Japanese-American hip-hop lifer Lyrics Born may never top Later That Day . . ., his career-defining 2003 album, but he still puts in an honest year's work. Now he's setting his rich-baritoned soul-rap verbosity over Eighties electro funk that recalls Cameo, Rockwell and "Party Train" Gap Band. He comments on fame's "bourgie" temptations in "I've Lost Myself" and prescription addiction in "Pillz" — music-biz sleaze in two skits. Money's on his mind too: nonexistent benefits and pension, a lady who bounced when the economy went south. But in "Something Better," he swears pessimism and cynicism aren't the answer. Corny, sure, but inspiring.

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“Oh Sherrie”

Steve Perry's girlfriend Sherrie Swafford was actually in the studio when Perry began writing this song--his lone Top Ten hit as a solo act--with two co-writers. The trio began at midnight one night with just "Oh, Sherrie!" and "hold on, hold on." Three hours later, they had a complete song. Swafford, however, had to wait until the next day to hear it. "Sherrie actually got tired and went to bed," Perry said. She also appeared in the video, but their relationship did not hold on for long.