Best 2000s Songs Ranked
In the first decade of the 21st century, the rise of digital media on the internet and computers as a central and primary means to record, distribute, store, and play music caused widespread economic changes in the music industry. The rise of digital media with high-speed internet access fundamentally changed the relationships between artists, record companies, promoters, retail music stores, the technology industry, and consumers. The rise of digital music consumption options contributed to several fundamental changes in consumption. One significant change in the music industry was the remarkable decline of conventional album sales on CD and vinyl. With the à la carte sales models increasing in popularity, consumers no longer downloaded entire albums but rather chose single songs. The initial stage (from approximately 1998 to 2001) of the digital music revolution was the emergence of peer-to-peer (P2P) networks that allowed the free exchange of music files (such as Kazaa and Napster). By 2001, the cost of hard drive space had dropped to a level that allowed pocket-sized computers to store large libraries of music. The iPod and iTunes system for music storage and playback became immensely popular, and many consumers began to transfer their physical recording media (such as CDs) onto computer hard drives. The iTunes Music Store offered legal downloads beginning in 2003, and competitors soon followed, offering a variety of online music services, such as internet radio. Digital music distribution was aided by the widespread acceptance of broadband in the middle of the decade. At the same time, recording software (such as Avid’s Pro Tools) began to be used almost exclusively to make records, rendering expensive multitrack tape machines (such as the 1967 Studer) almost obsolete. Here the best 2000s songs ranked.
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15. Paper Planes – M.I.A.
“Paper Planes” had an entire nation making finger guns and cheerily singing along to a song about scamming and robbing. It catapulted the ever-mischievous Sri Lankan-born rapper MIA into quick fame, and over a decade later, she’s still making a ruckus.”
14. Welcome to the Black Parade – My Chemical Romance
“The first part is really cool and majestic, then there’s an awesome riff and fast verse/chorus part with inspiring lyrics and then the bridge has a similar sound to the intro and then the last chorus. One of the best songs of all time. The music is awesome and the band gives it all in this song. Also has pretty deep meaning.”
13. Apologize – OneRepublic
“OneRepublic is that band that doesn’t get enough credit, the band that sings all the best songs that you never bothered to look up the artist of. Recognize any? Apologize, Secrets, Stop and Stare, All the Right Moves, Feel Again. Those are just a few! OneRepublic is the best band that nobody’s heard of, yet everone knows at least one song by.”
12. Feel Good Inc. – Gorillaz
“This song has everything; from a lovely chorus to a catchy bassline with an underlying message that sticks with you for the rest of your life. Combine these with a perfectly timed rap and instrumentals and you have the combination for the best song of not only the 2000’s but possibly ever.”
11. Crazy In Love – Beyonce
“This song is a sultry R&B track that won two major awards at the 46th Grammy Awards, including Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance. It also received three nominations for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Rap Collaboration.”
10. Mr. Brightside – The Killers
“Everyone is born knowing every word to this song, it’s a fact. Such a fantastic piece of music A pop-rock song – now, I have every Killers album, and they write really catchy songs, but this one stands above the rest”
9. Boulevard of Broken Dreams – Green Day
“If there’s a better song that’s been made in the history of music I’m yet to here it. It has everything you could want emotive lyrics awesome guitar solos and a killer video. The lyrics and the music are amazing and just the way he sings it is just perfect.”
8. Hey Ya! – Outkast
“It really encapsulates the feeling of how people wear themselves out with daily life and stop enjoying the best parts of life. The song won three Grammy Awards for Best Rap Song, Best Pop Vocal Album, and Outkast’s first Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo.”
7. Stan – Eminem
“This song proves anyone who thinks the only people who listen to Eminem are drugged-up whiteys don’t understand rap. Rap is an art. Art is constantly developing. YES, Nas, Pac, Big, Rakim, NWA, and Public Enemy came before him. But he took rap to a level past anyone else. One of the greatest songs off of one of the greatest albums.”
6. Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes
“This is one of the best bands of the 2000s and this is there break through single. They basically brought back garage rock into the rock mainstream. The riff that everyone knows, it is just that good. Everyone knows about it.”
5. Crazy – Gnarls Barkley
“Danger Mouse and CeeLo Green’s St. Elsewhere was an unhinged record that tackled and celebrated moments of madness, its hooks interpolating between retro funk and pop-heavy disco-infused morsels. “Crazy” became an omnipresent song of the summer (and eventually undisputed song of the year) thanks to Green’s vocal performance, as he cosplayed a madman aware of his insanity.”
4. Viva la Vida – Coldplay
“Many people don’t actually understand that the song is about the French Revolution primarily. The track translates to “Long live life”, and this applies symbolically towards war, natural disasters, or even death itself. This is one of those songs that you could never get tired of listening too, and congrats on the Grammy awards for Best Song of 2008 and Best Rock Album!”
3. Bring Me to Life – Evanescence
“Amy Lee is one of the best voices out there, and this song really demonstrates her vocal talents (though not quite as much as My Immortal, that’s arguably her best song). Even so, this song is beautiful and it’s a shame that nobody bothered to comment on it. Oh, and it’s really bloody epic, too!”
2. Irreplaceable – By Beyoncé
“The song talks about a girl leaving her boyfriend because he has not been there for her when she needed him. The song won the Grammy for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.
1. Lose Yourself – Eminem
“Best song of 2000s no matter what anyone says. One if the best songs of all time! Eminem gives meaning to his songs and inspiration. This song deserves to be number one. It is one of the best pump up songs ever (Alongside songs like Encore/Numb, and Thunderstruck) and it tells you about Eminem’s life story and how he powered through it.”