"Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" and "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" should both be in the top five, but their placings on this countdown are still very respectable.
To go solo and find true success away from the group with which they have come to be associated, a singer must make a strong statement of artistic identity and independence (hence, the failure of nascent careers like that of Nicole Scherzinger). Arguably none of these ladies made a stronger one than Gwen, who flipped pop music on its head with her first single, "What You Waiting For?," a propulsive, loopy cry of electro mayhem. In the midst of an era dominated by hip-hop, this critical favorite performed modestly on the charts, but it has long been adored by ATRL. Voters made it Gwen's highest-ranking song on the countdown, awarding it only four scores below 9.
Annie scored her biggest solo hit ever in the United States with this deceptively sunny bit of Baroque pop, which compares a failed relationship to, yes, walking on broken glass. Notable for its fantastic harpsichord hook, it reached #14 on the Hot 100, as well as the top ten of both the alternative and adult contemporary charts. It also represents Annie's best performance in this rate, becoming the first song to earn ten 10's and barely missing a spot in the top three.
I was utterly steamrolled by this quiet storm ballad the first time I heard it, and it still holds immense power umpteen listens later—from the chirping birds and simple piano that spur reflection on a dysfunctional relationship to the sultry electric guitar that sends it drifting of into the ether. Lauryn's emotionally raw vocal performance, in particular, is possibly the most stunning in this entire rate. Though it didn't receive the most 10's, "Ex-Factor" was lifted by high marks across the board; YSL's was the only score below 8.5.
All right, sorry for the delay (again!). I'm seriously ready to post the final two now. If anyone is around, I can do it now, or just wait until the morning.
