Thoughts on Recent Top Five Songs on iTunes

1. “California Gurls” (feat. Snoop Dogg) by Katy Perry. If you have not seen the music video yet, Perry presents an alternate universe where Hollywood becomes synonymous with the game Candyland. Girls are essentially the candy, wearing daisy dukes and dancing in bikini tops decorated with whip cream and a cherry. Snoop Dogg agrees that California “Gurls” are the best, much like Candyland, they’re beautiful in their simplicity and they leave very little to the imagination.

2. “Love the Way You Lie” (feat. Rihanna) by Eminem. Well, Rihanna’s always lovely – to listen to, and, let’s be honest, to look at. She’s a nice compliment to Eminem, and the song definitely strikes a chord, even if it’s his usual melancholy.

3. “Dynamite” by Taio Cruz. Heavily mixed, highly repetitive, “club music” does not have much to offer by way of true artistic value. But it can be fun to dance to. The rhythm of this particular tune stays light and bouncy; Cruz’s smooth voice glides over the simple chorus. “Dynamite” will definitely get those ladies dancing.

4. “Ridin’ Solo” by Jason Derulo. This sounds like a poor, man’s version of “All the Single Ladies.” This little lad cannot even begin to compare to Beyoncé. I don’t know which is sillier, the song or the music video.

5. “Airplanes” (feat. Hayley Williams of Paramore) by B.o.B. Williams and B.o.B work well together here. Much like Eminem’s “Love the Way You Lie,” Williams’ rich, unique voice lifts the chorus to match B.o.B’s quick, short rap lines.