
FIGHTER
CHRISTINA AGUILERA
2001
Christina Aguilera made a sharp turn on her sophomore album in order to reestablish her space, and “Fighter” was the moment that actually did it.

IT WASN’T ME
SHAGGY FT. RIKROK
2000
Just one question. What do you mean, “she stayed until it was over” ?!

KOKOMO
THE BEACH BOYS
1988
This Latter Day Beach Boys (and Hey Day Muppets) hit deservingly became a moment. The tropical fantasy angle needs a comeback.

IF YOU’RE TOO SHY
(LET ME KNOW)
THE 1975
2020
Despite largely keeping themselves out of this world, the pop shimmer of The 1975’s catalog is nearly blinding. The saxy “If You’re Too Shy” is the classic 80s soundtrack anthem that came 35 years too late.

PUT YOUR RECORDS ON
CORINNE BAILEY RAE
2006
This soulful, folksy moment has one of the most effortlessly uplifting melodies and vocals you could ever wish for.

SMOOTH
SANTANA FT. ROB THOMAS
1999
A rare moment in pop history where parents and kids alike found themselves on the same page. It didn’t make “Smooth” any cooler per se, but the song had staying power simply on its own merits.

THAT’S THE WAY (I LIKE IT)
KC & THE SUNSHINE BAND
1975
K.C. and his Sunshine Band took disco to the middle of the road, but they made some great songs in the process. So many iconic hooks in their catalog, but this one has some “do-do-do’s” and “uh huh’s” that rise above the rest.

KISS YOU
ONE DIRECTION
2013
Every pop song wishes it could capture this level of exuberance, but it’s the boys’ collective charisma that takes this over the edge.

STAY (I MISSED YOU)
LISA LOEB & NINE STORIES
1994
It’s a rare songwriting trick to embed the song’s hook in the verses, but it’s the reason this classic has endured.

RAIN ON ME
LADY GAGA & ARIANA GRANDE
2020
The collab the world needed mid-pandemic. A tribute to survival curated by two of pop’s reigning queens, with a ridiculous instrumental chorus that gives space to fill in our own outbursts.










