Why I Love the Top 40

Ever since I stopped apologizing for loving pop music I've found my life is much easier. I can enjoy 103.5 KISSFM in the car when I have a guest present, instead of pretending to reach for the switch, silently hoping they will tell me I can leave it as is.

My current favorite: "I Like It" by Enrique Iglesias featuring Pit Bull. How can you not love this face?

The song is simple: it is about dancing for a be-moled man and enjoying it. I could be wrong, but listen to it (without the video), and it sounds like both Iglesias and Pit Bull are smiling as they recorded the song. It makes a difference when the artist sounds like they are truly having fun with the song and that is what I love most about it. There is no need to make strong political/ethical/racial statements in every song. That can be left up to Eminem, and he certainly is not smiling when he spits flecks of rage into the microphone during a recording session.

Sidebar: MTV has a delightful show called "When I was 17" where pop artists and actors describe their life at 17 and the other day, I caught the Pit Bull episode. He is great! He was discovered by his Miami high school theatre teacher who saw a star and hooked him up as an extra in a DMX video, where he battled the rapper on set and blew onlookers away.

I was starting to fall for the bald headed Latino until he described the car he owned at 17, in which he boinked many ladies.

Katy Perry is also at the top of the charts this month, with her candy-striped treat "California Gurls". Did you know 101.9 The Mix edits out Snoop Dogg's interlude? His short rhyme is one of the best parts of the song, and The Mix (not a Top 40 station, instead billed as "Adult Contemporary") sucks it out like venom from a snake wound.

This song, along with "I Like It" is easy to learn and sing along with, thanks to its few and uncomplicated lyrics and a catchy hook.

My point is: if you like the Top 40, embrace it! Do not steer clear, for this is music that 97.1 The Drive will someday play while we are driving our kids to soccer practice. When they whine to change it back to Radio Robot Disney, or whatever will be in their future, we will happily tell them to shut up, and enjoy the sounds of our youth.

Comment: what is your summer song?