Wait Till You See My Smile/Alicia Keys

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WiHB07Paf4

I love Alicia Keys. Despite her modern R&B style of music, there's something in her voice that just screams '80s girl power (think Belinda Carlisle, Stevie Nicks, Heart, even Madonna's early years). Plus, she's an accomplished pianist. Godliness.

Stupid Girl/Garbage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPoW_co7kCE

The bassline. Period.

I Can't Tell You Why/Eagles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2Ns6J1KWd8&feature=related

The band sounds so crisp, they may as well have been playing in a tiny room. Bassist Timothy Schmit lent vocals for the first time instead of vocalist/drummer Don Henley.

3 AM/Matchbox 20

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uD8DlxwHsE

You can't go wrong with a band like Matchbox 20. Sometimes you just want to listen to a song to feel good about this world. This is one of those songs.

Joe Le Taxi/Vanessa Paradis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OntTG-n3zpI&feature=related

Found this French song in an old mix-tape belonging to my dad. A cheeky schoolgirl voice (the singer was 14 when she sang this) and some great use of the baritone saxophone in between the vocal parts.