Here is the second part of the list:
"Apologize" by OneRepublic and Timbaland - Seriously, where wasn't this song on radio? It was on EVERY station except country and hard rock, for a good reason. Thanks to superproducer Timbaland, Ryan Tedder's powerful voice and lament-filled lyrics came through to every format. It is the perfect sad song, with an awesome beat behind it.
"Stronger" by Kanye West - Kanye is probably the cockiest human being on the planet, which makes this chart-topper all the more awesome. Teamed up with house group Daft Punk, Kanye put together the ultimate "dust yourself off" song, whenever you fall.
"Go The Distance" by Michael Bolton - The theme to the Disney movie "Hercules". A graduation favorite. A great song to inspire those suffering a terrible loss. Unlike many inspirational songs these days (coughAmericanIdolWinningSongscough), "Distance" isn't contrived, sappy, or lame. It doesn't hurt that Michael Bolton is here, injecting some soul into the song.
"I'll Stand By You" by the Pretenders - Now, onto the sappy. Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders are have a very coll reputation, so it took some balls to put out a ballad that could easily be a charity song (see Girls Aloud) or a wedding dance song. Although the concept is a bit cheesy, it is a great song about being there for someone you love and/or care about.
"I Believe I Can Fly" by R.Kelly - This was MY SONG for like a year, I'm not kidding. I had this song playing on repeat in my cassette player throughout '97 and '98. Pushing the kiddie porn and overall freakiness of the "Pied Piper of R&B" aside, he is an extremely talented man, especially when he is writing music not necessarily about sex. This is a great example. Another graduation favorite, because it inspires kids departing schools that cab fly past everything.
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