RCA RecordsWe’re only 18 years into the 21st century, but Rolling Stone has decided to start ranking the best songs that have been released during that time.
The magazine’s list of the “100 Greatest Songs of the Century So Far” was compiled by artists, critics and industry insiders, and at the #1 position is “Crazy In Love” by Beyonce and JAY-Z. At the time, the two had just started dating. Rolling Stone quotes Beyonce as saying, “I asked Jay to get on the song the night before I had to turn my album in. Thank God he did. It still never gets old, no matter how many times I sing it.”
The number two song on the list is M.I.A.‘s controversial track “Paper Planes,” which became a huge hit after it appeared in the trailer for Seth Rogen‘s stoner comedy Pineapple Express.
Song #3 is “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes, and #4 is Outkast’s chart-topping song “Hey Ya!” Number five is “99 Problems by JAY-Z.”
Adele‘s #1 hit “Rolling in the Deep” checks in at #8, while Lorde‘s debut single “Royals” is #9. One of Kelly Clarkson‘s biggest hits ever, “Since U Been Gone,” is #11, and Britney Spears‘ standout single “Toxic” is #14.
“Crazy” by Gnarls Barkely — the duo Cee-Lo Green was a part of before The Voice ever existed — is #15. Missy Elliott has two songs in the top 20: “Work It” is #17, and “Get Ur Freak On” is #12. Amy Winehouse‘s “Rehab” rounds out the top 20. Lady Gaga just misses the top 20 — “Bad Romance” comes in at #21.
The rest of the list includes songs by pretty much every major musical figure of the past 18 years. Check it out at RollingStone.com.
Copyright © 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.