Top 10 Alternative Songs Of The Decade
Alternative Rock really flourished and evolved in the last decade. Many new artists emerged with different approaches to rock. Some artists showed their staying power to last through the nineties into the 2000’s. Some artists have been around for years but only gained worldwide fame recently. There are many songs that could top this list but these are my choices:
10. Teenagers by My Chemical Romance
This song introduces My Chemical Romance to mainstream audiences with a message. Teenagers video tells kids that violence is not the answer to ridicule or bullying. The song tells them that they are not forgotten and acknowledges their angst. The album The Black Parade is dark, creative, and bittersweet. My Chemical Romance arose after the 9-11 attacks. The band members decided to quit their day jobs and make music. The results are phenomenal.
9. Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day
Boulevard of Broken Dreams won the Grammy for record of the year 2006. The hypnotic guitar chords make the song very powerful. Its message is also very melancholy. Many fans related to feeling like they ‘walk alone’. Green Day shows that it is an alternative rock band with staying power.
8. Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked by Cage The Elephant
Cage The Elephant is from Bowling Green, Kentucky and moved to England in 2007. There is almost a blend of a southern and an English accent in their music. Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked is a blend of rock, punk, and blues with a catchy refrain.
7. Can’t Stop by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers are one of the most loved alternative bands of all time. This song was on the 2002 album By The Way after the band went through some changes in lineup. It has an infectious rhythm that will last for future decades.
6. Somebody Told Me by The Killers
The Killers are another band that moved to England from Las Vegas to gain success. The band is definitely fronted by a showman, Brandon Flower. Somebody Told Me is a blend of a rock song and a club song with synthesizers and guitars creating an almost frantic rhythm.
5. Vida La Vida by Coldplay
This song has gained worldwide reknown. Vida La Vida is about a king of an unknown country and the loneliness of being king. The strings section is upbeat and really makes the song memorable. You will be singing along before you know it.
4. Blurry by Puddle of Mudd
Blurry is a break-up song by Puddle of Mudd. It tells about the pain from break-up and the other person moving on to other things. The song touches your heart because you can hear the pain in the singer, Wes Scantlin’s voice. Puddle of Mudd turns out more hits after this one hits #5 on the Billboard Hot 100.
3. Crawling by Linkin Park
Linkin Park is a prime example of this decade’s alternative rock. It meshes rap and rock together in a way that is listenable but still remains edgy. Crawling deals with pressure and insecurity. These are feelings that every person has and can relate to. That is the broad appeal of this song.
2. Last Resort by Papa Roach
Papa Roach started in California in the early nineties but it was not until 2000 that they broke onto the music scene. Last Resort again reaches teenagers by tapping into that angst that exists in all teenagers lives. The song pleads, ‘Cause I’m losing my sight, Losing my mind, Wish somebody would tell me I’m fine, Losing my sight, Losing my mind, Wish somebody would tell me I’m fine’. The power is in the delivery of the song. Jacoby Shaddix screams the lyrics and many millions of fans relate.
1. Bring Me To Life by Evanescence
Evanescence burst onto the music scene when this song reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2003. Amy Lee’s voice is ethereal and other-worldly. It was mistaken for a Christian single based on it’s lyrics.
How can you see into my eyes like open doors?
Leading you down into my core where I’ve become so numb
Without a soul, my spirit sleeping somewhere cold
Until you find it there and lead it back home
Wake me up
(Wake me up inside)
I can’t wake up
(Wake me up inside)
Save me
(Call my name and save me from the dark)”
Bring Me To Life reaches down into your soul and makes you want to feel it.
You may be asking where is my Kings of Leon, Three Days Grace, Finger Eleven, or Blink-182. These ten songs are the songs that I think will be remembered for years to come as defining this decade in alternative music. Let me know your choices for the decade.
Sources: Wikipedia.org
www.azlyrics.com
