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.

Bruce Springsteen "Human Touch"

Bruce Springsteen found himself on rock, pop and Adult Contemporary radio in 1992 thanks to "Human Touch". The song is proof that American Idol judge Randy Jackson is famous for something other than calling contestants "dawg". Jackson plays bass guitar on the tune.

Aretha Franklin - "Freeway of Love"

Aretha Franklin's high-octane "Freeway of Love" dominated the music charts in 1985.  The pop song not only featured Clarence Clemons providing the requisite saxophone solo, but also Randy Jackson on bass.  Jackson would later become a household name 20 years later as a judge on American Idol.