Kelly Clarkson "Miss Independent"

Fox stunned all the television networks when its reality singing contest American Idol: The Search for a Superstar caught fire during the summer of 2002. Rarely did summer television shows ever become a sensation, but Idol connected. The show made Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, and Ryan Seacrest household names. Season 1 of Idol culminated with Kelly Clarkson defeating Justin Guarini on September 2, 2002. While Idol went on to change the way television networks programmed their schedules, it also changed the music business. Artists regularly appeared on the show hoping to promote their new single and theme nights helped introduce older music to a new audience. No format seemed to benefit from Idol more than Adult Contemporary who embraced the show's winners (and losers). Names like Daughtry, Carrie Underwood, Clay Aiken, and Season 1 winner Kelly Clarkson peppered the AC Chart. Clarkson alone charted more than a dozen AC singles including 2002's "Miss Independent" -- a song initially written for Christina Aguilera.

Paula Abdul "Cold Hearted"

When the high temperature in Chicago is below zero, do you still wear deodorant?

Paula Abdul "Rush Rush"

One of the greatest ballads of the 1990s came courtesy of former Los Angeles Lakers cheerleader Paula Abdul. It was her first ballad and record company executives feared releasing it. The song exceeded all expectations: it song sat atop the Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary Charts for a good portion of the summer of 1991. I wonder how many people were inspired to play the violin thanks to this tune...

Paula Abdul "Opposites Attract"

"Opposites Attract" is the answer to the oft-asked question: "What was that video that featured Paula Abdul dancing with a cat?" The 1989 pop song from Paula Abdul also features rap vocals from The Wild Pair.

Paula Abdul "Straight Up"

SIGN OF THE TIMES

"Straight Up" was successful on the radio long before Paula Abdul recorded a video to support the song on MTV.  Up to that point, Abdul spent most of her time as a backup dancer.  This led Abdul to choreograph the video.  Shot in black and white, the video featured Abdul's friend Arsenio Hall who had just launched his syndicated The Arsenio Hall Show.

Paula Abdul - "Forever Your Girl"

Posters of Paula Abdul adorned the bedrooms of young boys and girls alike in the late-80s.  Following the success of "Straight Up", Abdul's "Forever Your Girl" soared to #1 in 1989.

Paula Abdul - "Blowing Kisses in the Wind"

Long before Paula Abdul was known for being the half-drunk American Idol judge, she was a successful singer and dancer who put out a string of pop hits in the late-80s and early-90s.  One such hit was 1991's "Blowing Kisses in the Wind" from her triple-platinum Spellbound album.  The ballad took a backseat to other singles from the album including "Promise of  A New Day" and the ballad "Rush Rush".  Unfortunately, she did not dance with an animated cat in the video.