Top 10 songs of the decade
Posted on 01. Dec, 2009 by Brett in Etc
The other day I tweeted, “Agree or Disagree? ‘Drops of Jupiter’ by Train is one of the top 10 songs of the last decade.“ I might as well have asked “Would you like the Taliban to babysit your child?” The responses weren’t exactly positive. All of ZERO people agreed with me. Haha…
But I’m a sucker for punishment, so here are my top 10 songs of the last decade. I’m not sure if any of these songs will be remembered 50 years from now. Heck, they may be forgotten 10 years from now.
My background is in literature, not music. So in this list, lyrical content will trump musicianship. But it’s my list, so I get to choose, right? :) My working definition of a good song here is a tune that contains “Well-crafted lyrics that elicit a rich emotional or meaningful response.”
Caveat: If you’re in the “All Christian music sucks” camp then you really aren’t going to like this list. I happen to believe religious beliefs don’t destroy the music-making abilities of one’s brain.
I’m considering songs from 2000 to present. Links to video included. Here we go. Pow!
10. Numb (Linkin Park/2003)
Linkin Park has to be one of the most innovative acts of the decade mixing elements of electronica, hip hop, and rock. I think “Numb” is the best. And the Jay-Z remix is amazing as well.
9. When Love Takes you In (Steven Curtis Chapman/2001)
Steven Curtis Chapman is authentic, enduring, and just all around awesome. He is also a huge fan of adoption, having adopted several kiddos of his own. That’s what this piano-driven ballad is about. Adoption and the Gospel are inseparable and this song hits a grand slam here.
8. Life Means so Much (Chris Rice/2004)
I think Chris Rice is one of the best Christian songwriters of my lifetime. His song “Deep Enough to Dream” would have been number 1 on this list had it not been released in 1997. But this song is nearly as good. It scores a 10.0 on the songs-that-make-you-stop-and-think-about-life richter scale.
7. Love Remembers (Craig Morgan/2009)
I didn’t start listening to country music until 2005 when I first moved away from home and got all sentimental. All of a sudden, country music made sense and the cynical anti-country veil was lifted. This is one of the best country songs of the decade. It’s a breakup song sans twang and booze…well, sans twang. I love songs that speak to universal,timeless human experiences.
6. 100 Years (Five for Fighting/2004)
I’m a huge sucker for songs that make you stop and ponder life. John Ondrasik is a masterful songwriter and this is further proof. He tackles the brevity of life issue without brow-beating. Kudos to you, John.
5. Drops of Jupiter (Train/2001)
I’m convinced the writer of this song ripped off the story of the prodigal son, changed the main character to a female, and gave the tale a space-y backdrop. I was genuinely shocked that none of my Twitter friends shared my love for this song! Then again, I love metaphors, and all the space references make this one big metaphor sandwich. “She listens like spring and she talks like June.” Good grief, that’s a fantastic lyric!
4. Crazy (Gnarls Barkley/2006)
This song has an unfair advantage with me because it was the hottest song on the radio in June, 2006, when I bought my Tahoe. As soon as I hear this song, I’m immediately taken back to those days of cruising around sweltering Alabama highways with the windows down singing, “Who do you…who do you, who do you, who do you think you ah-awr?“. As a side note, this song has one of the sickest videos I’ve ever seen.
3. Beautiful Day (U2/2000)
2. Daughters (John Mayer/2003)
Most modern songwriters just smash together words that make sense and then put them to music. However, great songwriters know that songwriting is craft. A master craftsman antagonizes over every word, ever phrasing, every pause. He uses those carefully chosen words to paint a picture in your mind. This song is a great example of that and is about a man desperately trying to understand his woman. Masterful lyric: “I’ve done all I can to stand on the steps with my heart in my hand.” Oh yeah, and it also talks about fatherhood which is awesome.
1. A New Law (Derek Webb/2005)
Seriously, has there been a more controversial Christian artist in the last decade? No way. And that’s why I love Derek Webb. His songwriting is bold and frank. This song speaks so clearly to the issues that have plagued the church in the last decade. Sadly, this song won’t make sense to most people (to understand it better…read the book of Galatians.) But it drips with the Gospel. And that’s why I love it.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: A Page is Turned (Bebo Norman), Yeah (Usher), Lose Yourself (Eminem), Space Between (DMB), The Riddle (Five for Fighting), Viva La Vida (Coldplay), Fix You (Coldplay), Scientist (Coldplay), Names that Fell (Zach Williams), Back to You (John Mayer), Kids (MGMT), Meant to Live (Switchfoot)
What are your top songs of the decade? Leave a comment!
15 Responses to “Top 10 songs of the decade”
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About Me
Kevin
01. Dec, 2009
Rocky Top
Brian Trapp
01. Dec, 2009
I don’t see any Fergie or Jonas Brothers on here. This list is terrible.
Denny
02. Dec, 2009
For a christian song, I would have to say Derek Webb’s “The Wedding Dress”. For a secular song I would say Kenny Chesney’s “I Go Back” and Rob Thomas’ / Carlos Santana’s ‘”Smooth”. It is one of the best colaboration ideas in years…
David Young
02. Dec, 2009
“Wedding Dress” – Derek Webb
“Lose Yourself” – Eminem
“Great Day to be Alive” – Travis Tritt
“Fixed” – Coldplay
In all honesty, I’m surprised there’s not at least 1 Coldplay song on there.
Gil Jaggers
02. Dec, 2009
10: Daughters – John Mayer
9: Two Princes – Spin Doctors
8: You’re a God – Vertical Horizon
7: Extraordinary – Better than Ezra
6: Semicharmed – Third Eye Blind
5: Spaceship – Kanye West
4: Carolina – Matt Wertz
3: Flagpole Sitta – KOZ
2: My Own Worst Enemy – Lit
1: Snow (Hey oh) – RHCP!
Guy Walker
02. Dec, 2009
I’m Still a Guy by Brad Paisley
(for obvious reasons)
I also had a similar experience with country music!
David
02. Dec, 2009
Wow… this is all over the place. I am surprised, confused, and dumbfounded at how you go from MGMT to Chapman, but you went there, and I can respect that.
Jon Smith
03. Dec, 2009
10. Summertime – Mae
9. The Crane Wife 1,2, & 3 – The Decemberists
8. Hurt Like Mine – The Black Keys
7. Sparks – Coldplay
6. The Hardest Part – Ryan Adams
5. Wedding Dress – Derek Webb
4. Gotta Have You – The Weepies
3. Fix You – Coldplay
2. Paronia in B minor – The Avett Brothers
1. Engine Driver – The Decemberists
Though this list could change depending on the day. :)
Brett
03. Dec, 2009
Man, you guys have me wishing I had put “Wedding Dress” on here. I actually considered 3 songs by D. Webb–I Repent, Wedding Dress, and New Law. All great.
David, yes, I have random musical interests. Right now you can find Lil Wayne and Susan Boyle back to back.
Gil, Carolina is a GREAT song. Don’t think I’ve ever heard of your number 1. Downloading now. Are all those songs in this decade?
Guy, haha, perfect song for you.
Brian, Glamorous by Fergie made a strong run at number 10 #truthfail
Jon, haven’t heard of a couple of those songs you mentioned. Will check them out!
Kevin…I’m not sure why I even approved your comment :)
Chris Clark
04. Dec, 2009
#1 Britney Spears, Circus (2009).
Michael
04. Dec, 2009
Not a full top 10, but here are a few:
Awake My Soul – Sandra McCracken
Beloved – Derek Webb
Gravity – John Mayer
Fred Jones, pt. 2 – Ben Folds
This actually reminded me of a post I wrote a while back, but never published. It’s my “Top 5 Musical Moments of the Last Decade”. So now it’s published on my blog:
http://exceedingly-glad.blogspot.com/2009/12/another-top-5-list.html
Amanda
07. Dec, 2009
I just stumbled here via a Derek Webb google alert, but whoa. I decree that Jon Smith (^ up there) needs to make Brett some mix CDs, stat!
Then again, I must respect anyone who can manage to put together a top 10 list of this nature. I’m pretty sure my brain would explode. Rest assured that my list would absolutely contain Derek Webb, Ryan Adams, Levi Weaver, Josh Ritter, Patty Griffin, The National, Sondre Lerche, The Weepies, Lucero, and my newest musical discovery, Wakey!Wakey!
Also, @Jon — “The Hardest Part”? That’s an interesting choice. I’ve never heard anyone name that their favorite Ryan Adams tune before. But I’m more of a “Rescue Blues” or “Blue Hotel” kinda girl myself.
piratosabri
18. Dec, 2009
10. Hot n here – Nelly
9. Without me – Eminem
8. Stronger – Kanye West
7. In da club – 50 cent
6. Hero – Nas ft keri hilson
5. I wanna love you – Akon ft Snoop Dogg
4. Sexyback – Justin Timberlake
3. Hey Ya – Outkast
2. Yeah – Usher ft Lil Jon and Ludacris
1. Lose Yourself – Eminem
That’s the best list
mark almlie
03. Jul, 2010
good list…i do love me some derek webb!
10. grace by U2
9. gone by switchfoot
8. He Reigns by the newsboys
7. All these things that I have done by the killers
6. sexyback by justin timberlake
5. Fix You by Coldplay
4. devils and dust by bruce springsteen
3. then a hero comes along…from the spiderman movie
2. elevation by U2
1. it’s a beautiful day by U2
Pehmer
10. Aug, 2011
Great One…
I must say, its worth it! My link, http://burnett.myfotojournal.com/,thanks haha…