Entertainment
The Best & Worst of All 50 'Now!' Albums
Many have tried, but few have succeeded in knocking the Frozen soundtrack off of the top of the charts. That thing is a force to be reckoned with! Not even Pharrell Williams' latest release, G I R L, was up to the task. But guess which album was just able to accomplish this mighty feat? Now That's What I Call Music!...50. Yup, it's true. Last week, the 50th album in the Now That's What I Call Music! series bumped the Frozen soundtrack from the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 album chart. And to answer your questions, yes, they're still making those albums, and yes, they're still selling. But in a world where album sales are down for pretty much everybody and we have iTunes, Amazon MP3, and Spotify... how is that even possible??
I think there's a lot to be said about the total convenience of the Now! series. Since 1998, Now! has compiled 16 to 18 of the latest hits (in addition to some new songs) for consumers, all on one convenient album. Listeners get to enjoy all of the great music with none of the exhausting leg work. Back in the day, that leg work might've included tracking down and purchasing tons of CD singles. Now, it really just means a few simple mouse clicks... but apparently, we're still too lazy to do that, and Now! thrives because of it.
So, in honor of the 50th album in the series, let's take a look back at all 50 of the Now! albums: from the compilations' most memorable jams to the songs that just made you say, "whaaaat?"
Sit back and relax while we take a trip down memory lane. I'm betting you'll come across more than a few songs that you'll need to add to your iTunes library ASAP. Here we go!
Now That's What I Call Music! (October 1998)
The Best Song, Hands Down: Backstreet Boys — "As Long As You Love Me." Is there anyone in the world who can resist this song's charms? I don't think so.
The Best Song You Forgot About: Harvey Danger — "Flagpole Sitta." "Oooh, I'm not sick, but I'm not well!" Yeah, I definitely used to know all the words to this song.
Wait, what?: Imajin — "Shorty (You Keep Playin' With My Mind)." The vocals! The horrible, horrible vocals.
Now That's What I Call Music! 2 (July 1999)
The Best Song, Hands Down: Britney Spears — "...Baby One More Time." This one's a no-brainer — it's the song that launched Spears' now legendary pop music career.
The Best Song You Forgot About: Blackstreet & Mýa — "Take Me There (feat. Mase & Blinky Blink)." Do you remember "Take Me There"? It was recorded for The Rugrats Movie soundtrack. Memories, guys. Memories.
Wait, what?: Baz Luhrmann — "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)." Yeah, the inclusion of this bizarre song is definitely one of those "whaaaat?" moments I was talking about earlier.
Now That's What I Call Music! 3 (December 1999)
The Best Song, Hands Down: Smash Mouth — "All Star." I can remember singing along to this one at so many school pep assemblies. It's brilliant.
The Best Songs You Forgot About: Fatboy Slim — "The Rockafeller Skank." OMG BUT REMEMBER SKANKING?? An honorable mention goes out to Blessid Union of Souls — "Hey Leonardo (She Likes Me for Me)." What a jam.
Wait, what?: Ideal — "Get Gone." I'm not sure that I've ever heard this song in my entire life. Actually, it kind of sounds a little bit like Destiny's Child's "Say My Name."
Now That's What I Call Music! 4 (July 2000)
The Best Songs, Hands Down: Aaliyah — "Try Again" and Backstreet Boys — "Larger Than Life." This was such a tough decision, I had to pick two.
The Best Song You Forgot About: Sonique — "It Feels So Good." Enough said.
Wait, what?: Lenny Kravitz — "I Belong to You." On an album full of mega-hits, this song feels a little out of place.
Now That's What I Call Music! 5 (November 2000)
The Best Song, Hands Down: Jessica Simpson — "I Think I'm In Love With You." This may be a controversial choice, but I just can't get over the amazing "Jack & Diane" sample.
The Best Song You Forgot About: Mýa — "Case of the Ex." The pre-chorus section on this song is amazing: "Now what is that she wants? Tell me, what is it that she needs?"
Wait, what?: soulDecision — "Faded." Just awful.
Now That's What I Call Music! 6 (April 2001)
The Best Song, Hands Down: 'N Sync — "Bye Bye Bye." A boy band classic.
The Best Song You Forgot About: ATC — "Around the World." A dance classic.
Wait, what?: Everclear — "AM Radio." ... Not a classic.
Now That's What I Call Music! 7 (July 2001)
The Best Songs, Hands Down: Destiny's Child — "Survivor" and Janet Jackson — "All For You." What anthems!
The Best Song You Forgot About: Jennifer Lopez — "Play." "Just turn it up, and turn it on!"
Wait, what?: Samantha Mumba — "Baby, Come Over (This Is Our Night)." Jeez, Now!, stop trying to make Samantha Mumba happen.
Now That's What I Call Music! 8 (November 2001)
The Best Song, Hands Down: Janet Jackson — "Someone to Call My Lover." I still bop to this one every once and a while.
The Best Song You Forgot About: Christina Milian — "AM to PM." This was my song!! I wonder what Milian is up to these days?
Wait, what?: JIVEjones — "Me, Myself & I." No seriously, you need to see this music video.
Now That's What I Call Music! 9 (March 2002)
The Best Song, Hands Down: Britney Spears — "I'm a Slave 4 U." America's first real taste of Spears' rebellious side.
The Best Song You Forgot About: Ja Rule — "Livin' It Up (feat. Case)." Ja Rule's voice is kind of painful to listen to, but damn that chorus is catchy.
Wait, what?: Adema — "Giving In." It's so emo. "I look forward to dying tonight," is uttered at one point. Yikes.
Now That's What I Call Music! 10 (July 2002)
The Best Song, Hands Down: Vanessa Carlton — "A Thousand Miles." Yeah, I know it's cheesy, but I genuinely love this song.
The Best Song You Forgot About: Kylie Minogue — "Can't Get You Out of My Head." It's Minogue's second biggest U.S. hit after "The Loco-Motion."
Wait, what?: Lenny Kravitz — "Stillness of Heart." Whoa, the Now! series really had a thing for Kravitz. It's not a bad song, it's just not particularly memorable.
Now That's What I Call Music! 11 (November 2002)
The Best Songs, Hands Down: No Doubt — "Underneath It All" and Kylie Minogue "Love at First Sight." Two very different, very good singles.
The Best Song You Forgot About: Dirty Vegas — "Days Go By." This song was inescapable for a little while, but it ended up being the trio's only hit.
Wait, what?: Ginuwine — "Stingy." If it's not "Pony," I'm not interested.
Now That's What I Call Music! 12 (March 2003)
The Best Song, Hands Down: Justin Timberlake — "Like I Love You (feat. Clipse)." Timberlake's first big solo single still sounds fresh today.
The Best Song You Forgot About: Télépopmusik — "Breathe." A dreamy slice of delightful French dance pop.
Wait, what?: Kelly Rowland — "Stole." I had never heard this Rowland song about a school shooting before. It's heavy-handed, sure, but it's still powerful. Definitely a surprise.
Now That's What I Call Music 13 (July 2003)
The Best Song, Hands Down: Justin Timberlake — "Rock Your Body." More solo Timberlake goodness.
The Best Song You Forgot About: Stacie Orrico — "Stuck." I've been waiting for Orrico to make a comeback for years. I suppose I will just have to keep waiting.
Wait, what?: Godsmack — "Serenity." Snooze alert!
Now That's What I Call Music! 14 (November 2003)
The Best Songs, Hands Down: Liz Phair — "Why Can't I?" and Fountains of Wayne — "Stacy's Mom." Yes, I picked both of these songs over Beyoncé's "Crazy in Love."
The Best Song You Forgot About: Lumidee — "Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)." Maybe you actually wanted to forget about this song, but Lumidee's singing is so bad, it's actually kind of mesmerizing.
Wait, what?: Murphy Lee — "Wat Da Hook Gon Be (feat. Jermaine Dupri)." The hook is about how the song doesn't need a hook. Dumb.
Now That's What I Call Music! 15 (March 2004)
The Best Song, Hands Down: Britney Spears — "Toxic." "With the taste of your lips, I'm on a riiide!"
The Best Song You Forgot About: Chingy — "Holidae In (feat. Ludacris & Snoop Dogg)." "Watchu doin'? Nothin' chillin' at the Holiday Inn..."
Wait, what?: Eamon — "I Don't Want You Back." "F*** you, you ho! I don't want you back." What more is there to say?
Now That's What I Call Music! 16 (July 2004)
The Best Songs, Hands Down: Outkast — "Hey Ya!" and Britney Spears — "Everytime" ... and Yellowcard — "Ocean Avenue." Yeah, this edition is chock full of hits.
The Best Song You Forgot About: JoJo — "Leave (Get Out)." Now I didn't forget about JoJo's iconic lead single, but not everyone is as obsessed with JoJo as I am, so I figured it deserved to be mentioned here.
Wait, what?: Petey Pablo — "Freek-a-Leek." This one's always good for a laugh.
Now That's What I Call Music! 17 (November 2004)
The Best Song, Hands Down: Ciara — "Goodies." The beginning of Ciara's radio domination.
The Best Song You Forgot About: Bowling for Soup — "1985." Bowling for Soup's biggest (and only?) hit was actually a cover of rock band SR-71's original song.
Wait, what?: Jessica Simpson — "Angels." Another cover, only this one is terrible. I know that Simpson's version of this Robbie Williams' song was very popular, but her vocals on it are so strained and bad.
Now That's What I Call Music! 18 (March 2005)
The Best Songs, Hands Down: Gwen Stefani — "What You Waiting For?" and Lindsay Lohan — "Rumors." The Stefani track is legitimately amazing, while the Lohan track is so horrible, it's amazing. An important distinction.
The Best Song You Forgot About: Ashanti — "Only U." I love the hard beat and the guitar riff on this one.
Wait, what?: Skye Sweetnam — "Tangled Up in Me." Wait, who?
Now That's What I Call Music! 19 (July 2005)
The Best Songs, Hands Down: Gwen Stefani — "Hollaback Girl" and The Killers — "Mr. Brightside." One word describes both of these songs: amazing.
The Best Song You Forgot About: Amerie — "1 Thing." As soon as the beat kicks in, you'll be dancing. "Na na na na na, oh!"
Wait, what?: Frankie J — "How to Deal." Sorry Frankie-poo, this song is just... not good.
Now That's What I Call Music! 20 (November 2005)
The Best Song, Hands Down: Natasha Bedingfield — "These Words." It was a close call between this one and Kelly Clarkson's "Behind These Hazel Eyes."
The Best Song You Forgot About: D.H.T. — "Listen to Your Heart (feat. Edmée)." A supremely catchy cover of Swedish pop duo Roxette's 1989 number-one song. I don't know that it's necessarily better than the original, but it's pretty good.
Wait, what?: Keith Urban — "You'll Think of Me." Admittedly, I'm not a huge country fan, but this one just never caught my ear.
Now That's What I Call Music! 21 (April 2006)
The Best Songs, Hands Down: Natasha Bedingfield — "Unwritten" and Kelly Clarkson — "Because of You." Another tie — I couldn't help it!
The Best Song You Forgot About: Cascada — "Everytime We Touch." A cheap but super infectious dance track.
Wait, what?: Trace Adkins — "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk." I just... yeah. I don't know what to say here.
Now That's What I Call Music! 22 (July 2006)
The Best Song, Hands Down: Rihanna — "SOS." "SOS please, someone help meee..."
The Best Song You Forgot About: Teddy Geiger — "For You I Will (Confidence)." What ever happened to this kid?
Wait, what?: Chris Brown — "Yo (Excuse Me Miss)." Apparently, this song hit the top 10 in the United States, but I sure as hell don't remember it!
Now That's What I Call Music! 23 (November 2006)
The Best Songs, Hands Down: Nelly Furtado — "Promiscuous (feat. Timbaland)" and Fergie — "London Bridge." These two songs were the sound of 2006/2007.
The Best Song You Forgot About: Jessica Simpson — "A Public Affair." What a fun little disco track! The music video also features Christina Applegate, Eva Longoria, and Ryan Seacrest for some reason.
Wait, what?: Hinder — "Lips of an Angel." I know this song was popular, but it is epically horrible.
Now That's What I Call Music! 24 (March 2007)
The Best Song, Hands Down: Nelly Furtado — "Say It Right." This song represents producer Timbaland at his best.
The Best Song You Forgot About: Hellogoodbye — "Here (In Your Arms)." Awww, this dance-tinged pop-rock track is just adorable.
Wait, what?: Lloyd — "You (feat. Lil' Wayne)." Again, I guess this song hit number nine on the charts — where was I? I much prefer "Get It Shawty."
Now That's What I Call Music! 25 (July 2007)
The Best Song, Hands Down: Avril Lavigne — "Girlfriend." This one's pretty bratty and obnoxious, but it's also kind of unforgettable.
The Best Song You Forgot About: Elliott Yamin — "Wait for You." This was Yamin's first and only hit after placing third on Season 5 of American Idol.
Wait, what?: Mims — "Like This." This is basically just a tribute to Mims' previous hit, "This Is Why I'm Hot." Nothing to see here, move along.
Now That's What I Call Music! 26 (November 2007)
The Best Song, Hands Down: Fergie — "Big Girls Don't Cry." I make no apologies — I love this cheesy pop mess.
The Best Song You Forgot About: J. Holiday — "Bed." Sadly, J. Holiday was never able to recreate the success of this sexy bedroom slow jam.
Wait, what?: Rihanna — "Shut Up and Drive." I love Rihanna, but this is a stinker. And by her standards, it wasn't even a hit.
Now That's What I Call Music! 27 (March 2008)
The Best Songs, Hands Down: Britney Spears — "Piece of Me" and Rihanna — "Don't Stop the Music." Two equally epic songs from two of America's biggest pop divas.
The Best Song You Forgot About: Paramore — "Crushcrushcrush." An icy-cool pop-rock anthem.
Wait, what?: Santana — "Into the Night (feat. Chad Kroeger)." Santana + Nickelback's lead singer = Noooooooooooo.
Now That's What I Call Music! 28 (June 2008)
The Best Song, Hands Down: Leona Lewis — "Bleeding Love." One of my favorite songs to lip sync to in the car! Or in the bathroom! Or anywhere!
The Best Song You Forgot About: Ray J — "Sexy Can I? (feat. Yung Berg)." One of my friends thought this Ray J song was about his "sexy cannon." That's all.
Wait, what?: Britney Spears — "Break the Ice." I happen to like this song, but it was not a hit.
Now That's What I Call Music! 29 (November 2008)
The Best Song, Hands Down: Pink — "So What." I had this song on repeat for MONTHS. It's so good.
The Best Song You Forgot About: Leona Lewis — "Better in Time." I miss the days when Leona Lewis was still relevant. Sigh.
Wait, what?: Keith Anderson — "I Still Miss You." This song sticks out like a sore thumb on an album that's otherwise full of major hits.
Now That's What I Call Music! 30 (March 2009)
The Best Song, Hands Down: Lady Gaga — "Just Dance (feat. Colby O'Donis)." I think everybody pretty much remembers where they were when they first heard this song.
The Best Song You Forgot About: David Archuleta — "Crush." This American Idol Season 7 runner-up almost topped the charts with "Crush" (it peaked at number two). Always a bridesmaid.
Wait, what?: Miranda Cosgrove — "About You Now." Don't waste your time with this Cosgrove cover — the original version by the Sugababes is far superior.
Now That's What I Call Music! 31 (June 2009)
The Best Song, Hands Down: Kelly Clarkson — "My Life Would Suck Without You." One of the best pop songs ever recorded. Let's fight about it!
The Best Song You Forgot About: Ciara — "Love Sex Magic (feat. Justin Timberlake)." As we get closer to the end, it's becoming less and less likely that you've actually forgotten about these songs, but I honestly don't think that this track has gotten its due. It's awesome.
Wait, what?: Soulja Boy — "Kiss Me Thru the Phone (feat. Sammie)." Eek! This song is a joke, right?
Now That's What I Call Music! 32 (November 2009)
The Best Song, Hands Down: Katy Perry — "Waking Up in Vegas." I have a soft spot for this wistful pop-rock jam.
The Best Song You Forgot About: Jordin Sparks — "Battlefield." The very first time I heard this song, I said, "That's a number-one hit!" Unfortunately, "Battlefield" fell short, but it'll always be number one in my heart.
Wait, what?: Jason Derulo — "Whatcha Say." What can I say? I'm still a little miffed that Derulo rode the brilliance of Imogen Heap's "Hide and Seek" to the top of the charts.
Now That's What I Call Music! 33 (March 2010)
The Best Songs, Hands Down: Lady Gaga — "Bad Romance" and Ke$ha — "Tik Tok." "Tik Tok" famously blocked "Bad Romance" from reaching number one back in 2010, but honestly, both songs deserved to reach the summit.
The Best Song You Forgot About: Agnes — "Release Me." Swedish pop star Agnes delivered one of the best songs of 2010 with "Release Me." It never charted on the Billboard Hot 100, but it did reach number one on the dance chart.
Wait, what?: Young & Divine — "Shake That Bubble." Thankfully, the world can only sustain one 3OH!3-type band at a time.
Now That's What I Call Music! 34 (June 2010)
The Best Song, Hands Down: Rihanna — "Rude Boy." Deceptively simple, effortlessly catchy.
The Best Song You Forgot About: Ludacris — "My Chick Bad (feat. Nicki Minaj)." Minaj name-dropping slasher flick super villains Jason AND Freddy Krueger for some reason is what makes this song memorable.
Wait, what?: Boys Like Girls — "Heart Heart Heartbreak." So much autotune.
Now That's What I Call Music! 35 (August 2010)
The Best Song, Hands Down: Katy Perry — "California Gurls." Sorry I'm not sorry.
The Best Song You Forgot About: Shontelle — "Impossible." A haunting heartbreak ballad.
Wait, what?: Miranda Cosgrove — "Kissin' U." Yes, this is Cosgrove's second "Wait, what?" appearance. Cosgrove and Now! kissin' in a tree! K-I-S-S-I-N-G.
Now That's What I Call Music! 36 (November 2010)
The Best Song, Hands Down: Katy Perry — "Teenage Dream." This one sits right next to Clarkson's "My Life Would Suck Without You" as one of the best pop songs... ever.
The Best Song You Forgot About: Adam Lambert — "If I Had You." I really wish this up-tempo Lambert song had taken off like "Whatya Want From Me."
Wait, what?: Elvis Presley — "Suspicious Minds." There must be a reason why this strange, Coldplay-esque remix of Elvis' 1968 hit was included on the track list... but I don't know what that reason is.
Now That's What I Call Music! 37 (February 2011)
The Best Songs, Hands Down: Pink — "Raise Your Glass" and Katy Perry — "Firework." Two very different, very good misfit anthems. True, they're both full of clichés, but they're also super fun and uplifting.
The Best Song You Forgot About: Edward Maya & Vika Jigulina — "Stereo Love." Truthfully, I can only understand about 20 percent of this song's lyrics, but somehow, it's still rather hypnotizing.
Wait, what?: Greyson Chance — "Waiting Outside the Lines." It's just hard to take life advice from a 12-year-old. Though I suppose the song's really no less cheesy than "Raise Your Glass" or "Firework"...
Now That's What I Call Music! 38 (May 2011)
The Best Song, Hands Down: Adele — "Rolling in the Deep." "You had my heart inside of your hand, and you played it to the beat."
The Best Song You Forgot About: Avril Lavigne — "What the Hell." Further proof that Lavigne is at her best when she's also at her brattiest/most obnoxious.
Wait, what?: Cody Simpson — "All Day." No. (Naturally, it's stuck in my head now.)
Now That's What I Call Music! 39 (August 2011)
The Best Songs, Hands Down: Britney Spears — "Till the World Ends" and Lady Gaga — "The Edge of Glory." "Till the World Ends" surprise attacks you with a SECOND chorus out of nowhere, while "The Edge of Glory" has that epic '80s sax solo. You just can't go wrong with either of these gems.
The Best Song You Forgot About: Selena Gomez — "Who Says." Before you get all nasty, hear me out: ...yeah, never mind, I got nothin'. I just really like this song.
Wait, what?: Bruno Mars — "The Lazy Song." "I'll be lounging on the couch / Just chillin' in my snuggie / Click to MTV so they can teach me how to dougie." *Shudder*
Now That's What I Call Music! 40 (November 2011)
The Best Song, Hands Down: David Guetta — "Without You (feat. Usher)." I actually don't feel very strongly about any of the songs on this edition, but this one's pretty good.
The Best Song You Forgot About: Rihanna — "Cheers (Drink to That)." It's unlikely that you've forgotten this Rihanna single, but, in my opinion, it never really had enough time to shine before "Only Girl (In the World)" took over... the world. The Avril Lavigne sample is so random and genius.
Wait, what?: Lil Playy — "Birthday Dress (feat. Matthew Koma)." The term "birthday dress" = "birthday suit," only it's a dress because they're talking about a woman. Get it? Yeah, I don't really get it, either. How did Koma get roped into this one?
Now That's What I Call Music! 41 (February 2012)
The Best Song, Hands Down: Jessie J — "Domino." I just can't get enough of this song, ever. It is perfect in every way.
The Best Song You Forgot About: Gavin DeGraw — "Not Over You." I really like this song, even though I have an irrational distrust of people who are always wearing hats.
Wait, what?: Nickelback — "Lullaby." Up until "Lullaby," grating pop-rock band Nickelback was getting a pass from me because all of their terrible songs featured on the Now! albums were legitimate hits — but not this one! The inclusion of "Lullaby" is just totally unnecessary.
Now That's What I Call Music! 42 (May 2012)
The Best Song, Hands Down: Kelly Clarkson — "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)." Anthem alert!
The Best Song You Forgot About: Gym Class Heroes — "Get Yourself Back Home (feat. Neon Hitch)." I'm beyond ready for Neon Hitch to become a thing.
Wait, what?: LMFAO — "Sorry for Party Rocking." Thankfully, this "Party Rock Anthem"/"Sexy and I Know It" mash-up basically spelled the end for novelty EDM act LMFAO.
Now That's What I Call Music! 43 (August 2012)
The Best Song, Hands Down: Carly Rae Jepsen — "Call Me Maybe." Taking over the dance floor at weddings everywhere.
The Best Song You Forgot About: Eva Simons — "I Don't Like You." Dutch singer Simons was working with EDM producer Zedd before it was cool!
Wait, what?: Pitbull — "Back in Time." This was recorded for the Men in Black III soundtrack. Let's just say that it has nothing on Will Smith's original Men in Black theme song.
Now That's What I Call Music! 44 (November 2012)
The Best Song, Hands Down: Usher — "Numb." It wasn't a huge hit, but it's my favorite song from Usher's Looking 4 Myself album.
The Best Song You Forgot About: Britt Nicole — "Gold" and The Ready Set — "Give Me Your Hand (Best Song Ever)." Download them both now, you won't be sorry!
Wait, what?: Toy Connor — "Be in Love Tonight." There are no words.
Now That's What I Call Music! 45 (February 2013)
The Best Song, Hands Down: Taylor Swift — "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together." The spoken bridge. THE SPOKEN BRIDGE.
The Best Song You Forgot About: Kelly Clarkson — "Catch My Breath." Even the lead single for Clarkson's random Greatest Hits album is awesome.
Wait, what?: Black Veil Brides — "In the End." Nickelback + Creed + Shinedown + lots of autotune = Black Veil Brides. Proceed with great caution.
Now That's What I Call Music! 46 (May 2013)
The Best Song, Hands Down: Bruno Mars — "Locked Out of Heaven." Mars brought his modern pop sensibility to this The Police-esque throwback track.
The Best Song You Forgot About: Emeli Sandé — "Next to Me." This song was a big hit in the United Kingdom, but unfortunately, it just didn't catch on in the same way in the United States.
Wait, what?: Nelly — "Hey Porsche." Oh, Nelly. How the mighty have fallen.
Now That's What I Call Music! 47 (August 2013)
The Best Song, Hands Down: Icona Pop — "I Love It (feat. Charli XCX)." This one is just sort of undeniable, isn't it?
The Best Song You Forgot About: Nikki Williams — "Glowing." "A million hearts, you're the only one who can light me up like I'm glowin' in the dark."
Wait, what?: Midnight Red — "Take Me Home." These guys are basically just One Direction with a lot less charm and a lot more choreography. But who needs choreography when you can have homoerotic horseplay? Exactly.
Now That's What I Call Music! 48 (November 2013)
The Best Song, Hands Down: Avicii — "Wake Me Up." Yeah, I think this is probably the most memorable song on the compilation.
The Best Song You Forgot About: Taylor Swift — "Everything Has Changed (feat. Ed Sheeran)." "Everything Has Changed" wasn't a massive hit like pretty much every other single from Swift's Red album, so everyone might not be familiar with it.
Wait, what?: Justin Timberlake — "Take Back the Night." No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't get into this one.
Now That's What I Call Music! 49 (February 2014)
The Best Song, Hands Down: Miley Cyrus — "Wrecking Ball." I went with my gut here. It is kind of a gorgeous, heartbreaking song, after all.
The Best Song You Forgot About: G.R.L. — "Show Me What You Got." I won't rest until G.R.L. takes over the world! But seriously, this song is wonderful, feel-good pop fluff.
Wait, what?: Britney Spears — "Work Work." This clean edit of "Work Bitch" is even more embarrassing than "Work Bitch."
Now That's What I Call Music! 50 (May 2014)
The Best Song, Hands Down: Pharrell — "Happy." Yeah, I know we're all sick of hearing it now, but it really is a great song.
The Best Song You Forgot About: Foxes — "Youth." "Don't tell me our youth is running out, it's only just begun..."
Wait, what?: Bruno Mars — "Young Girls." It's just kind of strange to hear Mars singing about his affinity for "young, wild girls" when he's only 28-years-old himself. I don't know. It just gives me weird vibes.
Whew! We've reached the end — but don't be sad! Just think: we're only a few short months away from Now That's What I Call Music! 51. Will they ever stop? I sure hope not.
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