I'm working on a list of my favourite 100 songs from the decade, since it's now drawing to a close and the likelihood of a new release toppling any of these being slim. I'll post them 10 at a time as I feel like it, and invite you to give your thoughts on gems I've missed, any you feel I'm praising too generously or just to throw abuse at me.
Let's begin with the bottom 10.
100.
The Prodigy - Spitfire
Taken off their 2004 album "Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned", an album that failed to impress critics particularly in comparison to their 2008/9 return to form with "Invaders Must Die", The Prodigy's second single from the album offers manic and angry vocals with a heavy rock backing.
99.
The All-American Rejects - Dirty Little Secret
Pretty popular in the 2005 era of MySpace, emo and charity wristbands, "Dirty Little Secret" was the fitting accompaniment to youth's embrace of rock(ier) musical leanings and to great success. With a video capitalising on the popular internet-meme of "postsecret" (a website where people send in anonymous postcards with their secrets written on), it was a difficulty to find teen-films without it in their soundtracks.
98.
The Arctic Monkeys - Brianstorm
The 2000s in British music were dominated by the Monkeys, their albums were the fastest-selling of all time and the awards came flowing in. Their song "I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor" was inescapable, but for me their best was the first single off the follow-up (Favourite Worst Nightmare) to their debut (Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not) - Brianstorm. A savage guitar track accompanied by the ever-present and popular mockney lyrics from Alex Turner.
97.
Norah Jones - Turn Me On
On the alternate end of the spectrum to the Arctic Monkeys, female vocalists with a penchant for blues enjoyed similar levels of success this decade, with Katie Melua, Dido and Corinne Bailey Rae experiencing considerable success. Jones, however, has sold a staggering 36 millions worldwide and is the effervescent choice for romantic(-comedy) movie soundtracks. "Turn Me On" being one of her most successful songs, featured on 'Love Actually', is a capable and beautiful cover of the Nina Simone classic.
96.
Oasis - The Importance of Being Idle
After a phenomenal decade in the 90s, Oasis entered the new Millenium with a confident swagger. 4 albums have been produced in this decade, though none as well-received as stalwarts (What's The Story) Morning Glory or Definitely Maybe. But gems still poured from their pockets, the first from my list being this single (from Don't Believe The Truth). With a peculiar video featuring Rhys Ifans as an undertaker, The Importance of Being Idle is a sing-along favourite and a laidback (excuse the pun) tune.
95.
Foo Fighters - All My Life
I'll start off this description with a bit of controversy; I prefer FF to Nirvana (if you're confused about the relevance of this; lead singer/guitarist/drummer/legend Dave Grohl was Nirvana's drummer). What they lack in grungey emotion they more than make up for in energetic and mind-blowing music; "All My Life" being one of their best offerings. I was torn between this and "The Pretender", but I feel this 'builds' into something more special.
94.
Katy Perry - I Kissed A Girl
This song was omnipresent in 2008. It also spawned a sub-culture of girls with ambiguous sexualities (something criticised by some and drawing absolutely no complaints from others - myself being the latter
). Topping charts in over 30 countries, Katy Perry's debut single was a smash hit and the controversy rolled in.
93.
Fall Out Boy - Dance, Dance
Teenagers of the 2000s around the world will be able to sum up the decade in a number of words - "social networking", "reality TV", "terrorism" and "emo". Fall Out Boy have benefitted from the latter [though arguably the former also] - teen girls and Pete Wentz-fanciers united and they were thrust into fame. Though being around for a while longer than you'd think, they really made a name for themselves with "From Under the Cork Tree" in 2005-6. 'Dance, Dance' was their second single (after equally successful 'Sugar, We're Goin' Down') and dominated iPods around the world, with stomping drums and typically indecipherable vocals.
92.
Family Force 5 - Love Addict
Haven't heard of it? Thought not. Perhaps one of my most eccentric musical discoveries, Family Force 5 are described as a "Christian rock" band by some, "crunk" by others and "OMFG AWESOME" by few. Whilst their fame across the Atlantic has been modest, across the sea they're virtually unheard of. Their new material is, I'm afraid, a lot worse, so I don't expect or want them to capitalise on that (
) - however this single from 'Business Up Front, Party In The Back' has one of the loudest, "crunkiest" sounds I've heard. Turn up and enjoy.
91.
Thirteen Senses - Into The Fire
Ending in true Big Brother style (appropriate for this forum, no?), the song from the CBB4 "best bits" only peaked at #35 in the UK back in 2004. It enjoyed airplay on shows such as Grey's Anatomy and Waterloo Road, and its soft-rock is universally-pleasing. Put to shots of Pete Burns and George Galloway in lycra suits, perhaps not quite so aesthetically-pleasing.