'How Far We've Come' is the lead single from Matchbox Twenty's 2007 retrospective collection, 'Exile on Mainstream,' which features 11 previous hits and six new songs. The song is fitting for the album -- lyrically reflecting on the life of the band and featuring a montage of significant world events in the music video.
'Cupid's Chokehold' was the first chart-topping song from upstate New York emo-rap outfit Gym Class Heroes. The song was first released in 2004 and then re-released in 2006 before becoming a hit the following year. This top 2007 song features Patrick Stump from Fall Out Boy on the chorus (both bands share a label and management company) and samples Supertramp's 1979 hit 'Breakfast in America.'
'No One' is from R&B and soul singer-songwriter Alicia Keys' third studio album, 'As I Am.' Keys says the song is about not letting the distractions of your relationship and life ultimately get in the way of your relationship as a whole. The song won Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song at the 2008 Grammy Awards.
This 2007 song was released as the lead single for Rihanna's third studio album, 'Good Girl Gone Bad,' and features a rap verse by Jay-Z. The song -- written by The-Dream, Christopher Stewart, Kuk Harrell and Jay-Z, and produced by Stewart -- was originally written with Britney Spears in mind, but she never considered the track because her label rejected the demo. Rihanna went on to record it and the song became an international success.
'What I've Done' is the first single from Linkin Park's third studio album, 'Minutes to Midnight.' Chester Bennington, one of the group's vocalists, describes the song's lyrics as the band saying goodbye to how they used to be and how they've changed as musicians. The song is unique because it does not feature the band's lead vocalist, Mike Shinoda, prominently, unlike most of their other songs.
This 2007 song is the lead single off Maroon 5's sophomore album 'It Won't Be Soon Before Long.' The song's meaning is two-pronged: it describes frontman Adam Levine's dissatisfaction with the U.S.'s state of politics as well as the war in Iraq, but also references a relationship of Levine's that went wrong. The song won the group a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals.
Featured on Timberlake's second album, 'FutureSex/LoveSounds,' the 2007 song earned him the Best Male Pop Vocal Performance Grammy and a nomination for Record of the Year. The single is non-traditional, not only featuring a two minute interlude with producer Timbaland but clocking in at 7:28. It's been rumored the song is about Timberlake's friend and business partner Trace Ayala -- whose troubling relationship and engagement with actress Elisa Cuthbert ended just prior to the record's release.
'Over You' is Chris Daughtry's third single off his debut album 'Daughtry.' Although the 'American Idol' alum did not win the competition, he went on to be one of the biggest success stories with this album and this top 2007 song. Daughtry says the song is about a breakup and the difficulties of getting over someone until the day you break through: "The day I thought I'd never get through, I got over you."
Hinder released 'Better than Me' as the fourth single released from the band's debut album, 'Extreme Behavior.' Although the album did not receive critical praise, it went on to sell more than three million records in the U.S. The music video for this single deals with a guy's drug addition and wear it has on his relationship -- ultimately leading to the man's death.
'Apologize' was written by (and features) OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder. The tune is featured on OneRepublic's 2007 debut album 'Dreaming Out Loud,' and appears as a remix on Timbaland's debut solo album, 'Timbaland Presents Shock Value.' The song broke the Top 40 record for most radio plays in a single week, and was later covered by 'American Idol' winner Kris Allen during the eighth season.