20. Radiohead - Idioteque (2000)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jX-fDKWGbRs
Why: The entry into electronic beats. Unclear lyrics, possibly apocalyptic and dealing with war, climate change and technology uprising. Weird how it all falls together so perfectly.
19. The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army (2003)
Why: Proof that you don't have to depart from simplicity to still have a good song. Same guitar riff through most of the song until the solo kicks in. But it's the (much-debated) drumming of Meg White that gives the song its impact.
18. Arcade Fire - Neighbourhood #1 (Tunnels) - 2004
Why: A fantasy world where there are no parents and no adult problems in a town buried under the snow, with a tunnel connecting two people. The song builds slowly until all the instruments and voices enter into a sing-along which is both joyful and melancholy.
17. Outkast - B.O.B. (Bombs Over Baghdad) - (2000)
Why: This track dropped three years before bombs started being dropped on Baghdad. A high tempo drum and bass song that broke down the barriers between dance, hip-hop, electronica and metal. Every hip-hop/dance crossover of the decade started here.
16. Snow Patrol - Run (2004)
Why: One of the best crowd participation songs ever. As with most Snow Patrol songs the lyrics seem to be able to fit in with quite a lot of depressing situations. Crashing drums and heavy guitar are present but it's the vocals that get you.
15. Animal Collective - My Girls (2009)
Why : There is no genre of music for this song. It created its own category. Call it a landscape of sound, it's like if a psychedelic drug was administered via sound instead of pills. Listening to it on headphones will cause drifting away.
14. Arctic Monkeys - A Certain Romance (2006)
Why: Heavy rocks riffs to start with. Some indie style picking, some reggae strumming. Somewhat out of tune drumming. And the most original lyrics anyone has ever written come from this band.
13. Coldplay - Clocks (2002)
Why: The most recognizable piano riff of the decade. Chris Martin singing of comparison, contradiction and running out of time, or he might be, because the lyrics aren't all that clear-cut. Hypnotically frantic and exceedingly gorgeous tune, Coldplay built a lot on this.
12. Lupe Fiasco - Hurt Me Soul (2006)
Why: Three different hooks are in this songs. A ferocious satire about the hypocrisy of the modern rap scene. Lupe continues to show distaste for the violent, negative lyrics of modern rap but questions if the rappers are really 'coming true'. The last verse perfectly captures the overwhelming nature of life in the 21st century.
11. Bruce Springsteen - Long Walk Home (2006)
Why: Bruce goes political better than anyone else. Talking about how he felt during the George Bush presidency in this song, he details the change of the singer's world. People, places and ideals have changed. The world feels strange. The Boss always captures the moment in song perfectly.
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