10. “Don’t Stop Believin'” Glee Cast – Unique and trend-setting, Glee has become a household name, but not just because of the show. Each episode provides genuinely great show-tune versions of hit songs that go on to Billboard Chart-level success, making that cast one well-paid set of actor/singers.
9. Right Round” Flo Rida – Proving to the world that he was no one-hit wonder, the Timbaland-inspired artist/producer released this unique appropriation of Dead or Alive’s “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record).” The new version: “You spin my head right round, right round, when you go down, when you go down, down.” Yeah, enough said.
8. Good Girls Go Bad” Cobra Starship feat. Leighton Meester – Fun fact: This family un-friendly ditty was penned by none other than Kara DioGuardi. That’s right, the new judge on American Idol. We all knew she had that bad-girl dwelling not particularly far under the surface. Team up with her and that new Gossip Girl, and Cobra Starship had a hit from the opening line: “I know your type, you’re Daddy’s little girl.”
7. “Fireflies” Owl City – Farther outside the mainstream pop genre than most hits tend to be, Owl City’s dreamy ode to fireflies and childlike wonder took over the charts at a blinding pace. Equally uncommon is that Owl City is a religious artist, with backing vocals provided by Relient K’s lead vocalist.
6. Boom Boom Pow” Black Eyed Peas – While the world probably now hopes to never hear this song again, there’s no denying the instant hit it became upon release. The strangest single ever to be released by the Peas, “Boom Boom Pow” will probably go the way of “My Humps” in the long-run. But then again, you still remember “My Humps,” don’t you?
5. “3” Britney Spears – In an era when audiences thought Britney had exhausted her array of rule-bending sexual topics, she took to the charts once again with this Max Martin-penned hit. Leaving parents clamoring for the dial, Spears robotically announces. “One, two three.. Not only you and me. Got 180 degrees and I’m caught in between…Gettin’ down with three P, everybody loves (sexualized moan).” Possibly her most relevant single since “Toxic,” this track will go down among Brit’s best.
4. LoveGame” Lady Gaga – It would seem appropriate to refer to 2009 as the “Year of Dance” as far as pop music is concerned. Hip-hop took a back seat as Lady Gaga redefined pop music for the decade with her underhandedly controversial string of hits. Possibly none were as catchy or controversial as this track, in which Gaga blithely dictates the anthem now known ’round the world: “Let’s have some fun. This beat is sick. I wanna take a ride on your disco stick.”
3. When Love Takes Over” David Guetta ft. Kelly Rowland – Not to be marginalized by her Destiny’s Child co-member, the real star of this hyper-uplifting dance crossover hit is Kelly Rowland. David Guetta practically disappears into the background as commands attention with a powerhouse vocal reminiscent of early-nineties diva club tracks.
2. “Party in the U.S.A.” Miley Cyrus – Sure, we now know Miley’s never heard a Jay-Z song. And we also know that she apparently isn’t as big a fan of her own “Party” as we are. But who cares? In spite of her photo scandals and pole-dancing antics, children, parents, grandparents, and a horde of gays (“Party in the F.I.P.,” anyone?) all just wanna join Cyrus’ characteristically ethnocentric party. This one even got the ASL treatment from now viral-sensation song-signer Stephen Torrence.
1. Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” Beyonce – Beyonce secured her place in the Pop Star Hall of Fame with this international sensation. Buoyant and empowering with a retro-flavored super-hit of a music video, Knowles couldn’t have possibly realized the giant this track would become when she released it. “Single Ladies” will likely go down as one of this decade’s defining hits.
