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.
60. Sara Bareilles - "Bottle It Up"
Courtesy Epic Records
"Love Song" was a bigger hit, but "Bottle It Up," with close listening, possibly reveals even more of the cleverness in the songwriting of Sara Bareilles.
59. Taylor Swift - "White Horse"
Courtesy Big Machine
One of the keys to Taylor Swift's successful crossover from country to pop audiences is her impressive skill as a songwriter while still a teenager.
58. Mariah Carey - "I'll Be Lovin' U Long Time"
Courtesy Island Records
Mariah Carey's light, frothy tribute to enduring love is guaranteed to put a smile on your face if the song doesn't just float away first.
57. David Archuleta - "Crush"
Courtesy Jive Records
He may have finished second on American Idol, but teenager David Archuleta won the first round of competition for the hearts of mainstream pop audiences with this thoroughly charming piece of pop candy.
56. OneRepublic - "Stop and Stare"
Courtesy Interscope
OneRepublic emerged from the Timbaland shadow to show they are quite capable of generating a big pop hit with a catchy chorus on their own.
55. Mariah Carey - "Bye Bye"
Courtesy Island Records
This tearjerker was possibly unfairly overlooked in the wake of crushing publicity about Mariah Carey's career chart success. This gentle tune about saying goodbye is well worth another listen.
54. Jennifer Hudson - "Spotlight"
Courtesy Arista
After years of waiting we were finally treated to Jennifer Hudson's solo debut. Her vocal talents are undisputable on this smooth midtempo R&B tune.
53. Shontelle - "T-Shirt"
Courtesy Universal Motown
Rihanna is no longer the only pop star from the island nation of Barbados. Shontelle's elegance and beauty could give her counterpart a run for the pop spotlight.
52. Paramore - "Decode"
Courtesy Atlantic
For the sountrack of the hit movie Twilight, Paramore put together one of their most expansive, polished efforts yet.
51. We the Kings - "Check Yes Juliet"
Photo by Shane McCauley, courtesy S-Curve Records
A heavy touring schedule paid off for these Florida pop-rockers as their reference to the classic Romeo and Juliet story rode into the pop top 40.
