The Top 40 Adult Pop Songs

While this ballad was the band's third Adult Pop Songs No. 1, it served as the group's breakthrough hit at Adult Contemporary, crossing over to a two-week stay at the summit after only "3 AM" had dented the latter chart (No. 25) in 1998.

Bareilles continued the tradition of artists ribbing their record labels for micromanaging their creativity. (All sides won, however, when this song spent nine weeks at No. 1). A decade earlier, fellow female singer/songwriter Lisa Loeb had similarly mined the subject for her biggest Adult Pop Songs hit, "I Do" (No. 3).

Thomas cites the song as "one that I think we, as a band, were all particularly proud of. I go through different phases. But (that) one" - with its intimate imagery of leaving home and pursuing one's dream - "always sticks out."

The early '00s brought a wave of young female artists to the format, including Michelle Branch and Vanessa Carlton. Lavigne stood out for her pop/punk-leanings and tie-accented fashion sense, as well as a songwriting talent ranging from the carefree "Sk8er Boi" to the tender "I'm With You." The now-26-year-old returns to the Billboard 200 this week with her fourth studio set, "Goodbye Lullaby."

Caillat earns the honor of highest placement on the countdown for a female artist. Her debut entry ruled for 13 weeks, marking the first of her five top 10s to date. Her latest, "I Do," steps 22-21 on this week's survey.

The Fray sports its first entry on the ranking, its 12-week No. 1 from 2009. With two more songs ahead, the Denver-based band is the only act with three titles in the top 25.

It's unlikely that adult pop programmers would've been keen to play this song had the band kept its original name: Rainbow Butt Monkeys. After 15 years together, Finger Eleven broke through with this No. 2 hit. The No. 3 "Paralyzer" followed in 2008.

After arriving with the crunchy "Harder to Breather" (No. 15), the band roared to a 13-week reign with this follow-up, showcasing its more signature soulful pop/rock. Parent album "Songs About Jane" has sold 4.9 million copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

The Irish trio (which gregariously crashed a Billboard charts department meeting on an early U.S. visit) likewise peaked at No. 15 on its first try, with "The Man Who Can't Be Moved." Also like Maroon 5, the Script followed with its first No. 1; "Breakeven" spent seven weeks on top beginning last May. The act's "For the First Time" bullets at No. 7 this week.

After "This Love," Maroon 5 has reeled off eight more top 10s, including this 13-week leader and the four-week No. 1 "Misery" last year. Current single "Never Gonna Leave This Bed" could extend the streak; it rises 19-18 on this week's chart.