Top 20 Songs

1. Rascal Flatts. (2006). “My Wish”.  Me and My Gang.  Offering two different ways to decipher the song, Rascal Flatts was able to deliver a sweet love song, but also a song for the average person.  The delivery both, vocally and instrumentally, was low key, which highlighted the song’s pervasive meaning.  “This is my wish . . . may all your dreams stay big” depicts and sums up the dual message of the song, not only should we believe in someone, but we should believe in ourselves.
2. The Script.  (2008). “The Man who can’t be Moved.”  The Script.  Instrumentally, this song offers two different melodies, both of the same tone, but very difference in delivery.  The differences of the melodies create a bittersweet tone which underlies the lyrics.  The message, both literally and figuratively are both perfectly portrayed through the title and lyric “I’m the man who can’t be moved,” suggesting he cannot be physically moved, and emotionally can not “move on when I’m still in love with you.”       
3. John Mayer.  (2006). “Waiting on the Word to Change”.  Continuum.  The delivery both instrumentally and vocally is very simple.  The simplicity helps with the portrayal of the applicable meaning of the song.  The lyrics, which present multiple faults in the world, hold some relevance to everyone in some aspect.  The melody, although toned down, is powerful in delivery.  The vocals are also more powerful because of the lyrics. 
4. Train.  (2001). “Drops of Jupiter”.  Drops of Jupiter.  The ambiguity of the lyrics provides its listeners with a form of engagement that transcends other songs.  Utilizing an extended metaphor “now she’s back in the atmosphere,” Train is able to deliver a message of finding one’s own individuality; “you were looking for yourself out there.”  The vocals, which slowly build up, serve to fill the simplistic lyrics with meaning deeper than that which could have been achieved.     
5. Mars, Bruno.  (2010). “Somewhere in Brooklyn”.  Doo- Wops and Hooligans.  Although shallow meaningfully, lyrically vocally, and instrumentally, the delivery of the song is well done.  The instruments of the song not only are simple to reflect the speaker’s mellow tone, but they create an atmosphere congruent to the atmosphere of the song.  Lyrically, the song flows well together aided by the unreliable rhyme scheme.  And vocally, Bruno Mar’s delicate tone combines with the instruments in order for the straightforward meaning to appear to have depth to it. 
6. Swift, Taylor.  (2006). “Mary’s Song”.  Taylor Swift.  Providing a complete narration, the song offers a story applicable to many people, although the situation may differ.  Shifting from past, to present, to future, the lyrics of the song show this transition.  The vocals never fall and never shift in order to keep the steady rhythm established by the instruments.  The instruments shift only slightly in order to portray a change in thoughts.  The meaning of the song is perceived obviously at first, but “after all this time,” changes to reveal the persistence of love over time.      
7. Coldplay.  (2011). “Paradise”.  Mylo Xyloto.  Although much of the song is repetition, the lyrics articulate the meaning.  People are urged to remember that “the sun must set to rise,” and that “paradise” is everywhere if you look hard enough for it.  The vocals and lyrics mesh to produce an enjambment of noises.  This flow established by the mixture sets the mood of the song, a bittersweet harmony.    
8. Thomas, Rob.  (2010). “Mockingbird”.  Cradlesong.  Creating an allusive metaphor of a “mockingbird” Rob Thomas creates a dynamic love song.  The song could be interpreted in two ways, “maybe we aint’ meant for this love. . . I will lead you through the broken promise land” hinting that the love could continue forward or end.  The rhythm of the instruments sways the listeners to the former.  The vocals, although a bit dismal in tone, match the pace of the instruments, also hinting at a happy ending.
9. Snow Patrol.  (2006). “Chasing Cars”.  Eyes Open.  Taken literally or figuratively, the song reflects an endless of time.  Repetitively asking “would you lie with me and just forget the world” the lyrics provoke a sense of discomfort in the heads of the listeners, as not only they ponder the outcome, but they ponder what they would do.  The vocals produce a soft pitch and the instruments take cues from the vocals, rising and falling in exact accordance.  This produces a solid harmony that combine to aid to the sense of timelessness.       
10. Underwood, Carrie.  (2005)  “Inside your Heaven”.  Some Hearts.  Vocally and instrumentally, the rhythm rises and falls as the song progresses.  The chorus, which offers insight to the purpose of living within someone, contains the loudest, most powerful vocal and instrumental range.  The remaining verses are generally softer in range.  The meaning of the song is flexible to any situation, but it is the yearning to be close to someone you love so that you may help them when “the storm blows you away.”  
11. OneRepublic.  (2009). “Secrets”.  Waking Up.  Utilizing more than you average band instruments, OneRepublic chooses to use more classic instruments.  The classical instruments bring a different tone to the music and highlight the deep vocals.  The instruments and vocals aid the chorus in that the instruments provide a soft background to the powerful vocals so the delivery is potent.  “I’m gonna give all my secrets away” sums up the applicable meaning, the speaker is looking for a world where people aren’t “insincere.”    
12. Iglesias, Enrique.  (2001). “Hero”.  Escape.  Offering a series of questions for which no answer exists, Enrique Iglesias engages his listeners.  The downplayed instruments and quiet soft vocals allow for the message of the song to shine through.  The song not only demonstrates an ambiguous love song, but delivers a message of trust.  The song’s dual message can be interpreted by anyone depending on how deep they listen.       
13. Mraz, Jason. (2008). “I’m Yours”.  We Sing.  We Dance.  We Steal Things.  The transitioning point of view allows for two different meanings to be deciphered.  “This is our fate, I’m yours” reveals that the song is a love song.  However, utilizing a metaphor, “I drew a new face” suggests that one should change themselves if they don’t like what they see “in the mirror.”  The soft picking at a stringed instrument keeps the mood of the song light and ambiguous so both meanings can be pulled out of it.  The vocals follow the same rhythm as the instruments and help with the delivery of the dual message. 
14. Maroon 5.  (2002). “This Love”.  Songs about Jane.  Ambiguously shifting the personal point of view, the listeners are never quite sure if the relationship is ended because although “this love has taken its toll on me”  “I’ll fix these broken things.”  Maintaining the ambiguity, the vocals rise and fall in accordance with the instruments.  The purpose of the instruments is to provide a entertaining backdrop, while at the same time shift the mood with the arrival of the chorus.
15. Hot Chelle Rae.  (2010). “Bleed”.  Lovesick Electric.  Although short in length, the song has great depth to its meaning.  It is proclaimed through an extended metaphor that “I bleed my heart out for you.”  The symbol of the heart makes it obvious that the song is a love song, and the fact that it is bleeding out reveals that he would die for the girl.  The pitch of the vocals adds masculinity to the song not always present in Hot Chelle Rae songs.  The understated instruments allow for the vocals to penetrate the lyrics and add a meaning greater than first perceived.
16. The Fray.  (2012). “Heartbeat”.  Scars and Stories.  The upbeat pop instrumentals give a steady, happy mood though the lyrics suggest otherwise.  Telling a tale of a love, and “[loving] them all the same” the lyrics, upon first glance, appear to be positive.  However, combined with the understated vocals, the tone is negative revealing to the audience the personal connection the speaker has to the song.  The connection, it is suggested, let the speaker confused about his feelings, although loving someone to the fullest is the right thing to do; it’s not easy and creates a dissonance of thoughts.   
17. McCartney, Jesse.  (2004). “Beautiful Soul”.  Beautiful Soul.  Discussing the importance of having a beautiful interior rather than a beautiful exterior, the speaker offers situations and their reciprocals for what he wants and doesn’t want in a girl.  The guitar in the song rises and falls with the chorus and, uniquely, tones down during the chorus.  The vocals are kept softer in order for the pervasive meaning to become the focal point of the song.
18. Plain White T’s.  (2007). “1234”.  The Reminder.  Incorporating numbers into the lyrics, but using them as words, the Plain White T’s write a love song with an alternative beat.  The vocals are prominent and powerful during the chorus in order to emphasize this unique use of numbers, but the pitch is softer in the verses.  The overall meaning of the song if very shallow as it is simply a love song.
19. Powter, Daniel.  (2005). “Bad Day”.  Daniel Powter.  Providing an explanation for situations in which all things good seem to be lost, Daniel Powter provides and alternative to wallowing in your sorrow.  Nonchalantly brushing it off, he urges one, amongst other things, to “sing a sad song just to turn it around.”  Utilizing powerful vocals, the range of which is immense, he backs it up with a limited range of instrumentals in order to complement himself.   
20. Caillat, Colbie.  (2007). “Realize”.  Coco.  Utilizing soft vocals which directly correlate to the soft instrumentals, the meaning becomes obviously clear.  As the song shifts from verses to chorus, the vocals pick up and become more powerful with a vast range however the instruments never shift drastically.  The shifting of the vocals is in correspondence with the shifting of the lyrics.  The lyrics shift from very ambiguous to directly pinpointing the situation; we’d never have to wonder/ if we missed out on each other.”  The song, although it requires deep introspection, urges its listeners to never miss out on a chance in life, lest you will spend the rest of you life wondering.