bye” for Jo Dee Messina, and he wrote “Another Day in Paradise” and “American Child” for himself. In all cases, his witty, surprising lyrics evoked complete characters, and his melodies made you want to sing along.

Part of me loves singing “I’m Alright” because I love the feeling of the words in my mouth. There’s something satisfying about the rapid-fire consonants in lines like, “Been singin’ for my rent/and singin’ for my supper/I’m above the below/and below the upper.”

But I also love belting this because it puts me in such a good mood. It’s not about supporting a friend in need, but it is about seeing an old friend and realizing you still know how to talk to them. That’s an important part of friendship, too, and it lends itself to a perky beat.

(5) “I’ll Be There For You” by The Rembrandts

Burned your breakfast? Stuck in second gear? No worries, player! I’ll be there for you!

As the theme to Friends, this song was always going to be remembered, but it’s also a fantastic tune on its own. You don’t see people clap-dancing to “Tossed Salad and Scrambled Eggs,” do you? And when was the last time the song from True Blood reached the top 15 on Billboard’s Hot 100? Oh yeah… three nevers ago!

(note: the photo up top is from a funny post on PopSugar)

Sometimes, a pop song is more than just a delicious sound nugget. Sometimes, its’ a learning tool. I mean, I think anyone who was sentient in 1989 had his or her knowledge of 20th-century history tripled by “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” and if you want to know about Belgian painters or the gases of the sun, then you’d better get some They Might Be Giants in your ears.

And then there are songs that teach us to spell. Here are my five favorite spelling moments in pop music. What are yours?

(1) “P.A.S.S.I.O.N.” by Rythm Syndicate

Why is “P.A.S.S.I.O.N.,” a number 2 hit from 1991, the single greatest spelling-based hit in pop music history? It might be because of the following reasons…

(1) The beat is so 90s-tastic

(2) The video is even more 90s-tastic. (Check those flames! And those multi-color leather jackets! And lead singer Evan Rogers’ Peach Pit-friendly haircut!)

(3) The chorus spells “passion,” and the second verse helpfully adds “crazy” and “sex” to the vocab list.

However, these are not the reasons “P.A.S.S.I.O.N.” prevails. The reason is that the song, which is so dedicated to spelling that it puts periods in its title, thus indicating that we are meant to pronounce each letter individually, is performed by a group that misspells its own name. Rythm Syndicate? Sic! Sic! Sic!

Amazing.

(Fun fact: The founders, co-writers, and producers of Rythm Syndicate are Rogers and Carl Sturken, who went on to write and produce songs like Rihanna’s “Pon De Replay” and N’Sync’s “God Must Have Spent a Little More Time on You.”)

(2) “Rescue Me” by Madonna

I praised this song (and its fit of spelling) during my recent countdown of Madonna’s hit singles. Revisit the moment right here!

(3) “D-I-V-O-R-C-E” by Tammy Wynette

It was inevitable that someone was going to write a song about how parents spell words they don’t want their kids to understand. Lucky for us that the song was “D-I-V-O-R-C-E,” a country classic by Tammy Wynette that turns the cutesy-poo practice on its head, injecting it with incredible sadness. You get the idea that Tammy herself wishes she didn’t know the words she’s spelling, which is why she can’t bring herself to actually say them.

(4) “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)” by Jay-Z

This song has a hot beat and an impossibly catchy chorus. Even better, it made the “izzo” language accessible to the masses. Wikipedia says “H.O.V.A.” stands for “Hustler of Virginia,” but since Jay-Z is from Brooklyn, I doubt it. Or rather, I dizz-oubt it.

(5) “Fergalicious” by Fergie

I’m embarrassed to say that I didn’t get this song at first. Thank God Roommate Joe was there to set me straight. How could I ever have resisted Fergie’s flawlessly cheeky ode to herself? Everything about the song is just so perfectly… tacky. Fergie’s blithe confidence, the ludicrous lyrics (“up in the gym, working on my fitness”), and the nonstop spelling parade from both Fergie and will.i.am… they all add up to genius.

(HONORABLE MENTION) “I Love You Period” by Dan Baird

Dan Baird, formerly of Georgia Satellites, doesn’t spell words in “I Love You Period,” but I’ve got to salute his decision to pronounce punctuation marks. Clever will get you far on The Critical Condition.

My friends Dave and Sylvia (who are also my brother-in-law and soon-to-be sister-in-law) are getting married this weekend. They want their reception to be a mind-blowing Danceateria, and to guarantee groovtastiness, they’ve asked  several of their intimates to be wedding DJs. Each of us will play songs for about an hour.

I’ve got the first slot, which means that after the father-daughter dance and the mother-son dance, it’s my job to get the party started.

That is no small responsibility, but I shoulder it gladly.

Working with the bride and groom, and paying careful attention to my fellow DJ’s brilliant playlists, I have crafted a set so booty shaking, so speakerboxxing, that I must share it with you all. No matter where you are this Saturday, take a moment to crank a hit on the following list. Know that somewhere—especially around 8:00 PM California time—a group of revelers will be dancing with you.

Mark’s Wedding Playlist for Dave and Sylvia, or “Y’All Want This Party Started Quickly… Right?”

By MARK BLANKENSHIP

(1) “Faith” by George Michael — A fellow DJ has claimed “I Want You Back,” which is usually my go-to for starting a wedding, so I am trying something new. (And yes, a lot of my friends do seem to be asking me to DJ their weddings these days. Which I totally love.) I feel confident that when people hear the first few blasts of George Michael’s guitar, they will drop their plates of chicken skewers and run for the dancefloor.

(2) “Come On Eileen” by Dexy’s Midnight Runners — “Eileen” keeps with the slightly acoustic vibe of “Faith,” and it also gives us an excellent sing-along chorus. Bring on the crowd participation!

(3) “You Can’t Hurry Love” by The Supremes — Oldies are crucial at a wedding, since you want family members of all generations to feel included. But no matter how old you are, this song is an instant mood-lifter. (Once when I was a resident advisor in college, I played it at a tense staff meeting to help everyone chill out. It worked.) Notice, also, that this song is a bridge between the acoustic sounds of “Eileen” and the full-on R&B to come.

(4) “Poision” by Bell Biv DeVoe — Hell yeah! Wedding songs need to grab you right away, and this 90s staple is a grabber.

(5) “Buddy Holly” by Weezer — This may seem like a non sequitur, but it starts with such a burst of energy that it makes a great follow-up to “Poison.” As a bonus, the song is really short. You dance, you love, it’s over.

(6) “Work It” by Miss Elliott — A special request of the bride, this hip-hopsterpiece brings us down from the cardio blast of the last few songs. We can groove a little slower and act out the notion of “flipping it and reversing it.”

(7) “Pon De Replay” by Rihanna — Another bride request, and I love it. Obviously, there needs to be a Rihanna song at the wedding, and this one will come as a happy surprise for those who have been so consumed by “Umbrella” fever that they’ve forgotten where Ri-Ri came from.

(8) “Blister in the Sun” by Violent Femmes — In case the more rock-oriented dancers feel alienated by the Missy-Rihanna two-pack, I’m using this crowd pleaser to welcome them back on the floor. (Special note: This is the song that taught me to get over myself and learn to enjoy dancing in public. I’ll explain later.)

(9) “Celebration” by Kool and the Gang — Sylvia’s Choice #3. This oldie is a wedding classic, and it got that status for a reason.

(10) “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves — Why? Why would you ever try to fight this song? It’s flawless.

(11) “Move Your Feet” by Junior Senior — Perhaps my biggest gamble. This is an amazing dance song by a duo that recently graced my countdown of the best songs of the decade, but it isn’t widely known. However, I’m confident that its catchiness will prevail. And after ten solid hits, I feel I’ve earned 3:30 of experimentation.

(12) “Hot in Herre” by Nelly — But hey, if Junior Senior becomes a champagne break, then Nelly’s bound to get people dancing again. (This is another Sylvia choice. Can you tell why we get along?)

(13) “Think” by Aretha Franklin — By this point, it’s time to drop another beloved oldie on the crowd. Andrew shrewdly suggested that I choose “Think” instead of “Respect.” As much as I love “Respect,” it IS a little played out, and this is a nice Aretha alternative.

(14) “Bust a Move” by Young MC — Classic! Groove-wise, it’s a good segue from”Think.”

(15) “Get the Party Started” by Pink — I noticed that there was no Pink anywhere else in the wedding. I had to fix that.

(16) “Rock Lobster” by B-52′s — We’re all expecting “Love Shack,” sure, but “Rock Lobster” is an equally awesome B-52′s jam. Plus, when Andrew and I went to a commitment ceremony earlier this year, this song came on, and he did the cutest dance I’ve ever seen. It involved him curling up on the floor like a scared crustacean, then breaking out of his shell. For the rest of my life, I will scheme to create scenarios in which he can do that dance again.

(17) “Let’s Stay Together” by Al Green — Dave and Sylvia said they wanted a minimum of slow songs, and you certainly don’t want that many at the top of a wedding reception, so I’m saving my smooth-n-sexy guns until the end. Sylvia picked this one, so I’m fully expecting her to swing me around the floor as the next DJ sets up for another awesome set.

Reserves: In case one of these songs doesn’t connect with the crowd, I’m keeping Salt-n-Pepa’s “Push It,” Duffy’s “Mercy,” and Culture Club’s “Karma Chameleon” in reserve.

Did you know that Nelly Furtado just released a new single? In Spanish? I just found out today, and I’ve been bobbing my head en Espanol all afternoon.

When I listen to music in a language I don’t speak (which is every language except English and German), I find I have a very different relationship to what I’m hearing. It’s nice sometimes to turn off my language receptors and just respond to a beat or a vocal technique. It often lets ms appreciate songs that, if I knew what they were about, I might dismiss as corny.

After the jump, I’ll drop a few of my favorite foreign-language tracks (including the new Nelly Furtado single), and then I want to hear about yours!

(1) Nelly Furtado, “Manos Al Aire”

I speak enough Spanish to know that this title means “Hands in the Air,” and my friend Kerri (who’s fluent) tells me that the song’s lyric are as boilerplate as its title.

I’d rather not hear a translation, then, because I’m currently going crazy for Furtado’s return to her Carribbean-folkie sound, and I don’t want that to be sullied by learning her lyrics are generic.

About Furtado’s style: After much protest, I finally got behind her rebirth as a ghetto fabulous Timbaland prodigy, if only because I could still hear traces of her lush world vibe in songs like “Say It Right” and “All Good Things (Come To End.)” (Well… and also because there’s no point in resisting “Promiscuous” and “Maneater.”) But “Manos Al Aire” suggests that Furtado has not abandoned her previous ship just to chase the current radio trend. If she’s going to keep developing her distinctive sound as well as shake it like Polaroid picture, then I’m totally on board. In fact, straddling those two worlds makes her even cooler.

(2) “Shango” by Angelique Kidjo

Angelique Kidjo is Beninese (meaning she’s from Benin, Africa), and randomly, she played a free outdoor concert in Chattanooga while I was in high school. (Nightfall at Miller Plaza anyone? Whoop whoop!) I didn’t actually go, but my friends Laura and Stephanie did, and they came back raving. They made me listen to Kidjo’s album Fifa, which instantly kicked my ass with its hyperactive drums and roof-scorching vocals.

This song, “Shango,” is likely about the Yoruba god of thunder and lightning. But who knows? All I can confirm is that it commands me to dance. (Click on the link to hear it. The YouTube video is disabled.)

(3) Zoe, “Nada”

A psychedelic rock band from Mexico, Zoe makes stoner music that’s perfect for hanging out with a magazine (or making brunch.) I heard this song because it was a free iTunes download, and I liked it right away. I don’t even mind the lengthy guitar solo, which usually drives me crazy. I guess I’m more tolerant because I’m not impatiently waiting for another section I can sing along to.

(4) “Sposo Amato / Cara Sposa” from Andromeda Liberata. Conducted by Andrea Marcon

Did I even list that title correctly? I don’t know. I know almost nothing about classical music, but I’ll tell you, this selection from Andromeda Liberata, which is believed to be at least partially composed by Vivaldi, doesn’t require any great knowledge. It’s so frisky and charming that my general ignorance of classical forms (and Italian) does nothing to dilute my enjoyment.

(5) Your turn! Which foreign-langugage compositions do you love?

For a variety of reasons, I’ve spent the last week thinking about obscure songs from the 80s and 90s—more than usual,  I mean—and I’ve been reminded of some tunes that didn’t get nearly enough attention when they were released.

After the jump, I’m going to anoint two singles that should have been more popular. After you read my selections, tell me which hits you think deserved to be bigger.

(1) “Edge of a Broken Heart” by Vixen

So my friend Sheri is both an actress and a voice teacher who specializes in helping musical theater performers sing rock songs. (Crazy-awesome niche, right?) Last night, she Facebooked that she needed a new rock song for herself—something to audition with that would show her range but not be as overdone as, say, “Hit Me With Your Best Shot.”

Naturally, Sheri and I started chatted about the kick-ass ladies of 80s rock and soul. Lita Ford was invoked, as were Teena Marie, Bananarama, and even Quarterflash. But we hit the motherlode when I suddenly remembered Vixen.

Vixen!  The all-female hair-metal band!  They were just popular enough to be noticed—and to warrant their own episode of MTV Unplugged-–but they never quite made it to superstardom. 

And that’s a shame, because that song up there, “Edge of a Broken Heart,” kicks ass. It was written and produced by Richard Marx (!), so it’s full of catchy pop hooks, but it also has a spiky rock edge. Plus, lead singer Janet Gardner has decent pipes, and she wails the power notes at the end.

“Edge of a Broken Heart” peaked at number #26 in 1988, but it should have gone top ten. It’s not a classic like “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” but it’s definitely as good as “Unskinny Bop.”

p.s. — Because America is awesome, Vixen is still producing new music. You can find it here.

(2) “Dream All Day” by The Posies 

You may have noticed the 90s music quizzes I’ve posted recently. Obviously, they’ve gotten me thinking about that golden decade of pop, and more specifically, they’ve made me remember songs I haven’t thought about since Chelsea Clinton’s awkward phase. Hello there, Lemonheads! Welcome back to my consciousness, Juliana Hatfield! Nice to see you, The Posies! 

Do you guys remember “Dream All Day,” The Posies’ only semi-hit? It reached the top five on the modern rock chart in 1993 and had a charmingly low-rent video, but it deserved much more. The earwormy chorus merits national attention, and the grungy-pretty melody is totally a precursor of Gin Blossoms and Snow Patrol. If Bush got to have several big hits, couldn’t the Posies have had just one?

p.s. — One hit may have been all they had in them. Back in those desperate days before iTunes, I bought The Posies’ album Frosting on the Beater just so I could get  ”Dream All Day.” And the rest of the songs… sucked. Remember when people used to do that? Buy a whole album for one song? I feel like everyone I knew had the 4 Non Blondes record, but no one listened to anything except “What’s Up.” 

p.p.s.– “Chelsea’s Awkward Phase” should be the title of a teen-focused drama on ABC Family.

Your turn! Which songs do you think deserve more love?

You know you’ve got them: Songs and artists that you reach for in a pinch. Maybe you’re searching for something to belt in the shower, and you return to one of your stand-bys. Maybe you’re on a road trip, and the first CD you play is a mix you made seven years ago.

After I tell you what’s in my permanent rotation, I want to hear about yours!

(1) The Late-Career Hits of Heart — I was up really late last night working on a story, and to get me through the last hour of editing, I listened to eight (yes, eight) of Heart’s hits from the 80s and 90s. No matter how many times I hear “Alone” or “Never” or “Nothin’ At All,” the amazing singing, the power chords, and the hooky choruses always get me riled up. The songs are so bombastic and heartfelt that they energize me when I’m sleepy and get me moving down the sidewalk at a faster clip.

I’ve got a special place in my soul for “All I Want to Do Is Make Love to You,” which is one of the trashiest songs ever written. I mean, dear God: It’s about a woman who seduces a stranger to impregnate her without realizing it. And she tries to make it sound like a poetic gesture. What kind of deluded ex-hippie describes her down-low babymaking by saying, “We we walked in the garden, we planted a tree?” And yet Ann Wilson sings that story with so much sincerity that it becomes delicious. 

Now that I think about it, why aren’t more drag queens covering this? It’s the very definition of camp.

  

(2) “Landslide” — With or without the “This is for you, Daddy” intro, this song has been a constant fixture in my shower repertoire for ten years. I imagine all kinds of scenarios for my own live performance: Like, it’s class night at my high school, and I wrote “Landslide” as a ode to my parents. Sometimes, just for fun, I’ll sing the first half in the style of Fleetwood Mac’s version from The Dance, and I’ll rock the second half like Dixie Chicks do on their cover version.

(3) “Cold Rock a Party” — I purge my gym playlist every two weeks, so that I don’t get bored while I’m breaking a sweat. One song that almost never gets cut, however, is MC Lyte’s “Cold Rock a Party.” Her flow is amazing on this track, you guys, and the sample of “Upside Down” commands my head to bob. It’s bobbing right now, even though I’m only thinking about the song.

As an added bonus, Missy Elliott drops an amazing guest verse, and in her opening salvo, MC Lyte spits one of my all-time favorite hip-hop couplets: “Trust you me, I blow up shop/About to blow the roof right off of hip-hop.” Damn right you are, girl!

Note: I can’t find this song on YouTube. WTF?!?!

(4) “Bridge Over Troubled Water” — The way that I will sometimes read the third act of Our Town to make myself cry, I will turn to this Simon and Garfunkel classic to help me have a catharsis. The subject of the song is what gets me most, since I think of it as an ode to friendship instead of love. (I read somewhere that Simon wrote it for Garfunkel, then added the more romantic third verse at the last minute.) The lyrics are simple, direct, and piercing, and Garfunkel sings them so beautifully that they feel 100% true. Throw in the crashing drums in the final moments, and you’ve got a pop-music approximation of what deep devotion to another person feels like. To me, at least. So when I feel overwhelmed by my gratitude for a friendship, I always crank this hit. 

Your turn! Which songs and albums and artists are your go-tos? 

One of my favorite parts of being a reporter is getting to interview people I respect, and fortunately for me, that happens a lot. I’m usually level-headed about this, but every now and then, I get worked up about meeting someone. When I interviewed Elton John, for instance,  I had to psych myself up, and I’m still giggly about the phone conversation I had with Paul Rudd a few years ago. 

This afternoon, I’m meeting a pair of actors I really respect, but since we’re talking about a play they’re in—and I’m so familiar with the theater world—I’ve pretty much got it together. However, prepping for this story has gotten me thinking about my occasional pre-interview jiiters and what I do to overcome them.

Unsurprisingly, I turn to music, so ater the jump, I’ll share my personal soundtrack for slowing my roll. Once you’ve read mine, tell me yours!

(1) “Day ‘n’ Nite” by Kid Cudi –

This track represents my general love for laid-back hip-hop, from De La Soul to PM Dawn to certain Kanye West hits. Kid Cudi’s song—a rumination about the lonely wanderings of a stoner—is on the radio right now, and it’s the epitome of chill. The beat has just enough propulsion to keep you from going to sleep, but not so much that you, like, need to get out of your seat. 

The trippy video is relaxing, too. I get a mellow chuckle every time something in the background turns into a cartoon. Taken together, I guess the song and the video are like the pop cultural equivalent of smoking up to calm down.

(2) “Alone” by Heart —

Maybe not the most obvious choice for slowing a roll, but this hit’s my wonder drug. It’s just so… majestic, you know? With the anthemic chorus and the sick-ass harmonies. I’ve heard it approximately 6.5 million times, and I still get swept away, raising my fist and screwing up my face everytime I mouth along to “I never really cared until I met you.” That’s a great way to release pent-up energy.

(3) “The Road to Ensenda,” Lyle Lovett —

I don’t talk about it nearly enough, but I love Lyle Lovett’s music. Love it. Every album has this amazing blend of gospel abandon, quiet pain, and cocked-eyebrow humor, so that there’s practically a song for every mood. (Early Mary Chapin Carpenter albums are like this, too.)

This song, the title track from the ja-mazing album The Road to Ensenada, tells a softly heartbreaking story about a lonely American who’s dying across the border in Mexico. As he slips away, he gives his caretakers messages for the people he’s leaving behind. There’s a lovely melody propping up his tale, and Lovett’s weary voice is perfect for the character he’s created. Even though the song is sung by a dying man, it’s really about finding peace, and that’s why it always calms me down.

Your turn! Which songs help you chill?

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? 

Today was a strange one in my freelance life: I lost a story, gained three more, lost the star of the next Critical Condition video, and then immediately found a great replacement.

To think there was a time when I couldn’t handle sudden change.

Well, to be honest, I kind of still can’t, but my bizarro professional life has been trying to pound that fear out of me for the past four years. Somehow, month after month, I’ve survived (or better), even though there were days I was convinced I’d be living in my friend Kerri’s car. (Kerri, stop driving my living room!)

These are the songs that help me slowly embrace the unexpected. If you’re trying to go with the flow, I say… Crank That Hit!

(1) “Ulysses” by Franz Ferdinand –

Have you heard this yet? It’s the first single from Franz Ferdinand’s third album, Tonight: Franz Ferdinand. Released yesterday, the record’s a concept album about a drunken night and the bleary morning after, but more than that, it’s a distinct evolution for a band that won my heart with its quirk-o-matic guitar pop. Now there are dirtier dance beats, weirder vocal effects, and frankly, prettier parts. At least on this song.

The change surprised me at first, but the more I sit with it, the more I like it. In this case, change is good.

(2) “Runaway” by Janet Jackson –

Whoa! When was the last time you thought of this song?!? But it’s perfect for the theme because of what happens at 3:19: Right there in the chorus-to-fade, Miss Jackson hits the wrong note. But does she freak out? No, she just makes a little joke and moves on. Ultimately, that flub is the most distinctive part of this forgettable hit, which just proves that the things we’re not planning for can sometimes be the ones we need most.

(3) “Work It” by Missy Elliott –

Before I take another step, let me say that it’s a crime this monster jam didn’t hit number one. On the Billboard Hot 100, it was number two for ten long weeks, mostly held off by Eminem’s “Lose Yourself.” And yeah, “Lose Yourself” is spectacular, but couldn’t my girl get one sweet week?

Anyway, the first time you hear it, this song is a total mindfuck: You think you grasp the beat and then, bam!, backwards rapping! You get used to that and then, ra-ta-ta!, that “pedicure” interlude where the sound drops out. And then at the end? Sh-boom! Missy yells “To the laaaa-dieeeees!,” and the entire song reinvents itself. Suddenly, there are bells and distorted voices and, like, a breakbeat from a forgotten EMF track.

The only way to enjoy this song is to embrace whatever Missy and Timbaland throw at you.

(4) Steve Winwood — “Roll With It”

Is this choice a bit on the nose? Perhaps, but I’ll take any excuse to talk about Winwood. Great singer, great musician, and one of the most underappreciated hotties in rock history. If Winwood tells us to roll with it, then we totally should.

(5) Your turn! Which songs help you accept surprises?

As you think about that, let’s enjoy another picture of Winwood. I’m telling you… in the eighties, the man was fine.

Thanksgiving is a time of bounty, and we should be thankful for the cornucopia of great new songs that is currently spilling onto the plastic tablecloth of our hearts.

If you’re looking for five hot jams to liven up your holiday, then crank these hits!

(1) “Heartless” by Kanye West — You guys? I love “Love Lockdown,” but I looove “Heartless.” The insistence of the beat; the simple, pounding rhythm of Kanye’s rap-singing; the guys yelling “Hey!” after every line… it’s all so urgent and dark and exciting. And once again, I’m struck by Kanye’s vulnerability. He may swagger at awards shows, but his music lays down raw feeling. That’s so much more engaging than a generic rap about clubbing.

(2) “Mr. Hurricane” by Beast — Once again, the free iTunes download has done me right. Otherwise, I wouldn’t know about this Canadian band, and that would be sad. I mean, how cool is that gospel choir in the chorus? How sick is the drum loop? This song is perfect for walking down a crowded city street. You hear it, and you feel like an instant ass kicker.

(3) “Cold Shoulder” by Adele

Adele’s from the Duffy/Winehouse/Estelle school of young British woman who sound like throwbacks to the beehive hairdo. Her music is so stylishly cool that it might as well be polished chrome, and “Cold Shoulder” proves why that’s awesome. Because it sounds like it doesn’t have a hair out of place, the song treats heartbreak with cold curiosity, as though the narrator is more fascinated by her pain than controlled by it. That’s some sexy self-possession! 

(4) “Blame Me! Blame Me!” by Anberlin — Clearly, I’m in the mood for high energy music right now, because I love this song’s frantic pace. And like all the songs on Anberlin’s fantastic new album, this one lays guitar and drum noise over a strong melody. You can rock out, but you can also enjoy the pretty hook and lovely singing. Even better, the lyrics are genuinely perceptive, exploring how some couples would rather keep fighting about nothing than discuss what’s actually scaring them. For a pop song, that’s pretty deep. 

(5) “Good With You” by L.P.

 

Do you know why I love this song? Because of the gut-ripping wail L.P. unleashes at :34, like she’s not even trying. Because of the quavering note she sings immediately afterward, on the words “but you.” Because of the stadium-burning chorus, which has so many vocals, guitars, and violins that it’s like a fist in my face. But most of all, I love this song because L.P.’s voice doesn’t sound so great at 2:54. That shit ain’t pitch corrected, y’all, and it’s awesome. She needs to sound messed up because she wants her girlfriend like crazy. That’s a messy way to feel, and a rock song that respects that is a rock song for me.