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.
"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.
"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?
In the same vein but with a harsher approach, we got "Just Like A Pill."
Keeping on with this oh-so-happy theme, let's look at "Family Portrait."
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.
Two more singles and two years later, we got her fourth studio album and a reminder that she hates bimbos with "Stupid Girls."
"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.
The same writers worked on "U + Ur Hand" which takes a hilariously wonderful turn in this next video.
"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."
In a song that actually has nothing to do with drinking, but rather about accepting identities, with get a 180 musically with "Sober."
"Please Don't Leave Me."
Funhouse was the Pink album where I lost interest for a while, and that stands with the fifth single released from it, "Funhouse."
And now for one I actually don't remember ever hearing, "I Don't Believe You."
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."
We've made it to the two songs that were hit singles from the album. First up, "Raise Your Glass."
Last one here folks, and another great anthem for us all with a heart - and the Grammy nominated song - "Fuckin' Perfect."
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.