Top 10 2000s Songs That Were Ahead of Their Time
#10: “Feel Good Inc.” (2005)
Gorillaz
Starting as a side project for Blur’s Damon Albarn, Gorillaz became a multi-media spectacle like few others. Their second album “Demon Days” contained several hit songs such as “Feel Good Inc.” It felt like a vibrant genre cocktail with guitars, dance, and hip-hop all mixed together. De La Soul hammered out a memorable verse one minute, while the bridge spins you into a meditative state. This production keeps you guessing and still feels fresh today. Albarn and his collaborators showed that an animated band had legs, pushing music further with a focus on quality and originality.
#9: “Break the Ice” (2008)
Britney Spears
She conquered pop more than a few times, but Britney Spears switched gears and maybe started trends on “Blackout.” “Break the Ice” gives the artist a chance to explore electronic, dance, and synth pop among other sounds. Her vocals sit well over a track that’s more complicated than it first seems. Just like her thrilling debut, this single might’ve foretold the future of music in unexpected ways. It capitalized on the vibes of the late 2000s, but also could’ve been a hit in the 2010s with its high-powered tones. You can imagine Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, and others taking notes.
#8: “Crazy” (2006)
Gnarls Barkley
CeeLo Green was a singer in his own right, but his collaboration with Danger Mouse took him to new heights. “Crazy” is the main single by side project of Gnarls Barkley. Taking the music world by storm, the hit was almost inescapable back in the mid-2000s. The song’s mix of soul, rock, and even elements of pop connected with a massive audience. It had something for everyone along with an incredible chorus and sample. The singer hits a high note that’s unforgettable, cutting through generations on this dynamic production. Danger Mouse’s is at the top of his game, creating a sound that transcends traditional genre clichés. It’s the kind of 2000s song way ahead of its time and one we might never hear again.
#7: “Low” (2007)
Flo Rida feat. T-Pain
This ranks among the strongest party anthems of the 2000s. Flo Rida was more than a pun and a hit single, bringing a vibrant track to clubs around the world. “Low” sends crunk to the masses with a dance twist. Hitmaker T-Pain joins the fold as the featured player, delivering a reference to jeans and boots that’ll never be forgotten. There’s an intensity here that you can’t shake either as the chorus knocks you over. You need a strong hook to make this kind of song timeless, with these artists coming together for a catchy success story. There’s no denying its power or its ability to make us happy all these years later.
#6: “The Modern Age” (2001)
The Strokes
At the dawn of the 2000s, The Strokes arrived to help kick off another rock revival. They established themselves as a premier alternative act with songs such as “The Modern Age” and “Last Nite”. The former was the first track off their first EP from the same year. Using dueling guitars, the musicians set the tone early before Julian Casablancas comes in with his vocals. The singer’s sharp instrument emerges and brings it all together. His bandmates work on a cool groove, while Casablancas raises and lowers his voice with key inflections. The rock genre came alive once more as Interpol, The Killers, and others soon followed.
#5: “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” (2001)
Kylie Minogue
This vocalist got started in the 1980s, but this song is a far cry from “The Loco-Motion.” Kyle Minogue likely changed the trajectory of her own career here. “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” might as well have been delivered directly from space aliens. Built around a techno-beat, this shiny production could be released today with little to no changes necessary. You could make an argument that this song influenced the 21st century nu-disco movement. Who knows where artists like Dua Lipa would be without this track guiding the way? The “Princess of Pop” certainly did a number on her respective genre with this release.
#4: “Paper Planes” (2008)
M.I.A.
Unless you were hip to her first album, you might not have known M.I.A. before this single. “Paper Planes” took a sample from The Clash and made it new again. Co-produced by Diplo, this track might’ve predated a whole decade of electronic-based music. The inclusion of the cash register noises and gunshots make this come alive. This song ended up in “Slumdog Millionaire” and went on to be an international success. It felt ready-made for the digital age, featuring both singular and unique artistic choices. Few songs could compete with this tightly-wound production.
#3: “One More Time” (2000)
Daft Punk
This track finds Daft Punk on the cutting edge, bringing electronic dance music into a new phase. Starting off the century strong, the duo took French House to another level with their song off of “Discovery.” It’s hard to imagine a more fitting title for a hit we can’t stop playing after several decades. “One More Time” is built around a hook that’s powerful in its simplicity. In the years that followed, the artists were copied, sampled, and became household names. An entire generation could probably trace their love of this genre back to this staggering tune.
#2: “Time to Pretend” (2008)
MGMT
The album “Oracular Spectacular” channels the beautiful mix of psychedelic music that made this group special. Singles like “Time to Pretend” feel like a snapshot of that era, if not the hopeful promise of what electronic and indie rock could be. MGMT and their contemporaries like Animal Collective knew how to take you on a space-age, dreamlike journey (xref). This particular song features seemingly tongue-in-cheek lyrics about the cult of celebrity. Using an awesome riff to start things off, the chorus sounds as profound as it did upon first release. There’s such a triumphant tone here that never seems to wear off.
#1: “B.O.B.” (2000)
Outkast
As one of the more innovative hip-hop groups of their time, Outkast couldn’t be pinned down. Their work on “Stankonia” kickstarted a decade of further experimentation. “Bombs Over Baghdad” found them rapping like their lives depended on it. Once the track goes off, it becomes one of the fastest and most electric songs of 2000. The drum and bass production lets the duo fly off the handle. André 3000’s tricky and meticulous lyrics rattle off like a machine gun. Not to be outdone, Big Boi joins the fold with one of his slickest verses ever. There are few rap singles as speedy or timelessly entertaining. It certainly started the millennium off in style.
Did we forget another precocious single from the 2000s? Let us know in the comments below.