The Definitive (according to me) Top 11 Songs of the Decade!
Posted by Michael on Tuesday Jan 5, 2010 Under UncategorizedI realize we are technically into 2010 now, but I think it’s worth a step backwards to fully appreciate the pop goodness that was the 2000s. Here’s my take on the top 11 tracks of the decade…
What was YOUR favorite song of the last ten years?
11. Beautiful, Christina Aguilera
“You are beautiful, no matter what they say.”
One of the most tragically beautiful songs, our decade list kicks off with this instant X-tina classic. It’s true that Damien’s memorable Mean Girls performance (Don’t look at me!) certainly helped this song make the decade-ending list, but X-tina’s effortless vocals and the song’s universal message are the real stars of the show. Whether you’re the Homecoming Queen or the chubby girl with body odor, you’re beautiful. Really.
10. Lose Yourself, Eminem
“There’s vomit on his sweater already, mom’s spaghetti.”
I’ve never been the biggest Eminem fan in the world, but even I love this song. It won a friggen Oscar, after all. All the world watched as Marshall Mathers himself tried his hand at acting. To the shock of nearly everyone, he wasn’t awful. Then again, he played himself. And that sex scene with Brittany Murphy (RIP Tai from Clueless) might have been the white trashiest thing I’ve ever seen in all of cinema. Or maybe it’s the fact that I’d prefer to not be with my sister when hands are licked and lubrication takes place. It was just all very shocking.
9. Umbrella, Rihanna feat. Jay Z
“You’re part of my entity. Here for infinity.”
-Ella! -Ella! We all love the –Ella! Umbrellas are way better than Roulette tables, Rhi Rhi. Take our word for it. This was one of the definitive party songs of the 2000s, so it has to make the list. And watch for big Jay to make his second appearance on the countdown a little later. He’s the only artist to pop up twice…both times for a monster collabo.
8. Toxic, Britney Spears
“I’m addicted to you. Don’t you know that you’re toxic?”
This is pop music at it’s sugary finest, ladies and gents. Simple verses? Sing-along chorus? Slutty singer? It’s all here in one tidy, poisonous package. Plus, this video had boys and future LPGA players all across the country wishing Britney would welcome them to the mile-high club.
7. Boulevard of Broken Dreams, Green Day
“My shadow’s the only one that walks beside me.”
Green day has been huge for years, but they had a truly huge decade in the 2000s. American Idiot signaled a clear turning point for the band. There music was less Dookie and more politically charged than ever before. This song makes the list because it’s damn sad but also damn good. Give it a listen to remember just how good Green Day can be.
6. Poker Face, Lady Gaga
“When it’s love, if it’s not rough it isn’t fun.”
The sole representative from 2009, p-p-p-poker face should definitely go down in the music history books as a standout of the decade. Nowhere was safe from this song this year. I’m pretty sure even churches used this as their processional theme. And I’m pretty sure I just reserved my suite in Hell for claiming that anything about Lady Gaga is at home in church. Oh well. It’s cold as shit in NYC right now, anyway.
5. Hey Ya!, Outkast
“Shake it like a Polaroid picture.”
The lyric above says it all. This was the tune that had everyone shaking it like a low-resolution photograph. It also taught us that the only thing cooler than being cool is ICE COLD. With this kind of sage advice, how could I not include Hey Ya! on a list of the decade’s best. Plus, I’d love to rock Andre 3000’s hair in this video.
4. Not Ready to Make Nice, The Dixie Chicks
“It’s a sad, sad story when a mother will teach her daughter that she ought to hate a perfect stranger.”
I love this song a lot. And not just because I think George W. Bush is the lamest of the lame. I love this song because it reminds people that the Dixie Chicks are fierce musicians and writers, whether you agree with their politics or not. I do agree with them, though. Maybe that does help me to like this song a bit more than someone with, shall we say, conservative ears.
3. Crazy in Love, Beyonce feat. Jay Z
“I’m not myself lately. I’m foolish. I don’t do this.”
This may be the closest we ever get to a Jay & B sex tape. I still long for the day when one of these hip hop titans slips up and shares their private collection with the masses (I mean, can you imagine!?!), but until then I’ll just listen to this ish over and over again.
2. Cry Me a River, Justin Timberlake
“It wasn’t like you only talked to him – and you know it. Don’t act like you don’t know it.”
Oh no he did not! At least that is how I remember reacting the first time I heard this song or saw this video. As everyone now knows, the story goes that allegedly JT heard from his old buddy and choreographer, Wade Robson, that ol’ pop ‘n’ lock Wade got a little too cozy with Brit Brit while she was still dating JT and wearing the matching denim to prove it. Justin enlisted Timbaland to provide the necessary “hot beats,” cast a Britney look-a-like for the video and the rest is pop music history.
1. Since U Been Gone, Kelly Clarkson
“You should know that I get what I want.”
As if this list was going to be topped by anyone else with any other song. Bitch, please. This song is the shit. This girl is the total shit. And you are shit-ty if you don’t like it. Wherever you are right now, I’d like you to follow these simple instructions: turn up the volume on your computer, stand up, press play and enjoy the next three minutes and twelve seconds of pop goodness. I dare you to not nod your head (like yeah).
