60. Orianthi - "According to You"
Courtesy Geffen Records
Orianthi would have been a guitarist on Michael Jackson's comeback This Is It concert tour. Despite the missed opportunity, she released her first solo album Believe and stormed the pop charts with this catchy guitar-based pop song.
59. Black Eyed Peas - "Meet Me Halfway"
Courtesy Interscope
So what do you do to follow up two enormous hit singles that amount to the longest string of consecutive weeks at the top of the pop singles chart for any recording act? If you are the Black Eyed Peas you release another effortlessly melodic song that would sound equally outstanding on the radio or listening at home.
58. Allison Iraheta - "Friday I'll Be Over U"
Courtesy Jive Records
Allison Iraheta's throaty voice is used effectively from the first "Oh yeah!" through the falling apart of a romantic relationship in the course of a week. Snappy drum and guitar figures make the song instantly memorable, and you will be singing along the first time through.
57. Lady Gaga - "LoveGame"
Courtesy Interscope
It isn't as memorable as her top hits of the year, but given time to sink in Lady Gaga's "LoveGame" has its own charms. Among those are the obvious sense of humor in the lyrics.
56. A.R. Rahman & the Pussycat Dolls feat. Nicole Scherzinger - "Jai Ho!"
Courtesy Interscope
The addition of the Pussycat Dolls to the song may have seemed a questional decision at first glance, but it is this move that is likely to get the joyful explosion on to pop radio playlists. "Jai Ho!" abundantly deserves its place, and the vocals of head Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger will have pop fans singing as well as dancing along.
55. Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kanye West - "Run This Town"
Courtesy Roc Nation
The biggest star here is the stunning imagery of the accompanying music video. It makes a rather ordinary rap-singing collaboration highly memorable.
54. Seether - "Careless Whisper"
Courtesy Wind-Up Records
Would a metal remake of a classic George Michael song work? The band Seether say yes, and, after listening, I agree.
53. Jeremih - "Birthday Sex"
Courtesy Def Jam
Jeremih wins this year's prize for audacious debuts. However, it does raise the issue of why no one else came up with the idea of building a song around the concept of hot sex on one's birthday?
52. 3OH!3 - "Don't Trust Me"
Courtesy Photo Finish Recordings
Bratty, insolent and irreverent, this song does actually work. You can be offended, but I suggest dancing instead...oh, and while you're at it, "do the Helen Keller and talk with your hips."
51. Kelly Clarkson - "I Do Not Hook Up"
Courtesy RCA Records
There really can't be too many rousing rock hits about the healing power of a solid romantic relationship. Some guy has been driven to drink, and the slow pursuit of Kelly Clarkson can heal the pain. That's the message here, and it seems a plausible one.
