I have been kicking around an idea for 100 songs for a while, but could never decide how to classify them. Should I put them as the top 100 of all time? Top 100 of the year? Top 100 songs that get me through the day without hitting someone? It was too hard to narrow it down, and as I am the laziest person I know, I quit putting any effort whatsoever into it. Then I got added to a note on facebook a few days ago by a buddy from High School. He had compiled his top 100 Songs (and then followed it up with albums) of the past decade. I knew how to do it and set out compiling my own lists.
Anyone who knows me realizes how much music is a part of my life. I can hear a song and be instantly transported to times when I heard that song. Nick Drake’s “From The Morning” will always remind me of camping and bonfires and the clear, crisp, Utah mountain air. Of looking at the expanse of stars in the heavens and great friends.
So, where to start? A 100 songs is a lot! Sure, I have over 9000 songs on my ipod, but narrowing it down to 100 that where recorded in the last ten years was quite difficult. I decided to start with the songs that had the strongest emotions attached to them. Something that defined me, defined some time or event in the last 10 years and were featured on heavy rotation in my listening schedule. It was still difficult to come up with 100, but I made it.
I will say up front that songs 100-11 could pretty much be in any order. Just because a song is number 22 doesn’t mean it is any less important than song 11, or more important that song 70. It’s just where it feel into place here. The top 10, however, are the most significant and meaningful to me, hence their spot on the list.
I will try to include links so you can hear it if you feel so inclined. You don’t have to listen to everything, or even the whole song but I encourage you to listen to as many as you can.
Right. So let’s get started.
100. “Summer’s Gone” – Aberfeldy
I only downloaded this album because they were Scottish. I am glad I went with just that, as I have enjoyed this album since 2005 when it showed up on my ipod (a measly 4gb one! How did I manage with that?!) I was driving down South Weber Drive when I first really heard this song and put it on repeat the whole way home. Bouncy pop-rock with the nice addition of a xylophone can never go wrong.
99 . “Roses and Clover” – Animal Liberation Orchestra
Jam band meets funk groove. This song still sees heavy rotation on my playlists.
98. “Plasticities” – Andrew Bird
I’ve heard Andrew Bird’s music called “Baroque Pop” on multiple occasions. I can’t think of a better way to describe it than that.
97. “All In It” – British Sea Power
Indie Rock from Brighton, England. I’m always a little surprised more people don’t know them and I urge you to check out the full album.
96. “Cue The Sun!” – Daphne Loves Derby
American Indie Rock band with a great sound. I love the story painted by the lyrics here.
95. “Stehengeblieben” – Echt
I can thank Frau Sandstrom for lending me my first Echt album. German rock with a catchy tune and beautiful orchestration.
94. “Orange Sky” – Alexi Murdoch
Singer/songwriter done right. Featured in “The Garden State” yet wasn’t on the soundtrack due to licensing problems. Fabulous song.
93. “Wires” – Athlete
More British indie rock. Those Brits have had a great decade for music. I love the piano melody in this.
92. “Happy As Can Be” – Cut Off Your Hands
Pop Rock from New Zealand. This is what I think The Cure would sound like if they had started this decade rather than the late 70′s. I can’t think of higher praise than that!
91. “I’ll Roll With You” – Eli “Paperboy” Reed
Soul music. From a white boy. A throwback to the old soul/funk/R&B/Motown classics. Lots of fun.
90. “Jettison” – Eric Hutchinson
Singer/songwriter with an acoustic guitar and a penchant for great lyrics.
89. “The National” – Fake Empire
More indie rock sung in a deep baritone voice that is hard to forget. Stirringly beautiful song with a strong piano melody that should be be on your Mp3 player of choice.
88. “Tumbleweeds” – Ohbijou
Folk music with a great addition of an old, slightly out of tune and “tin” sounding piano. Beautiful stuff.
Listen: Ohbijou “Tumbleweeds”
87. “Open up ye dark gates!” – Deastro
How to even classify this?? Electronic -shoegaze -psychedelic -soundscape? Whatever you call it, it’s great.
86. “You Don’t Know What Love Is” – 2000F
Drum ‘n’ Bass/Hyperdub/Dubstep or whatever they are calling it these days. Whilst I generally dislike the heavy use of the auto tune/talk box (I don’t know which one is at play here), but it works for me in this song. A brighter side to the dubstep world.
85. “Sugar We’re Going Down” – Fall Out Boy
I am not a huge FoB fan, but this pop-punk ballad is always fun to listen to.
84. “How To Save a Life” – The Fray
I never got much into The Fray, I saw them as a rip off of Keane. Yet, I really did enjoy this song, even though it’s rather depressing.
83. “Bank Job” – Barenaked Ladies
Another fun song from those crazy Canadians. And it’s about robbing a bank. And nuns.
82. “In The Mausoleum” – Beirut
“It’s elaborate New World indie pop that tries to touch the Old as best it can.” – Brian Cullman.
81. “Sounds of the City” – The Bouncing Souls
Punk rock as it should be. Simple, loud and fast.
80. “Letters To You” – Finch
This was the first Finch song I ever heard and still one of my favourites. I wish post-harcore/screamo would have stayed on this same path.
79. “Beautiful Life” – Gui Boratto
Brazilian electronica. Happy and colourful are the words that come to mind to describe this.
78. “Curs in the Weeds” – Horse Feathers
Folk music from Portland. I suspect we will be seeing a bit more of them in the next decade.
77. “High and Dry” – Jamie Cullum
I know it a cover of an older song, but it was released by Jamie Cullum in 2003 (UK) and 2004 (US). I love this jazz interpretation of a fabulous Radiohead song.
76. “Heartbeats” – José González
A Swede of Argentinian descent. Acoustic folk with a hauntingly beautiful melody.
Ian,
Nice dude! Finally someone else who’s willing to put time into something as devotedly nerdy as this! We rule!
Nice picks so far, I haven’t heard of a lot of these. I love the inclusion of the two covers at the end! Both great. I almost put the original “Heartbeats” on my 100. Such a great song, no matter who’s doing it. Looking forward to the rest!
In the Mausoleum? Nantes is a much better song. I’m glad Jose Gonzalez made the list, at least.
Chris, I totally forgot that “Heartbeats” was a cover as well! Can’t believe I overlooked that!
Heidi, “Nantes” is good too, but I prefer “In The Mausoleum”.