A Decade in Songs...

The 2000's were a pretty good time for artists and songs that like to burrow into your skull and stay there.

Here's my Top 25 songs of the decade...not just hits mind you, but songs that I just couldn't get enough of;

25. The White Stripes - Icky Thump
It's a Jimmy Page knock off through and through...but it was epic and fun at the same time.

24. Joey Ramone - What A Wonderful World
A cover song but it's that rare cover that improves upon the original in it's awesomeness.

23. Guns N' Roses - Better
This Axl Rose solo outing was better than most mainstream rock released this decade...and that's saying something.

22. The Killers - Losing Touch
Every great album needs a great opener...and it doesn't hurt that it quickly became one of the my favorite Killers' songs.

21. Nine Inch Nails - Every Day Is Exactly The Same
Depressing and moody just like other NIN classics, but add drums by Dave Grohl and it gets even better than the rest.

20. Vampire Weekend - Oxford Comma
I certainly give a fuck about an Oxford Comma...Ezra Koenig certainly knows how to write a catchy hook, with the substance to match.

19. Jay-Z - 99 Problems
Sure it was overplayed to death...but it was still good. Possibly Rick Rubin's last great production outing.

18. Coldplay - Violet Hill
This made me like Coldplay again, I'd grown tired of them. Brian Eno...thank you.

17. Blink-182 - Feeling This
The lead single off their last album proved to be one of the most fun. Also, I love the Captain America sample at the start.

16. Beyonce - Halo
Even though I absolutely hate Ryan Tedder...he wrote produced a goodin' here. B's voice has never been stronger either. Great and catchy and moving...all very good things.

15. Kelly Clarkson - Never Again
Like most of her songs, it's a great fuck you to her ex. The My December album is her greatest achievement in a short career...and I hope she returns to that great rock sound.

14. Weezer - Dope Nose
Rivers wrote an undeniable classic with this one. Want your face to be melted with riffs? Then check out Maladroit, the album this single comes from.

13. Red Hot Chili Peppers - By The Way
It's rare that a band can recapture the magic that made you love them in the first place...on the title track to their 2002 album, they did just that.

12. Pixies - Bam Thwok
It's basically a Breeders song with Black Francis backing vocals, but it's also one of the most left field surprises of the 00's. Just try to not sing along to that chorus...I dare you!

11. U2 - Vertigo
This song taught us that Bono can't count...but it also taught us that guys in their early 40's can rock harder and be catchier than most bands half their age.

10. Harvey Danger - Moral Centrailia
A song about adultery (apparently), but oh so beautiful. Never have lyrics like "Searching for a decent cup of coffee" sounded so prophetic.

9. The Raconteurs - Consoler Of The Lonely
From the producer talk of "Let's double track that" to the amazing breakdown...this was (discounting the Stripes), Jack White defining moment on guitar this decade.

8. Britney Spears - Toxic
Her catchiest and best song by far, with a great video to match. When this came out you couldn't escape it...and why would you want to?

7. Death Cab For Cutie - I Will Possess Your Heart
A great epic track from an OK album...the 4 minute intro (with a cool bassline) preps you for 3 more minutes of yearning. Good times all around.

6. Bob Dylan - Thunder on the Mountain
Sounding like a grizzled bartender telling plans of world travel...and dropping Alicia Key's name in the process. Dylan proved one again that he can tell a pretty great story when he wants to.

5. The Strokes - Last Night
I don't even think the Strokes thought that people would still be humming this almost 9 years after it's release...and if they did, I commend their ability to see the future.

4. The Killers - Somebody Told Me
An ode to to an androgynous ex...I think. Who cares? It's awesome and you know it!

3. Smashing Pumpkins - Doomsday Clock
Yes, I know...it's not really the Pumpkins in the truest sense, but it has some of Corgan's coolest guitar work in years. Not to mention that Chamberlain, 42 at the time comes up with some of the best drumming of his career not only on this track, but on the album as a whole.

2. Matt & Kim - Daylight
It's been in commercials and they didn't get naked in the video...but it's such a feel good song that it doesn't matter. This duo from New York has been able to redefine what catchy really is.

1. The Flaming Lips - Do You Realize?
It's the official song of Oklahoma and one of the most beautiful songs of the last 20 years. IT has the ability to bring down and uplift all in the span of one verse. This might not be the best song of the decade...but it's certainly my favorite.


So there you have it, questions, comments, just want to yell at me and call me dumb? Go for it.