P!nk - Greatest Hits... So Far!!!

Still making it through a whole bunch of Grammy albums (I never quit halfway through a list, sorry!). This one was nominated for one song, Best Pop Solo Performance for "Fuckin' Perfect." It's a pretty great song if you haven't heard it, but I'm sure you have.

And since this is a greatest hits album, we'll be treated to lots of videos and nostalgic moments with Miss P!nk. In fact, there's a video for each song except for "Dear Mr. President," and that's only because the video's not available on YouTube in the USA.

I must be getting up there in years, because she's celebrating a decade of hits, and this was released in 2010. She was kind of smart about this though. P!nk was against a greatest hits album for a few years, but was being pushed by the label. Now, a label can put out a compilation by themselves pretty easily, especially depending on how your contract is spelled out. She knew this and wanted it done her way - and voila, this album.

I think this will prove to be a great wind-down for the night, so here we go.


Want to listen along as we go? Check out the full album on Spotify by clicking here!


We kick things off with a great welcoming song, but already out-of-order, "Get The Party Started." This was the lead single from her second album, Mizundaztood.

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I remember this coming out and being so scared that Pink was becoming a less badass version of herself and one of these idiot ditz party girls. It's not so bad though - she's just having fun. I think. Eh, it's a fun track, and appropriate starter for an album of songs that give so much else to us lyrically. The beat's not awful, and if you just stick to it once before going out, I think it remains on the non-annoying side of music.

"There You Go" is a little more along the lines of the edgy, early Pink I remember. This was the debut single that made the world go "Whoa." It's a sweet little revenge song when he wants her back.

To be honest, I'm glad she's a little different from this. Here's the deal with Pink, so far as I can see: she's changed gradually with every album. If you look at them each, there's a clear difference between the girl we get in each album. Yet, there's a constant with her somehow as a person. She evolves without it being jaunting each and every time. This song was the beginning, where she was this crazy white chick with an attitude that you totally don't want to mess with. Now today, we know better than to mess with her, but we also know she's a real woman with relatable feelings.

"Don't Let Me Get Me" is the first song I think a lot of teenage girls started to see Pink as a role model, or at least relatable. She started releasing these female anthems of annoyance at the world with her second, and much more successful, album. It's the emo-self-loathing anthem, sure, but who didn't sing this and a few of the following ones in their bedrooms after a tough day at school?

And the video's kind of hilarious, have to admit. I don't think you actually saw chicks like this in high school until more recent years. Regardless, we all thought we were her. The LA line, by the way, I believe was a joke. She was lauded for her uniqueness. In fact, it's what took her from a girl group (my Galloway locals will know what I'm talking about...) as Alicia Moore to being the Pink that we came to admire. The song even has that great guitar backing it to bring it to angry anthem status for pop music.

In the same vein but with a harsher approach, we got "Just Like A Pill."

It's about relationships, but don't doubt that those drug abuse problems are an underlying thread. I'm still a sucker for that mysterious self-moving piano at the beginning. The dirty look to this whole thing brought that girl from a pop performer to a new darker singer we weren't used to. I think this hit well because it was unexpected. There is a darkness, regardless of the major chords used. Sure, the video helps show that. But I think when you're singing along and you realize you're saying "you're just like a pill.." you become more aware that the subject is torturous.

Keeping on with this oh-so-happy theme, let's look at "Family Portrait."

Pink's father said in an interview that this was the unofficial national anthem for kids going through the effects of divorce. It is semi-auto-biographical, hence the look-a-like (can someone please tell me if all these hyphens are grammatically correct?). Interestingly, it's pegged as an R&B song, sticking to her original scene sound. I was never a huge fan of this song, but the video's always been well done in my eyes. The end twist where she winds up alone and remembering is really interesting. 

The next one we heard from Pink (there was a single in between that I know I don't remember) is one of my favorite songs of hers, "Trouble." This would serve as her come-back single for the third album.

It just puts me in that mind set that it's fun to make trouble... Mhmm, we all have those thoughts once in a while. The song maintains that gritty voice a lot of people like from her, and re-establishes Pink as the badass rocker we may have been worried about loosing. There is actually a cool western theme hidden within the music that's not over-powering, it just provides a sweet theme to enjoy. Oh, and yes, that's the Pussycat Dolls on the bar. And the little girl from "Family Portrait" is in this. AND - YES - that is the one and only wonderful Jeremy Renner as the sheriff. See? Something for everyone.

Two more singles and two years later, we got her fourth studio album and a reminder that she hates bimbos with "Stupid Girls."

I can already think of about 10-20 girls I know that need to remember this song exists. "Outcasts and girls with ambition - that's what I want to see." She kind of let loose on Hollywood throughout this too - pretty impressive and hilarious all at once. Now, if she had Adele's shape on top of all of this, I might totally adore this video, but let's face it - she looks like the ones she's mocking, but has the best attitude possible about it. The song's so damn catchy though...

"Who Knew" came across my computer screen for the first time a few years before it was ever released, and I loved it from the first second I heard it. Then, the video came out with uncanny timing around a breakup.

From the singer herself, it's about loosing a friend to drugs. Yet, she also notes that it can mean different things to different people. For instance, when you put your absolute trust in someone and they abandon you... well yeah, there's something to this song for you. You can smile back on it, but there's pain. Anywhos. Musically, this has a great guitar base keeping it alive. The chorus allows for the intensity needed with this kind of heartbreak. The lyrics are so ridiculously honest, and her singing of them comes from the heart.

The same writers worked on "U + Ur Hand" which takes a hilariously wonderful turn in this next video.

I always loved this song as a revenge number. I also always wanted a sequel to this video! Funny how this was considered racy 5 years ago... ooohhh masturbation, scary subject. Psh. Please. Watch TMZ and then tell me what you think is racy. The grit in her voice is fantastic. We're back to anthem-Pink and one of those songs a girl carries around in the back of her head to play on a personal jukebox when dealing with jerks.

"Dear Mr. President" is the one song I don't have a video for here, but that's all right. It stands completely well on its own. The Indigo Girls join her for this direct letter to George W. Bush. This was, by the way, never released as a single in the US. It's such a gorgeously simple song though, but packed with so much. Makes you think a lot, that's for sure. "How do you sleep while the rest of us cry? How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye? How do you walk with your head held high? Can you even look me in the eye?" Seriously, please go find a way to listen to this song. I'm not political in the least bit, but this song is amazing.

And then we get to Funhouse, kicking things off with "So What."

This was Pink's first US #1 single, by the way. It was sort of about Carey Hart, but funnier to them both after the reunion. Personally, I find it to be one of her more annoying songs. It's like we were going back to the annoying pop Pink that didn't totally make it out to her singles. The chorus is awesome - it's great to bounce around to and enjoy on a night out. The verses, however, drive me up a wall with that melody. I guess that's maybe the point. Actually, okay, I'll be honest, I become more and more okay with it as the song continues. It's a great driving song... and I'm a sucker for those.

In a song that actually has nothing to do with drinking, but rather about accepting identities, with get a 180 musically with "Sober." 

The white room images are kind of freaking me out a little bit. I do love the line, though, "the silence scares me 'cause it screams the truth." I don't love the song, though the video is interesting in a way. It's unexpected I guess. The bridge drives home the identities point though - finding yourself and whatnot.

"Please Don't Leave Me."

This video is psychotic. It's a heck of a story to put to song though. The love-hate relationship is something I think we've all been through. God she takes it to extremes here though. I get it - that's the point. It's meant to be hilarious and outrageous. This is just tough to watch, yah know? This is one of the few songs in my memory that I think the video actually made me dislike the song more. I didn't like it too much to begin with though - just like she sings, she's a little obnoxious here.

Funhouse was the Pink album where I lost interest for a while, and that stands with the fifth single released from it, "Funhouse."

This is a song that was written largely on the breakup with Carey. Must be nice to air your grievances to the world. It's actually a pretty intense song with lots of anger. I just can't get into the melody used to tell her story. It's too hokey-circus for me to deal with. Maybe it's the staccato nature as well. I can't even get into the very evident beat involved throughout. But yes, that's the dude from No Doubt on piano.

And now for one I actually don't remember ever hearing, "I Don't Believe You."

The reviews have called this one a soul ballad. Now that I hear it, I do vaguely remember hearing this on a listen of Funhouse, but never on the radio as a released single. It's clearly a very vulnerable number, if the music doesn't exemplify that in of itself. In some ways, it's in the vein of "Please Don't Leave Me," where she's holding on but he's gone. It's the non-psychotic version though. There's heart to this. It's actually difficult to accept as a relatable song though, as I think a lot more people believe it's their fault and the loss is real and deep - the other way of holding on far too much. Musically though, this is just lovely and simple yet emotional, maybe even moreso that the voice thoughout.

Another slow one followed this, and is possibly one of the most beautiful song's Pink has ever released. Here is the performance from the Grammys that year of "Glitter In The Air."

Apparently this was how the song were basically performed on her tour as well. It's a stunning performance that brings a new kind of power to soft song as I believe it deserves. The song itself is about taking chances and seeing beauty in that. Pink also shows off her quite unique voice in a ballad, something we rarely hear. It's a voice that's partied, clearly, but there's depth unseen. She calls her previous single one of the most vulnerable ones she's ever written? I have to say this one has much deeper and lasting effects. "Have you ever held your breath and asked yourself, 'will it ever get better than tonight?'"

We've made it to the two songs that were hit singles from the album. First up, "Raise Your Glass."

Here we go with an anthem again, and I love it. Okay, to be totally honest, I didn't think of it as anything more than a party song until The Warblers gave it life for an 'anthem' themed regionals on "Glee." Sorry, but my musical life is far too connected to that show's use of songs. But damn, once it hits you what this song actually is, it's fantastic. "Raise your glass if you are wrong in all the right ways." It's a pretty sweet song for the freaks in us all. Then the video takes every weird situation and person like... ever, and shows the party side they can have to in embracing. To boot, the beat is kickin'.

Last one here folks, and another great anthem for us all with a heart - and the Grammy nominated song - "Fuckin' Perfect."

A very clear message given by this one. Struggle and triumph dominate the verses, then the chorus contains the message to everyone else. I think I like this because it's very poignant to members of this generation. Kids have been crazy for years, and we have more and more of an excuse to be as time goes on and more and more images of 'perfection' are given. I don't think this song is meant to be a statement on media, politics, etc. Nothing like that. It's just a song for people. And there's a place for everyone, and a someone for everyone. It's a song of hope.

Added to My Playlist:

• "Don't Let Me Get Me"
• "Just Like A Pill"
• "Trouble"
• "Who Knew"
• "U + Ur Hand"
• "Dear Mr. President"
• "So What"
• "Glitter In The Air"
• "Raise Your Glass"
• "Fuckin' Perfect"

(took out all the links this time - if anyone out there actually uses them, let me know and I'll start that back up again)
The only ones missing that I really liked were "You Make Me Sick" and "God is a DJ." Otherwise, I think she covered everything on this one. The range Pink's writing has is really wonderful. She provides what I think a female artist needs to - power and strength through feel-good songs, vulnerability though the tough ones, and a party attitude for the good times. We get everything you might want from an album because she selected and compiled so wisely. Already can't wait to hear what the next hit will be.