Something startling happened this morning.

As I pulled into work, on came a song by the girl Formerly Known As Destiny Hope Cyrus.  To those of you under-the-rock dwellers, that would be Miley Cyrus, who is a 15-year-old television, movie and singing star, and who now reigns over the lands of Tween and Teen.  (Her dad, country star Billy Ray Cyrus, is Formerly Known As Most Horrifying Mullet Man.)

So, I parked, but I kept my key in the ignition.  I waited to hear Miley sing “See You Again.” 

“The last time I freaked out/I just kept looking down…”

I admit: I head-bopped.  I mouthed the words.  I dug it.

A few minutes later, after slinking inside, I recounted the scene for a co-worker. She sheepishness passed…I giddily sent her a link to the song. 

And with this post, I will go one step further. I really like pop music.  Especially the kind that incites the embarrassing head-bob, and eventually unleashes a totally mortifying, arm-flailing dance. 

The thing is, I don’t usually announce that pop music brings me such joy.  (Oops.)  I’ve been asked what kind of music I like.  Sometimes, I feel pressure answering this question. 

“All kinds,” is the usual response. True.  I like classical music, movie scores, alternative rock, 80s rock, folk and plenty of other stuff.  My favorite cd’s range from Agualung’s “Strange and Beautiful” to Joni Mitchell’s “Blue” and James Taylor’s double-disc of live tunes.  I have a mixed cd that’s got everything from Bush to Bela Fleck. 

So, as open as I am about appreciating other types of music, I usually leave out the part about digging Britney Spears. (Clarification: Britney Spears’ music.)

I think my hesitation stems from this: pop music is not necessarily respected by everyone else my age (mid-20s) and older.  I get the impression a lot of people are over it. 

Sure, it was acceptable in college to rock out to Christina Aguilera’s “Dirrty,” but even she’s past the booty-thrusting, backless-chaps stage.  (For the record, I never went that far.)  Anyway, I guess part of me feels kind of embarrassed about still liking pop music.

Then again, — and I will now insert a word that is quite prolific in Tween/Teen land — whatever.  So what if occasionally I’m feeling it, that sugary, sappy, void-of-meaning pop music?  It’s fun, it makes me happy and that’s the end of that.

Or so you thought…now for the good stuff. A few links to what I consider some of the best guilty-pleasure pop songs in recent years.  Feel free to add on. 

Avril Lavigne – Girlfriend

Britney Spears – Piece of Me

JoJo – Too Little Too Late

Kelly Clarkson – Since U Been Gone

Natasha Bedingfield – Love Like This

Pink – God is a DJ