MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS OF THE CENTURY Update: #30-21. 

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.

30 CRAZY

GNARLS BARKLEY [2006]

 

Danger Mouse elicits a mighty vocal delivery from Cee-Lo Green on "Crazy". It remains an inventive blast of neo-soul, alternative rap and indie rock.

29 GOODIES

CIARA featuring PETEY PABLO[2004]

 

Crunk and R&B come together for this statement about women and sex.

28 BABY 

JUSTIN BIEBER featuring LUDACRIS [2010]

 

Love him or hate him, there's no denying Justin Bieber's immense popularity and sales in this early phase of his career. The CanadIan teen idol so impressed Usher that he was signed up by L.A. Reid when aged only 15. Creative marketing offered fans that were among the first to pre-order his 'My World 2.0' the oportunity to see their photo used on the CD booklet's back page.

27 PAPER PLANES

M.I.A. [2008]

 

M.I.A. dropped 1 of the most creative pastiches with "Paper Planes". Featuring a sample of The Clash's "Straight To Hell" and "Rump Shaker" from Wreckx-N-Effect, as well as various sound effects; the song was nominated for a Grammy in the Record of the Year category. 

26 SEXY AND I KNOW IT

LMFAO [2011]

LMFAO created a new dancefkloor party anthem that had a novel approach to electro house.

25 IN DA CLUB

50 CENT [2003]

 

Gangsta rap spawned a landmark celebratory track that introduced 50 Cent to the world. Suddenly,  "In Da Club" was #1 in the USA, Australia, Europe and Canada.

24 HARLEM SHAKE

BAAUER [2012]

 

Producer Baauer scored a viral phenomenom with "Harlem Shake". The electro trap track caught the public's attention via the internet. A meme allowed viewers to upload footage of them dancing to the song. As a vast assortment of groups did so, the song attracted millions of hits on YouTube. It became the 1st Billboard hit to debut at #1 based on viral activity. 

23 YELLOW

COLDPLAY [2000]

 

Coldplay enjoyed its 1st Top 10 hit with the understated ballad "Yellow". The group was honing its songwriting craft and attracting a strong following, by now on its way to becoming 1 of the biggest groups in music this century. 

22 REHAB

AMY WINEHOUSE [2006]

 

Amy Winehouse possessed a major asset in her vocal ability. Her blue eyed soul style was as much a tribute as it was an update on 60s music. The lyrics reveal a woman who loves her soul idols, name-dropping Ray Charles and Donny Hathaway. The track's magic is made even more powerful by the fact that its theme proved prophetic. A song about defiance by a woman who lived - and, sadly, died- on her own terms.

21 ONE MORE TIME

DAFT PUNK [2000]

 

French house never sounded as innovative as Daft Punk's musical approach. The electronic and nu-disco ingredients made"One More Time" a hypnotic floorfiller. 

Another 10 songs will be added tomorrow.