U2, the White Stripes and Green Day Among Rolling Stone’s Top 100 Songs of the 2000s

2018-07-04

Story by Cat Badra, photo by Anne Erickson

Some of the best songs of the 2000s came from U2, Green Day and David Bowie, according to Rolling Stone

The 2000s were an interesting time for music. While there may have been nothing quite as earth-shattering as the grunge explosion of the early-’90s or hair metal era of the ’80s, the 2000s certainly has their place in music history. Now, Rolling Stone has ranked the songs they think are the best from that decade of music.

The list, dubbed the “100 Greatest Songs of the Century So Far,” was based on a tally from artists, critics and industry insiders. The roster includes a mix of talent that broke out in the 2000s, as well as some veteran artists, such as U2, David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen and Green Day.

Bowie is at No. 18 on the list with “Blackstar,” the title track that appeared on the late musician’s final studio album. Rolling Stone says the vibe of the tune, which Bowie recorded with some New York City jazz musicians, was “unlike anything else in music history, a combination of jazz, electronics, progressive rock and even Gregorian chants.”

Another veteran artist, Dylan, comes in at No. 30 on the list with his 2001 song “Mississippi.” The late Cohen is No. 37 with the song “You Want It Darker,” the 2016 title track of his final album. 

U2’s popular 2000 rock song “Beautiful Day” sits at No. 40 on the list. Green Day snags the No. 70 spot for the title track from their 2004 concept album, “American Idiot.”

As for newer acts, the White Stripes scored the No. 3 slot with their popular song “Seven Nation Army.” Other newer acts on the list include Yeah Yeah Yeahs with “Maps” at No. 6, Lorde with “Royals” at No. 9 and the Strokes with “Last Nite” at No. 10. Other acts in the top 100 include Radiohead, Arcade Fire, Queens of the Stone Age, Coldplay, the Black Keys and Fall Out Boy.

So, what are the top songs of the 2000s? M.I.A.’s “Paper Planes” takes the No. 2 position, and Beyonce and Jay-Z’s “Crazy in Love” sits at No. 1.

To view the full list, head to RollingStone.com.

Cat Badra
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