The Axis of Awesome explains every successful pop song, ever
Teres immediately pointed out that Bon Jovi was not included, "'cause they don't do pop songs, they do rock songs but everyone thinks they do pop songs 'cause they're so cute and cuddly." End quote.


I still love Rob Pavaronion's take on the 4-chord progression, rooting it all the way back in Canon in D: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdxkVQy7QLM
But these guys really good musicians, at least great singers, and they knock this outta the park. 5 1/2 minutes of greatness!
The only trouble I have with these same 4-chords in everything songs is that they transpose a lot of the songs. While they may be the same numerical progression (I, IV, V, vii, etc), they're originally in a different key. But whatev, it works.