Greatest Songs of the 2000s – FINALS!0
Despite the delay, we are back with the final part of the Greatest Songs of the 2000s countdown! So far we have seen your top 7 favourite songs of the last decade (part one, part two), and it’s now finally time to reveal the top three… Who will nab the top spot? Let’s read on!
3. THE BLACK EYED PEAS – WHERE IS THE LOVE?
Written by: will.i.am, Taboo, Apl.de.ap, Ron Fair, Printz Board
‘Where Is The Love’ was the breakthrough for the hip-hop group Black Eyed Peas, on the groups first song to feature new member Fergie. It is a little known fact that before the album ‘Elephunk’ (which this song was the lead single for), the Peas had already released two albums (without Fergie) that helped make a name for themselves on the underground rap scene.
The origins of the song date back to December of 2001, when frontman will.i.am wrote the chord progression and a loop that formed the basis of the track. He wrote his verse along with fellow members Taboo and Apl.de.ap, when they were introduced to the former NSYNC member Justin Timberlake, who was yet to dominate the world with his solo material, by new band member Fergie. He then helped the band, by writing and singing the chorus. However, Timberlake’s label were worried that appearing on ‘Where Is The Love’ would give him some serious overexposure, and tried to persuade him to pull out of the song. The Peas fought to keep him, and in the end he remained on the song, but didn’t receive any writing or artist credits.
The song became a modern day anthem of peace, with lyrics tackling terrorism, racism, war and political issues. The Peas scored big upon the release of the song, gaining critical and commercial praise from all over the world. It became their first top ten hit in the US, and reached number one in Australia and the UK, where it achieved the most success, becoming the top selling single of 2003, and the 25th best selling single of the decade. It was also nominated at the 2004 Grammy Awards for the prestigious Record of the Year, and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. Unfortunately it won neither, but it would have been different if things went my way! Brilliant song.
2. LADY GAGA – POKER FACE
Written by: Lady Gaga, RedOne
Oh, Habbox! I knew I could count on you to get a Lady Gaga song in the top ten!
Following on from the immensely popular hit ‘Just Dance’, ‘Poker Face’ is the second single from Lady Gaga’s massive debut album ‘The Fame’. Originally released in late 2008, the track went on to be arguably the biggest hit of 2009, being the biggest selling single of 2009 in the UK, and the second biggest in the US and Canada. Despite being released close to the end of the decade, it was the 4th biggest hit of the 2000s in Australia, 15th in the UK, and 42nd in the US. ‘Poker Face’ really made people pay attention to Gaga, and made it known that she was not just a one hit onder, scoring her second massive number one hit in all major music markets.
Gaga wrote the song with now world famous producer RedOne, during sessions where they also recorded ‘Just Dance’ and later hit ‘LoveGame’. Like most of the RedOne produced tracks on the album, ‘Poker Face’ is an electro-pop song with catchy synth riffs and hard hitting dance beats, combined with Gaga’s knack for writing a catchy pop chorus. Lyrically, Gaga revealed on Jonathon Ross’ BBC show in 2009 that the song was based on her expirience of having sex with men, whilst fantasising about women… Who would have known?
‘Poker Face’ received a lot of critical praise, with most critics calling it the stand out track from ‘The Fame’, with one reviewer in particular claiming that the song had helped Gaga to refresh the world of pop in the US and UK! While ‘Poker Face’ may have not achieved this alone, Gaga has certainly been a major driving force in pop music in the last few years of the decade, and I’m certain she will play her cards right (see what I did there?) in the decade to come as well.
1. RIHANNA FT. JAY Z – UMBRELLA
Written by: Terius Nash, Kuk Harrell, Chris Stewart, Jay Z
When Chris “Tricky” Stewart, Kuk Harell and Terius Nash were messing around in the studio with a drum loop on Garage Band, I highly doubt they realised that what they were creating what would go on to become the biggest hit of 2007, one of the most successful songs of the 2000s, and of course members of Habbox Forum’s favourite song of that decade! Rihanna must have felt pretty lucky that she was blessed by the trio with the rights to record this great song. It was originally meant for Britney Spears, and then Mary J Blige. Third time lucky I guess!
The song is a mid-tempo R&B jam, with elements of hip-hop thrown in by Jay Z, who features on the track with a guest slot at the beginning, which received mixed critical reaction. Rihanna’s now famous “ella, ella” hook after the chorus has become somewhat iconic, with Tricky Stewart stating in an interview with MTV “When [Rihanna] recorded the ‘ellas,’ you knew it was about to be the jump-off and your life was about to change if you had anything to do with that record.” He wasn’t wrong!
‘Umbrella’ has become Rihanna’s signature song, hitting number one in all major music markets, and has been performed as the encore song on both of her last world tours. Not to mention the fact that the song was number one for an astonishing ten weeks straight in the UK, becoming the country’s longest running number one single of the 21st century. Imagine the party for that one! Rihanna, you can stand under our Umbrella any day after this massive hit…
Here is the final top ten…
10. MGMT – Time To Pretend
9. Green Day – Boulevard of Broken Dreams
8. Kings of Leon- Sex On Fire
7. M.I.A. – Paper Planes
6. Christina Aguilera – Beautiful
5. The Killers – Mr. Brightside
4. Eminem – Lose Yourself
3. The Black Eyed Peas – Where Is The Love?
2. Lady Gaga – Poker Face
1. Rihanna – Umbrella
So there you have it! As well as learning the most popular songs of the past decade according to you, we have also today learnt that Lady Gaga is a very good liar, Rihanna is extremely well prepared for bad weather, and Christina Aguilera loves basically everybody. Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed the ride!
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