Brooke Skiba
A&E Editor
The iTunes Top 10 Singles list is updated daily, allowing for continuous access to the hits most popularly purchased in the digital store. In order to capture a snapshot of the current music scene, I’m taking a closer look at each of the top ten singles from the beginning of the week. The list offers songs from different ends of the pop spectrum. Even if popular music isn’t for you, you’ve inevitably heard one of these songs playing somewhere in the past couple weeks.
The number one song on the list is actually one I heard first, and most often, in the Voice office. “Gangnam Style” by PSY has become a quick favorite around campus and on iTunes, topping the charts in 31 countries. The K-pop single is appreciated for its catchy rhythm and the humor showcased in the viral video, though almost none of the song is in English. PSY’s unusual dancing in the music video has also been a fast hit. Gangnam is a neighborhood in Seoul, Korea. PSY describes the location as noble in the day and crazy at night and the song claims the “perfect girlfriend” would be the same.
The number two song, “One More Night” by Maroon 5, is a pop rock song with a strong reggae influence. The song is the second single off the band’s fourth album, and it is about the conflicting feelings when the mind and body want opposing things; wanting to stay with a girl for just “one more night.”
Contrastingly, in Taylor Swift’s new single at number three, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” the singer does not give her love interest any more nights in her life. The song was written after a friend of Swift’s ex-boyfriend started rumors that he heard Taylor and a former flame were reuniting. In the single, Swift responds that she and the former guy are “never getting back together, like ever.” The song has a heavily electronic pop sound, a shift away from Taylor’s usual guitar-heavy, countrified tracks.
Alternative rock tracks also made the top ten list with “Some Nights” by fun. reaching the number four spot. The band earlier released the hit song “We Are Young” which received international commercial success. At number five is Alex Clare’s “Too Close.” Clare’s hit was originally selected as the soundtrack to Microsoft’s advertisement for Internet Explorer 9 and it quickly received international success. The song is popularly used by Major League Baseball teams for player entrances.
Number six on the list is “Whistle” by Flo Rida, a pop rap song with a whistling melody. It is impossible to ignore the song’s blatant underlying meaning, and it has been heavily criticized for being “the least subtle song ever.” Similarly unsubtle, yet more lyrically straightforward, “Blow Me (One Last Kiss)” by P!nk is number seven on the list. The song accentuates P!nk’s usual in-your-face attitude with a melody reminiscent of Kelly Clarkson’s “(Stronger) What Doesn’t Kill You.”
Nearing the bottom of the list is “Home” by Phillip Phillips at number eight. The track is the debut single from the “American Idol” winner and features a pop rock/indie folk sound. Justin Bieber holds the number nine spot with “As Long As You Love Me,” an R&B, dance and dubstep song that reminds its listeners that love can really conquer all. His fan base is sure to enjoy the music video for this song, in which Bieber literally fights for the girl he loves, singing into the camera with a bruise covering those famous cheekbones. Finally, Carly Rae Jepsen and Owl City hold the number 10 spot with “Good Time,” a synthpop summer anthem which is well-deserving of its place as a follow-up to “Call Me Maybe.”