A decade in songs: A look at the most timeless tunes of the 2000s

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<i>By Todd Martens</i><br>
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Looking back at the last decade in songs is not an easy task. There were plenty of great singles, and works by Beyonce and Justin Timberlake are reflected in the pages ahead. But the 2000s meant more than having a sexy-back and taunting an old lover. Unlike cinema or television, music has the ability to react and reach almost instantly. In a decade marked by war and depression, music was often on the front line. So sure, pop music can make you dance, but the decade won't be defined simply by shaking a bootie.<br>
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Here's a look at some of the timeless songs of the 2000s, with an honorable mention for each year.

( Images: Kid Sister (Don Flood), Kanye West (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times); Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong (Kim Kulish / For The Times )

By Todd Martens

Looking back at the last decade in songs is not an easy task. There were plenty of great singles, and works by Beyonce and Justin Timberlake are reflected in the pages ahead. But the 2000s meant more than having a sexy-back and taunting an old lover. Unlike cinema or television, music has the ability to react and reach almost instantly. In a decade marked by war and depression, music was often on the front line. So sure, pop music can make you dance, but the decade won't be defined simply by shaking a bootie.

Here's a look at some of the timeless songs of the 2000s, with an honorable mention for each year.

Comments (3)

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glenngrabcello at 9:25 AM January 24, 2011

Boy, music sure has progressed.....Cole porter, Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Johnnie Mercer, etc..........Kanye West...... pardon me,....... I have to use the bathroom......Todd Martens, who are you kidding?....who pays you?....you can't be serious!!!!!

maksidrom at 5:15 PM January 11, 2011

This ought to be called a "list of tunes most frequently mentioned in the last decade by the US mass media based on hype rather than artistic merit or cultural impact". Sorry, how many times was Kanye West mentioned under the "timeless" headline, again? Really? Really?!

Fabrisse at 2:33 PM January 11, 2011

Three by Kanye West? Really? I think there should be at least a couple of pop songs on there. I'd also like to see a couple of more women on there, especially considering how many pop hits were made by women.