Readers constantly barrage me with questions I can't answer. I don't know the meaning of life. I don't know the best way to end a relationship with someone you dislike. (Run them over?) I only know that when I listen to pop music I am constantly bewitched by its sentiments. I don't always comprehend what the singer is getting at. Are they happy? Do they wish for things to continue in the manner in which they are continuing? Should I care? Is it any of my business? Maybe if the songs were written differently, freed from the strictures and structures of popular song they would make more sense. The details that are left out to make them fit the melody would be rejoined and everything would make sense.

I ponder these things, so you don't have to.

"Nothing Compares 2 U"--Sinead O'Connor: It's been seven hours and fifteen days, and yes this is taking into account daylight savings time and leap year, since you took your love away, not to mention your car, which was how I was getting to work

The staggering amount of parenthetical songs really proves its importance in our culture. (We are a world of people who often go off topic.) Why songwriters insist on using them so often and put so much of the important information in an area clearly designated as the place to put an aside is something that future songographers will have to determine. I do not have the intelligence to discern the reasons behind these concepts. I am a simple person. I just write down what people tell me and hope they're not lying to me. So far this has worked out pretty good.

"Pride (In the Name of Love)"--U2: They had to add the "In the Name of Love" part to the title or else when kids went into the record store looking for the song they wouldn't be able to find it. I don't know anyone who knows this song as "Pride." Sure, at least Bono sings the word at one point, but c'mon, it's really obvious what the real title should have been. And could've been. Just think how big this group could've been if

When it comes to inspiring songs, Delaware may be our winner. For all the tributes to California and New York, the cowboy dreams of the American West, even Bruce Springsteen's love for New Jersey, nothing compares to what I've found for Delaware. A state mostly known for having no sales tax gets its due in the weirdest of ways.

"Delaware Is Depressing"--By The End Of Tonight: Their bio says they're a metal-punk instrumental four piece out of Alvin, Texas, so why they decided to perform a song that would practically guarantee them no welcome returns to a state that might pay to hear them play is beyond me. It'd be one thing if they had something to say. But since no one can decipher guitar noodling into any significant wordage, shouldn't they have opted for something like "Delaware Rocks" or "When We Come Through Delaware." Who cares if you had a lousy time in Delaware? Letting its residents know you think it's dullsville isn't going to get anyone to come out to your shows. Unless it's

I admit when I first took on this assignment of finding songs for each State of the Union, I was a little worried. What if we suddenly admit Puerto Rico and I have to go scrambling at the last minute? Besides, with states like, well, Connecticut, I was sure there wouldn't be much to choose from. I'd probably end up writing about the State Song. But then I started doing research. Or, rather, I had my crack team of research assistants do some research. And they came back to me with a list so good that now I'm even looking forward to seeing what Delaware has to bring! Because if it's anything like this mishmash, we are in for some fine entertainment.

"Connecticut Is For F**king"--Jesus H. Christ & the Four Horsemen Of The Apocalypse: I know, it sounds like something I made up. But I've been assured these guys exist and recorded a song that drops the "F" bomb, which if you're a punk rock band you practically have to do as your moral obligation to the cause. The important question to ask