Wet Thud

2025 is just a few days away. For some of us, it doesn't feel like so long ago that we were making questionable decisions about how to ring in the year 2000. Processing that a full quarter-century has now elapsed since then is understandably causing some consternation. To help you cope, Wet Thud has prepared this countdown of one hundred of our favourite songs from the past two-and-a-half decades. Look upon our selections wistfully before they recede forever into the gaping maw of history!

Is this ranking to be taken seriously? Not really. Our favourite song of 2024, according to a post published here just four weeks ago, did not make this list. But the song we had at #3 did. What can we say? That's the fickle nature of an activity as subjective (and absurd) as judging art.

However, we're not just picking songs arbitrarily here. These hundred songs were chosen for maintaining our interest in an era when attention spans are short, listening options are virtually unlimited, and the world is, well, the way it is. Some of our picks dominated the collective consciousness, while others may have passed under your radar. You'll have to read on to find out who made the cut.

Please find a Spotify playlist of the entire Top 100 following number one at the bottom of this post.

#100.

Childish Gambino

"Redbone"

(Glassnote, 2016)

See also: "Slyd" (2013)

#064.

FKA twigs

"Two Weeks"

(Young, 2014)

See also: "Water Me" (2013), "Cellophane" (2019)

#063.

Janelle Monáe

"Make Me Feel"

(Wondaland/Bad Boy/Atlantic, 2018)

See also: "Tightrope" [with Big Boi] (2010), "Pynk" [with Grimes] (2018)

#062.

Death Cab For Cutie

"I Will Follow You Into The Dark"

(Barsuk/Atlantic, 2005)

See also: "Soul Meets Body" (2005), "I Will Possess Your Heart" (2008)

#061.

Sharon Van Etten

"Seventeen"

(Jagjaguwar, 2019)

See also: "Like I Used To" [with Angel Olsen] (2021), "Mistakes" (2022)

#060.

The Killers

"Mr. Brightside"

(Island, 2003)

See also: "All These Things That I've Done" (2004), "When We Were Young" (2006)

#059.

The Strokes

"You Only Live Once"

(RCA, 2005)

See also: "Hard To Explain" (2001), "Juicebox" (2005)

#058.

Jessie Ware

"What's Your Pleasure?"

(PMR/EMI, 2020)

See also: "Adore You" (2019), "Remember Where You Are" (2020)

#057.

Sleater-Kinney

"Entertain"

(Sub Pop, 2005)

See also: "You're No Rock 'N' Roll Fun" (2000), "Bury Our Friends" (2014)

#056.

James Blake

"Overgrown"

(Polydor, 2013)

See also: "Limit To Your Love" (2009), "Barefoot In The Park" [with Rosalía] (2019)

#055.

Daft Punk

"Harder Better Faster Stronger"

(Virgin, 2001)

See also: "Too Long" (2001), "Touch" [with Paul Williams] (2013)

#054.

Haim

"The Wire"

(Polydor, 2013)

See also: "Little Of Your Love" (2017), "The Steps" (2020)

#053.

Franz Ferdinand

"Take Me Out"

(Domino, 2004)

See also: "Do You Want To?" (2005), "Ulysses" (2009)

#052.

The Drums

"Me And The Moon"

(Moshi Moshi/Island, 2010)

See also: "Money" (2011), "Blood Under My Belt" (2017)

#051.

Lykke Li

"I Follow Rivers"

(LL/EMI, 2011)

See also: "Little Bit" (2008), "Get Some" (2010)

#050.

Mitski

"Geyser"

(Dead Oceans, 2018)

See also: "Your Best American Girl" (2016), "Washing Machine Heart" (2018), "My Love Mine All Mine" (2023)

#049.

SZA

"Kill Bill"

(Top Dawg/RCA, 2022)

See also: "Drew Barrymore" (2017), "All The Stars" [with Kendrick Lamar] (2018), "Nobody Gets Me" (2022)

#048.

PJ Harvey

"The Last Living Rose"

(Island, 2011)

See also: "Good Fortune" (2000), "A Place Called Home" (2000), "The Colour Of The Earth" (2011)

#047.

Caribou

"Odessa"

(Merge, 2010)

See also: "Can't Do Without You" (2014), "Our Love" (2014), "Home" (2019)

#046.

Beach House

"Zebra"

(Sub Pop, 2010)

See also: "Norway" (2010), "Myth" (2012), "Masquerade" (2022)

#045.

TV On The Radio

"Wolf Like Me"

(4AD, 2006)

See also: "Staring At The Sun" (2003) "Dancing Choose" (2008), "Will Do" (2011)

#044.

MGMT

"Kids"

(RED Ink, 2007)

See also: "Time To Pretend" (2007), "Electric Feel" (2007), "Little Dark Age" (2018)

#043.

Kendrick Lamar

"The Blacker The Berry"

(Top Dawg/Aftermath/Interscope, 2015)

See also: "Swimming Pools (Drank)" (2012), "Alright" (2015), "HUMBLE." (2017)

#042.

The xx

"Dangerous"

(Young, 2017)

See also: "Intro" (2009), "VCR" (2009), "On Hold" (2016)

#041.

Charli xcx

"Good Ones"

(Asylum/Warner UK, 2021)

See also: "Boom Clap" (2014), "Blame It On Your Love" [with Lizzo] (2019), "Von dutch" (2024)

#040.

Billie Eilish

"bad guy"

(Darkroom/Interscope, 2019)

See also: "everything i wanted" (2019), "What Was I Made For?" (2023), "LUNCH" (2024)

#039.

Perfume Genius

"Hood"

(Matador, 2012)

See also: "Normal Song" (2012), "Queen" (2014), "On The Floor" (2020)

#038.

Lana Del Rey

"Video Games"

(Stranger/Interscope, 2011)

See also: "Born To Die" (2011), "The Greatest" (2019), "A&W" (2023)

#037.

Kelly Clarkson

"Since U Been Gone"

(RCA, 2004)

See also: "Because Of You" (2004), "Stronger" (2011), "Underneath The Tree" (2013)

#036.

Disclosure x AlunaGeorge

"White Noise"

(PMR/Island, 2013)

See also: "When A Fire Starts To Burn" (2013), "Help Me Lose My Mind" [with London Grammar] (2013), "Magnets" [with Lorde] (2015)

#035.

Cardi B

"Be Careful"

(Atlantic, 2018)

See also: "I Like It" [with Bad Bunny x J Balvin] (2018), "WAP" [with Megan Thee Stallion] (2020), "Up" (2021)

#034.

Lady Gaga x Beyoncé

"Telephone"

(Streamline/KonLive/Cherrytree/Interscope, 2009)

See also: "Bad Romance" (2009), "Born This Way" (2011), "The Edge Of Glory" (2011)

#033.

Tame Impala

"The Less I Know The Better"

(Modular, 2015)

See also: "Elephant" (2012), "Patience" (2019), "Borderline" (2020)

#032.

Kylie Minogue

"Slow"

(Parlophone, 2003)

See also: "I Believe In You" (2004), "All The Lovers" (2010), "Padam Padam" (2023)

#031.

Coldplay

"Fix You"

(Parlophone, 2005)

See also: "Yellow" (2000), "Don't Panic" (2000), "The Scientist" (2002)

#030.

Troye Sivan

"Rush"

(EMI Australia, 2023)

See also: "Bloom" (2018), "Easy" (2020), "Got Me Started" (2023)

#029.

Dua Lipa

"Don't Start Now"

(Warner, 2019)

See also: "Physical" (2020), "Cold Heart" [with Elton John x PNAU] (2021), "Houdini" (2023)

#028.

Britney Spears x Nicki Minaj x Kesha

"Till The World Ends [The Femme Fatale Remix]"

(Jive, 2011)

See also: "Toxic" (2003), "Piece Of Me" (2007), "Circus" (2008)

#027.

Vampire Weekend

"Hannah Hunt"

(XL, 2013)

See also: "Holiday" (2010), "Step" (2013), "Harmony Hall" (2019)

#026.

Megan Thee Stallion x Beyoncé

"Savage Remix"

(1501 Certified/300, 2020)

See also: "WAP" [with Cardi B] (2020), "Body" (2020), "Her" (2022)

#025.

Adele

"Rolling In The Deep [Jamie xx Shuffle]"

(XL, 2010)

See also: "Chasing Pavements" (2008), "Someone Like You" (2011), "Send My Love (To Your New Lover)" (2015)

#024.

Olivia Rodrigo

"drivers license"

(Geffen, 2021)

See also: "vampire" (2023), "bad idea right?" (2023), "get him back!" (2023)

#023.

Gorillaz

"Dare"

(Parlophone, 2005)

See also: "Tomorrow Comes Today" (2000), "Feel Good Inc." [with De La Soul] (2005), "On Melancholy Hill" (2010)

#022.

Beyoncé

"Formation"

(Parkwood/Columbia, 2016)

See also: "Irreplaceable" (2006), "Love On Top" (2011), "SUMMER RENAISSANCE" (2022)

#021.

Justin Bieber

"Sorry"

(School Boy/Def Jam, 2015)

See also: "What Do You Mean?" (2015), "Love Yourself" (2015), "Intentions" (2020)

#20.

LCD Soundsystem

"Losing My Edge"

(DFA, 2002)

See also: "Tribulations" (2005), "Get Innocuous!" (2007), "Dance Yrself Clean" (2010)

#019.

Ariana Grande

"no tears left to cry"

(Republic, 2018)

See also: "Love Me Harder" [with The Weeknd] (2014), "Into You" (2016), "yes, and?" (2024)

#018.

Aaliyah

"Try Again"

(Blackground/Virgin, 2000)

See also: "We Need A Resolution" [with Timbaland] (2001), "Rock The Boat" (2001), "More Than A Woman" (2001)

#017.

The Weeknd

"The Hills"

(XO/Republic, 2015)

See also: "Can't Feel My Face" (2015), "I Feel It Coming" [with Daft Punk] (2016), "Save Your Tears" (2020)

#016.

Drake

"Nice For What"

(Cash Money/Republic/Young Money, 2018)

See also: "Marvins Room" (2011), "Started From The Bottom" (2013), "In My Feelings" (2018)

#015.

The National

"Mistaken For Strangers"

(Beggars Banquet, 2007)

See also: "Bloodbuzz Ohio" (2010), "I Should Live In Salt" (2013), "Graceless" (2013)

#014.

Amy Winehouse

"Rehab"

(Island, 2006)

See also: "You Know I'm No Good" (2006), "Tears Dry On Their Own" (2006), "Back To Black" (2006)

#013.

Hot Chip

"Ready For The Floor"

(EMI, 2008)

See also: "Over And Over" (2006), "One Life Stand" (2009), "Motion Sickness" (2012)

#012.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

"Maps"

(Interscope, 2003)

See also: "Gold Lion" (2006), "Zero" (2009), "Spitting Off The Edge Of The World" [with Perfume Genius] (2022)

#011.

Chappell Roan

"Good Luck, Babe!"

(Amusement/Island, 2024)

See also: "Pink Pony Club" (2020), "Casual" (2022), "Red Wine Supernova" (2023)

#010.

Frank Ocean

"Thinkin Bout You"

(Def Jam, 2012)

See also: "Novacane" (2011), "Bad Religion" (2012), "Pink + White" (2016)

#009.

BTS

"Butter"

(Big Hit/Sony, 2021)

See also: "FAKE LOVE" (2016), "Boy With Luv" [with Halsey] (2019), "Dynamite" (2020)

#008.

OutKast

"B.O.B. (Bombs Over Baghdad)"

(LaFace/Arista, 2000)

See also: "Ms. Jackson" (2000), "The Whole World" [with Killer Mike] (2001), "Roses" (2003)

#007.

Sophie

"Bipp [Autechre Mx]"

(Numbers, 2013)

See also: "HARD" (2015), "LEMONADE" (2015), "It's Okay To Cry" (2017)

#006.

Missy Elliott x Ludacris

"One Minute Man"

(Goldmind/Elektra, 2001)

See also: "Get Ur Freak On" (2001), "Work It" (2002), "Lose Control" [with Ciara x Fat Man Scoop] (2005)

#005.

Taylor Swift

"All Too Well [10-Minute Version]"

(Republic, 2021)

See also: "Style" (2014), "Lover" (2019), "Nothing New" [with Phoebe Bridgers] (2021)

#004.

Robyn

"Dancing On My Own"

(Konichiwa, 2010)

See also: "The Girl And The Robot" [with Röyksopp] (2009), "Call Your Girlfriend" (2011), "Honey" (2018)

#003.

Carly Rae Jepsen

"Cut To The Feeling"

(604/School Boy/Interscope/Lakeshore, 2017)

See also: "Call Me Maybe" (2011), "Run Away With Me" (2015), "Your Type" (2015)

#002.

One Direction

"What Makes You Beautiful"

(Syco, 2011)

See also: "One Thing" (2011), "Best Song Ever" (2013), "Drag Me Down" (2015)

#001.

Rihanna x Calvin Harris

"We Found Love"

(Def Jam/SRP, 2011)

See also: "SOS" (2006), "Only Girl (In The World)" (2010), "Work" [with Drake] (2016)

A Playlist of The Entire Top 100

Text-only version of the list:

###. Artist "Song Title" (Record Label, Release Date)

100. Childish Gambino "Redbone" (Glassnote, 2016)

099. Future Islands "Seasons (Waiting On You)" (4AD, 2014)

098. Solange "Losing You" (Terrible, 2012)

097. Sabrina Carpenter "Espresso" (Island, 2024)

096. Miguel "Adorn" (RCA, 2012)

095. Sleigh Bells "Rill Rill" (Mom+Pop/N.E.E.T., 2010)

094. Stars "Your Ex-Lover Is Dead" (Arts & Crafts, 2004)

093. beabadoobee "Talk" (Dirty Hit, 2022)

092. Twin Shadow "Five Seconds" (4AD, 2012)

091. The Hidden Cameras "Boys Of Melody" (EvilEvil, 2003)

090. The Darkness "I Believe In A Thing Called Love" (Must Destroy, 2002)

089. Beirut "Postcards From Italy" (Ba Da Bing, 2006)

088. Yeasayer "Madder Red" (Secretly Canadian, 2010)

087. Gossip "Standing In The Way Of Control [Le Tigre Remix]" (Back Yard Recordings/Kill Rock Stars, 2005)

086. Roots Manuva "Witness (1 Hope)" (Big Dada/Ninja Tune, 2001)

085. Sugababes "Overload" (London, 2000)

084. Clipse "Grindin'" (Star Trak/Arista, 2002)

083. A Tribe Called Quest "We The People" (Epic, 2016)

082. Wet Leg "Chaise Longue" (Domino, 2021)

081. Sault "Wildfires" (Forever Living Originals, 2020)

080. M83 "Midnight City" (Naïve, 2011)

079. Little Simz x Obongjayar "Point And Kill" (Age 101/AWAL, 2021)

078. Channel Tres "Jet Black" (Godmode, 2018)

077. Washed Out "Amor Fati" (Sub Pop, 2011)

076. Hercules And Love Affair "Blind" (DFA, 2008)

075. Shamir "If It Wasn't True" (Godmode, 2014)

074. Courtney Barnett "Pedestrian At Best" (Milk!/House Anxiety/Marathon Artists, 2015)

073. Bat For Lashes "Daniel" (Echo/Parlophone, 2009)

072. Sampha "Blood On Me" (Young, 2016)

071. Interpol "PDA" (Matador, 2002)

070. J Balvin x Willy William "Mi Gente" (Scorpio/Universal Music Latin, 2017)

069. Santigold "L.E.S. Artistes" (Downtown, 2008)

068. Sky Ferreira "You're Not The One" (Capitol, 2013)

067. Anderson .Paak "Come Down" (ArtClub/Empire/OBE/Steel Wool, 2016)

066. Arctic Monkeys "Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?" (Domino, 2013)

065. !!! "Me And Giuliani Down By The Schoolyard (A True Story)" (Touch And Go, 2003)

064. FKA twigs "Two Weeks" (Young, 2014)

063. Janelle Monáe "Make Me Feel" (Wondaland/Bad Boy/Atlantic, 2018)

062. Death Cab For Cutie "I Will Follow You Into The Dark" (Barsuk/Atlantic, 2005)

061. Sharon Van Etten "Seventeen" (Jagjaguwar, 2019)

060. The Killers "Mr. Brightside" (Island, 2003)

059. The Strokes "You Only Live Once" (RCA, 2005)

058. Jessie Ware "What's Your Pleasure?" (PMR/EMI, 2020)

057. Sleater-Kinney "Entertain" (Sub Pop, 2005)

056. James Blake "Overgrown" (Polydor, 2013)

055. Daft Punk "Harder Better Faster Stronger" (Virgin, 2001)

054. Haim "The Wire" (Polydor, 2013)

053. Franz Ferdinand "Take Me Out" (Domino, 2004)

052. The Drums "Me And The Moon" (Moshi Moshi/Island, 2010)

051. Lykke Li "I Follow Rivers" (LL/EMI, 2011)

050. Mitski "Geyser" (Dead Oceans, 2018)

049. SZA "Kill Bill" (Top Dawg/RCA, 2022)

048. PJ Harvey "The Last Living Rose" (Island, 2011)

047. Caribou "Odessa" (Merge, 2010)

046. Beach House "Zebra" (Sub Pop, 2010)

045. TV On The Radio "Wolf Like Me" (4AD, 2006)

044. MGMT "Kids" (RED Ink, 2007)

043. Kendrick Lamar "The Blacker The Berry" (Top Dawg/Aftermath/Interscope, 2015)

042. The xx "Dangerous" (Young, 2017)

041. Charli xcx "Good Ones" (Asylum/Warner UK, 2021)

040. Billie Eilish "bad guy" (Darkroom/Interscope, 2019)

039. Perfume Genius "Hood" (Matador, 2012)

038. Lana Del Rey "Video Games" (Stranger/Interscope, 2011)

037. Kelly Clarkson "Since U Been Gone" (RCA, 2004)

036. Disclosure x AlunaGeorge "White Noise" (PMR/Island, 2013)

035. Cardi B "Be Careful" (Atlantic, 2018)

034. Lady Gaga x Beyoncé "Telephone" (Streamline/KonLive/Cherrytree/Interscope, 2009)

033. Tame Impala "The Less I Know The Better" (Modular, 2015)

032. Kylie Minogue "Slow" (Parlophone, 2003)

031. Coldplay "Fix You" (Parlophone, 2005)

030. Troye Sivan "Rush" (EMI Australia, 2023)

029. Dua Lipa "Don't Start Now" (Warner, 2019)

028. Britney Spears x Nicki Minaj x Kesha "Till The World Ends [The Femme Fatale Remix]" (Jive, 2011)

027. Vampire Weekend "Hannah Hunt" (XL, 2013)

026. Megan Thee Stallion x Beyoncé "Savage Remix" (1501 Certified/300, 2020)

025. Adele "Rolling In The Deep [Jamie xx Shuffle]" (XL, 2010)

024. Olivia Rodrigo "drivers license" (Geffen, 2021)

023. Gorillaz "Dare" (Parlophone, 2005)

022. Beyoncé "Formation" (Parkwood/Columbia, 2016)

021. Justin Bieber "Sorry" (School Boy/Def Jam, 2015)

020. LCD Soundsystem "Losing My Edge" (DFA, 2002)

019. Ariana Grande "no tears left to cry" (Republic, 2018)

018. Aaliyah "Try Again" (Blackground/Virgin, 2000)

017. The Weeknd "The Hills" (XO/Republic, 2015)

016. Drake "Nice For What" (Cash Money/Republic/Young Money, 2018)

015. The National "Mistaken For Strangers" (Beggars Banquet, 2007)

014. Amy Winehouse "Rehab" (Island, 2006)

013. Hot Chip "Ready For The Floor" (EMI, 2008)

012. Yeah Yeah Yeahs "Maps" (Interscope, 2003)

011. Chappell Roan "Good Luck, Babe!" (Amusement/Island, 2024)

010. Frank Ocean "Thinkin Bout You" (Def Jam, 2012)

009. BTS "Butter" (Big Hit/Sony, 2021)

008. OutKast "B.O.B. (Bombs Over Baghdad)" (LaFace/Arista, 2000)

007. Sophie "Bipp [Autechre Mx]" (Numbers, 2013)

006. Missy Elliott x Ludacris "One Minute Man" (Goldmind/Elektra, 2001)

005. Taylor Swift "All Too Well [10-Minute Version]" (Republic, 2021)

004. Robyn "Dancing On My Own" (Konichiwa, 2010)

003. Carly Rae Jepsen "Cut To The Feeling" (604/School Boy/Interscope/Lakeshore, 2017)

002. One Direction "What Makes You Beautiful" (Syco, 2011)

001. Rihanna x Calvin Harris "We Found Love" (Def Jam/SRP, 2011)

Saturday, 28 December 2024

Wet Thud's Top 100 Songs Since The Year 2000