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Many a song has followed the “SOS” format and structure, but nothing could ever capture the essence of what ABBA did here.

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Giving it up for Estelle and the will.i.am groove. The track is a triumph, despite an unfortunate guest feature (at least from today’s vantage) whose intro verse would otherwise be called iconic.

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Of all the boundaries and buttons Madonna pushed, “Justify My Love” is one for the books. This mostly-spoken, loosely structed Lenny Kravitz composition edges you through five minutes of seduction…you’re gonna need a cigarette after.

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Aggressive LeAnn FTW! Another Diane Warren superbop with a spectacular arrangement and vocal. Let’s also give it up for one of the most brilliantly janky key change transitions ever!

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In the unanticipated battle of two random Diane Warren hits, it looks like “Rhythm of the Night” wins! (See #297). A breakthrough moment for both songwriter and performer, this Island-ready R&B dance moment is pure bliss.

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This song is romantic as sh*t, and really helped carve out a niche for Ed in pop.

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DNA’s iconic makeover of Suzanne Vega’s mundane acapella is more influential is expanding the idea of a pop song than it usually gets credit for. Taking that brief “do-do-do-do” ad-lib in the original, and turning it into a hook was an astoundingly awesome choice.

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Listen, if you ever need to have an affair just whip out your excel spreadsheet and text your lover. But otherwise Nelly & Kelly’s classic duet was a career benchmark for both artists…and it still hits now.

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If only Wyclef had the time to say everyone’s name like this. Shakira(-Shakira)’s epic, hornified hit lives on as her pinnacle of commercial influence – even if the sum of her career is much grander than this one part.

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As soon as that acoustic guitar starts strumming, you’re immediately taken back to visions of sitting under the stars with your high school crush (or alone and crying.)

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