Song Of The Year: "Dirty Little Secret" by All American Rejects.
My reasons for choosing "Dirty Little Secret" were many:
1. It had mass appeal, it's popularity gives it a greater chance the message will be heard and thus, the better the potential to have an impact.
2. It has a message that makes you think, pushing the boundaries of traditional pop subject matter.
3. It's irresistably catchy and rocks hard, an ironically joyful sound belies the darkness of it's content. Call it a musical spoonful of sugar, sweetening the raw medicine of it's message.
4. It gets bonus points for a great accompanying video.
The way she feels inside (inside)
Those thoughts I can't deny (deny)
These sleeping dogs won't lie (won't lie)
And all I've tried to hide
It’s eating me apart
Trace this life out
I'll keep you my dirty little secret
(Dirty little secret)
Don't tell anyone or you'll be just another regret
(Just another regret)
Who has to know?
who has to know?
"Dirty Little Secret" addresses difficult subject matter- the hidden character flaws that drive dysfunction, personal crisis and denial- yet became a wildly popular anthem.
It's now a mainstream hit and that's the point. That this song became as popular as it did means people "got it". While your average Joe might not instantly grasp the complexity of the message, there's a chance they may be humming along to it for years to come.