This list contains some of the most memorable and well-known songs from the 2000s. Whether you grew up listening to hip hop or were raised listening to classic rock, you’ll have heard at least one of these tunes at one time or another. From Jay-Z’s Horatio Alger tale to Linkin Park’s “Holiday,” here are some of the decade’s best.
Jay-Z’s Horatio Alger tale
Unlike Horatio Alger, Jay-Z’s bootstrapping tale does not end with him getting rich. The rap star has built his empire on a combination of savvy and exceptional talent. But it is important to realize that he is an exception and that not everyone is going to be Jay-Z. The American dream and the responsibility to uphold it are diluted if we pretend that everyone can be as successful as Jay-Z.
The story of Jay-Z is a classic American tale, but one that’s much darker than Horatio Alger’s. The rapper acknowledges his past as a drug dealer but defends himself by saying that hip-hop has always been a hustler’s tale. But he also acknowledges that A Tribe Called Quest, Public Enemy, and Hill were not all hustlers.
While many rappers would rather let their lyrics do the talking, Jay-Z uses his own words to tell his story. He owes this to his parents, who had a tremendous record collection. In fact, he smuggled some of these LPs into his music.
Alger was the media’s biggest star in the nineteenth century. The first best-seller lists were largely impressionistic, and the sale of 10,000 volumes was considered a great publishing success. Ultimately, Alger sold 200 million copies of his books. This makes his tales comparable to those by Stephen King.
Coldplay’s “Yellow”
Coldplay’s “Yellow” is one of the most influential songs of the 2000s, and it’s a classic that’s been performed by countless artists. The song was first released on the band’s debut studio album, Parachutes, in 2000, and immediately became a hit worldwide. The song is a reflection of the band’s mood, and has remained a classic for more than 10 years.
The song “Yellow” was released by Coldplay in 2000 and became their breakthrough hit. The song was a mix of a traditional Coldplay piano track and a softer, synthesizer sound. The song was also released with a companion mobile app, which allowed fans to play along with the song using their phones. This app also allowed users to add their own melodies to the track.
Another one of Coldplay’s hits is “Summer of Love,” which features a quiet piano melody. The track’s vocals are layered and rich, and the lyrics continue to explore themes of life and death. The song ends with a dreamy, synthesizer ending. The song is a blend of Coldplay’s best assets. It begins with a simple piano melody and builds to a huge, layered guitar riff.
Coldplay was a band that first came to America in 1996 and quickly reached the top of the charts on both sides of the Atlantic. Since then, they’ve won seven Grammy Awards and nine BRIT awards and are one of the most successful acts on the planet. Their music is both personal and experimental, catering to the intellectual listener as well as the pop fan.
Linkin Park’s “Holiday”
Linkin Park is an American rock band. It is comprised of vocalist Mike Shinda, lead and rhythm guitarist Brad Delson, bassist Dave Farrell, and drummer Rob Bourdon. Its new single, “Holiday,” is one of the most acclaimed new songs of the year.
The song’s riffs are instantly recognizable. Linkin Park’s guitar playing formulae starts with simple chords and kicks into higher, deeper spaces before their fans can even react. Featuring a drop-C# or D tuning, the band’s songs are characterized by vulnerability and self-reflection. The band’s music provides an outlet for the emotions that are often too strong to express on a daily basis.
Fans can donate to help the Haiti earthquake victims through Linkin Park’s Music for Relief charity. The band hopes that the money will help families in Haiti by providing solar powered light bulbs to their homes. Without access to electricity, children cannot study at night, parents can’t work, and clinics cannot offer life-saving medical care.
Linkin Park also donated holiday gift bags to Homeboy Industries, the world’s largest gang rehabilitation and re-entry program. The band hopes to inspire fans to give back to their communities through the music they make.
U2’s “All That You Can’t Leave Behind”
All That You Can’t Leave Behind is the twenty-third studio album by the Irish rock band U2. The album was released on 30 October 2000, and was produced by Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois. It was released through Interscope Records and Island Records.
All That You Can’t Leave Behind is a rebirth for the band, both aesthetically and spiritually. The band’s soaring melodies and modern production tricks linger throughout the album. It’s a triumph for fans who have grown up with the band and a return to form.
After the devastating events of September 11, the album gained a different character, as people yearned for songs with a hopeful message. “Beautiful Day” was recorded with a guitar tone that The Edge hadn’t played since 1983’s War. The reintroduction of this sound won over the band members.
The album was released to a positive reception, and was compared to their previous albums, The Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby. It reached number one in thirty-two countries in its first week. It also topped the US Billboard Top 200 chart and the official UK Charts. It won two Grammys for Best Rock Album in 2002.
The album was recorded in Dublin, Ireland and the south of France. Several singles were released from the album. “Beautiful Day” was the number one hit in the UK, and it featured three more top five singles.
Simple Minds’ “Bring Me to Life”
“Bring Me to Life” is a song about the desperation of the soul and the hope that Jesus will bring it back. While it might sound like a theatrical piece, it works well as a pop song. The band’s sound is similar to the American rock band Linkin Park.
Simple Minds’ “Mr Brightside”
The “Mr. Brightside” song is a classic example of pop-punk. It is an antidote to anxiety and a great party song. Its lyrics encourage optimism despite the world’s harsh realities. And the guitar riffs are nothing short of magnificent.
Written by lead singer Brandon Flowers, “Mr. Brightside” was inspired by Flowers’ real-life experience after learning that his girlfriend had cheated on him. The song tells the story of a jealous guy who tries to make amends with a cheating lover. The band first performed the song live at an open mic night at Café Roma in New York City. Brandon Flowers subsequently described the first performance as “terrible”.
It is not clear whether the song is about a prostitute, but the song does mention a turning point in the protagonist’s life. The song is a reference to Flowers’ experience with a girlfriend who cheated on him in Las Vegas. The song was written when he awoke to the reality that his girlfriend had cheated on him.
The song has been covered by a variety of artists. American rock band Fall Out Boy and British pop star Chris Daughtry have both performed live versions of the song. Additionally, Isa Raja and Amy Macdonald have performed the track in television shows.
