Songs of the Decade
I’ve recently come across a number of different countdowns of the best songs of the last decade… and violently disagreed with most of them. Here’s my run-down, for you to violently disagree with in turn. The list is in no particular order and could change due to my whims on any specific day:
10 - Stereophonics - Dakota (2005)
99 times out of 100 I hate the Stereophonics and their stupid midget girly-named frontman. But this song was awesome, and I won’t hear a word said against it.
9 - Arcade Fire - Intervention (2006)
Although I consider this song’s parent album, The Neon Bible, to be infinitely weaker than their debut, Funeral, this song is probably my favourite that Arcade Fire has to offer.
8 - Killers - Read My Mind (2006)
A grower from an inconsistent band which have moments of genius. Tranquilize, the collaboration with Lou Reed, just missed out on my top ten.
7 - Muse - Starlight (2006)
Arguably the best song off the best album of the ‘Noughties’ (ugh).
6 - Peter Bjorn and John - Young Folks (2006)
‘The whistling song’ which somehow, against all odds, managed to not be annoying.
5 - Editors - Smokers Outside the Hospital Doors (2007)
Manages to raise itself above the usual Snow Patrol-level pap simply by the force of Tom Smith’s voice.
4 - Flotation Toy Warning - Even Fantastica (2004)
They’ll make it big one day. They will.
3 - Neil Diamond - Pretty Amazing Grace (2008)
I also considered Gordon Haskell’s ‘How Wonderful You Are’ for this list, along with Richard Hawley’s ‘Coles Corner’. Shows I have a soft-spot for the crooners…
2 - MGMT - Kids (2007)
Downloaded their album the other day and really liked what I heard. Probably not enough to edge it into my Top 10 2000’s Albums List (coming soon!), but ‘Kids’ is a stunning piece of care-free pop.
1 - Johnny Cash - Hurt (2002)
Although, contrary to popular belief, the original sucks.
I know I’ve probably missed out some stunners, so don’t be surprised if this list is edited at some point as they occur to me.
What really surprises me is that I had to rack my brain to even think of 10 good songs from the last ten years. Either it hasn’t exactly been a vintage decade, or I really don’t listen to enough music any more…
December 2nd, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Ok first off whilst Johnnie Cash’s version of Hurt is excellent the orginal is also excellent.
I also think you’ve probably been a bit harsh on the decade.
December 3rd, 2009 at 10:34 am
Having slept on it, I was wrong not to give at least an honorable mention to ‘Out of Time’ by Blur and ‘Hoppípolla’ by Sigur Rós… Not sure what I’d get rid of to accomodate them though. Maybe Neil Diamond and Young Folks?
December 4th, 2009 at 10:35 am
I listened to these as a playlist on spotify last night. Works well actually.
I must admit that I was surprised Hoppipolla didn’t make it in as first off i know you like it and secondly it’s a really beautiful piece of music.
December 10th, 2009 at 7:29 am
No Morrissey?
December 10th, 2009 at 9:33 am
‘Irish Blood, English Heart’ may have deserved an honourable mention I guess…
December 11th, 2009 at 12:43 am
I thought it might sneak in simply because theboysaunders had an article on it before.
Oh, and Ghislaine says you’re so very wrong to not have MGMT’s album in the top 10. But everyone knows that you should take a French person’s opinion lightly.
December 11th, 2009 at 9:16 am
Actually she makes a very good point. The only reason it wasn’t included is that I only downloaded it a couple of weeks ago, and I didn’t want to include something that was potentially a ‘flavour of the month’ in the top 10.
January 5th, 2010 at 4:14 pm
Also, Hey Ya! by Outkast.