INSTEP Magzine

'Kryptonite'
3 Doors Down
Off their debut album, A Better Life, 'Kryptonite' is a straight up progressive rock song that brought 3 Doors Down in the spotlight. The song takes it cue from Superman and his narrative to human race (?) and skepticism in his future as he says, "If I go crazy then will you still/Call me Superman/If I'm alive and well, will you be there a-holding my hand/I'll keep you by my side/With my superhuman might/Kryptonite..." Three albums later, 'Kryptonite' remains one of 3 Doors Down's most memorable rock song to date. Brad Arnold, the lead vocalist/drummer (in studio) of the band delivers solid vocals, often reminding one of Pearl Jam's Eddie Veddar and even Scott Stapp of Creed. With its high voltage riffs and dominant drums, 'Kryptonite' managed to stay on top for 11 consecutive weeks. It is always fun to listen to some basic raw roots of rock and it is this reason why 'Kryptonite' makes such a praiseworthy track. It is a basic rock song and is organic in its sound and with crisp production value, it is a must-hear.

'Bent'
Matchbox Twenty
In 1999, lead singer of Matchbox Twenty, Rob Thomas, teamed up with Carlos Santana on the track, 'Smooth'. The song went onto become a huge hit in and outside the US of A and increased Rob Thomas' profile by leap and bounds.
A year later Rob along with his band Matchbox Twenty returned with their second studio album, Mad Season. 'Bent', the first single off the album was a critical and commercial hit and to date remains one of the bands's most acclaimed song. The video was a spoof on Rob's newly found star status and saw band members assaulting Rob.

Musically, it's a simple prog-rock number that boasts of some slashing guitar riffs from ex-guitarist Adam Gaynor. Written by Rob Thomas, 'Bent' sees Rob penning some introspective words as he says, "If I couldn't sleep could you sleep/Could you paint me better off/Could you sympathize with my needs/I know you think I need a lot/I started out clean but I'm jaded/Just phoning it in/Just breaking the skin/Can you help me I'm bent/I'm so scared that Ill never/Get put back together".

Matchbox Twenty went onto release More Than You Think You Are in 2002 but the album didn't fare well as their last two records after which guitarist Adam Gaynor left the band. Soon Rob Thomas went on a solo path and released Something To Be, which was a huge hit. In October 2007, Matchbox Twenty have returned as a unit with Exile on Mainstream. These guys are fantastic rockers and experiment with each record. For now though, blast 'Bent' on your player. There is no better way to hear this fine ditty.

'Fields of Gold' Sting 'Every Breath You Take' is easily Sting's most well-known song to date. But long after Sting called it off with The Police and walked a solo path, he released 'Fields of Gold' off his fantastic album, Ten Summoner's Tales, which picked him a Mercury Prize and Grammy Award nomination. In simple words, 'Fields of Gold' is one of those songs that tells us why Sting is such a complete musician. And really, this song is a classic. Sting has that inimitable style that can't be matched by anyone belonging to this generation of music. In 'Fields of Gold' you realize 'that' vocal work at its peak. "Will you stay with me, will you be my love/Among the fields of barley/Well forget the sun in his jealous sky/As we lie in the fields of gold" it just causes a shiver every time for its striking melody, the effective landscape of music with a bevy of instruments and that soft guitar strings in the background. Last year, Sting made an appearance on that now-cancelled American show, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip and belted out a live version of this single on the show. Decades later, this song still feels fresh. It's romantic and it boasts of musical grandeur that is as delicate and yet extremely vast in feel.

'Get Busy' Sean Paul 'Get Busy' was released in 2003 and marked the arrival of Jamaican dancehall reggae singer Sean Paul. The song is from his album Dutty Rock. The song was an instant hit world wide, bringing Sean Paul in the foreground of the music industry. It topped the billboard single's charts for three weeks. The dancehall-style song features a jumpy handclap riddim known as the Diwali Riddim. The lyrics ask ladies to get busy, dancing in a nightclub. Paul described it as "...mainly a party song. It's not all about smoking weed." The popularity of the song increased so much that it was used as a background score to some ads. It is currently being used to support Carl's Jr milkshake ads, in which a guy is shaking a cow to the song. Besides,it was also used in the game Dance Dance Revolution Extreme 2.