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The audacity to begin your modern gay anthem with a lift of “I Will Survive’s” intro, but the torch has been passed to Chappell. This is a beautiful song, beautifully executed, and does in fact deserve that torch.

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Queen Shania’s mega-crossover ballad still f*cking hits. Her silky voice is in full command of that gorgeous melody the whole time; it’s a beautiful track.

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I’m sorry, “Touch” is astounding. It is just so flawlessly produced, letting each voice sit front and center atop the intoxicating tropical house beat. Truly one of the most underrated tracks of the last decade and beyond.

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This Lionel Richie-led ballad a borderline standard. And the title is not a misdirect.

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Yazoo was a short-lived stepping stone for both Alison Moyet and Vince Clarke, but their impact on synthpop was mighty. “Only You” is a concise little ballad that twinkles in a sky of sparsity.

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Aside from all that is iconic about the moment that was “If I Could Turn Back Time,” this is pop rock banger for the ages on its own.

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Miley Cyrus has been a prominent fixture of pop music for fifteen+ years, but “Flowers” will be looked back on as her peak. This is a brilliant, breezy self-empowering anthem that’s technically impossible to fault.

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Hard to go wrong with Bootsy Collins on bass, and this legendary psychedelic one hit wonder used his powers for pop’s sake. This groove lives in our hearts and minds.

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No doubt Van Halen is one of the greatest rock bands…ever. But their biggest hit was more bubblegum than bubblegum itself. Even Eddie’s incredible solo doesn’t tarnish its sheen.

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Ah yes, the battle of the “Jumps” (see #162.) The Pointer Sisters had to add “(For My Love)” to theirs because Van Halen’s recently-released hit took off, but let’s just definitively say this is the better song. The synthy/new-wave production was a brilliant match for their soulful harmonies.

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