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Prom Songs

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New York PostKINGS OF THE PROMBy FARRAH WEINSTEINMoan and groan all you want — you'll never forget your prom song.Just saying the title can prompt hair-raising frenzies of joy or nausea, complete with wacky facial expressions and gut-wrenching howls.Whether its '80's hits like Cindy Lauper's "Time After Time," or '90's ballads like Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" (we all know you had Leo hanging in your locker), the song instantly takes you back in time."It's an eternal song that when you're 50 years old, you can listen to it and remember it," says 103.5 KTU radio personality Vic Latino."You know you have a good prom song when the lyrics hit you in a certain way, and they reflect on your life. A lot of people are graduating at the same time, and as you all come together, this is a story that explains you.""It's a song that tugs at your heartstrings," Latino adds. "You want it to give you that chill up your spine. It represents the end of something, and also the beginning."He predicts this year's sappy song will be "We Belong Together" from Mariah Carey's new album, which hits stores on April 12.But z100 radio deejay Paul "Cubby" Bryant thinks it's too early for Mariah, even though she is the prom-song queen."I think a lot of the newer songs don't have as much of a chance, because most prom songs are the songs (kids) had to live with all year long," he says.Bryant's picks are Mario's "Let Me Love You," Hoobastank's "The Reason" and Ryan Cabrera's "True.""Those songs have lyric quality to them that speak to the prom kids," he says. "It pulls on the heart because they have gone through all year listening to these songs."Q 104.3 radio deejay Maria Malito thinks "One" by U2 is this year's winner."The song is tried and true," she says. "Although it came out in the '90s, the band has been playing it during their recent concert tour, 'Vertigo,' and it is will surely make it past all the Catholic school principals who will veto all the other songs seniors propose."Out of left field, Power 105.1 DJ Ed Lover predicts "This is How We Do" by The Game featuring 50 Cent is the prom song of the year."This song is so popular in the clubs right now," he says. "Regardless of how kids are dressed at their proms they just want to let loose and this song does it. They want to have fun."With rap and R&B topping the charts more than ever, it's definitely tough times for prom selections. Certain High Schools will choose Usher and Alicia Keys "My Boo" as their prom song, or even John Legend's "Ordinary People.""It's slim pickings here," says Paul Scolieri, 27, manager/emcee of Starlight Express, who works as a deejay at schools in Manhattan and on Long Island."Two-thousand-five is rough. Kids aren't in relationships like they used to be anymore. They go to the prom together as friends, so it's hard to play a love song," he adds. "As a result, the songs have gotten less sappy."Sure. Songs like "Candy Shop," "Let's Get It Started" and "Drop It Like It's Hot" will get the crowd grinding, but they're not the prom song."It has to be a song with an unbelievable outpouring of emotion," says Ken Davenport, director of "Awesome 80s Prom," a popular off-Broadway play."When we play 'Don't You Forget About Me' at our show, couples hit the dance floor and these women put their heads on the shoulders of their husbands and they're totally brought back, and the totally cool thing is, I watch them make out.""Listen to some of the lyrics of these older songs, and they're raw, unfettered, on–the-surface emotion. 'I Just Died in Your Arms Tonight.' I mean c'mon!"Lyrics are a main selling point, which is why a lot of prom committees still choose a classic oldie as their prom song. And some never die, like Alphaville's "Forever Young" and "This Is the Time" by Billy Joel.But radio personalities and deejays agreed on one prime contender for 2005: Ryan Cabrera's "True.""True is definitely up there," says Richie Grossman, owner of Double G Productions. "It's a typical love song, and Ryan Cabrera is young and kids relate to him. You see him on TV; he's on that Ashley Simpson show everyday."Karla Hidalgo, series producer of "I Love the '80s and "I Love the '90s agrees: " 'True' lends itself to the old mentality of "Oh, my God, the year is over and I want to kiss that boy.""Even though we've recently heard it a million times," says z100's Bryant. "I think we'll look back at 'True' and say, 'Oh, that is a good song.' I think we're too close to it to feel the love for it we might years from now. Songs like 'I Will Always Love You' and 'I Want It That Way' are classics now, but at the time you were, like, if I hear it one more time, I'll kill myself." THE POST'S PICKS FOR THE PAST 25 YEARS OF PROM SONGS(2004) "Burn" by Usher(2003) "This Is the Night" by Clay Aiken(2002) "Goodbye to You" by Michelle Branch(2001) "Fallin' " by Alicia Keys(2000) "I Knew I Loved You" by Savage Garden(1999) "I Want It That Way," by Backstreet Boys(1998) "My Heart Will Go On," by Celine Dion(1997) "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" by Green Day(1996) "Always Be My Baby" by Mariah Carey(1995) "I Can Love You Like That" by All-4-One(1994) "Return to Innocence" by Enigma(1993) "I Will Always Love You," by Whitney Houston(1992) "Save the Best for Last" by Vanessa Williams(1991) "More than Words" by Extreme(1990) "Nothing Compares to You" by Sinead O'Connor(1989) "Eternal Flame" by the Bangles(1988) "Change of Season" by Hall & Oates(1987) "(I Just) Died in Your Arms" by Cutting Crew(1986) "Sara" by Starship(1985) "Crazy for You" by Madonna(1984) "Time after Time" by Cindy Lauper(1983) "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" by Culture Club(1982) "Open Arms" by Journey(1981) "Keep on Loving You" by REO Speedwagon(1980) "Lost in Love" by Air Supply

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