A Look Back at 2008 Pop Music
A look back at the top pop songs of 2008 and what made them so popular.
2008 Pop Music Hits
2008 was an iconic year for pop music. It was the year that brought us hits like “Single Ladies” by Beyonce, “I Kissed a Girl” by Katy Perry, and “Poker Face” by Lady Gaga. These songs defined a generation and are still played on the radio today. Let’s take a look back at some of the other pop songs that made 2008 such a special year.
“Bleeding Love” – Leona Lewis
“Bleeding Love” is a pop ballad written by British singer-songwriter Ryan Tedder and American songwriter Jesse McCartney for English singer Leona Lewis’ 2007 debut album Spirit. The song was released in the United Kingdom and Ireland in October 2007 and reached number one on the UK Singles Chart after seven weeks. It became the year’s best-selling single in that country. In the United States, “Bleeding Love” peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and became Lewis’ first top 10 single there, spending 34 weeks on the chart. Billboard magazine ranked it as the 21st most successful song of 2008 in the US. internationally, “Bleeding Love” peaked at number one in over 30 countries, becoming one of Lewis’ best-selling singles to date and one of the best-selling singles worldwide in 2008. “Bleeding Love” has sold more than three million copies in the United Kingdom and more than four million copies worldwide.
“No One” – Alicia Keys
“No One” is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys for her third studio album, As I Am (2007). The song, which serves as the album’s lead single, was written and produced by Keys, Kerry Brothers, Jr., and George M. Weitzman. It was released worldwide to radio stations on September 10, 2007, and to digital outlets on September 11 as the lead single from As I Am.
Lyrically, “No One” is about a break-up and how Keys is better off without her past lover. Upon its release, “No One” achieved commercial success. In the United States, the song peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for five consecutive weeks, making it Keys’ fourth chart topper and tying her with Mariah Carey and Beyoncé for the most number-one singles by a female artist in the 2000s decade. The single also became Keys’ highest selling digital single in the United States with sales of over three million copies. In addition, “No One” topped various other Billboard charts including the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Pop Songs charts for eleven and four weeks respectively. Internationally, “No One” topped nearly two dozen charts including those in Canada, Denmark, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom.
The music video for “No One”, directed by Chris Robinson, was shot entirely in black-and-white. It shows Keys recording vocals alongside Weitzman inside Legacy Studios in New York City while scenes of her walking around Brooklyn are intercut throughout. It also features keys playing an unreleased acoustic version of another song from As I Am called “Waiting For Your Love”.
“Viva la Vida” – Coldplay
“Viva la Vida” is a song by the British rock band Coldplay. It was released on 12 June 2008 as the second single from their fourth album, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008). The song was written by all four members of the band and produced by Brian Eno. The song lyrically contains references to the subprime mortgage crisis and the early 21st century financial downturn.
The song peaked at number one on various singles charts, including the UK Singles Chart, where it became Coldplay’s fourth UK number-one single. By September 2013, it had sold over 7.6 million copies worldwide, becoming one of the best-selling singles of all time. The music video was nominated for three MTV Video Music Awards at the 2008 ceremony.”
The song was a commercial success, reaching number one in more than 20 countries, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. In the United States, “Viva la Vida” peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and became Coldplay’s first top-ten single in the country. The song won Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal at the 51st Grammy Awards.”
2008 Pop Music Misses
2008 was an interesting year for pop music. We saw the rise of new stars like Lady Gaga and Flo Rida, and the fall of others like Britney Spears. There were some great hits, but there were also some serious misses. Here are some of the biggest pop music misses of 2008.
“I Kissed a Girl” – Katy Perry
“I Kissed a Girl” is a song recorded by American singer Katy Perry for her second studio album, One of the Boys (2008). It was released on April 28, 2008, by Capitol Records as the lead single from the record. Perry co-wrote the song with its producers Dr. Luke and Max Martin; it was also co-written by Bonnie McKee. “I Kissed a Girl” is a pop rock song with elements of new wave. Taking influence from punk rock and hip hop, the bass line of the song is borrows heavily from new wave music. Lyrically, “I Kissed a Girl” is about exploring one’s sexual curiosity and bisexuality.
The song sparked controversy for its homosexual themes, with some groups claiming that it promoted lesbianism and erased the line between heterosexuality and homosexuality. In response to such claims, Perry stated that she was not trying to promote or underline any sexual orientation. The song topped global charts including in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Sweden and the United States; in the latter country, it became Perry’s first single to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
“SexyBack” – Justin Timberlake
“SexyBack” is a song recorded by American pop singer Justin Timberlake for his second studio album, FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006). It was written and produced by Timberlake, Timbaland, and Nate “Danja” Hills. The song was released on July 18, 2006 as the lead single from the album, to mixed reviews from critics. It peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and became Timberlake’s second consecutive single to reach the top position on that chart. “SexyBack” remains Timberlake’s most successful single to date. Internationally, the song peaked within the top ten of fourteen countries.
A dance-oriented track with influences of rock and R&B music, it features Timberlake singing about bringing “sexy back” in a failed attempt to do so. The opening lyrics of the chorus refer to television personality Ricki Lake. “SexyBack” received positive reviews from contemporary music critics; many praised Timbaland’s production, while others complimented Timberlake’s vocals and falsetto register. The song won Best Dance Recording at the 49th Grammy Awards. “SexyBack” peaked at number one in various countries including Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, New Zealand and Switzerland; while reaching number two in Austria, Ireland and Norway; and number three in Belgium (Flanders), Finland and United Kingdom.
“Lollipop” – Lil Wayne
Released in early 2008, “Lollipop” was one of the biggest pop songs of the year. It was Lil Wayne’s first solo single in five years, and it quickly rose to the top of the charts. The song’s catchy hook and Lil Wayne’s distinctive flow made it an instant hit with fans, and it remains one of his most popular songs to date.
2008 Pop Music Controversies
2008 was a big year for pop music, with a number of iconic tracks and albums being released. However, it was also a year of controversy, with a number of artists coming under fire for their lyrics and behavior.
“I’m Yours” – Jason Mraz
The songs sunny, reggae-influenced sound made it an instant favorite for many, but some critics charged that it sounded too much like John Mayer’s “Daughters”. The two singers even share the same manager.
“Apologize” – Timbaland
Timbaland’s song “Apologize” featuring OneRepublic became one of the biggest hits of 2008, but it was also at the center of a major controversy. The song samples vocals from the 1967 track “Hallelujah” by the late singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen without permission. Cohen’s estate eventually sued Timbaland and OneRepublic for copyright infringement, and the case was settled out of court for an undisclosed sum.
“4 Minutes” – Madonna
In early 2008, Madonna announced that she was working on a new album with frequent collaborator Timbaland. The first single from the album, “4 Minutes”, was released in March and featured rapper Justin Timberlake.
The song caused controversy due to its use of an ominous looped sample from a 1970s Egyptian film called The Exposed, which tells the story of a young girl’s sexual awakening. The filmmakers behind The Exposed accused Madonna and Timberlake of plagiarism, and sued them for $150 million.
While the lawsuit was ultimately settled out of court, the controversy surrounding “4 Minutes” Ensure that it would be one of the most talked-about songs of 2008.
2008 Pop Music Deaths
2008 was a tough year for the music industry, with the deaths of some of the most iconic and influential musicians of all time. This list includes only those musicians who died at the age of 40 or younger, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.
George Carlin
George Carlin, one of the most influential comedians of all time, died on June 22, 2008 at the age of 71. Leading a career that spanned more than five decades, Carlin helped to define modern comedy and was an inspiration to many future comedians. His stand-up routine was often controversial, pushing the boundaries of what was considered acceptable material for public consumption. He was arrested and charged with violating obscenity laws after performing his now-infamous “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television” routine on an episode of Saturday Night Live in 1972. Carlin continued to push the envelope throughout his career, never afraid to tackle taboo subjects head-on. He will be missed by fans all over the world.
Isaac Hayes
On August 10, 2008, the world of pop music lost one of its most influential figures with the passing of Isaac Hayes. A true pioneer in the field of soul and R&B, Hayes was best known for his work on the seminal 1971 album “Shaft.” The accompanying soundtrack won Hayes an Academy Award and helped to cement his place as one of the most important figures in pop music history.
In addition to his work as a solo artist, Hayes also found success as a member of the group Hot Buttered Soul. Together, they released a string of successful albums that further cemented his place in the annals of music history.
Hayes’ death came as a shock to many, and serves as a reminder that even the most talented musicians are mortal. He will be missed by fans all over the world, but his legacy will live on through his music.
Bo Diddley
On June 2, 2008, the world lost one of its great rock and roll originators. Born in Mississippi in 1928, Ellas McDaniel, better known as Bo Diddley, was a true pioneer of the genre. He developed a signature style that blended elements of blues, R&B, and country music, and his signature “beat” – often imitated but never duplicated – became an essential ingredient in the recipe for rock and roll.
Diddley was a prolific recording artist, and his influence can be heard in the work of everyone from The Beatles to The Rolling Stones to The Who. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, and he continued to perform until his death at the age of 79. He will be truly missed.
