Name That Queen: Song + Year (3)

[D] Natasha Bedingfield | Natasha found this uplifting gem after writer Danielle Brisebois sent it to her, its infectious optimism becoming the theme song for Easy A and countless road trips.

[A] Lady Gaga | Gaga's bisexuality-inspired double entendre about poker and intimate fantasies launched her superstardom, its synth-heavy production defining late-2000s electropop's sleek sound.

[C] Carpenters | Karen Carpenter's melancholic vocals transformed Paul Williams's lyrics into soft rock perfection, though she initially disliked the song that became their timeless signature.

[B] Gretchen Wilson | Gretchen's unapologetic celebration of working-class Southern pride won her a Grammy, this boot-stomping debut declaring Victoria's Secret has nothing on Walmart style.

[D] Aretha Franklin | Aretha transformed Otis Redding's original into a feminist civil rights anthem, her commanding delivery and added "sock it to me" making it hers forever.

[B] Janet Jackson | Janet's socially conscious masterpiece addressed poverty and racism with military-precision choreography, proving pop music could spark meaningful conversations about injustice and unity.

[A] Anita Ward | Originally written for Stacy Lattisaw as a childlike jingle about telephones, Anita's sultry interpretation transformed it into disco's most playful double-entendre hit.

[C] Destiny's Child | This infidelity confrontation won two Grammys and featured the newly reformed trio after lineup changes, Beyoncé's production genius shining through every harmony layer.

[D] Donna Summer | Inspired by a bathroom attendant Donna met in LA, this working-class tribute became her final top-five hit, celebrating unsung heroes everywhere with disco dignity.

[B] Ace of Base | Swedish siblings created this Europop phenomenon about recognizing relationship red flags, spending six weeks atop US charts and selling nine million copies worldwide.

[C] Tori Amos | Tori's piano-driven confession about finding her voice after trauma introduced her unique artistry, establishing her as alternative music's most fearlessly introspective storyteller.

[A] Beyoncé | Beyoncé's ultimatum anthem spawned thousands of YouTube dance covers, that iconic hand gesture becoming pop culture shorthand for demanding commitment and respect.

[D] Avril Lavigne | Avril's pop-punk fairytale about social hierarchy reversals made skater culture mainstream, her tie-and-tank-top aesthetic defining early-2000s teen rebellion perfectly.

[C] Lisa Loeb | Lisa became the first unsigned artist to top Billboard's Hot 100 with this Reality Bites gem, her nerdy-cool glasses becoming iconic 90s fashion.

[A] Paula Abdul | Former Lakers cheerleader Paula transitioned from choreographing Janet Jackson to pop stardom herself, this debut single spending three weeks at number one.

[B] Deana Carter | Matraca Berg's nostalgic coming-of-age story became Deana's breakthrough, its vivid summer romance imagery resonating deeply with country radio and earning gold certification.

[A] Sheryl Crow | Written after Sheryl's breast cancer diagnosis, this optimistic anthem about appreciating life's simple pleasures became one of her most beloved feel-good summer classics.

[B] Bonnie Raitt | Shirley Eikhard penned this sly suggestion about office romance rumors becoming reality, Bonnie's bluesy delivery earning her a Grammy at age forty-two.

[D] Supremes | Diana Ross's iconic hand gesture was choreographer Cholly Atkins's brilliant addition, this Motown masterpiece becoming the Supremes' fourth consecutive chart-topper.

[C] Shania Twain | Inspired by Brad Pitt's naked Playgirl spread, Shania's playful takedown of male ego became her biggest crossover hit, revolutionizing country-pop forever.

[A] Vanessa Carlton | Vanessa's piano-driven daydream earned three Grammy nominations, that opening riff becoming instantly recognizable and later immortalized in White Chicks' hilarious singalong scene.

[C] Suzanne Vega | Suzanne's a cappella observation of Manhattan cafe life became the song engineers used to develop MP3 compression technology, literally shaping digital music's future.

[B] Natalie Imbruglia | Australian soap star Natalie covered this Ednaswap original for her debut, its emotional vulnerability launching her music career and topping charts across Europe.

[D] Bonnie Tyler | Jim Steinman wrote this operatic power ballad originally for a vampire musical, Bonnie's raspy intensity making it the ultimate dramatic heartbreak anthem forever.

[A] Rihanna | After Britney Spears rejected it, Rihanna claimed this rain metaphor for loyalty, spending seven weeks at #1 and establishing her as pop's most reliable hitmaker.

[C] Toni Braxton | Diane Warren's desperate plea spent eleven weeks atop charts, Toni's sultry contralto transforming heartbreak into the 90s' second-best-selling single by a female artist.

[D] Bananarama | British trio Bananarama's Hi-NRG remake of Shocking Blue's psychedelic original became their only US #1, proving 80s production could modernize any classic.

[B] Bangles | Liam Sternberg wrote this quirky observation about people's poses while riding the Staten Island Ferry, the Bangles' playful delivery making hieroglyphics suddenly danceable.

[A] Patsy Cline | Patsy reluctantly performed this on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts after initially disliking it, but audience reaction launched her legendary career in country music.

[D] Katrina and the Waves | Kimberley Rew's exuberant celebration of new love became the ultimate feel-good anthem, its brass section and pure joy making bad moods physically impossible.

[B] Spice Girls | Recorded in just thirty minutes, this friendship-over-romance manifesto launched Spicemania worldwide, selling seven million copies and redefining British pop girl group success.

[C] TLC | TLC's socially conscious plea against risky behavior addressed AIDS and gang violence with heartbreaking honesty, Left Eye's rap verse adding powerful personal testimony.

[A] Barbra Streisand | Barbra won an Oscar performing this nostalgic ballad from Sydney Pollack's film, her emotional delivery making it the definitive song about bittersweet memories.

[D] Go-Gos | The Go-Gos' infectious new wave anthem about dancing showcased their all-female rock credibility, proving women could write, play, and dominate charts completely independently.

[C] Paula Cole | Paula's ironic take on gender roles in modern relationships resonated with 90s women everywhere, her a cappella intro and folk-rock groove earning Grammy nominations.

[B] Jefferson Airplane | Grace Slick's psychedelic Alice in Wonderland reinterpretation became counterculture's anthem, her powerful vocals warning parents about reading drug metaphors to children.

[B] Liz Phair | Indie rock pioneer Liz surprised critics by going pop with this infectious crush confession produced by the Matrix, proving her versatility beyond underground acclaim.

[A] Missy Elliott | Missy's futuristic production and reversed vocals created hip-hop's most innovative hit, winning her first Grammy and cementing her genius as rap's most visionary producer.

[C] Carly Simon | Carly never revealed which vain lover inspired this devastating takedown, though Mick Jagger's uncredited backing vocals only fueled decades of delicious speculation.

[D] Cranberries | Dolores O'Riordan's haunting protest against IRA violence in Northern Ireland became the Cranberries' biggest hit, her Irish keening making political commentary achingly beautiful.