Matt Nathanson "Come on Get Higher"

Author of one of my favorite inappropriate jokes, Matt Nathanson established himself as a musical fixture at grocery stores and Walgreens with his 2008 ballad "Come on Get Higher". The catchy song found itself a hit on Adult Contemporary, Top 40 and even Alternative radio.

(the joke, btw, is "what's the difference between jam and jelly? I can't jelly my c0ck up your @ss!")

Estelle "American Boy"

Kanye West backs up British singer Estelle in "American Boy". The catchy pop song introduced Estelle to the world in 2008, but her success fizzled afterward. But it's a cheap way to work "America" into the conversation.

O.A.R. "Shattered (Turn the Car Around)"

A trip to your local CVS Pharmacy counter means you'll get to hear some smooth tunes over the store's speakers. With two seemingly disjointed names, the pop-rock tune "Shattered (Turn the Car Around)" from O.A.R. was all over the radio in 2008.

Yael Naim - "New Soul"

Credit American Idol for creating dozens of hits during the 2000s.  Another hat tip goes to Apple for turning songs from their television commercials into radio hits.  Case in point: Apple used Yael Naim's "New Soul" in a commercial for MacBook Air in 2008.  The result: #7 on the Hot 100.

Michael Franti & Spearhead - "Say Hey (I Love You)"

Remember that time Michael Franti got the idea for a song while showering at Woody Harrelson's house and quickly wrote them with his finger on the steamed up bathroom mirror?  It's true.  The infectious "Say Hey (I Love You)" went on to become Franti's first mainstream hit peaking at #17 on the Adult Contemporary chart.

Lenka - "The Show"

Cheers to Australian singer Lenka for supplying the lyric "I want my money back!" in her worldwide hit single "The Show". Now please quiet down and just enjoy the show.

Daughtry - "Feels Like Tonight"

How many songs can you name with the word tonight in the title?  "Tonight Tonight Tonight", "Wonderful Tonight", "Something About The Way You Look Tonight", and don't forget about Daughtry's 2008 hit "Feels Like Tonight".

Jordin Sparks - "One Step At A Time"

Try to think of a song that features sound effects of footsteps.  Give up?  Someone please cue Jordin Sparks' "One Step At A Time" [sounds of footsteps].

Pussycat Dolls - "I Hate This Part"

That awkward conversation just before a breakup...

Shinedown - "Second Chance"

When Casey Kasem stepped down from his countdown show in 2009, his final #1 songs were Taylor Swift's "Love Story" (on the Adult Contemporary version of his countdown) and "Second Chance" from Shinedown (on the Hot Adult Contemporary version of his countdown).  Pop music much different then as compared to Casey's first #1 song: "Mama Told Me Not to Come" by Three Dog Night.  Casey ended his final show with his familiar message: "Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars."