1,001 songs to listen to before you die...

[MalaCloudy Black]

My friends loved taTu for exactly the reason you think teenage boys would in the early 00s. 

EDIT: That Nirvana song is alright. My brother's a huge Nirvana fan and I've heard most of their discography a few times now. It's whatever. I don't think I'd say it's a "song to listen to before you die".

I didn't like The Darkness when they came out. I still don't really care for them. If I want to listen to 80s hair, I'll just listen to Whitesnake. Here I go again.

Not familiar with Carla Bruni but I recognize the name for some reason.

Wilco is one of those bands that I always was told I'd like, you should listen to this, etc. I can't put my finger on why but they've never clicked with me. 

[GoGo Yubari]

The Darkness is definitely not just a UK-centric pick, they had their moment in the States too albeit I'm guessing a shorter one than they did in the UK. Was puzzled upon this go-round to realize that this was in the 2002 section but I guess it had a limited release then. To me the song really evokes 2004, and I think is a bit of a touchstone for a certain sense/style of humor in the '00s, very much reminds me of being online for some reason.

I'm guessing "Ashes of American Flags" was the Yankee Hotel Foxtrot pick for "here's a story about The Times We Live In" reasons (but the song isn't even explicitly about 9/11), I feel like the two songs that actually get played/discussed from it more often than not are "Heavy Metal Drummer" and "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart." I think this is fine and if I were the right age when it came out I could see it having deep "I'm a teen and I am Sad" meaning to me but I never had that moment with it.

The Carla Bruni is fine but doesn't feel interesting enough or obviously great enough to be in here, so it basically has to come down to a level of importance to that scene at the time that I don't have a frame of reference for.

I more or less remember where I was when my local alternative station played "You Know You're Right" for the first time. Unsurprisingly, a new, fully-realized Nirvana song being premiered was basically an event for Seattle alt rock radio, felt like there was a solid week of advertising the date and time it would be played. I was really impressed with it the first time I heard it and I know there are people who consider that one of the best Nirvana songs, but for me it's more or less faded into B/B+-tier Nirvana. It's good, but again feels more like someone knew it would be interesting to write about. Shoulda picked "About a Girl" (Bleach edition, not Unplugged) is all I'm saying.

Since I've been grousing about these things, on the flipside I think "All the Things She Said" is a perfect 2002 pick. Nailed it. Interesting story, extremely reflective of its time, a good-enough song on its own merits to fit in here. I wouldn't have been blown away to not see it here but it's much better that it is, particularly since I feel like the book often sidesteps a lot of the actual musical trends of this period.

[gunnar hendershow]

"You Know You're Right" is definitely right below that upper echelon of Nirvana songs. Still admittedly it was extremely cool and exciting when it came out. Feels kind of forced by putting it on this list as it's definitely faded further out of the conversation about Nirvana songs in the nearly 20 years since it came out.

"I Believe in a Thing Called Love" is probably the lone song in this group that I think belongs. It definitely reminds me of a very specific time in my life (though as GoGo said, that time is more 2004). But I'd argue as a song it's held up as one that's good and probably one people should be listening to in order to get an idea what was all the rage in the early 00s.

"All the Things She Said" was one of those ultimate songs you had to be there for and, much like taTu has vanished from public conversation.

The other two songs are largely forgettable. I never got into Wilco and the Carla Bruni song doesn't feel particularly noteworthy. In the case of Carla Bruni I feel like they wanted to include her in this list and just drew one of her songs out of a hat.

[METALMAN]

Yeah I was sure Darkness was 2004 too. I loved that song when I was a kid. The album it was on was one the first I ever knew and IBIATCL really lit up the pop charts (which as a whole were actually pretty good around that time anyway). It’s still a banger. Sense of humour but a hell of a tune to go with it.

I hear a lot of people talk about Wilco and I must have listened to god knows how many Wilco albums to see if they will finally click. But they are boring.

Carla Bruno? Eh....

YKYR is fine. It’s a good song. Very dubious choice for this book though.

The tatu song is decent enough. I liked it at the time. I’m not sure it really holds up or should he remembered as a classic or whatever, but it’s okay.

[Liam]

I think the Darkness was indeed initially on a limited release. 

Just re-read - it was a debut EP.

Just re-read - it was a debut EP.

@CLDYCarla Bruni married the then French President, Nikolas Sarkozy, in 2008. She would have been in the news a fair bit.

[Skummy]

18 hours ago, Liam said:

I think the Darkness was indeed initially on a limited release. 

Just re-read - it was a debut EP.

Yeah, it was released as an EP before the album - though my first memory of The Darkness was MTV2 playing "Get Your Hands Off My Woman", which I think was a much better song, but never had the mainstream success. I loved them at the time, then went off them pretty quickly, and if I heard them now would probably appreciate them with a bit of cosy nostalgia.

That Tatu song is great, irrespective of any of the surrounding controversy and PR guff, just a brilliant pop song. 

I really like YKYR, but can't really justify it making this list.

Wilco are a band I like some stuff by, but have never got my head around some of my friends that idolise them, because they seem to have the odd good track here or there, but most of it just blends into one. This was seems to be here for the timing of the release more than the song itself being anything special. 

[DFF]

Glad to see The Darkness make this list. Their debut album ranks up there with the absolute greats. Sadly, they haven't managed to replicate it since (though a couple of the newer albums aren't shabby). 

You Know You're Right is the song that got me into Nirvana. For someone that got into music via chartmusic, before eventually finding my way to the heavier stuff, it was absolute visceral to me. Top 5 Nirvana track for me. 

[Liam]

7 hours ago, DFF said:

You Know You're Right is the song that got me into Nirvana. For someone that got into music via chartmusic, before eventually finding my way to the heavier stuff, it was absolute visceral to me. Top 5 Nirvana track for me. 

That makes a lot of sense to me. It must have sounded pretty different to a lot of the stuff that was getting into the charts at the time.

[Liam]

921.      

‘Untitled’, Interpol (2002)

This is another band for me that were really big for a time, yet never really caught my attention. However, when I have heard their songs ‘in the wild’ so to speak, I’ve generally enjoyed what I’ve heard. The book talks about this song being bigger than the sum of its parts and it isn’t hard to see why – this is all pretty simplistic stuff, though it is put together in a way that creates a hypnotic sound. Like always, this is an Interpol song I like enough, but I won’t exactly be rushing to check out anything else by them.

922.      

‘Slob’, Weezer (2002)

I always think that the enduring popularity of Weezer and my parallel lack of desire to really ever engage with them beyond the odd breakthrough hit that they have speaks volumes. I just don’t really care about them. This is apparently a fan favourite song, which probably explains why it does very little for me. I guess it at least showcases a slightly different sound from them than what I’ve heard before…that’s something.

923.      

‘Strange and Beautiful (I’ll Put A Spell On You)’, Aqualung (2002)

This is such a beautiful song in my opinion, which makes it all the more ironic that this was conceived primarily for an advert for the Volkswagen Beetle. Crass commercialism aside, this has a haunting beauty that I’ve always enjoyed, a lilting, waltzing, simple piano tune accompanied by lyrics that I enjoy, even if they aren’t exactly deep or revelatory. I can imagine people not being keen on this one – it could be labelled as boring – but to me, it comes together to create something memorable.

924.      

‘Like I Love You’, Justin Timberlake (2002)

Whatever my thoughts on this song, I do think it deserves some kudos for making Timberlake feel like a legitimate solo artist – not an easy task considering the usual fate of boy band members who try and go solo. To be honest, I also think it is a legitimately good song, one that propelled him to the top of the charts. Pharell Williams’ sound is all over this, which is by no means a bad thing. To give Timerberlake credit, he also showcased an impressive versatility in one song. A good entry as far as I’m concerned.

925.      

‘Heartbeats’, The Knife (2002)

Influenced by: Falling • Julee Cruise (1989)   

Influence on: When I Grow Up • Fever Ray (2009)   

Covered by: José González (2003) • Scala & Kolacny Brothers (2006) • Emmerson Nogueira (2008)   

Other key tracks: You Take My Breath Away (2003) • Pass This On (2003)

I, like many, heard this song first through José González’ cover version, a song that I did genuinely enjoy. This is the first time I’ve ever heard the original and I do prefer it at first listen. It is a quirkier take, synth and electro tones at the forefront, though the biggest boon to this is the lead singer’s vocals. Haunting in sound especially when compared to the relatively upbeat sound of the music, it is this clash that makes it a really good song.

[MalaCloudy Black]

I don't mind Weezer's hit singles, but that said, I'm pretty "ehhhh" on the idea that there's a Weezer song you have to hear before you die. They're just... fine. 

[Colly]

Fun (possibly stretching the definition of fun) story, I saw the guy from Aqualung a couple of years earlier when he was in the 45s, who were quite possibly the most generic post Britpop band you'd ever hear. Supporting Shed Seven. They seem to be unfindable on Spotify, but I think I've got a demo CD in a box in my loft.

On Weezer quite brilliantly they've been my most played band on Spotify for the last couple of years, but solely because I've downloaded the "This is Weezer" playlist and I can happily listen to it on long car journeys or while working. They've got such a good library of good pop songs, but with the exception of the obvious albums I've never dug much deeper and I don't think I've ever heard that song.

Oh, and the early Interpol singles were lovely.

[Gorka]

I have had 'Turn on the Bright Lights' on rotation this year, and it's a great album. I'll never understand the Joy Divison comparisons that flit about online, however.

'Untitled' is a good pick, my personal choice would be 'NYC'.

[gunnar hendershow]

Nothing done by Weezer, who I like (when they're doing what they do well vs doing whatever they usually do), in the 2000s needs to be heard before you die.

I was a very big Interpol fan during the 00s, not the song I would've picked by them though. I think they have a deeper catalog than a lot of the "polished post-punk" contemporaries that came up with them. But no song of theirs is as massive as "Mr. Brightside" or "Somebody Told Me". 

Not too familiar with the Aqualung tune.

This is a really good pick for Timberlake. His better solo work is still to come but this, in terms of significance, is a great inclusion. As you said it solidified him as a solo artist and not just the face of boy bands.

I haven't listened to The Knife in well over a decade but the minute I saw this song title in the list I began humming it in my head. Best song of this whole bunch. 

[RPS]

How is Like I Love You the song picked by Justin Timberlake? Cry Me A River is the superior song. However, in the #FreeBritney era, it is definitely a questionable choice. Devoid of the context of it shaming Britney Spears, Cry Me A River is probably one of the best pop songs of the 00s. Even if it were not Cry Me A River, it would be Rock Your Body. Like I Love You is so boring and safe. Rock Your Body is even a great inclusion because it is the Neptunes at their actual peak. The production is insane. The bass line, the high hat, Justin Timberlake's vocal performance. Chefs kiss. 

This list was 4 meh songs and Heartbeats by the Knife, which is exceptional songs. 

[Liam]

926.     

‘Fuck Me Pumps’, Amy Winehouse (2003)

Influenced by: Afro • Erykah Badu (1997)   

Influence on: Mercy • Duffy (2008)   

Other key tracks: Help Yourself (2003) • (There Is) No Greater Love (2003) • Take the Box (2003) • Round Midnight (2003) • Stronger Than Me (2003) • What It Is (2003) • Know You Now (2003)

This seems to make the list not only because it comes from Winehouse’s debut album, but because the lyrical content arguably parallels the person she would eventually be portrayed as in the media. Winehouse was always someone that I thought had undeniable talent, yet was never a huge fan of her work, and I feel the same about this song for the most part. What interested me was that I felt it had a Fugees-esque sound, only for the book to mention how the producer had worked with that group, perhaps explaining the similarity in production and sound. Winehouse definitely needed to be on here, but a better song probably should have made the list.

927.      

‘Strict Machine’, Goldfrapp (2003)

Influenced by: Knock on Wood • Amii Stewart (1978)   

Influence on: Some Girls • Rachel Stevens (2004)   

Other key tracks: White Soft Rope (2003) • Hairy Trees (2003) • Train (2003) • Lovely Head (2003) • Deer Stop (2003) • Sartorious (2003)

It felt like there was a time where Goldfrapp were everywhere, as much as you can be for a band who produce music that isn’t conventional pop. I don’t believe I know any other Goldfrapp songs if I’m being honest, though this one is a very strong offering. The synthy 70s vibe and electronic elements give it an otherworldly feel that ties in nicely with the lyrical content. Not much more to add – a good song is a good song.

928.      

‘Step Into My Office, Baby’, Belle and Sebastien (2003)  

Influenced by: Conventioneers • Barenaked Ladies (2000)   

Influence on: Lovers in the Backseat • Scissor Sisters (2004)   

Other key tracks: Love on the March (2003) • Desperation Made a Fool of Me (2003)

Belle and Sebastien are an act that I’ve always felt should have been in my wheelhouse musically, yet I’ve never listened to much of their stuff outside of incidental stuff on television. Perhaps if I give them a try, a whole new world of musical fulfilment will open up for me? Who knows? The interesting thing here is that it was produced by Trevor Horn, famous for his work with the Pet Shop Boys. This afforded the band the production to make an assault on the Top 40 with this song, a jaunty take on an office romance. It maintains what I believe to be their jaunty style, with a real ear for a hooky melody. Fun stuff, though a debatable choice as I’m not entirely sure the methodology behind its inclusion.

929.      

‘Run’, Snow Patrol

Influenced by: Promenade • U2 (1985)   

Influence on: SRXT • Bloc Party (2007)   

Covered by: Tre Lux (2006) • Three Graces (2008) • Leona Lewis (2008) • Voice Male (2009) • Jennylyn Mercado (2010)

This, and the subsequent by Leona Lewis, were huge songs, at least in the UK. The production makes things feel big, whilst the song has lyrics that beg to be chanted along by festival fans who have had a beer or three. Is it any good though? I think your mileage may vary. It is another that some will see as affirming; some will just see it as plainly boring. As for myself, I can see the appeal, but it isn’t really for me.

930.      

‘Maps’, Yeah Yeah Yeahs (2003)

Influenced by: U.F.O. • E.S.G. (1981)   

Influence on: The Other Side of Mt. Heart Attack • Liars (2006)   

Covered by: The White Stripes (2004) • Arcade Fire (2005) • Dept. of Good and Evil featuring Rachel Z (2007) • Rogue Wave (2009)

I’m not a particularly huge fan of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, but there is an argument I could make for ‘Maps’ being one of my favourite songs of all time – it usually sits up there alongside ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’. The stripped back yet hypnotic rhythm section, the genuine lyrics about a tortured relationship, the quavering vocals that feel so real within the moment – I love everything about it.  Every flourish, whether vocal or musical, works to create a song that never fails not to move me or engage me. Excellent song, excellent inclusion.

 

This is the first five song selection (I believe) where all of the songs have been given an 'Influenced by/Influence on' box. Maybe underserving in some circumstances, but worthy of note.

[Malenko]

Haven't commented lately but I've been listening to all of these songs and reading your comments on them.

As for this batch, unlike you, I really like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and I also like them very much live. I like this particular song although I wouldn't put it in my top of Yeah Yeah Yeahs songs.

Snow Patrol have stuff I like and stuff I really don't care for. However, I do like this song a lot. Again, we're on opposite poles here but I see how many people can find it boring.

I'm not a big fan of Goldfrapp but I don't dislike this song. My girlfriend loves them though, so I've heard plenty of their stuff.

The other 2 songs, though, I believe we're on the same page there.

[MalaCloudy Black]

I'm only really familiar with Amy Winehouse. I would have picked something off her 2nd album, like You Know I'm No Good.

[Colly]

It's chronological, I'd imagine she'll be back.

[gunnar hendershow]

Wow that's a lot of "boy did I listen to all of these artists 15 years ago" but outside of "Maps" it might not be the song I'd have picked for any? I want to say Snow Patrol and Amy Winehouse will be back with the bigger hits they had 3-4 years later. I'll accept "Strict Machine" as Goldfrapp's biggest hit but hard for me to put it in this list when they had some other songs that capture their overall style a bit better.

Belle and Sebastian are much more a deep catalog band than having one particular song you *must* listen to. So they're never going to get the choice right for them.

[Liam]

931.      

‘Toxic’, Britney Spears (2003)

This is a very good, edgy pop song that served as the ultimate transition of Spears from bubblegum pop starlet to something a little sexier (though her previous time spent in a red all in one catsuit wasn’t exactly pitched at the child fans). There’s a sweatiness to the whole sound – I can’t think of a better way of putting it – and the lyrics are catchy, whilst also mimicking the transition that a lot of teenage Britney fans themselves were heading towards in their own lives: a world of sex and (occasionally toxic) relationships. The enduring nature of this song, one that still finds airplay on radios today, speaks to how good it is in my opinion.

932.      

'Destroy Rock and Roll’, Mylo (2003)

This is a song from an album that I primarily remember just for how eyecatching the cover was – it was the type of album that stood out on the shelves of the various HMVs I’d find my way into in my teens and 20s. This is an interesting choice as it was largely done by Myles Macinnes’ bedroom and involves a list of musical acts alongside some samples and disco beats. I’m guessing it is the DIY nature of the song that sees it onto the list, though it is a pretty catchy little number in its own right.

933.      

‘Mr Brightside’, The Killers (2003)

I remember first hearing this song in 2003 and being absolutely blown away by it. From the opening guitar to the urgency of the drums, all coupled with the lyrics about a cheating partner in a relationship, I was hooked. I bought the album and genuinely enjoyed it all, though my interest in the Killers largely lived and died with that debut album. This was almost designed to be a song for singalongs, drunken or otherwise, and was always a massive hit when at the indie clubs I frequented when I was younger (and cooler) in the mid 00s.

934.      

‘Televators’, The Mars Volta (2003)

There are moments in your musical fandom when you run into something that makes you realise that there is music beyond what you are currently entrenched in, music that can challenge and sounds weird and wonderful all at once. ‘Deloused in the Comatorium’ was an album that had that impact upon me. It took several weeks, many listens, before it really all clicked, but when it did, I was left with one of my favourite albums of that time in my life. Admittedly, I wouldn’t have chosen this song for the list, but as it is a step away from the punky proggy deluge of other songs and one that (I believe) got a music video, I can see why it ended up being the choice. Again, my interest in the Mars Volta didn’t really last much beyond the first couple of albums, but this is still a CD that I will enjoy from time to time.

935.      

‘Through The Wire’, Kanye West (2003)

Influenced by: Through the Fire • Chaka Khan (1984)   

Influence on: Through the Wire (L.L.T. Remix) Lo Life Thugs (2003) 

Covered by: Soul Providers (2006)   

Other key tracks: All Fall Down (2004) • Slow Jamz (2004) • Jesus Walks (2004)

Whether you like him or not, it is hard to argue that Kanye West doesn’t have some serious musical chops. Whilst this is another example of a song which I wouldn’t have chosen personally compared to others in his back catalogue, the story of this being recorded after a car crash left him with his jaw wired shut as well as the sped up Chaka Khan hook that gave the songs its unique sound explain away that decision. It wouldn’t really be the list without some acknowledgement of Kanye, so this is as good a shout as any.