The 100 Best Songs Of The Decade So Far (2010 - 2014)

in 140 Characters or Less!

Click above to listen to (almost) all of these songs in
one Spotify or Grooveshark playlist

100. TNGHT - Higher Ground
(Hudson Mohawke x Lunice) (2012)

Trap
Might just be me, but that bass drops my eyeballs into an empty determination, my only goal to fight someone. Slowly. Violently. Cheerfully.

99. Maroon 5 - Moves Like Jagger
[feat. Christina Aguilera] (2011)

Dance-Pop
It's rare that a song forces out every cheap trick in the dance-pop book yet manages to pull it off so perfectly. Naughty!

98. Jay Z - BBC [feat. Nas, Pharrell Williams, Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, Swizz Beatz] (2013)

East Coast Hip Hop
Surprising when this many egos (Jay, Nas, Pharrell, Beyonce, Timberlake, Timbaland) doesn't fall into a flexing max. It's about having fun.

97. Gogo Penguin - One Percent (2014)

Nu Jazz
A relaxed piano spiced with frantic bass lines and all-over-the-place drumming is why this slow orgasm deserves loads more attention. Yay!

96. Sam Smith - Money On My Mind (2014)

UK Garage Pop
Bit repetitive, but that chorus though? And that voice? And that semi-fresh subject matter? And that production? Thems for reals, yo.

95. Battles - Ice Cream [feat. Matias Aguayo] (2011)

Progressive Math Pop Rock
Like the title would suggest, this delightfully colourful summer jam is best enjoyed by the kid in you.

94. The Lonely Island - Threw It On The Ground (2011)

Comedy Rap
Is this just a hilarious gangster parody? Or is there a real life lesson in here? Whatever, I'M AN ADULT.

93. M83 - Midnight City (2011)

Synthpop
Childlike but not naive, this commercial gold is one of the biggest indie songs of the decade, and the opening deserves this mention alone.

92. Kendrick Lamar - Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe (2012)

West Coast Hip Hop
From the most important hip hop album of the decade, it's that fade-in/fade-out boy/girl delivery which really mellows me.

91. Gorillaz - Rhinestone Eyes (2010)

Electropop
Plastic as fuck with no shame, this clever pop song adapts itself perfectly to the surreal world Gorillaz built all by themselves.

90. Major Lazer - Jah No Partial
[feat. Flux Pavillion] (2012)

Brostep Ragga
The ideal meeting point between iree ragganess and filthy dubstep, that drop is a no-fucking-joke style of party.

89. Say Anything - Hebrews (2014)

Alternative Rock/Chamber Pop
Far from a great song and part of a genre I usually despise, I simply cannot deny this hook as one of my utmost favourites of the decade.

88. The Go! Team - T.O.R.N.A.D.O. (2011)

Indietronica
Comes out punching with in-your-face energy, ferociously pumped full of candy-hype and quirky madness, abandoning you in no time at all.

87. Casualties of Cool - Daddy (2014)

Country Rock
The versatile Townsend meets the alluring vocals of Dorval, and then a strange country ambience arrives which hypnotises me. It's spooky.

86. Rudimental - Feel The Love
[feat. John Newman] (2012)

Drum and Bass
Overplayed to the point of nausea, but this was such a hot dance floor banger that I yearn for summer again, and definitely feel the love.

85. Honeyblood - Super Rat (2014)

Indie Pop
A cute break-up song at heart, this repulsed message for an ex-lover comes across loud and clear. And I relate. I will hate you forever.

84. Oh Land - Flags (2014)

Indie Pop
Like an under-appreciated national anthem which jerks all over the world, one of the best hooks of the decade goes HOWWW HEYA HEYA HEYA!

83. Jens Lekman - Become Someone Else's (2012)

Chamber Pop
On this list for lyrical value above all else, here is a different sort of love song which makes me smile while I pain on the inside.

82. Marina and the Diamonds - Primadonna (2012)

Electropop
Holding up a bubble-wrapped mirror to manufactured pop music, you might get lost in the dance without realising she's insulting your ego.

81. Animal Collective - Today’s Supernatural (2012)

Neo-Psychedelia
The line "erratic seesaw" sums this song up perfectly; a colourful carnival warpedness melting like a messy acid trip gone horribly wrong.

80. Beyoncé - Countdown (2011)

Contemporary R&B
Beyoncé does pop differently, point proven with this fast-paced party song which is as fun as it is overwhelmed by sexual attitude.

79. Noisia - Split The Atom (2010)

Drum and Bass
Fight or fuck to it, this is produced for radio without losing any edge, hinting at something nasty without granting you the satisfaction.

78. La Roux - Sexotheque (2014)

Synthpop
A song about some dude cheating on his girlie, this is a sad topic surrounded by deliciously warm feels, featuring her greatest hook yet.

77. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Thrift Shop (2012)

Pop Rap
Who writes a song about a thrift shop? And who could predict said topic would smash the charts and win so many awards? Macklemore, I guess.

76. Eddie Vedder - Sleeping By Myself (2011)

Contemporary Folk
Pure ukulele and less than two minutes long, I first heard this song during my own severe heartbreak, and its relevancy destroyed me.

75. Violent Soho - Covered In Chrome (2013)

Post-Grunge
In an era where grungyrock is endangered, this simple yet effective loud/soft dynamic is skater fuel at its best. And that chorus? Yeah.

74. Eliza Doolittle - Mr Medicine (2011)

Sunshine Pop
Everything you want pop music to be: instantaneously catchy, lyrically relatable, clever rhyme schemes, and cute as fuck. Happiness is...

73. The National - Conversation 16 (2010)

Chamber Rock
As miserable and melodramatic as only The National know how, except I think this song is about zombies. One of the best bands in the world.

72. The Grand Spectacular - Being A Dickhead's Cool (2010)

Novelty
Picking apart the hipster culture with better quotes than your average day on Twitter, this is the E8 anthem, and I heard it before you.

71. Eminem - Rap God (2013)

Pop Rap
Eminem sucks dick now, but when a single enters the Guinness World Records for the most words ever (1,560), you've got to show some respect.

70. D'Angelo - Sugah Daddy (2014)

Neo-Soul
Funk pitter-pattered with Prince love, this is music to get up to, get on with, and get it on to. Sex music, is what I am saying.

69. Altar of Plagues - Burnt Year (2013)

Atmospheric Black Metal
This song is trapped in trouble and ill-health, desperately screaming for help, more scared than you are. The darkest point on this list.

68. Kreayshawn - Go Hard (La.La.La) (2012)

Pop Rap
Risky entry: Most people will hate this, which only makes me love it more. Go on and have a guilt-free dance, darling. Nobody is watching.

67. Here We Go Magic - Over The Ocean (2012)

Indie Rock
When the Radiohead producer produces you, you sound like Radiohead. Soothing. Reflective. Slow. Touching. Reluctant. Over the ocean indeed.

66. Janelle Monáe - Wondaland (2010)

Contemporary R&B, Art Pop
If Alice in Wonderland was a flirtatious robot who cleansed her naughtiness by attending church once a week, this would be the theme song.

65. Perfume Genius - Hood (2012)

Chamber Art Pop
It hits with genuine poignancy like an intimate confession; a quick break-up right to the heart; a gentle build-up which fucks you to tears.

64. Gang Gang Dance - Glass Jar (2011)

Neo-Psychedelia
It takes over six minutes to get anywhere, but when it does, it slaps you with exciting flavours from all around the world—even from space!

63. Rihanna - Cheers (Drink To That) (2011)

Pop
There's only one time and place for this song: the weekend. Feel free, celebrate your weekly survival, and get proper drunk while you do so.

62. Run The Jewels - Close Your Eyes (And Count To Fuck) [feat. Zack De La Rocha] (2014)

Hardcore Hip Hop
The most impressive factor here is how much the duo manage to outshine Zack, with an assault so hardcore you feel it in your nasal bridge.

61. Pharrell Williams - Happy (2013)

Pop Soul
The hint is in the title. Clap that shit out just to annoy depressed people, and all hail the king of modern day music relevancy.

60. Foster The People - Houdini (2011)

Indie Pop
Overwhelmed by the instant summer stick and overflowed by sounds which aren't immediately apparent, never has an MGMT rip sounded this good.

59. A$AP Rocky - Fashion Killa (2013)

East Coast Cloud Rap
With as much style as the name suggests and polished to perfection, I'll admit that the vocal manipulation technique is my achilles heel.

58. Miley Cyrus - We Can't Stop (2013)

Electropop
Rebellious teenage anthem! Take drugs! Fuck people! Do whatever you like! It's Miley's house! You go girl! You slut the fuck out of Disney!

57. DJ Fresh - Gold Dust [feat. Ce'Cile) (2010)

Drum and Bass
There's an iree party going on outside and it's not gonna wait for you, dude. Hurry up and grab your fun sneakers, let's go have a dance.

56. Kanye West - Black Skinhead (2013)

Hardcore Industrial Hip Hop
Marilyn Manson with more racial tension. Even these terrible lyrics couldn't prevent the vicious turn where Kanye got scary.

55. SBTRKT - Wildfire [feat. Little Dragon] (2011)

Future Garage
The pinnacle of downtempo future garage happens when you add Little Dragon's sensual vocals to the already well-blended SBTRKT smoothie.

54. Carly Rae Jepsen - Call Me Maybe (2011)

Teen Pop
Perfectly crafted to the point of presenting the hookiest pink fluff of the decade. And I would call you most definitely, Carly.

53. alt-J - Fitzpleasure (2012)

Indietronica Art Pop
Inspired by a fictional broom rape while music quirks out of nowhere, this song likes to takes things away, but then gives back even more.

52. Daft Punk - Get Lucky
[feat. Pharrell Williams] (2013)

Nu-Disco
Broke a bunch of records, packed out dance floors everywhere, is arguably the biggest 2010s track, and makes me feel optimistic all at once.

51. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Jubilee Street (2013)

Chamber Art Rock
Growing old in style, this one continuous build-up of seductive energy erupts all over your prophets. Close your eyes and look at me now.

50. Plan B - Ill Manors (2012)

UK Hip Hop
Are you fed up with being poor in the first world? Is your chav mentality frustrated in anger? Then fuck shit up, bruv.

49. PSY - Gangnam Style (2012)

K-Pop
Say what you will, but this list would not be complete without the most viewed Youtube video in history. It's in a league of its own.

48. When Saints Go Machine - Add Ends (2011)

Synthpop
Is this the freedom of dying after a life of struggle? Or the euphoria of standing up for the first time from a death bed? Either/or, I cry.

47. Behemoth - O Father O Satan O Sun! (2014)

Death Metal
Satan is coming like a freight train and you better get on your knees and praise His name or He's going to rip the flesh off of your body.

46. Azealia Banks - Nude Beach A Go-Go (2014)

Surf Rock
This sucker punch of fun must be really embarrassing for Ariel Pink. The best song he ever wrote isn't even performed by him. Ouch.

45. Beyoncé - XO (2013)

Contemporary R&B
Arguably the easiest stick from one of the decade's most essential albums, this song encourages, inspires, and fills the crowd with love.

44. Die Antwoord - Fatty Boom Boom (2012)

Hip House
This angry-catchy pop-culture attack may not be everyone's cup of rooibos, but it's mine, and nothing tastes like it. Nobody can argue that.

43. Gojira - L'Enfant Sauvage (2012)

Death Metal
No frills, no jokes, no gimmicks, no fucking around—this is modern metal at its utmost passionate and intimidating. It's very heavy.

42. Frank Turner - Tell Tale Signs (2013)

Folk Rock
Songs don't have to be cryptic. Sometimes it's just a dude being human and confiding in you. Which results in the best lyrics on this list.

41. Anamanaguchi - Meow (2013)

Chiptune
8bit madness with hyper nintendoenergy, this is chiptune with the highest possible crack volume, surprisingly created by real instruments.

40. Daughn Gibson - Tiffany Lou (2012)

Indietronica
Manly baritone vocals over oddly stuttering voice manipulation leads to be one of the most delightful (and memorable) songs of the decade.

39. Todd Terje - Svensk Sas (2014)

Nu-Disco
Frantic! Smile! Joy! Goofy! Optimistic! Laugh! Dance! Pink! Weirdness! Happiness! Reasonless! Playful! Lunatic! Oh, is it over already?

38. Jon Hopkins - Open Eye Signal (2013)

Microhouse IDM
Hypnotically druggy yet intelligently dancey. Layered to extreme depths without clutter. 8 minutes long yet too short. The electronic king.

37. Jai Paul - Jasmine (2013)

Alternative R&B
A bedroom recording made from whispery falsettos and bass molestation, this is about as contemporary and mysterious as R&B can get.

36. clipping - guns.up (2013)

Industrial Hip Hop
Keyword: abrasive. And yet with all the beatless harshness and unpredictable violence, this is still the most commercial track on the album.

35. Mark Ronson - Uptown Funk
[feat. Bruno Mars] (2014)

Synth Funk
Arguably the best thing either Ronson or Mars have touched, and if this is what the radio has been playing recently, then play on Mr Radio.

34. Pusha T - Numbers on the Boards (2013)

Gangsta Rap
Arrogant without losing its cool, this trademark Kanye production is probably the best hip hop beat of the 2010s.

33. Robin Thicke - Blurred Lines
[feat. Pharrell Williams, T.I.] (2013)

Pop Soul
Don't hate! It's overplayed for a reason and the sales don't lie, so even the feminists might as well have a bit of a dance.

32. Kanye West - POWER (2010)

Pop Rap
Utilising King Crimson's adrenaline and laughing while he bites you, Kanye is one of the few forerunners of the decade with this much power.

31. Massive Attack - Paradise Circus (2010)

Trip Hop
Combining their minimal darkness with Mazzy Star's dreams, this is the last great song they did while we watched them fall down.

30. Kitty - Ay Shawty 3.0 [feat. Lakutis] (2013)

Cloud Rap
How often does an artist write a song where she pursues a man only to get rejected? Although, I am bias, because I'M IN LOVE WITH YOU KITTY.

29. Bon Iver - Perth (2011)

Indie Folk
When it's cold in wartime, use this to warm you. It marches with so much emotion that I often consider it the most epic song I've heard.

28. Die Antwoord - Fok Julle Naaiers (2012)

Hardcore Hip Hop
Let's visit the Cape Flats. Spit blood to let me know when you're ready to fight. All hail the great white ninja.

27. James Blake - Limit To Your Love (2010)

Art Pop Dubstep
This changed everything. Minimal took on a new meaning. It was the future without being bothered. Feist must have wobbled in her panties.

26. Aphex Twin - minipops 67 [120.2] (2014)

IDM
That signature Aphex sound which no one else can reproduce, and probably the most focused thing he's ever done. Bow down to the master.

25. The Chariot - Cheek. (2012)

Metalcore
This song is essentially a speech by Charlie Chaplin at his utmost motivational, provoking goosebumps and tears every time. Life changing.

24. Kate Tempest - Marshall Law (2014)

UK Hip Hop
A heavy but not overly dramatic scene, this beat fucking floors me and her lyrical delivery is flawless. Underrated to a disgusting degree.

23. Santigold - Disparate Youth (2012)

Alternative Dance
Erupting with cultural flavour and sweet without sugar-coating, this inspired single is the perfect representation of the talent herself.

22. Radiohead - The Daily Mail (2011)

Art Rock
One long build-up and some of the best Yorke vocals in years, it's funny when the greatest King of Limbs song wasn't even on King of Limbs.

21. Frank Ocean - Thinkin About You (2012)

Contemporary R&B
Smothered by adolescent innocence and completely gimmick free, this proves that you need nothing but beautiful falsettos to carry a song.

20. Death Grips - System Blower (2012)

Industrial Hip Hop
System blower is right, as that drop is intensity to the max—the blueprint for that overly harsh rap which has become so popular these days.

19. Modeselektor - Pretentious Friends
[feat. Busdriver] (2011)

IDM Hip Hop
A faultless IDM/hip hop hybrid with hilarious lyrics and an absurd personality, once again Busdriver nailing yet another perfect guest slot.

18. La Dispute - I See Everything (2011)

Post-Hardcore
Telling the story of a seven-year-old lost to cancer, these monotone shouts illustrate this struggle with the most dire lyrics on this list.

17. Pepe Deluxé - A Night And A Day (2012)

Alternative Dance
Blasting an explosive gun in a Tarantino comic book set in an outer space western, this hyper smile covers everything unlike anything else.

16. Susanne Sundfør - White Foxes (2012)

Art Pop
A lost isolation orchestrated to perfection, with an unforgettable immediate euphoric depression which is as chilling as the name suggests.

15. Tame Impala - Elephant (2012)

Psychedelic Rock
An unpredictably surrealistic offering complete with blusier time signatures and synthier psychedelia. John Lennon would probably approve.

14. Noisia - Machine Gun [16bit Remix] (2010)

Electro House
Decidedly more heart-attack than the original, this remix is a machine gun exactly, where the bullets tear your skin off into a wet mess.

13. Tove Lo - Habits (Stay High)
[Hippie Sabotage Remix] (2014)

Chillstep
Take drugs to numb the sadness and dance your heartbreak away. Close your eyes and don't look at life. We've all been there.

12. Arcade Fire - Sprawl II
(Mountains Beyond Mountains) (2010)

Indie Rock
The epitome of what Arcade Fire do with a slice of Blondie, this song is more poppy than arty, crafted by magic and filled with wonder.

11. Neko Case - Nearly Midnight, Honolulu (2013)

Alternative A Capella
An a capella about a neglected child, this unpretentious abuse is so dark and emotional that I ache at how unknown it is.

10. Pogo - Joburg Jam (2011)

Plunderphonics
Cut-up incomprehensible vocals kissed with sunshine from the dirty African streets, it's a black and white mash which brings me back home.

09. Lorde - Royals (2013)

Indie Pop
A sexy voice beyond her years which came out of nowhere and spat one of the most original pop hooks from the future. Ya ya ya.

08. Andy Stott - Violence (2014)

UK Bass
A cautious murder executed quietly in the darkness, this song pulsates the apocalypse in your head while you know there is nowhere to hide.

07. M.I.A. - Bring the Noize (2013)

UK Hip Hop
A colourfully chaotic mess of percussion assaults, this may be a fun and quirky ride, but is one very unfriendly filthy helping of M.I.A.

06. The Knife - Full Of Fire (2013)

Industrial Techno
Cute insects anxiously annoy you then die in your ears, pushing all boundaries outwards. A 9 minute single is how many fucks The Knife give.

05. Sia - Chandelier (2014)

Electropop
An instant stick of soaring power, this is easily the greatest straight-up pop song of the decade (and perhaps even further back).

04. Jason Isbell - Elephant (2013)

Americana
One vulnerably honest song about cancer, this will choke you up to the point of nausea and is unchallenged as the saddest song on this list.

03. Lana Del Rey - West Coast (2013)

Art Pop
Dripping with indifferent seduction like some romantic death, this colourless pop-free sedation is the best thing she's ever done.

02. Tyler, The Creator - Yonkers (2011)

Hardcore Hip Hop
Tyler's erratic quality peaked with this viral neurosis which essentially built 14 artists' careers, yet is more hardcore than any of them.

01. Azealia Banks - 212 [feat. Lazy Jay] (2011)

Hip House
Like three energetic songs in one, nothing can touch this effortless banger with its vulgar cuteness and excessive attitude. The '10s best.

Click above to listen to (almost) all of these songs in
one Spotify or Grooveshark playlist

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