This is admittedly a subjective list based on judgments of quality instead of sales figures or radio airplay. A number of songs have expanded reviews - click on the word 'Review' to read more information about the song.
This list should be a great conversation starter and feel free to agree or disagree. Either way there is a lot of great pop music to be found here.
80. Leona Lewis - "Better In Time"
Courtesy Sony
Leona Lewis further established herself as a pop star on both sides of the Atlantic with this beautiful ballad.
79. Pussycat Dolls - "When I Grow Up"
Courtesy Pussycat Dolls
It can get a bit irritating (see the 2008 Annoying Songs list), but the Pussycat Dolls big hit of the year is also very catchy. Enjoy in small doses.
78. Lesley Roy - "I'm Gone, I'm Going"
Courtesy Jive Records
For those missing Avril Lavigne this year, Irish singer Lesley Roy was a breath of fresh air.
77. Matt Nathanson - "Come On Get Higher"
Courtesy Vanguard
In a big year for solo male singer-songwriters, Matt Nathanson was one of those who stood out. The use of his music on various TV shows didn't hurt his career at all.
76. Jonas Brothers - "Burnin' Up"
Courtesy Hollywood Records
The Jonas Brothers were red hot in 2008, and this glitzy rocker was a significant part of the success equation.
75. Boys Like Girls - "Thunder"
Courtesy Columbia / Red Ink
The first song ever written by Boys Like Girls as a group climbed aboard pop radio and became the group's 3rd top 40 pop smash.
74. Colby O'Donis featuring Akon - "What You Got"
Courtesy Konvict Music
73. Eric Hutchinson - "Rock & Roll"
Courtesy Warner Bros.
If Eric Hutchinson's laid back, cheerful pop-soul doesn't make you smile, I'm not sure there is any pop music that can.
72. O.A.R. - "Shattered (Turn the Car Around)"
Courtesy Atlantic
After 10 years together, O.A.R. have broken into the mainstream with a song that simply would not let go once it began to sink into the consciousness of pop fans.
71. New Kids on the Block and Ne-Yo - "Single"
Courtesy Interscope
Ne-Yo lends his magic touch here and the results are significantly better than New Kids on the Block on their own.
