I'm not a big fan of traditional pop music...never have been, even when I earned a living playing it. I like alternative rock, r&b, soul, classic rock, acoustic/emo (does anyone call it "folk" anymore?), world music, reggae, ska, jazz, even classical....you get the idea. My tastes are wide and varied so I've always felt anything liked by so many millions of people would include enough tasteless folks that I couldn't abide it. 

   But I heard a real gem on the radio the other day, which moved me to goosebumps, (am I a girliemon?!?!?!?), so I came home and downloaded, (LOVE my pod, and iTunes),  UNWRITTEN by Natasha Bedingfield. Now it is pop, so I should've just downloaded the one song, (which if you're not a pop fan, is what you should do). The album is pretty okay, even by my standards, and if you like light, airy, meaningless and danceable you will definitely like the entire CD. I am not wild about it. But the replay button on my iPod has sure been getting a workout for the title track.

   Words, production values, music, execution....this song kicks ass and I imagine, (as I'm a latecomer - this was released in August 2005), this song is already on a bazillion-plus alarm/clock radios for that inspirational wake up buzz. Because you just can't help being elated by it. It is truly uplifting.

   And there's a two line passage right in the middle that is catch-your-breath stunning. It's sung by what sounds like a thousand voice choir reminiscent of the Edwin Hawkins Singers, (am I dating myself?), that the late, great Luther Vandross, and so many other brilliant producers/artists, used almost to excess a few years back. I hope Ms. Bedingfield goes forward with more of this style and less of the easier stuff, because, for a pretty, slight, white British girl, she will definitely make a name for herself in true soul/inspirational music. 

   I defy you to not be moved.