Songs that are the Epitome of Pop Music

OK. I should make it clear that I am really into pop music so I thought I would make this list I would specify that this is not exactly the best pop songs I have ever heard but the one's that perfectly define how pop should sound like. Feel free to disagree of course. I would love to see if someone else has some other songs that they think deserve it. Although of course not many users like pop music so I am not expecting many people to take note of this list that's fine.
The Top Ten
1 Run Away with Me - Carly Rae Jepsen

I am not sure what I can say about this that a bunch of critics haven't already. I'll just say I agree with them. Also I want to say Carly Rae Jepsen is also a great artist in general I said on my unpopular opinions list that Call Me Maybe is a good song but she has so many better ones.

2 Rather Be - Clean Bandit

Wikipedia tells me this is also Classical Crossover and House. I don't care though it has every thing that makes for good pop music a instrumentation that sounds interesting yet has nothing that sounds grating or unpleasant. Lyrics that while not exactly deep they just sound great to say. I am not sure if Jess Glyne would be considered an exceptional vocalist if you asked a vocal coach but within the limits of what she is trying to do in this song she is perfect. Oh yes and it is catchy as hell.

3 Give Your Heart A Break - Demi Lovato

This was a song that kind of inspired me to start thinking about such songs. Demi Lovato herself said that she did not care that much for this song claiming it was more just a radio hit and that it did not display her vocal ability the way songs like Stone Cold did. While I can understand what she meant something about me said no. This isn't just any radio hit though this is basically the perfect radio hit it's what the vast majority of radio hits wish they could be. Yes this is maybe childish but that's not a criteria for this list at all.

4 Jutlandia - Kim Larsen

I doubt anyone here has heard of this song or artist. Kim Larsen is a Danish pop and rock singer and by the Danes themselves I would think he is probably the most loved Danish musician ever. This song is about a hospital ship in the Korean War which is not exactly very typical pop but he does it very well I think it may be a parody of war songs by glorifying the hospital workers the way those would soldiers. In any case it manages to do so without being dishonest about the conditions. The song also has one of the best pop beats that I have ever heard on a par with Levels Avicii (yeah I know it's EDM) or Uptown Funk (a song I strongly considered for this list). Also please don't be put off by the fact that it is in Danish I think it would still sound great even if you can't understand the language actually the same is likely true of most of these songs.

5 Emotions - Mariah Carey

On paper this seems like a weird pick if anything it is closer to R&B some might say and it is also a song that is considered one of the best songs to show her vocal ability which is not a huge part of the criteria for this list. However the beat is actually also really good for fitting the song and you can actually still sing along to it if you just leave the whistle notes out. Also the lyrics while not exactly deep also sound pretty cool so yes I did pick this song over pop classics like Billie Jean or Like a Prayer (these were also strongly considered though)

6 Demons - Imagine Dragons

Another one that is not quite like the others. It is probably not just trying to be a great pop song it is a confession of Dan Reynolds dark nature. He does this with vaguely religious themes but I don't care I still find it compelling as a non religious person. What makes this a great pop song though is how well it flows along with his conviction that makes me want to belt it out along with him. Also although the instrumentation is minimal it is just perfectly placed to support the vocals. PS. No this is not a rock song and I hate how so many Imagine Dragons fans think they are rock and how rock fans hate on them for this please can we just admit they are a good pop band.

7 Sparks Fly - Taylor Swift

Yes I like Taylor Swift and this is one big reason why. It just has an amazing melody and it and while the instrumental is not particularly complex it just goes really well with the rest of the song. Lyrically this is not that deep but what is more important for the criteria of this list is how genuine it sounds and how well the the atmosphere builds up. Also I must admit I never really saw Taylor Swift as anything other than a pop star even in her early days.

8 Rock with You - Michael Jackson

Yeah I was not going to make this list with out the King of Pop. Now Billie Jean is actually a slightly better than this song but this song is the one that makes me think of an ideal pop song. It just has the perfect tempo and and a great combination of quiet and more powerful vocals. This is not a big part of the criteria but also it does showcase pretty amazing vocals as well.

9 I Gotta Feeling - The Black Eyed Peas

It is great what kept it from my original selections was the beat which is slightly jarring at times in my opinion.

10 Stacy's Mom - Fountains of Wayne

Is this song pop?

The Contenders
11 Colors - Halsey

This was another song that inspired me to make this list I first heard about this song when two previous top tenners made a hit songs ranking and admitted it was purely because of this song that had won them both over despite them both otherwise hating Halsey (plus they both used the term pop perfection in their description). I was not disappointed. The atmosphere of this is amazing Halsey does not have a technically great voice yet it perfectly expresses her emotions especially her vulnerability. Her lyrics are also really good. I have heard Halsey described as a Lorde ripoff but honestly even though I greatly prefer Lorde overall this song is honestly ahead of any Lorde song when it comes to this list.

12 I Want It that Way - Backstreet Boys
13 Wild Things/ Team - Alessia Cara/Lorde

I guess this was a cheat to get 2 of my favorite pop stars on this list. Alessia Cara has a great voice and the song just has the perfect melody. Also the lyrics while not being the most original topic wise have complete conviction (maybe I am repeating myself a bit I guess it is mostly because these songs are good for similar reasons.) The difference with the mashup is that the instrumental is more memorable on Team Lorde and I feel that it fits the song better than the actual instrumental even if it is pretty repetitive.

14 Heart to Break - Kim Petras

Had not heard this song but thanks for this addition.

15 Feel It Still - Portugal. the Man
16 Juice - Lizzo

I'm don't listen to a lot of Lizzo, but I can admit that she does make some pretty catchy pop tunes like this song. It's a great uplifting song, as well. She also has a good voice, but maybe Good As Hell showcases it more.

17 I Want to Hold Your Hand - The Beatles
18 Yesterday - The Beatles
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