Well, thank you for still being with me on this musical journey. We lost a few along the way some when we forged the river, others when they succumbed to typhoid, and many because I refuse to acknowledge ‘Free Bird’s” alleged contribution to every song on this list. Either way we are almost to the end I promise the format of this is/ will get better as we continue. Videos are included for every song now. Again for those of you judging at home, I hope its good and we are still friends at the end of this.
100. Summertime Clothes - Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion (2009)
I think I can honestly say I have never heard anything like this. “The bed is a pool and the wall’s on fire” hearing that line makes me think of some sort of beautiful tryst between two people ignoring all else. Listen to this song and let it wash over you like warm summer rain.
99. Silver Lining - Rilo Kiley - Under The Blacklight (2007)
A break up never sounded so beautiful. I have a slight penchant for anti romantic songs. There are very few, and even few that are done as well as this song. The guitar riff is gentle and bittersweet. You want to be down but you can’t help but feel the sense of triumph in Jenny Lewis’ voice and be happy.
98. I Turned My Camera On - Spoon - Gimme Fiction (2005)
Once that bass hits you, you are in the groove. There is something strictly sexual hidden between the lines. Lines about turning feelings off, and turning feelings on & feeling like you are going to ignite. Though my favorite line is ” I turned my feelings off, made me untouchable for line.” That is some incredibly cool confidence, and I wish I could have more of it.
97. O Valencia! - The Decemberists - The Crane Wife (2006)
This song makes me think, maybe love can conquer all? Though it sounds like its going to be a bloody, vengeful, and spectacular affair . But who said any love worth having would be easy? When I burn this whole city down Valencia and this song will be my battle cry.
96. Stillness is the Move - Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca (2009)
This just might have been my Summer Jam of 09. Seeing the Projectors live, and seeing the vocal display in person I like ?uestlove will follow these ladies to the end of the earth. Here indie rock and R&B met and it was a gorgeous union. After a couple of listens to this song, you too will be singing along.
95. Hip Hop - Dead Prez - Let’s Get Free (2000)
From the second Dave Chappelle stepped on to stage on “Chappelle Show” my perspective on rap was forevered changed. It was this song he walked out to. The beat is illest thing this side of the new millennium. This was what I was waiting for in rap. Even though the beat is big, the lyrical depth of this song shows you the true meaning of hip hop.
94. Pass That Dutch - Missy Elliot - This Is Not a Test! (2003)
Like I said in previous posts Missy Elliot is not a afraid to take risks with her music. Everything from the beats, lyrics, and videos are the weirdest things in hip hop. In a scene where people just want to have the next forgettable cryst poppin club hit, Missy provides a club hit that is magnetic and refreshingly creative.
93. Take Your Mama - Scissor Sisters - Scissor Sisters (2004)
If you only check out one video from all of these check this section make it this one out. Play this song on your way out to a night on the town with your friends, and its even better if your friends are in the car. If they aren’t into it at first by the end they will be. Then press repeat. Even the most conservative person in the car will find themselves singing on the top of their lungs.
92. You Ain’t Goin Nowhere - Glen Hasard & Marketa Irglova - I’m Not There [Soundtrack] (2007)
This is one of my all time favorite Bob Dylan covers. God help everyone if this is ever on a karaoke list, because I’m going to do my best Glen Hasard impression and belt this one out. If you haven’t heard of the movie Once or the Swell Seasons (Glen Hasard & Marketa Irglova) check them out! If you want to feel the passion coming through in one song listen to this. *** no. 6 most played song on my iTunes***
91. Walkabout - Atlas Sound - Logos (2009)
There is just a very whimsical feeling about this song. A feeling of needing to remind yourself of all the great things you want to be and do. I need to take the advice in this song. We all do, but at this particular point I do especially. Great music inspires you, and this song does that.
90. Useful Chamber - Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca (2009)
I feel like a lot of what is popular on the radio appears out of no where. You have no idea who influenced the artists. Who do they l listen to or what inspired them to make music in the first place? Useful Chamber is inspired. It is a marathon from to the most experimental to sounds that hark-in back to the roots of rock n roll. Put on your eye phones, ear goggles, and put on your seat belts and hold on. This is rock.
89. Cheated Hearts - Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Show Your Bones (2006)
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs were one of the biggest bands of the 00s and still some how manage to stay under the radar. In this video we see they are an iconic band that can only be imitated not reproduced. The song starts off unassumingly, but builds into a triumphal rock anthem.
88. I Am Trying To Break Your Heart - Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2002)
I’m shocked that iTunes classifies this band as Country. Maybe thats whats so cool about so called “alt country” this isn’t the country your friend’s mom listens to on the radio. The sonic trips this song takes you on still don’t prepare you for the rest of the album. There is something incredibly tragic about assassins who make their way down the avenue, the man who loves you, and radio feedback.
87. No One Knows - Queens of the Stone Age - Song for the Deaf (2002)
This is just one of those great guitar riffs and solos (guitar & bass) to come out of the 00s. It seemed like the real piss poor excuses for rock bands just wanted to rock out on the guitars non stop and forget to slow it down and put in a great solo.
86. Wolf Like Me - TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountian (2006)
I think one of my favorite memories of this song was Coachella 08 with TV on the Radio. I had never really thought of this song as a dance tune, but crowd was just taken over by a wave of dancing. Soon I found my self dancing and jumping around in circles. It’s hard to imagine this song as anything else. “Howlin’ for-ev-er-oh-oh- oh!”
85. Poker Face - Lady Gaga - The Fame (2008)
Yes, even a music snob like myself has to recognize. After repeated requests for this song at parties I’ve been too, it became clear Lady Gaga was not going any where. Turn this song and watch an instant dance party start. Some day at work I’ll start playing this song at work and watch all the white people get up and start moving like the Chappelle Show sketch.
84. The Food - Common - Be (2006)
Speaking of the Chappelle show… I think one of the reasons I was most upset about Chappelle Show being off the air was missing out on all the great Hip Hop I had missed out on. That show enriched my hip hop collection. I remember when I first saw this song on the show I downloaded it immediately (illegally) and played it over and over. I made my way to Zia Records purchased this classic hip hop record and wore it out. I hope you love this track as much as I do.
83. Crimewave - Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles (2008)
The first time I heard this song it was in the Sahara Tent at Coachella. It was one of the scariest experiences of my life. I truely felt out of place among ravers flashing lights in each others faces, while Alice Glass’ vocals vibrated off the crowd. I was dancing to not look too suspicious, but truly I was scared inside. I love this song more now than I did than… as I dance and bob my head in the safety of my home. HA!
82. SexyBack - Justin Timberlake - FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006)
[Quick side note for the gentlemen: When JT brought sexy back, & he did… He didn’t do it with bedazzled t-shirts. He did it with style and class. Women are still going crazy.] This song is electric. One thing I never noticed about this song is at the end the call and response of “You ready!?” and the very sensual response “Yea” that alone will raise the temperature a few degrees.
81. Float On - Modest Mouse - Good News For People Who Like Bad News (2004)
This for me, like a lot of people, was my introduction to Modest Mouse. Everyone cooler than me already knew about the musical geniuses. The core of this song is uplifting. Inspiring when we are at our lowest. The video for this song is an iconic. The band singing a farewell song to these sheep on their way to being slaughtered. I’m half afraid we the sheep, but feel okay cause we went out to a great song.
