These are the 40 current songs that the world is hearing. They are the current definition of
pop music
.
![Kelly Clarkson - Stronger](https://web.archive.org/web/20120305103621im_/http://0.tqn.com/d/top40/1/6/p/P/2/kellyclarksonstronger.jpg)
Courtesy RCA
Kelly Clarkson
is at her anthemic best here. She deftly combines survival of a bad relationship with a huge dose of esteem boosting via Friedrich Nietzsche. "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" fits perfectly on a wide range of pop playlists.
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![fun - "We Are Young" featuring Janelle Monae](https://web.archive.org/web/20120305103621im_/http://0.tqn.com/d/top40/1/6/Q/R/2/funweareyoungfueledbyramen.jpg)
Courtesy Fueled By Ramen
Indie pop band fun are in the process of breaking into the pop mainstream. With a boost from
Glee
and a Super Bowl commercial, "We Are Young" has topped the iTunes sales chart which pulled it into the top 10 of the
Billboard
Hot 100. The hook here is massive and unforgettable.
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![Jessie J - Who You Are](https://web.archive.org/web/20120305103621im_/http://0.tqn.com/d/top40/1/6/C/-/2/jessiejwhoyouare.jpg)
Courtesy Lava Records
There have been critical complaints that
Jessie J's
"Domino" sounds too much like
Katy Perry
. However, pop fans don't seem to mind and they have turned "Domino" into Jessie J's biggest hit in the US so far. It is an irresistibly catchy pop tune giving a showcase for Jessie J's powerful pipes.
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![Gotye - "Somebody That I Used To Know"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120305103621im_/http://0.tqn.com/d/top40/1/6/C/_/2/gotyesomebody.jpg)
Courtesy Universal Republic
This is the biggest hit in Australia by an Australian artist since Savage Garden's classic "Truly, Madly, Deeply" in the 1990s. It is deservedly spreading around the world. This is pop perfection from the intimate, minimalist arrangement on the verses to compelling lyrics from both a male and female point of view. Gotye is a superstar in the making.
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![Adele - "Set Fire To the Rain"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120305103621im_/http://0.tqn.com/d/top40/1/6/h/W/2/adelesetfiretotherain.jpg)
Courtesy XL Recordings
For her third single from the album
21
,
Adele
turns to a more traditional pop arrangement on "Set Fire To the Rain." However, the power of her lyrics are anything but traditional. It is another exploration into the emotional pain of a relationship thta has fallen apart. This is the state of the art in pop songwriting.
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![David Guetta - Nothing But the Beat](https://web.archive.org/web/20120305103621im_/http://0.tqn.com/d/top40/1/6/V/P/2/davidguettanothing.jpg)
Courtesy Virgin
David Guetta presents
Nicki Minaj
as a singer and not just a rapper. The song itself is a surefire party jam that breaks down into a high energy shouted chorus. For long-time fans, don't despair, Nicki Minaj also delivers a trademark rap.
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![Flo Rida - "Good Feeling"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120305103621im_/http://0.tqn.com/d/top40/1/6/K/S/2/floridagoodfeeling.jpg)
Courtesy Atlantic
The best sample of the year in a pop song provides the hook for another top 10 smash from
Flo Rida
. Etta James is sampled and the result is the first appearance of her music near the top of the pop charts.
Dr. Luke
throws in another bit of his dubstep experimentation, and the result is a good feeling indeed.
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![Chris Brown - "Turn Up the Music"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120305103621im_/http://0.tqn.com/d/top40/1/6/a/Z/2/chris-brown-turn-up-the-music.jpg)
Courtesy RCA
Controversy continues to swirl around
Chris Brown
. However, that hasn't stopped him from pushing his pop success further. "Turn Up the Music" lands on the forefront of today's blend of pop and club ready music.
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![Jay-Z and Kanye West - "Niggas In Paris"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120305103621im_/http://0.tqn.com/d/top40/1/6/9/V/2/niggasinparis.jpg)
Courtesy Roc-a-Fella
Jay-Z and
Kanye West
drop one of the hottest hooks in a hip hop song in recent memory. Spoken word samples add laugh out loud humor, and the song turned into a top 10 smash hit single.
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![Katy Perry - "Part Of Me"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120305103621im_/http://0.tqn.com/d/top40/1/6/s/a/2/katy-perry-part-of-me.jpg)
Courtesy Capitol
If you wondered how
Katy Perry
is doing in the aftermath of her divorce from Russell Brand, she is here to tell you. "Part Of Me" instantly joins the ranks of classic
breakup songs
. It is all in the style of uptempo mainstream pop that will fit perfectly on pop radio.
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