TOP SONGS OF THE 2000's (19-11)

The 2000's are really one of the best eras to be in musically. Of course both the very wise and the very ignorant will argue against this statement, but no other point in time before this has it been both so easy to create music and share it with the world, and so possible to have it sound like whatever the hell takes your fancy.

I've always described the 2000's as an amalgamation of all of the best parts that have come before it. Whether it's fashion, design or music, all of it cuts and pastes from trends of the 60's, 70's, 80's and (thankfully least of all) the 90's. However due to the wonderful power of hindsight, we can trim off all those ugly fads that took the world by storm when we knew no better, and what we're left with is the best of the best.

And what better way to celebrate the versatility of this great time we live in (creatively at least), than to count down the top 100 songs of the 2000's.

JUMP TO:

100 - 90
89 - 80
79 - 70
69 - 60
59 - 50
49 - 40
39 - 30
29 - 20

--

NUMBER 19


The Bucket - Kings Of Leon

The Bucket was one of the first songs I had heard from Kings Of Leon, and to be honest I thought it was really rubbish the first time round. Admittedly my tastes then weren't really aligned to appreciate anything that sounded different from what I was used to, and I really had a hang up with vocals that weren't perfect. I'm glad I gave the song, and the band, another chance, because it really is a great track. The guitar work is especially catchy, and now, the vocals, which I hated before, are one of my favourite aspects of the song. Kings always have this great quality to their songs that makes them the perfect soundtrack to the experiences of youth. For me especially, I'll always remember seeing them live on a summer's night to wrap up a festival that I go to see every year down south. It really is my favourite time of the year, and it's always something I look forward to for months. This song feels like a connection to those events.

NUMBER 18


This Boy's In Love - The Presets

While Apocalypso took a more accessible, less outwardly stylish route than the debut album from The Presets, Beams; it also featured much more complex and well written songs. The songs felt more like expansive Industial Electro anthems rather than edgy club tracks, the sense of grandeur was especially clear in This Boy's In Love. The vocals always evoked amazing imagery in my mind, of futuristic skylines and star-filled skies. The repeating layered synth work felt like it was really taking you somewhere special, and Julian Hamilton hammered the feeling home with impassioned vocals. The closing lines really give the impression you're about to embark on an amazing journey to unknown places, with most of the album left to go, you'll soon find out that's entirely the case.

Goodbye,
This town,
These streets,
Your friends,
We'll never,
See,
This place,
Again.

NUMBER 17


Time To Pretend - MGMT

Time To Pretend is one of those tracks that I believe will help define the 2000's as a music era. Yes it was almost completely ruined by hype, ignorant thirteen year olds and record companies, but no other song has conveyed the ideology of living fast and dying young so perfectly. Filled with youthful optimism, the cliche things that everyone promises to each other in the throes of teenage existence, and a movie soundtrack sonic aesthetic, everything about this track brings forth strong feelings and memories. Time To Pretend deals with the realisation that life isn't exactly how you wanted it, and that you've lost sight of what you dreamed of when you were young. This epiphany invariably results in overcompensation, you want to feel alive to prove you're not wasting life. MGMT captured the fear of mortality in such an appealing package it's not wonder why they were everyone's favourite band for fifteen minutes.

NUMBER 16


Sunshine - Atmosphere

Atmosphere is one of those Hip-Hop acts that really stand out against the rest of what's out there. Sunshine is a perfect example of why. The simple piano/drums approach gives this really peaceful summertime feel to the track that you can't ignore. Musically it's simple, lyrically it's uncomplicated and succinct, and the end result is a really appealing and accessible song for anyone, even if you don't like Hip-Hop. The lyrics themselves deal with recovering from a hangover after a big night out, and seeing the beauty in every day life; the simple things, weekends spent with families, times spent with friends and not having a care in the world. It's one of those tracks that would likely get hidden within the rest of Atmosphere's body of work, but it really is so well crafted that it deserves to be heard by all.

NUMBER 15


Naïve - The Kooks

The Kooks first album was one of my favourites of 2006, and i attached lots of great memories to every track. Naïve was always my favourite, the almost reggae quality to both the vocals, and the instrumental work, combined with a strong Indie focus created a really unique song. Naïve is about a cheating partner, and the heartache associated with infidelity. I'll always love The Kooks at this stage, knowing they had to prove themselves, they really released one hell of an album, the poppy melodies and sing-along lyrics were so simple and effective, and there's just this earnest quality to every song. I really felt for the second album, Konk, the benefits of fame really went to their heads and that cocky demeanour really shone through in each track, the songs felt like they were completely in love with themselves. But at least we have Inside In / Inside Out to give us straight up love songs and Indie-Pop for simpler times.

NUMBER 14


Banquet - Bloc Party

Ok I have to say this now, I decided to limit myself to only three Bloc Party songs in this countdown, If I had my way at least half the list would have been by the four-piece from London, but I showed restraint for the purposes of feigned objectivity. Furthermore, of all the songs on Silent Alarm, Banquet is not my favourite, but it earned this position for being the most iconic, the most reflective of Bloc Party's manifesto as a band. Banquet combined the best parts of Indie Rock with Electronic Dance, while only using traditional instruments (guitars, bass, drums). With Banquet, it was Kele Okereke's objective to create a rock song with the danceability of an electro track. And it's plain to see the band really did achieve this, there's something so catchy and enthralling to every aspect of the song. The alternating guitar work between Russel Lissack and Okereke, the always impressive drumming of Matt Tong, and the distinctly noticeable basswork of Gordon Moakes, just makes the whole thing sound like a band working together flawlessly. Banquet is the figurehead of an amazing debut album, the song that ties all of it's tracks together, regardless of tempo or experimentation, it's the perfect mid-point to sum up the band. If someone asked you what Bloc Party sound like, you'd play them Banquet and know you've explained them perfectly.

NUMBER 13


Hearts On Fire - Cut Copy

Hearts On Fire is Cut Copy nearing the zenith of their potential. With a perfect combination of emotion and danceability not seen since New Order, Hearts On Fire feels like a track straight out of the 80's. The smooth vocals and New-Wave guitar work, the rising synth and saxophone make everything sound so retro and iconic. Cut Copy make electronic music for people who appreciate thoughtful songwriting as well; more intelligent than Trance, Techno and House, more catchy than IDM, Hearts On Fire fits into a niche that was sorely absent before the 2000's and the Indie-Electro revolution came to pass. Hearts On Fire glides above the stratosphere, filling you with this elated feeling of nostalgia and longing.

NUMBER 12


When The Sun Goes Down - Arctic Monkeys

This was Arctic Monkeys utilising their strengths perfectly. When The Sun Goes Down features witty, punchy lyrics with raw indie rock, this was Arctic Monkeys when they were young, brash, rough around the edges and altogether amazing. The song starts slow, then immediately shatters the peace with heavy and loud guitar riffs, Alex Turner's voice picks up and the excitement builds, spinning the tale of the red light district after dark with complete abandon. At its loudest When The Sun Goes down feels like it's about to burst forth from your speakers and strangle the apathy out of you. I really wish Arctic Monkeys would venture back into the raw unrestrained realm that When The Sun Goes Down so perfectly conveyed.

NUMBER 11


Someday - The Strokes

The most catchy and breezy track from The Strokes. Someday has this careless relaxing feel to it that makes it one of the most popular songs by the New York band to date. The iconic catchy guitar and bass aspects of The Strokes are here as always, and the vocals sound both rough and distorted while being accessible and friendly at the same time. Someday really is a feel-good song at heart and it really comes across in overall sound very well.

TOP 100 SONGS OF THE 2000's (39-30)

The 2000's are really one of the best eras to be in musically. Of course both the very wise and the very ignorant will argue against this statement, but no other point in time before this has it been both so easy to create music and share it with the world, and so possible to have it sound like whatever the hell takes your fancy.

I've always described the 2000's as an amalgamation of all of the best parts that have come before it. Whether it's fashion, design or music, all of it cuts and pastes from trends of the 60's, 70's, 80's and (thankfully least of all) the 90's. However due to the wonderful power of hindsight, we can trim off all those ugly fads that took the world by storm when we knew no better, and what we're left with is the best of the best.

And what better way to celebrate the versatility of this great time we live in (creatively at least), than to count down the top 100 songs of the 2000's.

JUMP TO:

100 - 90
89 - 80
79 - 70
69 - 60
59 - 50
49 - 40

--

NUMBER 39


King Without A Crown - Matisyahu

Matisyahu is really quite an interesting character in a era of music where it's quite difficult to stand out against the pack. Of course, the initial novelty of being an American Jewish Reggae musician will draw a crowd, but it's his talent and unique sound that really keep people interested. King Without A Crown is a perfect example of his sound just working almost flawlessly. Uplifting sentimentalities, the almost universal appeal that Reggae seems to possess and strong songwriting make this a great track that anyone can enjoy. There's a relaxing demeanor to it that is just impossible to escape, it really draws you in and makes you feel pretty alright.

NUMBER 38


Hounds Of Love - The Futureheads

Now I know for some reason we're all supposed to pretend Kate Bush actually sounds good, but the fact of the matter is, cover versions of her songs are just infinitely more appealing. Classic examples of this fact include Running Up That Hill covered by Placebo and Hounds Of Love by The Futureheads. Hounds Of Love was definitely a stand out track of 2004, and, I believe, the strongest song The Futureheads have ever released. The layered vocals are a definite stand out of this track, give it a listen and you'll see what I mean.

NUMBER 37


Dirty Business - The Dresden Dolls

Ok, The Dresden Dolls are weirdos, I don't think anyone is debating it either. Frontwoman Amanda Palmer's tattooed on eyebrows are evidence enough to prove the fact. However, despite eccentric methodologies and a decidedly left of center genre choice (dubbed "Dark Cabaret"), The Dresden Dolls are very capable of writing enthralling Pop songs. Well, maybe "Pop" isn't the best term for what Dirty Business is; you definitely wouldn't hear it on mainstream radio, but still, it's hard to ignore its inherent accessibility. Something about the song just stays with you. The lyrics are dark, cynical, sarcastic and ultimately, damn catchy. It sounds like the sort of sound you would be repulsed by but there is more than one example, especially on the 2006 album; Yes, Virginia... where you find yourself singing along to melancholic stories viewed through a sort of "freakish carnival of doom" lens. Dirty Business is a great track, you may dislike it at first but soon enough you'll have it on repeat.

NUMBER 36


Clint Eastwood - Gorillaz

I remember seeing the Clint Eastwood music video for the first time on a Saturday morning on some Pepsi music countdown show. I had never heard anything like it before, and I haven't heard anything like it since. This was back in 2001, I was eleven, and I'm not ashamed to admit that I was obsessed with 5ive (massive contenders for the pole position in the countdown by the way), so for me; Gorillaz just came out of nowhere with this freaky sound and awesome video clip that blew me away. I had no clue who Damon Albarn was, I didn't much care, at that age I was able to suspend disbelief, and saw each of the cartoon band members more as real individuals rather than a well crafted and gimmicky guise for a risky supergroup collaboration effort. Who would have thought merging Hip-Hop and Rap with Blur would have worked so well. The eclectic instrumental work, and the abstract lyrics didn't alienate, they didn't even confuse you, they were just taken for what they were, another character in the rich tapestry of back story Gorillaz were creating.

NUMBER 35


Losing My Edge - LCD Soundsystem

James Murphy's declaration of cool to the world, Losing My Edge is a song close to my heart. I'll be the first to admit it's a major vice of mine to claim "I was there" before everyone else when it comes to music, and that's essentially what this song is about. Of course, James Murphy's allegations may have slightly more weight to them, and delivery is certainly better; with a more appealing nonchalant witty drawl over a relatively simplistic music background to place all the focus on the lyrics. Clocking in at almost eight minutes, LCD Soundsystem have packed the song, from the self-titled debut album, with classic lines such as:

I'm losing my edge,

To the art-school Brooklynites,

In little jackets,

And borrowed nostalgia for the unremembered eighties.

Incredibly cool, timelessly stylish, side-splittingly witty (if you're a wanker like me) and increasingly relevant in the horrible throw-away culture we now all live in.

NUMBER 34


Rebellion (Lies) - The Arcade Fire

Note to all pretentious self-proclaimed Indie girls and boys: the following bands will not appear in this list; Animal Collective, Fleet Foxes, Grizzly Bear, Architecture In Helsinki, Jeff Buckley and any other song by The Arcade Fire bar this one. So don't sit there waiting, sure of the the fact that they haven't been seen in the list yet is because it would be an insult to place them anywhere below the top ten; rather; it would be an insult to the bands that have made it into the my top 100 to place them next to these these hype driven Pitchfork Media lapdogs. Rebellion (Lies) was the only track worth hearing on the universally lauded drink-coaster that is The Arcade Fire's debut album; Funeral. But seriously, what a track it is. With an epic and timeless sound that's perfect for long drives and sing-along sessions, it radiates qualities that make it a track to have your best memories to. The Arcade Fire are a big band, and it certainly sounds like a big band song. It'd be amazing to see live I'd wager, however probably not amazing enough to suffer through a whole set of these guys to see.

NUMBER 33


Paint The Silence - South

Man oh man, what can say about Paint The Silence...

Well for several years, I would listen to it every night before i went to bed without fail, until I literally broke my CD player from playing it on repeat too much. I subsequently broke two more for the same reason. Some songs will always have memories and times attached to them, and this is ultimately a deeply personal experience that is different from person to person. For me, Paint The Silence will always remind me of late summer afternoons, when the sun begins to set, just as it's starting to drop to a barely tolerable temperature and the breeze picks up. You're almost filled with a sense of hope like "Hey, maybe tonight i won't lie in a pool of my own sweat as i shift back and forth in my bed, sleep evading me with every turn!" of course, that was never the case, but for 5:54 I couldn't care less because Summer made Paint The Silence. The two matched each other perfectly and listening to the song in any other season just didn't do it justice. The acoustic guitar, strings and high pitched echoing feedback compliment the swirling drums and simple, almost childlike piano-work while the atmospheric vocals add to the overall soundscape rather than dominate it. It really is the perfect length, and while it serves some songs better to be fleeting affairs, if Paint The Silence was any shorter you'd feel disappointed that it was all over too soon.

NUMBER 32


The Great Escape - We Are Scientists

We Are Scientists are a triple threat, they have the brains, they have the musical ability, and they have the looks. Capable of driving the chicks crazy, writing perfect three minute Indie-Rock songs, and having the comic timing akin to some of the funniest TV shows you have ever seen (think Arrested Development, It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, 30 Rock, etc.). We Are Scientists are everywhere you wanna be. The Great Escape is a punchy, angular, rapid and catchy track which effectively reflects the mood and tone of the rest of their body of work. Accessible songs about the most relate-able subject matters around; girls, parties and disfunctionality, We Are Scientists are one of those rare bands that never takes themselves too seriously while still delivering the goods. Often, in fact, they err on the side of self deprecation to achieve humorous results, and their website, youtube channel and blogs are all indicative of a couple of guys fucking around and having a good time, not sucked into political Bush-hating bangwagonisms or melancholic suffering artist introspective pieces, We Are Scientists make catchy and intelligent music to dance to.

NUMBER 31


Taper Jean Girl - Kings Of Leon

Taper Jean Girl is Kings Of Leon doing what they do best, Southern Rock influenced Indie anthems with great instrumental work with wide demographic appeal.

NUMBER 30


Blinded By The Lights - The Streets

Blinded By The Lights is a perfect example of what makes Mike Skinner unique. Lazily tossed into the "UK Grime/Hip-Hop" genre, The Streets at their best sound anything but. From his concept album, A Grand Don't Come For Free, Skinner conveys his incredible talent for identifying the nuances of everyday life and converting it into song format with Blinded By The Lights. While more often than not his songs simply involve talking over the top of instrumental work, it's the delivery that makes it so appealing. The electronic repeating synth and the thumping bass drum create a simple backing for the story of unfaithful lovers on a drugged up weekend in a club. Simply discussing the act of waiting for his girlfriend to arrive and the drugs to kick in, Skinner creates a mental image of the situation so vividly in your mind simply by applying it to everyman, summarising in succinct statements the events of the story. There's a unique sadness to Blinded By The Lights that I've yet to find conveyed by any other artist.

TOP 100 SONGS OF THE 2000's (59-50)

The 2000's are really one of the best eras to be in musically. Of course both the very wise and the very ignorant will argue against this statement, but no other point in time before this has it been both so easy to create music and share it with the world, and so possible to have it sound like whatever the hell takes your fancy.

I've always described the 2000's as an amalgamation of all of the best parts that have come before it. Whether it's fashion, design or music, all of it cuts and pastes from trends of the 60's, 70's, 80's and (thankfully least of all) the 90's. However due to the wonderful power of hindsight, we can trim off all those ugly fads that took the world by storm when we knew no better, and what we're left with is the best of the best.

And what better way to celebrate the versatility of this great time we live in (creatively at least), than to count down the top 100 songs of the 2000's.

100 - 90
89 - 80
79 - 70
69 - 60

--

NUMBER 59


Maybe - N*E*R*D

Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo's band project set out to sound like Rock, infused with elements of Hip-Hop/Rap, Funk, Electronic, Pop and all points in between. Maybe was an instant stand-out from the second album, Fly Or Die, featuring a surprisingly heartfelt direction, covering the degeneration of a relationship and its long-lasting effects. When I first heard it, I was instantly hooked, I then subsequently played it on repeat, exclusively, for roughly 7 months or so, putting it on every mix CD i burnt that year. Other tracks would be swapped and removed, better songs came and went, but Maybe was perennial. The decidedly simple instrumental identity of the song, with marching band drums, uncomplicated piano and a memorable, but unobtrusive guitar riff; helped put the focus on Pharrell's ambiguous faux-rap quasi sung vocals, and the meaning behind them.

NUMBER 58


The Hardest Button To Button - The White Stripes

Elephant is the one of the best albums from The White Stripes. There's at least four or five songs from it that I could easily replace with The Hardest Button To Button on this list, with one pretty obvious track coming to mind. But the reason why The Hardest Button To Button won out for me was basically because of the music video. Both songs are incredibly strong, and although while it could be quite successfully argued that Seven Nation Army was more iconic, the stop-motion video for The Hardest Button To Button stuck in my mind from first viewing. Directed by the same man who created the famous Lego-animation music video for Fell In Love With A Girl; Michael Gondry returned to direct The Hardest Button To Button, which featured no less than 80 identical Bass Drums and Fender Amps.

NUMBER 57


Such Great Heights - The Postal Service

The hugely successful collaboration between Death Cab For Cutie's Ben Gibbard and the guy nobody knows from Dntel spawned a heap of great tracks for those waiting for Transatlanticism's October release in 2003. Reflective of an electronic spin on the best years of Gibbard's musical career (rather than the rubbish ones of today), every track on The Postal Service's debut, Give Up, was well thought out and catchy. Yanking the heartstrings out of everyone's chests was the lead single, Such Great Heights, which was a message to a lover far from home that's being missed terribly by their significant other. One of the best moments of this song is unbearable headache the opening electronic blips give you when you listen to this track with quality headphones and the volume cranked up to 11.

NUMBER 56


If You Got The Money - Jamie T

Sounding like a strangely compelling mix of The Kooks and Bob Marley, Jamie T fell into the shortlived resurgence of a genre of indie music generally from South London called "Thamesbeat". If You Got The Money was the lead single from his impressive debut album, Panic Prevention. Featuring only an acoustic guitar and a reggae style rap combined with bubbly, carefree lyrics, it was essentially the most effortlessly feel-good song to come out of 2007. You just can't help but sing along, even if you can't keep up.

NUMBER 55


Paris - Friendly Fires

Paris was the second single from the 2008 eponymous debut LP by Friendly Fires. With Electro-Rock sensibilities, and covering the common desire to live in one of the greatest culture capitals of the world; it's no wonder this song was a huge hit in the UK and around the world in slightly more indie circles. The simplicity of the idea behind the song, and the core lyrics of the song; "One day we're going to live in Paris, I promise, I'm on it." is its key to success, taking a concept that's so universally appealing and summing it up so succinctly ensured the promise, and the song itself, became instantly accessible. A highlight of the track is the inspiring and uplifting instrumental fade-out of coming in with about 50 seconds left of the song. It really creates this euphoric state of mind that drives home the message of the song that anything's possible.

NUMBER 54


California Waiting - Kings Of Leon

Contrary to the popular belief of their recently gained tweenage fanbase, Kings Of Leon had a successful music career and three albums previous to the massive release of Only By The Night. During this time they released a slew of standout tracks that really complimented the Alternative Guitar-Band movement co-led by The Strokes, TV On The Radio and similar bands. California Waiting was one such track, with the idiosyncratic catchy southern vibe that is strangely absent from all their recent work. The sing-along chorus is the undeniable hook of this song, and it's clear pretty quickly that this is one of the best California-related songs to be released in the 2000's.

NUMBER 53


Mind's Eye - Wolfmother

Australian Classic Rock revivalists Wolfmother are one of those bands that grow on you. For a very long time I really despised their sound, the endless and numerous guitar solos, and the cat-strangling vocals of Andrew Stockdale. As of late I have warmed up to them, but Mind's Eye was always a track that sounded like the very best of the band; what they could achieve if they went less Led Zeppelin and more Pink Floyd. Suitably epic, and ultimately unique within the rest of the self-titled debut album, the psychedelic keyboard solo two thirds in is a definite high-point of the song.

NUMBER 52


Daydreamin' - Lupe Fiasco

Sampling a cover of a cover of a cover, Daydreamin' is one of Lupe Fiasco's most interesting works lyrically. Literally about a giant robot rampaging through a city, piloted by a daydreaming Lupe, and featuring the passionate, soulful vocals of Jill Scott, its a very memorable track. Reflective of Lupe's tendency to favour melody and lyrical structure over shameless self-promotion and ego massaging, Daydreamin', like most of Fiasco's work, really does stand out against the over-saturated Hip-Hop/Rap genre this decade.

NUMBER 51


Apply Some Pressure - Maxïmo Park

Fast paced indie rock from UK Post-Punk Revival band Maxïmo Park. One of the best tracks from their first, and best album, A Certain Trigger. The constant change in tempo, Paul Smith's iconic vocals and the angular guitar work creates an incredibly compelling package from start to finish.

NUMBER 50


Shadowland - Youth Group

Ok, I'm man enough to admit when I'm wrong (when there's no escaping it at least). I was positive that Youth Group were going to be huge. I really was. Not because of the initially interesting, but ultimately infuriating cover of Alphaville's Forever Young. But because of the main single from their second album; Shadowland. Great melody, a punchy, repeating drum line, strong vocals with abstract lyrics. The overall sound of the song had a sort of timeless quality that borrowed from retro teenage anthems of decades gone, the single cover followed suit, and about a hundred or so plays in it still hadn't lost its appeal. This song was the start of something, you can just feel it when you hear it, when you slowly learn the lyrics and feel the urge to sing along, by the way it makes you feel when you hear it on a lazy summer afternoon. While Forever Young was eternal in name only, Shadowland really feels like a link to long lost times of youth where days could last an age and limitless free-time was taken for granted. Youth Group found a way to bottle and mass produce nostalgia in song format.

Unfortunately it turns out Shadowland was the band's only encounter with greatness. And while it was always amazing live, the rest of their show was really pretty bland, the quality of Shadowland was more hurting than helping, really driving home the fact that they didn't have much else worth hearing. Apparently they are up to their fourth album now but you probably wouldn't even know it. It's a real shame that they couldn't keep a good thing going, but even though they understandably fade into obscurity, it would be a real shame if Shadowland disappeared forever with them.