December 05, 2009

Working '80s influences into a current pop hit is nothing new these days, but Leighton Meester's "Somebody to Love" is extra faithful to its source material. The "Gossip Girl" star's debut single is a carefully constructed ode to vintage Madonna—particularly in its "Vogue"-like verses, where Meester semi-raps rather than sings. The lyrics are lovelorn, as she celebrates her jet-setter lifestyle but also mourns her inability to settle down. "It's hard to find a mate when you're gone before he waits," Meester says. "They say it's hard to achieve, but can't a girl believe?" The song's high point, however, comes during Robin Thicke's cameo, as the R&B singer delivers a catchy chorus that cries out for a sped-up dance remix.—Sarah McRory

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