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Songs of the Decade -Part 4

70 . Feist - 1234 (2007)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmEHauRTzJI

Why: Sounds like it should be on Sesame Street. So they put it on there. Starts off as a vocal ballad and finishes up with an entire horn orchestra and crashing cymbals. It remains brilliant even though overplayed through that iPod commercial.

69. U2- Stuck In a Moment You Can't Get Out Of (2001)


Why: Usually the criticism directed at U2 is that they don't live up to their own standard they set with their early works. Maybe that's evolution but this song is a throwback to those early U2 days. A lyrical masterpiece of not letting the past keep you down.

68. Black Kids - Love Me Already (2008)


Why: The perfect mix of alienation, unrequited love and bad advice is how this song starts. One guitar solo and a keyboard bridge later and it all works out in the end. It's the most high energy song that seems like it should be slow , but it works.

67. Nas - Hip Hop is Dead (2006)


Why: With a statement that bold you have to have verses to back it up.And Nas has them. A track which decrys the commercial way which hip hop has gone and stresses for a return to its originality.

66. Bruce Springsteen - My City of Ruins (2000)


Why: Originally about Asbury Park the song became a hymn for America after the September 11th attacks. It brought a message of hope and rising from the ruins and once again set The Boss up as the voice of America.

65. The Shins - New Slang (2001)


Why: "You gotta hear this one song. It'll change your life". Those are the words said when the headphones are passed in the movie Garden State. The description might be correct about this haunting song about being stuck in a seemingly dead-end life.

64. Eminem ft. Dido - Stan (2000)


Why: The progression of an obsessed fan from from idolatry to homicide, only to realize in the last verse that he got it all wrong. Eminem shows us that he is an exceptional storyteller in one of his earliest tracks.

63. Slayer - Payback (2001)


Why: The song that may be the angriest song of all time. Classic Slayer with angry riffs and the most violent lyrics in music around. When you finish listening to this you're never angry because nothing can make you as angry as Slayer are.

62. Death Cab For Cutie -I Will Follow You Into the Dark (2006)


Why: Till death do us part has never been said quite like this before. Written and performed as an acoustic solo by frontman Ben Gibbard, the metaphors come flying in. Still not sure if it's romantic or fatalistic.

61. Justin Timberlake -Cry Me a River (2002)


Why: The breakthrough track for Timberlake. Released after his breakup with Britney Spears, most people heard this and said 'Are you sure this is the guy from 'N Sync'. Vindictive lyrics over a catchy track make this song a continual favorite.

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