WHEN YOU’RE GONE - AVRIL LAVIGNE
Avril Lavigne’s “Girlfriend” propelled the singer-songwriter to a lofty pedestal: The 22-year-old now has the most No. 1 top 40 hits this decade (five) and is the No. 2 artist in the 14-year history of Nielsen BDS, behind Mariah Carey’s six chart-toppers. “When You’re Gone,” the second single from No. 1 album “The Best Damn Thing,” shifts the pacing from the frenetic head-banging of “Girlfriend” to a pensive, piano-driven power ballad. A poignant video clip adds to universality, featuring a husband leaving his pregnant wife for war, a senior who has lost his wife and a teen couple forbidden to be together. Splendid melody, visible message and ace production add up to likelihood of another No. 1 peak. Billboard
