It has been an absolute pleasure taking you all back to what was a momentous era in human history. I have looked into the stats of the global audience who viewed my blogs, and I am amazed that so many people from all ends of the globe have viewed it. Before I wrap this series up I would like to sincerely thank all of my global readers for reading my blog series, and I hope you enjoy the last instalment of what I think are the twenty best songs to be released in the 2000s.
So without further ado, with the aide of the usual Youtube links to the music videos, and for the second time in as many blogs, thumbnails of the single covers included to make it look more significant, I present to you.......THE FINAL 20!!!!!!!!
20 to 1
20. Eminem - The Real Slim Shady (2000)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJO5HU_7_1w&ob=av2e: That white hip hop artist from downtown Detroit has found himself in this illustrous countdown again for the second time. In contrast to the serious tone of Stan, this comedic hip hop track pokes fun at all aspects of early 2000s pop culture, taking the piss out of celebrities and icons like Tom Green, Christina Aguilera, the Grammys and Britney Spears, as well as manufactured pop music at the time. Mathers does not hold back with the criticism, and the support of a bouncy bassline, sneaky keyboards and zany sampling lay the foundations for a silly yet enjoyable song. I best check my onion rings when I go to Hungry Jack's (Burger King for people outside of Oz) next time.
19. Basement Jaxx - Where's Your Head At (2001)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNsyaG_rTzE&feature=fvst: The drone of 'Where's your head attttt, a-a-a-a-at?' kicks off what is to be a bouncy house tune by these talented Brits. A lot of people remember this track mostly for the music video, which in itself is as off kilter as the music, but you can't help having a smile on your face everytime you hear it. Whether it is the monkey people jamming maniacally on instruments that come to mind when the drone springs up in the chorus, or that pudgy bloke also in the video who meets his animalistic fate, Jaxx have conjured up a beaut dance track that is sure to engage the senses.
18. The Temper Trap - Fader (2009)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPPdetZTOx0&ob=av2n: These Melbourne turned London dream rockers wowed the socks off everyone upon release of their debut album, firstly making airwaves on Triple J in 2008 with their first single Sweet Disposition (number 150 on this countdown), followed by the commercial crowd about a year later. Fader is one of those melodic pop rock numbers that sticks with you the moment the wooing chorus blasts through the airwaves and into your cranium. This band can do no wrong, and Fader showed that the boys could belt out a highly accessible hit. This band rocks my socks, and after hearing this you will know why. This is the best song of the year 2009.
17. Daft Punk - One More Time (2000)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGBhQbmPwH8&ob=av2e: That's right ladies and gentlemen, these acclaimed French house kings have done it again for the fourth time, this time landing a track in the top 20. Words cannot describe the sheer sensation that arises when hearing this synth laden track. Vocodered vocals, shiny guitars, thumping drums, you name it, Punk have thrown it in. The iconic music video is a sequel to Harder Better Faster Stronger, showing these anime cyborg characters jazzing up a storm before being invaded by creatures from another galaxy. Sit back, relax and enjoy this cosmic journey into Happyland. You know you want to.
16. Beyonce Feat. Jay Z - Crazy In Love (2003)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViwtNLUqkMY: Ohhhhhh aren't they such a cute couple? Mrs Z and Mr Knowles team up to create a sensationally delightful RnB/soul number. Beyonce shows why she was (and still is to a degree) one of the most sought after pop artists in the music industry. Her voice resonates to the boppy percussion and the horn section in the chorus, sampled from The Chi-Lites' 1970s song Are You My Woman (Tell Me So). Jay Z brings the track home with his rap bridge before wifey finishes it off with a stunning bridge of her own and a booming concluding chorus. This is dancy RnB at its finest.
15. MGMT - Kids (2008)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fe4EK4HSPkI&ob=av2e: Described by a music critic as a 'noisy New Order-style synth jam', these Connecticut neo-psychedelic indie poppers pay a crunching homage to the great joys and the inevitable lows of childhood. All the band ask for is to live life when you're young and enjoy the time you have until you go out into the big wide world alone to set up your life. Sometimes we should all take a leaf out this book. Ironically, some of the quirky looking Muppet like characters and left of centre imagery in the video may give children nightmares upon first viewing. Nonetheless, the song is a joy to the ears.
14. The Knife - Heartbeats (2003)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcv3v6XfEvM: No no no, I am not talking about the acoustic version by singer-songwriter Jose Gonzalez that you heard off that famous TV brand advertisement. Rather this is the original electronica version so craftily put together by this Swedish group. The song oozes clever synth beats and Bjork esque vocals, and its hypnotic tone may or may not make you sway back and forth on your desk chair to the tune of the vocals. I best be off to JB Hifi to get that 56 inch TV I was suddenly craving for, damn advertising!!!!!
13. Kanye West Feat. Lupe Fiasco - Touch The Sky (2006)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkwQbuAGLj4&ob=av2n: It is not every day that a song comes around which sounds so uplifting, so joyful and so emphatic that you feel like getting off your sweat soaked computer chair to do something to help your grandmother, your dog, or that Jehovahs Witness who asks if you believe in the Lord while shoving a copy of Watchtower in your hand. Kanye enlightens the listener with mistakes he made in his life, and he proclaims that if you put the effort in you will 'touch the sky'. The highlight for me besides the gorgeous horns sampling is Lupe's supporting rap. He almost makes the track his own, and to almost do it when rapping with Kanye West is an achievement in itself. The music video pays homage to the US stuntman Evil Knievel.
12. Jet - Are You Gonna Be My Girl (2003)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pBFiEvlwlQ&ob=av2n: Whether you deride this Aussie rock group as being AC/DC copycats, or if you praise them as hard rock revivalists, you can come to a mutual decision about how awesome this ballsy single is. For a short while, Jet brought back hard rock to the masses, opening the floor for people to rekindle their love for and discovering for the first time Aussie rock bands like Cold Chisel, AC/DC and Midnight Oil, all of which heavily influence Jet's music. The theme of this track may be cliche at best, but underneath this is crunching instruments and a melodic guitar driven track that deserves repeatable listens.
11. Peter, Bjorn and John - Young Folks (2006)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51V1VMkuyx0: Sweden has had quite a strong representation in this countdown. From the electro pop of Robyn, to the indie rock of The Hives, to the electronic synth of The Knife, the Swedes have shown that they can produce marvellous musical artists in all genres. The majority of people remember this song for its catchy whistling, which in itself is a great addition, but the youthful male and female vocals and the accompanying band make this sunny folk number highly memorable and definitely one of the most enjoyable songs of last decade.
10. The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army (2003)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J2QdDbelmY&ob=av2e: It is a common myth that the now iconic riff at the start of the track is made by a bass guitar. Rather it is created by Jack White's semi acoustic guitar through a whammy pedal set down an octave. But why should we care? Jack and Meg White churned out their surefire signature hit in 2003, and the track was used in various commercials and other media, and even the Italian soccer team adopted the song when they won the 2006 World Cup. The dropped 'bass' riff and the patient drums in the verses, cascade into a melodic flurry of power chords and tom toms in the chorus. The Stripes show that elaborate guitar solos and highly produced drum beats need not show their face in jawdroppingly electric tunes like this.
9. The Strokes - Last Nite (2001)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOypSnKFHrE&ob=av2e: Frustration with relationships is not a new subject touched upon by Casablancas and co., but the New York indie rockers tell an honest tale of a man's escape from his emotionally exhausted girlfriend, while crying out that girlfriends, people and spaceships don't understand his problem. Sounds like a dead horse being flogged I know, but The Strokes belt out this story in their trademark indie retro style. It is claimed that the band refused to make a music video for the song, and instead asked the record company if they can just play the song live, which they were granted permission for. This single laid the platform for the influential and popular group that they were to become over the next decade and beyond.
8. Outkast - Bombs Over Baghdad (B.O.B.) (2000)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVyVIsvQoaE&ob=av2e: Wait a minute........could this hip hip duo actually produce a great hit with things like higher tempos. jungle rhythms and a choir who can bring the song home with a memorable protest chant??? As far fetched as that sounds, somehow Outkast were able to produce one of the greatest songs of the last decade, a radical departure from their medium tempo hip hop numbers that made it to radio before and after this single's release. Don't let the archaic title fool you into thinking this is some war protest song, this song is 5 minutes and 4 seconds of absolute hip hop chaos, and I mean the term chaos in the most positive light.
7. The Flaming Lips - Do You Realize?? (2002)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXGb3JoGp0w: If I could sum up this glorious melodic soundscape in one word and one word only, it would be 'validating'. You can't not listen to this song and feel validated for having the ultimate gift of all, one that you cannot place a dollar value on, life. The Lips ask us questions that we do not think about much, the question with the most impact being 'do you realise, that everyone, you know, some day, will die?'. I have never felt so inspired to go out and live life to the fullest, and I hope this has the same impact on you. Please purchase this song, now!
6. Feist - 1234 (2007)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABYnqp-bxvg&ob=av2e: I would just like to put it out there. I am not some advertising guru who is using familiar theme songs for different electronics products to subliminally command you to go out and buy things like a new TV or a fruit branded music player. This particular song should not be remembered as that song on that iPod ad that everyone remembers came out a few years ago. As the lead singer of Canadian indie group Broken Social Scene, Feist delivers a cutesy acoustic track, with the highlight being her wise and exuberant vocals decorating this gorgeous song. At least Canada has some decent musicians which is a joy to know about.
5. Johnny Cash - Hurt (2002)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp4UI_FxGLE: Now, I am a man's man. It takes me a lot to feel emotion in any form of media, but upon first listening to this instant classic cover of the Nine Inch Nails' song, I couldn't help but shed a tear. This is one of those rare covers that actually are much better than the original, and you can't help but well up while hearing Cash's raspy vocals reverberating throughout the song. Hurt is so hauntingly beautiful that it has been said that even Trent Reznor cried when he first heard this cover. The accompanying music video reflects on Cash's long career with his frail elderly figure adorning it, and it is one of the greatest videos ever to be released. RIP Johnny.
4. The Avalanches - Frontier Psychiatrist (2000)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLrnkK2YEcE&ob=av2e: Sampling seems to be commonplace in many dance and hip hop tunes, and while some sampling works exceptionally well, some can be cheaply added resulting in the song being brought down. But what if a song came out that was nothing but samples from various films and songs? You might think 'that sounds god awful', but this short lived Australian electronic group create something that sounds weird upon first listening. But as you listen to it a few times, this concept grows on you, and things like samples of horses neighing, parrots squawking and a teacher uttering the line 'that boy needs therapy' repeatedly work so well when combined with instrumental sampling of horns and turntables among other things. The album Since I Left You which the single is included on is one of the most acclaimed Aussie albums of the 2000s, and tracks like this validate these claims. I declare this the best Aussie song of last decade.
3. The Dandy Warhols - Bohemian Like You (2001)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CU3mc0yvRNk&ob=av2n: The 2000s was a very cruisy decade in terms of pop culture, and the simplicity of some structures in music was revived. People dropped their turntables and picked up their dust filled guitars, and anthemic doosies like this one symbolised this revolutionary method of producing music. The Dandys recorded easily their most recognisable song, and within days of its release rock radio and music sites knew they stumbled on an extraordinary wunderfind. A staple in karaoke bars, the Brown Sugar-esque guitar riff accompanies a highly rotational fun filled jamboree.
2. Outkast - Hey Ya! (2003)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWgvGjAhvIw&ob=av2e: In the summer of 2003, we were deeply shocked at all of the commercially produced summer tracks that were being released to coincide with the Christmas holidays. Within this manufactured lagoon of shit, an eclectic neo-soul/rock/funk single was released by a well known hip hop group, and we were all thankful to the gods above that there was something worth playing on repeat on those hot summer nights. Think of this song as if someone threw in the funk of Prince, the rockin' melody of The Beatles, the soul of Ike Turner and the New Wave of Devo, but which actually bodes together perfectly. The phrase 'Shake it like a Polaroid picture' was popularised after the song's release, and the video is a homage to The Beatles' 1964 performance on The Ed Sullivan Show. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant.
I have blessed you all with 149 of the best tracks of last decade, and it is now my pleasure to give you my favourite song of the 2000s. And the winner is............
1. Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out (2004)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ijk4j-r7qPA&ob=av2e: We have to thank indie rock for revitalising the four piece rock group with simple and catchy melodies. For these Scottish rockers, they have composed the song that defined the last decade. This memorable track starts of as a mid tempo groovedown, 48 seconds into it the tempo drops, and out bores a moderate indie rhythm. It beggars belief how Franz pull off such a transition, but they managed to defy the odds and nail it. This is the first guitar driven British anthem to be released in years, and its sound signifies the last decade. A truly deserving number one.
Well that wraps up my first ever list of songs, and as mentioned in the opening paragraph, I thank everyone from all corners of the globe for following my blog and I hope you enjoyed reading my list and watching the music videos. If all goes well I may publish another list in the near future, but we will see what happens. If you would like to go back through the countdown as well read my blog on the ten worst songs of 2000s, please feel free to do so.
Stay safe, and thanks again.
Pooge
No comments:
Post a Comment