The 250 Greatest Songs of the 21st Century So Far: Rolling Stone List

The 250 Greatest Songs of the 21st Century So Far

Discuss

 

Didn't read the whole list, just the top 25. Love that Maps made it in at number 2. One of those songs where every cover or interpretation of it is a winner, just a universally great song, no matter who's singing it.

I'm sure I remember another RS list that had Get Ur Freak On at number 1 - possibly they've done this list up to 2020 before?

 

They did a top 500 of all time and it made the top 10

 

Scrolling through now trying to listen to blind spots. Outside of the typical Rolling Stone shitty poptimism rankings, there are a lot of good picks in here.

 

This Rauw Alejandro song is cool

 

There are not 149 songs better than "Ride Wit Me"

EDIT:
There's not 121 songs better than "212" either

EDIT:
...81 songs... "Hey Ya"

 

Anyone got a good copy and paste of the list?

 

lot of fun stuff ànd I respect the top 5 for sure but amazed there’s no gotye or mgmt in the top 100. Hey ya below à boygenius cut got a laugh out of me as well

 

List contains a lot of good stuff and some stuff I don't like. The order of it all was pretty ass but I kinda just take the actual order as the bait I guess

Super insightful stuff Dustin

 

There’s the official Spotify playlist which has all the songs in order without suffering through the RS website;

Did a very quick google and couldn’t find a copy and pastable list yet though.

 

Scrolling through the list for me personally it’s interesting to see there’s a clear point around 2016 or so where I age out / stop paying attention to the big pop hits.

Everything pre 2016 or thereabouts I’ve heard and can recognise, even if I don’t particularly like the song. After that point, while I’m sure I’ve probably heard these songs in shops or in pubs or whatever, I just don’t really know them anymore.

 

250. Train, ‘Drops of Jupiter’ (2001)
249. Tweet, ‘Oops (Oh My)’ (2002)
248. Fleet Foxes, ‘Tiger Mountain Peasant Song’ (2008)
247. Avicii, ‘Levels’ (2011)
246. Post Malone and Swae Lee, ‘Sunflower’ (2018)
245. Tego Calderón, ‘Pa’ Que Retozen’ (2002)
244. Warren Zevon, ‘Keep Me in Your Heart’ (2003)
243. Davido feat. Musa Keys, ‘Unavailable’ (2023)
242. Scarface, ‘My Block’ (2002)
241. Wheatus, ‘Teenage Dirtbag’ (2000)
240. Mac Miller, ‘2009’ (2018)
239. Skrillex feat. Sirah, ‘Bangarang’ (2011)
238. Bleachers, ‘I Wanna Get Better’ (2014)
237. Kid Cudi, ‘Day ‘n’ Nite’ (2008)
236. Shaboozey, ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy)’ (2024)
235. Foo Fighters, ‘Times Like These’ (2002)
234. J Balvin and Willy William, ‘Mi Gente’ (2017)
233. John Prine, ‘Summer’s End’ (2018)
232. Tems, ‘Free Mind’ (2020)
231. Florida Georgia Line, ‘Cruise’ (2012)
230. Mastodon, ‘Blood and Thunder’ (2004)
229. Old 97’s, ‘Rollerskate Skinny’ (2001)
228. Rema, ‘Woman’ (2020)
227. Tyler Childers, ‘Feathered Indians’ (2017)
226. 5 Seconds of Summer, ‘Youngblood’ (2018)
225. Bright Eyes, ‘First Day of My Life’ (2005)
224. The Knife, ‘Heartbeats’ (2002)
223. Kanye West feat. Rihanna and Kid Cudi, ‘All of the Lights’ (2010)
222. Paul Simon, ‘Rewrite’ (2011)
221. The Mountain Goats, ‘No Children’ (2002)
220. Ke$ha, ‘Tik Tok’ (2009)
219. Father John Misty, ‘Holy Shit’ (2015)
218. T-Pain, ‘I’m Sprung’ (2005)
217. Rich Boy feat. Polow Da Don, ‘Throw Some D’s’ (2006)
216. Old Crow Medicine Show, ‘Wagon Wheel’ (2004)
215. Lizzo, ‘Truth Hurts’ (2017)
214. The Hold Steady, ‘Killer Parties’ (2004)
213. Taylor Swift, ‘Love Story’ (2008)
212. Doja Cat feat. SZA, ‘Kiss Me More’ (2021)
211. Alabama Shakes, ‘Hold On’ (2012)
210. Usher feat. Lil Jon and Ludacris, ‘Yeah!’ (2004)
209. Aventura feat. Don Omar, ‘Ella y Yo’ (2005)
208. Ashlee Simpson, ‘Pieces of Me’ (2004)
207. Rich Gang feat. Young Thug and Rich Homie Quan, ‘Lifestyle’ (2014)
206. NewJeans, ‘Hype Boy’ (2022)
205. Green Day, ‘Jesus of Suburbia’ (2004)
204. Pop Smoke, ‘Welcome to the Party’ (2009)
203. Original Koffee, ‘Toast’ (2019)
202. Rauw Alejandro, ‘Todo de Ti’ (2021)
201. Gucci Mane, ‘Lemonade’ (2009)
200. FKA Twigs, ‘Cellophane’ (2019)
199. Leonard Cohen, ‘You Want It Darker’ (2016)
198. Three 6 Mafia feat. Young Buck, 8Ball, and MJG, ‘Stay Fly’ (2005)
197. Toni Braxton, ‘He Wasn’t Man Enough’ (2000)
196. Radiohead, ‘There, There’ (2003)
195. Evanescence, ‘Bring Me to Life’ (2003)
194. SZA, ‘Drew Barrymore’ (2017)
193. Parquet Courts, ‘Stoned and Starving’ (2012)
192. Ed Sheeran, ‘The A Team’ (2011)
191. Phoenix, ‘1901’ (2009)
190. Rae Sremmurd, ‘No Flex Zone’ (2014)
189. Grimes, ‘Oblivion’ (2012)
188. Wisin & Yandel, ‘Rakata’ (2005)
187. MGMT, ‘Kids’ (2007)
186. Beyoncé, ‘Cuff It’ (2022)
185. Los Tigres del Norte, ‘Somos Más Americanos’ (2001)
184. OutKast, ‘Ms. Jackson’ (2000)
183. Billie Eilish, ‘Happier Than Ever’ (2021)
182. Brandi Carlile, ‘The Story’ (2007)
181. Rihanna feat. Drake, ‘Work’ (2016)
180. Kings of Leon, ‘Use Somebody’ (2008)
179. Juanes, ‘Es Por Ti’ (2002)
178. Amerie, ‘1 Thing’ (2005)
177. Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, ‘Shallow’ (2018)
176. Car Seat Headrest, ‘Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales’ (2016)
175. Aaliyah, ‘Rock the Boat’ (2001)
174. System of a Down, ‘Chop Suey!’ (2001)
173. Waxahatchee, ‘Lilacs’ (2020)
172. Ciara feat. Missy Elliott, ‘1, 2 Step’ (2004)
171. T.I., ‘What You Know’ (2006)
170. Girls’ Generation, ‘Gee’ (2009)
169. Jimmy Eat World, ‘The Middle’ (2001)
168. The Chicks, ‘Long Time Gone’ (2002)
167. Sabrina Carpenter, ‘Espresso’ (2024)
166. Jay-Z and Linkin Park, ‘Numb/Encore’ (2004)
165. Café Tacvba, ‘Eres’ (2003)
164. The Flaming Lips, ‘Do You Realize??’ (2002)
163. TV on the Radio, ‘Wolf Like Me’ (2006)
162. Drake, ‘Marvins Room’ (2011)
161. Taylor Swift, ‘Cruel Summer’ (2019)
160. Chief Keef feat. Lil Reese, ‘I Don’t Like’ (2012)
159. Modest Mouse, ‘Float On’ (2004)
158. Kendrick Lamar feat. Jay Rock, ‘Money Trees’ (2012)
157. Johnny Cash, ‘Hurt’ (2002)
156. Blink-182 ‘I Miss You’ (2003)
155. Alicia Keys, ‘Fallin’’ (2001)
154. J. Cole, ‘Middle Child’ (2019)
153. Beck, ‘Lost Cause’ (2002)
152. Pink, ‘So What’ (2008)
151. Vampire Weekend, ‘A-Punk’ (2008)
150. Nelly feat. City Spud, ‘Ride Wit Me’ (2000)
149. Alvvays, ‘Archie, Marry Me’ (2013)
148. Jason Isbell, ‘Cover Me Up’ (2013)
147. Travis Scott feat. Drake, ‘Sicko Mode’ (2018)
146. Ivy Queen, ‘Quiero Bailar’ (2003)
145. Miguel, ‘Adorn’ (2012)
144. Zach Bryan feat. Kacey Musgraves, ‘I Remember Everything’ (2023)
143. Icona Pop feat. Charli XCX, ‘I Love It’ (2012)
142. Blackpink, ‘Ddu-Du Ddu-Du’ (2018)
141. Coldplay, ‘The Scientist’ (2002)
140. M.O.P. feat. Busta Thymes, Teflon, and Remi Martin, ‘Ante Up’ (2000)
139. Rilo Kiley, ‘Portions for Foxes’ (2004)
138. Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z, ‘Déjà Vu’ (2006)
137. Maren Morris, ‘My Church’ (2015)
136. Mike Jones feat. Slim Thug and Paul Wall, ‘Still Tippin’’ (2004)
135. Tyla, ‘Water’ (2023)
134. Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee feat. Justin Beiber, ‘Despacito’ (2017)
133. Rihanna feat. Jay-Z, ‘Umbrella’ (2007)
132. Avril Lavigne, ‘Complicated’ (2002)
131. Gorillaz, ‘Clint Eastwood’ (2001)
130. Selena Gomez, ‘Hands to Myself’ (2015)
129. Megan Thee Stallion feat. Beyoncé, ‘Savage Remix’ (2020)
128. The Postal Service, ‘Such Great Heights’ (2003)
127. Lorde, ‘Green Light’ (2017)
126. Lucy Dacus, ‘Night Shift’ (2017)
125. Gyptian, ‘Hold You’ (2010)
124. Mary J. Blige, ‘Family Affair’ (2001)
123. Fountains of Wayne, ‘Hackensack’ (2003)
122. Azealia Banks feat. Lazy Jay, ‘212’ (2011)
121. Eminem, ‘Stan’ (2000)
120. Destiny’s Child, ‘Survivor’ (2001)
119. Sky Ferreira, ‘You’re Not the One’ (2013)
118. Childish Gambino, ‘Redbone’ (2016)
117. The Shins, ‘New Slang’ (2001)
116. Bruce Springsteen, ‘Land of Hope and Dreams’ (2012)
115. Little Big Town, ‘Girl Crush’ (2014)
114. Taylor Swift, ‘Blank Space’ (2014)
113. Natalia Lafourcade, ‘Hasta La Raíz’ (2015)
112. Panic! at the Disco, ‘I Write Sins Not Tragedies’ (2005)
111. Calle 13, ‘Querido FBI’ (2005)
110. Courtney Barnett, ‘Depreston’ (2015)
109. Karol G and Nicki Minaj, ‘Tusa’ (2019)
108. The New Pornographers, ‘Letter From an Occupant’ (2000)
107. Kylie Minogue, ‘Can’t Get You Out of My Head’ (2001)
106. One Direction, ‘Fireproof’ (2014)
105. Kelis, ‘Milkshake’ (2003)
104. Miley Cyrus, ‘Wrecking Ball’ (2013)
103. Florence + the Machine, ‘Dog Days Are Over’ (2008)
102. Lady Gaga, ‘Poker Face’ (2008)
101. Missy Elliott, ‘Work It’ (2002)
100. Frank Ocean, ‘Novacane’ (2011)
99. The Hives, ‘Hate to Say I Told You So’ (2000)
98. Carrie Underwood, ‘Before He Cheats’ (2005)
97. Lana Del Rey, ‘Video Games’ (2011)
96. My Chemical Romance, ‘Welcome to the Black Parade’ (2006)
95. Burna Boy, ‘Last Last’ (2022)
94. Dua Lipa, ‘Levitating’ (2020)
93. Eric Church, ‘Springsteen’ (2011)
92. Sean Paul, ‘Get Busy’ (2002)
91. Tyler, the Creator, ‘Yonkers’ (2011)
90. Broken Social Scene, ‘Anthems for a Seventeen Year-Old Girl’ (2002)
89. Justin Timberlake, ‘Mirrors’ (2013)
88. Madonna, ‘Hung Up’ (2005)
87. Chris Stapleton, ‘Tennessee Whiskey’ (2015)
86. Charli XCX, ‘Vroom Vroom’ (2016)
85. Arctic Monkeys, ‘Do I Wanna Know?’ (2013)
84. Justin Bieber, ‘Sorry’ (2015)
83. The Rapture, ‘House of Jealous Lovers’ (2002)
82. OutKast, ‘Hey Ya!’ (2003)
81. Bad Bunny, ‘Baile Inolvidable’ (2025)
80. Boygenius, ‘Not Strong Enough’ (2023)
79. Fall Out Boy, ‘Sugar, We’re Goin Down’ (2005)
78. Future, ‘March Madness’ (2015)
77. Rosalía, ‘Malamente (Cap.1: Augurio)’ (2018)
76. Lil Nas X, ‘Old Town Road’ (2018)
75. Kanye West, ‘Jesus Walks’ (2004)
74. David Bowie, ‘Blackstar’ (2015)
73. Cardi B, ‘Bodak Yellow’ (2017)
72. Bon Iver, ‘Skinny Love’ (2007)
71. Harry Styles, ‘As It Was’ (2022)
70. Clipse feat. Ab-Liva, ‘Ride Around Shining’ (2006)
69. Arcade Fire, ‘Rebellion (Lies)’ (2004)
68. Miranda Lambert, ‘The House That Built Me’ (2009)
67. ’NSync, ‘Bye Bye Bye’ (2000)
66. Wilco, ‘Impossible Germany’ (2007)
65. Kendrick Lamar, ‘Not Like Us’ (2024)
64. Peso Pluma and Eslabon Armado, ‘Ella Baila Sola’ (2023)
63. Paramore, ‘Still Into You’ (2013)
62. Solange, ‘Cranes in the Sky’ (2016)
61. Bob Dylan, ‘Things Have Changed’ (2000)
60. Lil Wayne, ‘A Milli’ (2008)
59. Phoebe Bridgers, ‘Motion Sickness’ (2017)
58. DJ Snake feat. Lil Jon, ‘Turn Down for What’ (2013)
57. U2, ‘Beautiful Day’ (2000)
56. Shakira feat. Alejandro Sanz, ‘La Tortura’ (2005)
55. Katy Perry, ‘Teenage Dream’ (2010)
54. 50 Cent, ‘In Da Club’ (2003)
53. Nicki Minaj feat. 2 Chainz, ‘Beez in the Trap’ (2012)
52. Franz Ferdinand, ‘Take Me Out’ (2004)
51. Disclosure feat. Sam Smith, ‘Latch’ (2012)
50. Haim, ‘The Wire’ (2013)
49. Maxwell, ‘Pretty Wings’ (2009)
48. M.I.A., ‘Paper Planes’ (2007)
47. Lil Uzi Vert, ‘XO Tour Llif3’ (2017)
46. Amy Winehouse, ‘Back to Black’ (2006)
45. Kacey Musgraves, ‘Follow Your Arrow’ (2013)
44. Migos feat. Lil Uzi Vert, ‘Bad and Boujee’ (2016)
43. Drake feat. Majid Jordan, ‘Hold On, We’re Going Home’ (2013)
42. Carly Rae Jepsen, ‘Call Me Maybe’ (2011)
41. The Weeknd, ‘Blinding Lights’ (2019)
40. Ariana Grande, ‘Thank U, Next’ (2018)
39. Eminem, ‘Lose Yourself’ (2002)
38. Olivia Rodrigo, ‘Drivers License’ (2021)
37. BTS, ‘Spring Day’ (2017)
36. Mitski, ‘Your Best American Girl’ (2016)
35. LCD Soundsystem, ‘All My Friends’ (2007)
34. Lorde, ‘Ribs’ (2013)
33. Lana Del Rey, ‘Venice Bitch’ (2018)
32. Beyoncé, ‘Formation’ (2016)
31. Kelly Clarkson, ‘Since U Been Gone’ (2004)
30. Usher, ‘Confessions Part II’ (2004)
29. UGK feat. OutKast, ‘Int’l Players Anthem (I Choose You)’ (2007)
28. Daft Punk, ‘One More Time’ (2000)
27. Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris, ‘We Found Love’ (2011)
26. The Killers, ‘Mr. Brightside’ (2003)
25. Jay-Z, ‘99 Problems’ (2003)
24. D’Angelo, ‘Untitled (How Does It Feel)’ (2000)
23. Chappell Roan, ‘Pink Pony Club’ (2020)
22. Wizkid feat. Tems, ‘Essence’ (2020)
21. Lady Gaga, ‘Bad Romance’ (2009)
20. Steve Lacy, ‘Bad Habit’ (2022)
19. Adele, ‘Someone Like You’ (2011)
18. Billie Eilish, ‘Bad Guy’ (2019)
17. Drake, ‘Hotline Bling’ (2015)
16. Mariah Carey, ‘We Belong Together’ (2005)
15. OutKast, ‘B.O.B. (Bombs Over Baghdad)’ (2000)
14. Daddy Yankee, ‘Gasolina’ (2004)
13. SZA, ‘Snooze’ (2022)
12. The Strokes, ‘Last Nite’ (2001)
11. Bad Bunny, Ñengo Flow, and Jowell and Randy, ‘Safaera’ (2020)
10. Frank Ocean, ‘Thinkin Bout You’ (2012)
9. Britney Spears, ‘Toxic’ (2003)
8. Radiohead, ‘Idioteque’ (2000)
7. Kendrick Lamar, ‘Alright’ (2015)
6. Robyn, ‘Dancing on My Own’ (2010)
5. Taylor Swift, ‘All Too Well’ (2012)
4. The White Stripes, ‘Seven Nation Army’ (2003)
3. Beyoncé feat. Jay Z, ‘Crazy in Love’ (2003)
2. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, ‘Maps’ (2003)
1. Missy Elliott, ‘Get Ur Freak On’ (2001)

 

Looking at it again the thing that got me was "Ms Jackson". That was the moment I had to force myself to ignore the rankings so I didn't get mad

 

Cool to see my chem in the top 100

 

Was specifically perusing for Bon Iver to be on here, and Skinny Love being the pick is definitely not what I was expecting (but I guess I should have). I realize it's his most commercial song, but nowhere near his greatest.

Same for JEW - happy to see them make the list, but The Middle could only be their "greatest" song if you haven't heard many others.

I know these lists are just meant to stir up conversation, but it mostly makes me feel super out of touch. Is it not okay for deeper cuts to be considered better songs than singles? Eh, this is a rhetorical question and one that I realize does not need to be answered by this particular list in the first place.

 

I thought it was interesting to see Jesus of Suburbia being the only Green Day song on here, I for sure thought I'd see American Idiot or Boulevard of Broken Dreams. But to the Bon Iver and Jimmy point, lists like these hardly ever have songs that are an artist's best but more like what's their most culturally important (same thing goes for Welcome to the Black Parade....I love like 30 other MCR songs more)

 

I tried to exercise my own brain on what kind of songs would make my list, and I came to the conclusion that if I included a ton of deep cuts I would legitimately never get it done haha. So while I do think there are a lot of deep cuts that shine bright (and I know your question was rhetorical), I get excluding em

 

Paste Magazine is doing this now but for albums.

The 250 Greatest Albums of the 21st Century So Far (Paste Magazine version) • forum.chorus.fm