Download of the Day 10/14: "Raise Your Glass" by Pink

"Raise your glass" for an excellent career

Calling Pink "badass" is like calling water "clear": if you didn't know that by now, you something is wrong with you.

Whether she is singing live in midair or trashing her former ex-husband in an awesome music video, Pink has been pop's indisputable princess of awesome. It's crazy that its been over a decade since she burst onto the scene, first as an R&B singer with hits like "Most Girls" and "There You Go", and then with career-defining pop-rock album Mizunderstood.

It's also crazy that she hasn't released a greatest hits album yet (both Britney and Christina released theirs years ago). It's better late then never, and the pop punk queen is dropping her collection next month, appropriately titled Greatest Hits... So Far. "Raise Your Glass" is the album's first single, produced by (sorry for the pun) uber-hitmaker Max Martin. Pink is at her best with this anthemic pop/rock gem, as she sings for the underdog "who will never be anything but loud". Considering the recent gay teen suicides that have been the talk of the nation, it seems like the perfect song to raise spirits and lift morale. And who better than Pink, with her spectacular voice, take-no-prisoners attitude, and fun outlook on the musical landscape to lead the charge? I can't think of anyone.

"Raise Your Glass" could easily be a #1 hit from a completely new album, but it's even more appreciated that it's from her greatest hits. It's a reminder that Pink, in the overloaded female pop arena, is in a class of her own.

Rating: 9 out of 10