MOST ESSENTIAL 200 SONGS OF THE CENTURY
This update continues by moving into the Top 50: #50-41. Another 10 songs will be added tomorrow.

THE 200 MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS

FROM THE FIRST 15 YEARS

OF THIS CENTURY

Now that we are 15 years into the 21^st Century, it’s apropos to look back over the 200 songs since 2000 that have made the greatest impact on the sound of music as it stands in 2015.

To be eligible for the Top 200, a song must have officially appeared on an album, CD single  or as a download between Jan. 1, 2000 and December 31, 2014.

50 SAME LOVE

MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS  

featuring MARY LAMBERT [2012]

 

Anyone dissing today's music makers for not tackling issues seriously or for a lack of sensitive songwriting, was given the ideal counter argument when "Same Love" charted around the world. Every phrase of the song contains insightful lyrics with a rare rawness and heart. As countries started overturning homophobic laws, we started seeing same sex marriage finally being possible. This song helped challenge the  traditional and religious naysayers. Hip hop with conscience and power.

49 CRANK THAT (SOULJA BOY)

SOULJA BOY TELL EM [2007]

Mixing snap music with dance produced the #1 hit "Crank That". The internet was fundamental as a tool in launching Soulja Boy Tellem's musical career. His success proved music still had a future if the web is utilised effectively. 

48 UMBRELLA 

RIHANNA featuring JAY-Z [2007]

 

Rihanna became a household name with this international monster hit. It also helped establish Jay-Z has 1 of the key figures in music.

47 I BET YOU LOOK GOOD ON THE DANCEFLOOR

ARCTIC MONKEYS [2005]

 

"I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor" was included on The Arctic Monkeys' debut album, Upon its release, it broke records to become Britain's swiftest selling debut album. Its 1st week sales outsold the rest of the UK Top 20 albums combined! Alex Turner's lyrics and vocals blast out of speakers amid garage / indie rock riffs and drums.

46 INDEPENDENT WOMEN [Part 1]

DESTINY'S CHILD [2000]

 

A modern-day empowering anthem for women resonated well with audiences. Its success was buoyed by its inclusion in the box office hit film 'Charlie's Angels'. The single reached #1 around the world and eclipsed the trio's previous singles. Beyoncé would soon seek independence from the girl group and launch a lucrative solo career that continues to this day.

45 SEVEN NATION ARMY

THE WHITE STRIPES [2003]

Everything comes together so well on this White Stripes song that it is still praised today. Jack White's lyrics infuse it with power, but its greatest asset is the memorable riff. This is 1 of the defining moments in the revival of the garage rock sound.

44 CAN'T GET YOU OUT OF MY HEAD

KYLIE MINOGUE [2001]

 

Kylie dropped a career-defining dance cut that reminded us all of her club / house credentials.

43 FEEL GOOD INC.

GORILLAZ [2005]

 

Damon Albarn's side project continued the innovation in its music with this indie-pop / alternative rap single. Its funky lighthearted attitude made submission inevitable.

42 BRING ME TO LIFE

EVANESCENCE [2003]

 

Goth metal suddenly became mainstream with the hit "Bring Me To Life". Its inclusion in the film 'Daredevil' exposed a new audience to the group. This profile set everything up well for the 'Fallen' album's release. By then, Evanescence had secured a #1 single in Britain, Europe and Australia. In the US, it peaked at #5. Sounding like a fusion of Faith No More and Tori Amos, it is an alternative metal classic. The inclusion of 12 Stones' Paul McCoy as a guest vocalist alongside the amazing Amy Lee proved astute.

41 TROUBLE

COLDPLAY [2000]

 

Coldplay emerged at the start of the new century with a batch of songs with commercial appeal without compromising quality. Its lush piano-led ballads such as "Trouble" have influenced others in the years that followed.