I have been a huge supporter of the return of the saxophone into pop music. We are in desperate need of a saxophone renaissance. A “sax-aissance” if you will — and I think my prayers are being answered.

First off, to add to the Gaga oversaturation in the zeitgeist, I have to commend her for including the smooth sax stylings of the late Clarence Clemons in “The Edge of Glory.” Then there’s Katy Perry‘s vid for “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)” — a delectable modern interpretation of retro fluorescent-hued T&A teen party movies. The video featured the Prince of Sax, Kenny G — he is truly a Phoenix rising out of the ashes of under-appreciated musical instruments.

Before them, there were many, many, many sax-heavy songs that evoked emotion that no other song has evoked before. There’s something about that sultry sound from the saxophone that just melts my ear drums. It’s like listening to a unicorn sing you a lullaby.

Besides the obvious (i.e. “Songbird”), here are a couple of sax-heavy songs that just make me sway or do a sexy body roll:

“Rump Shaker” by Wreckx-N-Effect: This booty poppin’ song of the ’90s is the magical touchstone of New Jack Swing. As soon as you hear that intro sax, you can’t help but get out of your seat and grind on someone or something. Bonus points for the use of a saxophone-playing bikini clad girl on a beach in the video:

“Foolish Beat” by Debbie Gibson: Back when she was known as Debbie, she knew that the saxophone was the key instrument to ignite lovelorn emotion in her songs. In the melodic “Foolish Beat,” the buttery sax melts with heartache — making this the perfect break-up song for anyone in junior high.

“You Got it All” by The Jets: Picture this: It’s 1987. You are at a homecoming dance. You are by the punch bowl. Your crush is standing across the room. The saxophone riff from this song comes on. Your eyes meet. You walk towards each other. You embrace. You dance. And then he takes you in the back of his Cabriolet for 5 minutes of ecstasy.

“She’s Like the Wind” by Patrick Swayze: By far, the best ballad from Dirty Dancing. P.S. — R.I.P. Patrick.

“I’ll Never Get Over You Getting Over Me” by Expose: I listen to this song on my iPod while walking around the city and act like I am in a music video where I am coping with the love that I lost. I reminisce about the good times I had with my aforementioned lost love. I flashback (in sepia tones) to the beach and the boardwalk but end up walking the lonely neon-lit streets with nothing but the comforting sounds of a cool sax solo.

“Hands to Heaven” by Breathe: The sax solo is brief, but the message is nothing but powerful.

“How Will I Know” by Whitney Houston: The saxophone is often used in mid-tempo or slow grooves — but leave it to Whitney to use it in an up-tempo dance jam. The sax doesn’t make a cameo till late in the song, but the wait is worth it!

“Smooth Operator” by Sade: The title of this song is the saxophone personified.

What to watch on the runway…

It’s that time of year again – it’s time for FASHION WEEK in New York! Starting Feb. 11, smokey eyes and nude lips will invade Bryant Park as designers send their Fall 2010 collections down a runway like a log ride; telling the masses of fashion junkies what they should be wearing come autumn – and this is the last time you’ll see the event in Bryant Park. Come September, the tents will uproot to the Lincoln Center which is, in a way, an end of an era. Now designers will get criticized for their work at a totally different venue.

What to watch in theaters…

Pickings are quite slim in the theaters for the Feb. 12 release dates: Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief – which kind of sounds fun, but not as fun as the “look at us we’re famous” ensemble rom-com, Valentine’s Day. I swear, that movie’s cast looks like a celebriorgy of actors. Then there’s The Wolfman – a release date that has been pushed back so many times that I don’t know if I should care about it anymore – but Emily Blunt will probably make it worthwhile. That and the fact that there’s a lot of murderous killings involved.

It goes without saying that the new episode of Lost on Tuesday is a must-see, but there’s also a new episode of How I Met Your Mother (CBS) and the season finale of Heroes (NBC) on Monday (does anyone really watch that anymore?) – but if those don’t tickle your fancy, Bravo’s Kell on Earth is definitely something you must keep up with. It makes up for reality TV lameness like Launch My Line and The Fashion Show. Tuesday brings us to Hollywood week on American Idol (FOX) and the series finale of The Jay Leno Show (NBC) – but don’t worry! We’ll see him in the time slot he purloined from Conan. Thursday is the series premiere of Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains (CBS) – but I’ll probably be watching Jon Bon Jovi as he gives love a bad name on 30 Rock (NBC). Dust off your American flag for Friday because the 2010 Vancouver Olympics Opening Ceremony will air on NBC (Good luck trying to top the Beijing Olympics – what are they going to do? Have a big ol’ paper mache maple leaf to represent Canada?! scoff!). On Valentine’s day, celebrate romance with the 2010 NBA All-Star Game (TNT), the series premiere of The Amazing Race (CBS) or Ruby (Style). Nothing says “I love you” like celebrity basketball players, globetrotting people in North Face doing ridiculous tasks for money and a sweet woman who used to be 716 pounds.

What to buy on DVD…

- Clint Eastwood: 35 Films 35 Years – that’s a whole lotta Clint. 4,244 minutes to be exact.
- Coco Before Chanel – the film was eh but watch for the sake of Audrey Tautou
- Good Hair- a good Chris Rock documentary about weaves, relaxers and an insane hairstyling competition. Someone even cuts hair underwater!
- Law Abiding Citizen - I totally forgot this movie came out in the theaters!
- Small Wonder: The Complete First Season – HELL TO THE MUTHAFUCKIN YEAH!

What music to listen to…

Get your bedroom eyes ready because Sade’s album “Soldier of Love” hits stores Feb. 8. We’ve been waiting for an album that would be able to make us drop trou 20 seconds into the first track. Hopefully this one will be it.