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Thursday, 24 February 2011

Top 300 Songs of the 2000s, #10 - 1

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls... all four of you out there in cyberspace reading this blog, it's the post you've been waiting your life (three weeks) for; the top 10 songs of the 2000s. Over the last twenty-nine posts we heard 290 songs that made us laugh, made us cry, or made us do neither of those two things but maybe do some other stuff instead. Music's biggest stars came out to play, (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rihanna, Britney Spears, OutKast) as did some critical favourites (Cat Power, Damien Rice, Bat For Lashes, Antony and the Johnsons). But now we're ready to say hello to the ten best songs of a decade chock full of good ones. Of course I'm ready, I already know what they are! The question is, are you ready? You'd better be, because here we go...




#10 - Crazy In Love (2003)
by Beyonce ft. Jay-Z


Yeah, but I still don't understand,
Just how your love can do what no one else can...


Rolling Stone had it at #3. Pitchfork placed in one spot back at #4. NME went all out and declared it the #1 song of the 2000s. You can understand how 'Crazy In Love' charts within the top 10 of virtually every end of decade countdown out there. It really is that good. Beyonce showed in the delivery of one spectacular song, one of what would become many, that she was the Diana Ross of Destiny's Child... someone that wouldn't be stopped from achieving solo success by anyone or anything. Somehow she's managed to deliver time and time again, becoming one of the highest selling and most respected female artists of the 21st century. But nothing tops her debut. 'Crazy In Love' is a party song, an empowering anthem, one of the greatest love songs in pop form and really, it's one of the greatest songs of the 2000s. However, it's not the greatest song of the 2000s. 



#9 - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots pt. 1 (2003)
by The Flaming Lips




Her name is Yoshimi,
She's a black belt in karate...


Wayne Coyne's ability to comment on very real and very serious issues (like that of cancer, as presented in 'Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots pt. 1) through his creative and original songwriting is a thing of beauty. It's a talent that doesn't always get the praise it deserves, but I'm not going to let the opportunity pass me by. This isn't a happy song, but when you think about it, it should bring a smile to your face. 



#8 - My Kind of Scene (2000)
by Powderfinger


For everything you thought you had,
Has gone from worse to bad...


Come on... the song inspired the name of your favourite blog. How could it not make an impact on this countdown? Other than that... it's the best song by an Australian band, performed by the best Australian band of the decade.



#7 - What Else Is There? (2005)
by Royksopp




I don't know what more to ask for,
I was given just one wish.


And the flashlights, nightmares and sudden explosions. Indeed. Everything about 'What Else Is There?' is incredible. Karin Dreijer Andersson (The Knife, Fever Ray) provides the haunting vocals, Royksopp add their touch of genius and then you showcase it with what could be the greatest music video of the decade and you have a recipe for... incredible. Like incredible to the max. Yep, it's good enough to qualify for a 'to the max.'



#6 - Work It (2002)
by Missy Elliott




Is it worth it, let me work it,
Put my thing down, flip it and reverse it...


What can I tell you about Missy Elliott's 'Work It?' It has the distinction of being the song to spend the most weeks at #2 in the USA without hitting #1 (tied with 'Waiting for A Girl Like You' at ten weeks), the music video walked away with Video of the Year at the MTV VMAs won Missy her fourth Grammy award. Most importantly? It brought prominence to the term 'badonkadonk.' What more could you want from a song? Nothing, that's what. Nothing.



#5 - Bad Romance (2009)
by Lady Gaga




I want your love and I want your revenge,
I want your love, I don't wanna be friends...


All I'll say is that this is the greatest pop song to come out of the 2000s. After "Just Dance' and 'Poker Face' Lady Gaga was the next big thing. 'Bad Romance' made her the big thing in music. It's undeniable... the lyrics, the tune, the video and Gaga herself. Given what we've heard of Born This Way, she might not be able to top this song, but there's nothing wrong with that. This is pop perfection and will undoubtedly become her 'Like A Prayer' or '...Baby One More Time.' Not many artists ever manage to top their signature song and let's be honest, this is Lady Gaga's.



#4 - Stan (2000)
by Eminem ft. Dido




Dear Mister I'm-Too-Good-To-Call-Or-Write-My-Fans,
This'll be the last package I ever send your ass...


Eminem was a successful rapper before 'Stan' was released. After, he was a successful rapper, respected songwriter and the biggest male artist in the music industry. The idea behind 'Stan,' that of the obsessed fan is awesome and Eminem goes above and beyond to make this arguably the greatest rap song of all-time. Perhaps a countdown for another day? 



#3 - Wake Up (2005)
by Arcade Fire




Now that I'm older, my heart's colder,
And I can see that it's a lie...


Nothing made me happier than watching Arcade Fire walk out of the Grammys this year with Album of the Year honours. It's just a shame that they weren't recognised for the album they probably should have been, Funeral, the album that was home to the third best song of the 2000s, 'Wake Up.' 



#2 - Maps (2003)
by Yeah Yeah Yeahs




Wait, they don't love you like I love you...


My Angus Please Stay. Simply put, this is the greatest love song of the decade and quite possibly my favourite love song of all-time.



#1 - Seven Nation Army (2003)
by The White Stripes




I'm gonna fight 'em off,
A seven nation army couldn't hold me back...


The 2000s saw the rapid rise to dominance of genres like rap, hip-hop and electronic (more like clubbing) music. But there was fantastic rock tracks and a rock song ended up being the greatest song of the decade. Jack and Meg White delivered unto us a song so good, it would make you wish the band never stopped making music for as long as you lived. Sadly, it doesn't look like we'll be hearing anything new for quite some time, if at all, from the White Stripes... since, you know, they broke up and all. But maybe that's for the best. They leave behind a fantastic catalogue of music, highlighted by 'Seven Nation Army;' the #1 song of the 2000s.


Our biggest countdown comes to an end... thanks for reading! It's back to business as usual for now, so stick around. Seriously, don't go anywhere.

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