It is a fact that fantastic music has been produced in the past two decades, so I wanted to document some of the best songs from each year. Some of these picks and honorable mentions (especially those from the early 2000s) are not ones that one could listen to repetitively, but they are staples of the year they were released. Trust me, I am not one to listen to Eminem, but he came out with songs that have stuck with us all, which makes him relevant enough to put on the list. With that, here are my picks of the songs that I believe are the best from the past 21 years.
1. 2000: Yellow by Coldplay
Honorable Mentions:
The Real Slim Shady by Eminem
Ms. Jackson by Outkast
2. 2001: Island In the Sun by Weezer
Honorable Mentions:
Clint Eastwood by Gorillaz
Hard to Explain by The Strokes
We’re Going to Be Friends by The White Stripes
3. 2002: Can’t Stop by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Honorable Mentions:
Rock Your Body by Justin Timberlake
Sunday Morning by Maroon 5
4. 2003: Under Control by The Strokes
Honorable Mentions:
Hey Ya! by Outkast
In da Club by 50 Cent
5. 2004: H** Cakes by MF DOOM
Honorable Mentions:
Mr. Brightside by The Killers
All Falls Down by Kanye West
Take Me Out by Franz Ferdinand
6. 2005: Touch the Sky (feat. Lupe Fiasco) by Kanye West
Honorable Mentions:
Feel Good Inc. by Gorillaz
Dare by Gorillaz
7. 2006: Mardy Bum by Arctic Monkeys / Read My Mind by The Killers
Honorable Mentions:
Tears Dry On Their Own by Amy Winehouse
Stop This Train by John Mayer
8. 2007: I Wonder by Kanye West
Honorable Mentions:
Fluorescent Adolescent by Arctic Monkeys
Paper Planes by M.I.A.
9. 2008: Use Somebody by Kings of Leon
Honorable Mentions:
White Winter Hymnal by Fleet Foxes
Viva La Vida by Coldplay
10. 2009: Lisztomania by Phoenix
Honorable Mentions:
Day ‘n’ Nite by Kid Cudi
Imma Be by Black Eyed Peas
11. 2010: Zebra by Beach House
Passing Out Pieces by Mac DeMarco
Cherry Wine (Live) by Hozier
Adult Diversion by Alvvays
Come a Little Closer by Cage the Elephant
16. 2015: Jukebox Joints (feat. Joe Fox x Kanye West) by A$AP Rocky
Honorable Mentions:
These Walls (feat. Bilal, Anna Wise & Thundercat) by Kendrick Lamar
Disciples by Tame Impala
Death with Dignity by Sufjan Stevens
Wildflower by Beach House
Smuckers (feat. Lil Wayne & Kanye West) by Tyler, The Creator
17. 2016: Pink + White by Frank Ocean
Honorable Mentions:
Love on the Brain by Rihanna
Stargirl Interlude (feat. Lana Del Rey) by The Weeknd
Threat of Joy by The Strokes
Homage by Mild High Club
Redbone by Childish Gambino
18. 2017: Drew Barrymore by S.Z.A.
Honorable Mentions:
Blessed by Daniel Caesar
Moonlight on the River by Mac DeMarco
Saint Ivy by Beach Fossils
911 / Mr. Lonely (feat. Frank Ocean and Steve Lacy)
Safari Song by Greta Van Fleet
Andromeda by Gorillaz
19. 2018: Charcoal Baby by Blood Orange
Honorable Mentions:
Velvet Light by Jakob
Your Teeth In My Neck by Kali Uchis
When You Die by MGMT
Nobody by Mitski
20. 2019: GONE, GONE / THANK YOU by Tyler, The Creator
Honorable Mentions: Black Madonna by Cage the Elephant
Numb by Men I Trust
Cyanide by Daniel Caesar
Sunflower (feat. Steve Lacy) by Vampire Weekend
Hate CD by Steve Lacy
21. 2020: Hot Like Jungle by Pottery
Honorable Mentions:
The Garden by Papooz
Been Away by Brent Faiyaz
Breathe Deeper by Tame Impala
Savior Complex by Phoebe Bridgers
Good Days by S.Z.A.
22. 2021: HOT WIND BLOWS (feat. Lil Wayne) by Tyler, The Creator
Honorable Mentions:
I’ll Be There by Strawberry Guy
Rocky by Still Woozy
Age of Machine by Greta Van Fleet
IN THE MOMENT (feat. Tyler, The Creator) by Snoh Aalegra