1. ABBA, "TAKE A CHANCE ON ME" (1978)
A creamy mid-career confection from the Swedish avatars of Europop, from The Album.
2. CHRISTINA AGUILERA, "BEAUTIFUL" (2002)
"I, among millions, commented on how bizarre Christina has looked of late, and wondered why she does it," Phair says. "This was her answer -- it shut you up and put you in your place."
3. ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS, "SWING, SWING" (2002)
The best punky power-pop anthem to come out of Stillwater, Oklahoma... ever.
4. BRENDAN BENSON, "TINY SPARK" (2002)
The lead track from Lapalco, the latest album from the Detroit guitar-pop underdog.
5. DAVID BOWIE, "FIVE YEARS" (1972)
"I don't really know what the lyrics mean, but I like the idea that something's going to end in five years."
6. THE CARS, "MY BEST FRIEND'S GIRL" (1978)
"If I'm driving and it comes on, I think I'm the foxiest chick alive."
7. EXTREME, "MORE THAN WORDS" (1990)
The unplugged power ballad par excellence.
8. FLEETWOOD MAC, "BLEED TO LOVE HER" (2003)
"A 'mommy' friend of mine gave me this. She's like, 'Read the words!' She thinks it's all about how Lindsey Buckingham is still in love with Stevie Nicks. She makes a really good argument.
9. BILLIE HOLIDAY, "STRANGE FRUIT" (1939)
"The voice of the downtrodden."
10. IDLEWILD, "ACTUALLY IT'S DARKNESS" (2000)
"I imagine kids up in Scotland in shitty weather, rocking out in their parents' basements."
11. FRANCIS SCOTT KEY, "THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER"
"It's written like a perfect short story, reminding you what this country was built on: bloodshed in the name of an idea."
12. JESSE MALIN, "WENDY" (2003)
A former punk nostalgist transitions to roots rebel.
13. MATERIAL ISSUE, "WHAT GIRLS WANT" (1992)
Impeccable power-pop from early-'90s Chicago trio.
14. NEW RADICALS, "GET WHAT YOU GIVE" (1998)
One-hit wonder masterminded by tall baldie Gregg Alexander.
15. TOM PETTY, "YOU WRECK ME" (1994)
"I like the idea that's how a guy feels about you -- that you wreck him. That's the sexiest thing I can imagine."
16. PATRICK PARK, "THUNDERBOLT" (2003)
"A love story where two people are fucked up but stay together."
17. QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, "NO ONE KNOWS" (2002)
Stoner-rock of ages, with a backbeat that comes courtesy of Dave Grohl.
18. R.E.M., "CATAPULT" (1983)
From R.E.M.'s first album, Murmur, back when they were merely the kings of college rock.
19. ROLLING STONES, "SHINE A LIGHT" (1972)
"I never understood if Mick's talking about a woman or a man -- I decided he was singing for both."
20. SIMON & GARFUNKEL, "ONLY LIVING BOY IN NEW YORK" (1970)
"I'm into that whole downtown New York, Washington Square Park-circa-1967 vibe."
21. STARLIGHT MINTS, "PAGES" (2003)
Soaring psychedlia courtesy of Flaming Lips protégés.
22. THE THORNS, "BLUE" (2003)
Indie-pop supergroup made up of Matthew Sweet, Pete Droge and Shawn Mullins.
23. 'TIL TUESDAY, "VOICES CARRY" (1985)
"The video always spoke to me. I loved that she was a pretty girl on the arm of a wealthy guy, trying to express herself."
24. URGE OVERKILL, "HEAVEN 90210" (1993)
An ironic ode to eternal teen paradise from Chicago schtick-rockers. "I always fancy that it was written about me."
25. JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, "ROCK YOUR BODY" (2002)
"I had a mini-sexual experience watching the 'Rock Your Body' video. If a woman could get an erection..."