How could we forget how awesome these pop songs were? For this list, we’ll be looking at the best tracks that have been lost to time, but still hold up today.
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00:00 Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the top 10 pop songs you
00:11 forgot are awesome.
00:20 For this list, we'll be looking at the best tracks that have been lost to time, but still
00:24 hold up today.
00:25 We're keeping our definition of pop loose though, also considering tunes that cross
00:28 between or mix genres.
00:30 Which forgotten pop song do you think is a total bop?
00:33 Let us know in the comments below.
00:45 Unexpected bangers are always the best.
00:47 Kevin Rudolph made an instant splash in the music scene with "Let It Rock" featuring
00:51 Lil Wayne.
00:52 The fusion between rock, pop, and rap made for the ultimate crowd pleaser.
00:57 In its peak, it hit number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.
01:07 Rudolph later revealed that the lyrics contained religious references and came from a place
01:11 of anger, so it seems he hadn't necessarily intended on it being such a party song.
01:18 However, both Wayne's verse and the chorus balance things out, making it more fun and
01:30 palatable to audiences.
01:39 In the years since, the song has become less and less talked about, but it's still just
01:43 as much of a bop as it was in 2008.
01:54 Before there was Justin Bieber, there was Jesse McCartney.
02:00 He came onto the scene hot with his solo debut single "Beautiful Soul."
02:05 It may be simple musically, featuring mainly his voice and the guitar, but the lyrics and
02:09 execution make it amazing.
02:11 Millennials and older Gen Zers everywhere could probably tell you where they were when
02:16 this first dropped.
02:22 The ballad still touches us today, especially as McCartney professes his desire for someone
02:28 who will genuinely love him.
02:29 The fact that it focuses more on someone's personality than their looks was also kinda
02:34 progressive for its time, and we'd say this makes the perfect tune for listeners of all
02:39 ages, even today.
02:46 It's genuinely sweet, and it's hard to hear it without smiling.
02:55 Number 8.
02:56 "Pocket Full of Sunshine" - Natasha Bedingfield
02:58 Be honest, is any song more fun to sing than Natasha Bedingfield's "Pocket Full of Sunshine"?
03:11 The refrain in particular practically begs the listeners to belt along and feel every
03:15 word.
03:16 The mesmerizing lyrics and bubbly, happy instrumentals make it an earworm in the best way possible.
03:24 "Just listening to the track reminds us of summer and happier times."
03:33 Bedingfield truly did offer a sweet escape for her fans, an opportunity to forget their
03:38 troubles even if only for a few minutes.
03:41 The reach of this piece can't be understated.
03:50 It's been used in all kinds of media, including The Sims 2 Free Time, where it was recorded
03:56 in Simlish.
03:57 That can only be described as iconic.
04:04 Number 7.
04:05 "Closer" - Teigen and Sara
04:13 The 2010s saw a lot of pop music utilizing electronics in clever, entertaining ways.
04:19 "Closer" by Teigen and Sara, for instance, makes use of synth to create the ultimate
04:23 bop.
04:24 The chorus is crafted in a way that makes it impossible not to groove along to.
04:34 Lyrics are also super relatable.
04:36 It's a song addressed to a crush and wanting to make the jump from friendship to something
04:41 more.
04:42 It's full of common emotion, and Teigen and Sara are able to capture it perfectly.
04:50 Plus, their unique voices mesh with the electronic instrumental effortlessly.
04:57 It's fitting that "Closer" hit number one on Billboard's Dance Club Songs chart.
05:02 Still, we can't help but wish it had seen more success on the Hot 100.
05:12 Number 6.
05:13 "Crush" - Jennifer Page
05:14 The best pop songs have choruses that are practically impossible to get out of your
05:19 head.
05:27 Jennifer Page achieved this with her single "Crush."
05:30 It has an instantly recognizable melody even all these years later.
05:41 If that isn't proof of a certified hit, we're not sure what is.
05:45 Page perfectly encapsulates the feeling of finding someone new to crush on, and all of
05:50 the giddiness that comes with it.
05:52 "Crush" is so good that it found new life.
05:57 Indeed, in 2016, it re-entered the public's mind after being covered by prominent jazz
06:06 artist John Novello.
06:08 He gave the track another run on the charts, albeit a different one this time, and probably
06:13 helped an entirely new demographic discover it as well.
06:24 Number 5.
06:25 "I Swear" - All For One
06:27 Boy bands have provided us with an endless catalog of hits, and we need to take a moment
06:40 to highlight one ballad in particular.
06:42 "I Swear," covered by All For One, is a quintessential 90s love song, with passionate lyrics and
06:48 smooth vocals.
06:55 The combination of various genres helps to create a unique sound that we still can't
07:00 get enough of.
07:01 You could play it at a wedding or other romantic events today, and we can practically guarantee
07:06 people would be excited to revisit it.
07:14 Even the original artist, John Michael Montgomery, got in on the fun.
07:18 Indeed, he joined forces with All For One to release a duet of the track in 2015, proving
07:23 just how timeless it is.
07:32 Number 4.
07:33 "Dynamite" - Tyo Cruz
07:42 Pop is a lot of things, but a really enticing component of it is how it can be about having
07:47 fun and dancing, no matter what's going on in the world or in your life.
07:58 Some may dismiss "Dynamite" as nothing serious, but the track's success upon release speaks
08:03 for itself.
08:04 The lyrics are simple, with Cruz singing about hitting the dance floor and celebrating life.
08:16 But often, that's exactly what we need when things are rough.
08:20 This hit is perfect for those moments, providing a bit of a break from whatever pain or difficulties
08:24 we're faced with.
08:26 That was true in 2010 when the song was released, but it remains an accurate statement over
08:31 a decade later.
08:37 Number 3.
08:38 "Bulletproof" - LaRue
08:47 The late 2000s and early 2010s were a treasure trove of electro-inspired hits, and "Bulletproof"
08:53 by LaRue embodies that era perfectly.
09:03 It spotlights synth sounds, tasteful vocoder use, and catchy yet impressive lyrics to craft
09:09 the ideal EDM pop mashup.
09:12 It blew up on several Billboard charts and has become one of the act's defining tracks.
09:23 It's hard to explain why "Bulletproof" is so enticing, but one thing's for sure, when
09:27 it comes on, people can't help but sing along.
09:30 The fact that the song still sounds fresh and exciting after so much time is a sign
09:35 of something special.
09:43 Number 2.
09:44 "It Feels So Good" - Soneek
09:47 One common theme in pop music is falling for something new, but it takes a master to make
09:52 that theme unique.
10:00 Between the constant instrumental build and Soneek's gorgeous voice, "It Feels So Good"
10:05 encaptures that feeling in a bottle.
10:08 She is singing to a romantic interest, desperately trying to get them to understand how much
10:13 she cares for them.
10:20 The consistent backing beat helps keep it light and fun, and makes it perfect to dance
10:25 to.
10:26 It's easy to forget how catchy it is, but trust us, it's worth revisiting.
10:37 Soneek actually still performs the track, even as recently as 2023.
10:42 If the reaction to that is anything to go by, it's clear that her reach as a musician
10:47 hasn't faded.
10:54 Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
10:58 The Look - Roxette All you need to recognize this track is the
11:02 iconic instrumental and unforgettable chorus.
11:12 Mr Saxobeat - Alexandra Stan This saxophone-infused track is an instant
11:17 banger.
11:24 Kiss Me - Sixpence None the Richer The romantic lyrics and sweet vocals have made
11:29 this ballad a pop staple.
11:36 Save Tonight - Eagle Eye Cherry Proof you don't need bells and whistles to
11:40 make something great.
11:48 Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover - Sophie B. Hawkins Hawkins' powerful voice and the dreamy
11:54 instrumentals come together to create an unforgettable song.
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12:22 Self Control - Laura Branigan Some songs have an indescribable quality
12:27 that allows them to stand the test of time.
12:36 Laura Branigan's cover of Self Control perfectly captured the essence of the 1980s.
12:42 While the chorus may be the most remembered aspect, the whole anthem holds up even today.
12:55 The slightly existential lyrics help it stand out as the message can be understood across
13:00 generations.
13:02 Self Control easily climbed the charts in a plethora of countries following its release,
13:07 and listening to it, it's easy to see why.
13:14 One need only blasted in a room full of people to see what a crowd pleaser it tends to be.
13:20 Branigan sadly passed away in 2004, but her legacy lives on each time Self Control is
13:25 played.
13:33 Do you agree with our picks?
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13:42 Thanks for watching!
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