how about XTC or X?

You mean to tell me that the German quintet Xmal Deutschland didn't immediately come to mind?! Just kidding. Personally I would have picked X or XTC for the letter X, but then again I'm an old man. Nice idea for a mix. I might take a stap at it myself one day.

This kicks ass!!!! Love it! I caught myself singing over half these songs as I read through it...

Back in the day, there was a Canadian band called Bush. So in the mid-90s when the British Bush got all famous, they had to be released under the name 'Bush X' in Canada. Then again, they're not too poppy (though 'Glycerine' might go well with what you got.)
I had some mixed feelings about the grunge/hard rock choices blended with the pop; ie. what the hell is Neil Young doing in the same mix with Hanson? But hey, it's still a kick-ass mix. This makes me want to go through my collection + pirate your idea. Cheers.

Back in the day, there was a Canadian band called Bush. So in the mid-90s when the British Bush got all famous, they had to be released under the name 'Bush X' in Canada. Then again, they're not too poppy (though 'Glycerine' might go well with what you got.)
I had some mixed feelings about the grunge/hard rock choices blended with the pop; ie. what the hell is Neil Young doing in the same mix with Hanson? But hey, it's still a kick-ass mix. This makes me want to go through my collection + pirate your idea. Cheers.

There are some nice points, but come on, Britney Spears instead of Bruce Springsteen? Limp Bizkit instead of John Lennon?

thanks for the tips. and yeah, i know, britney spears and limp bizkit, but that was kind of the point. i never said it was the best of american pop music, just a sampling of american pop music throughout the generations. and if some generations choices are somewhat dubious, well, they're kids, right? :)