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There are moments you can pin on the timeline of pop music where things changed. And when Lady Gaga dropped “Poker Face”…baby, things changed. Her second single, coming off the roaring success of could’ve-been-one-hit-wonder “Just Dance,” felt like an actual debut. To have this much confidence, this much savvy, this much understanding of what works before you’ve even established a rapport with the public is unthinkable. Gaga’s descent into pop music felt alien, in that respect. This kind of synthy electropop was not a major presence in the charts or culture at the time, mind you, but she was so captivating, talented, and dear God this song is so good. Hook after hook is iconic, the arrangement is iconic…it doesn’t sound like it’s aged at all. “Poker Face” will forever be a landmark moment in pop music and beyond.

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Beyond being their most famous song, “Hungry Like the Wolf” is in many ways Duran Duran’s signature. The blend of guitar and synths creates a sparkle more than a groove, and it juxtaposes epically with a sense of ominousness in the progression. Throw in a brilliant “do-do-do” hook embedded in the verses, a chorus so engaging you won’t be able to get it out of your head, and a driving riff, and you’ve got yourself a pretty flawless track. It’s definitive of not just a legendary career, but of an entire decade, era, and even generation.

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Kelly Clarkson became a star before our very eyes via a format destined to cap her fame at 15 minutes, but her talent was too great. In fact, she waited until after the glow of her Idol-fame fizzled to actually start being a pop star. And in the midst of a run of amazing hits, she delivered one of the greatest songs…well, of all time. “Since U Been Gone” isn’t pop punk, it’s punk pop; unapologetically. The kind of song that makes a tired verse-chorus-bridge structure sound exciting because each part is so perfectly written. And Kelly’s voice? It wakens it up even more. This track is the kind of anthem that is going to reverberate for years and years, it is that technically flawless.

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Kylie Minogue’s iconic career can be broken down into many eras, but for all intents and purposes there’s: before-“Head” and after-“Head.” You could talk about pop music at large the same way. Everything about this song is hypnotic – the beat, the melody, and especially Kylie’s voice. Polished in a way that doesn’t feel made by machines, but made by aliens. It’s sexy, it’s restrained, and it’s fun. There’s no structure. There’s not a chorus or a verse, it’s just back-to-back-to-back hooks; and let’s talk about the “La-La-La’s” … has there ever been a more perfect one? It’s the secret to what makes it follow like a standard pop song. “Can’t Get You Out Of My Head” is a tour de force that truly won’t ever be touched.

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The Go-Go’s were brilliantly unpolished, yet perfected. It’s almost as if they couldn’t stop themselves from making such catchy sh*t, and “Vacation” is remarkable. The song is both laidback and jovially urgent at the same time, but instead of cacophony it hits a sweet spot of absolute bliss. Total eargasm. Like, the song is so f*cking good it doesn’t even need a second verse. The bridge building into the explosion-of-a-chorus is one of the most flawlessly executed moments in pop history.

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No matter what Gloria Gaynor does as a human, “I Will Survive” will forever and always be the unrivaled, number one, most quintessential gay anthem of all time. Indisputable. And yet, the song lives on for everyone. It’s a disco classic, with one of the most iconic arrangements you’re ever going to hear, and easily one of the most famous opening verses in all of pop music history. It’s easy to hear why it made such an impact back then, but it’s incredible to really see how it, well, survived.

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In 2003, OutKast was already lauded as the best duo in hip-hop. The back and forth between Big Boi’s smooth confidence and André 3000’s playful charm – on top of iconic bars on bars on bars – was always the secret to their success. So at the top of their game, they went solo…together. The double-disc Speakerboxxx/The Love Below brilliantly gave both artists the chance to do their own thing while reminding us of their power together. And, possibly unwittingly, Dré delivered a landmark of popular music in the immortal “Hey Ya!” This is one of those songs where every line is memorable, despite no-one actually listening to what the lyrics are about, and that my friends is the epitome of masterful songwriting. Everyone’s grandma knows this song by this point, and don’t act like your grandkids won’t.

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I think that if you don’t like this song you should seek help. “Material Girl” is that girl, and you know it! Produced by the incomparable Nile Rodgers, this is one of Madonna’s many signature tunes, and remains in the public consciousness to this day. Like, of course it does, it’s perfection. Camp, tongue-in-cheek, bitchy…and oh my goodness catchy af. And it’s M’s personality that brings it to life in a way no-one else could have dreamed of. She leans into it, owns it, and we’re left with something brilliantly fun and bubbly.

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Everything about this song comes together like a puzzle that shouldn’t fit. It’s rare to have a trio singing in almost complete unison for an entire song, but Bananarama made it work. Almost to the point where it wouldn’t work any other way. They just collectively guide this incredible melody through a pulsing bass and instrumental hook so powerfully; it’s an achievement. Most importantly, though, it’s fun and exhilarating. Just like pop music deserves to be.

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Mariah Carey’s career is saturated with hits, sending more songs to the summit than anyone else in chart history. And while her voice is the obvious draw to her as an artist, her savvy for crafting a song often goes unnoticed. “Always Be My Baby” will forever be her most well-executed pop song, and that’s because it’s one of the most well-executed ones period. That “do-da-doop” hook is so easy to sing along to, so difficult to get out of your brain, but when it comes on it kinda always brings a smile to your face. This isn’t necessarily a happy song, but it seemingly just lets itself be without needing to sell you on why – and, besides the voice, that’s Mariah’s gift.

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