“It’s the end of the world as we know it”

That REM song came out in 1987, the year I was born, but I feel it’s still incredibly applicable every time I head year-end doom and gloom. And possibly because we just experienced the end of a decade, I feel like the nay sayers were more pronounced this year. A good many of the top 10 lists I read over the last month bemoaned the state of society. From what I can see, a lot of people are eager to remember the ’00s as the decade technology finally rotted our brains, the youth got even more out of control and the average person just in general got screwed (by politicians, big business or terrorists — pick your flavor).

But for better or for worse, the last decade shaped me and my peers. When we look back at the time period that defined us, it’ll be now. And since, so far at least, we’re all doing OK, I can’t buy that we’re all going to hell in a hand basket the way some commentators would have us believe.

So, I feel fine. And if you don’t believe me, check out my soundtrack from the last 10 years:

2000: “I Knew I Loved You” by Savage Garden
Pop music novice though I was, at age 12 I realized this song was saccharine. But that didn’t stop me from earnestly singing it while I washed my hair and wished for my (Australian, gay) prince to come. The boys at school were still icky, but I knew I wanted to someday fall in love with someone before I met them.
Honorable mention: “The Thong Song” by Sisqo
Nothing beats the awkwardness of explaining exactly what a thong is to non-English speaking family members.

2001: “Independent Women Part I” by Destiny’s Child
I threw my hands up at them, and so did every other budding feminist I knew. Destiny’s Child was fierce as hell (though that terminology wouldn’t enter the pop culture vernacular for a few years yet). I spent a good deal of time trying to figure out which of the new Charlie’s Angels I was most like (I desperately wished to be as tall as Cameron Diaz, but accepted I was more like kooky Drew Barrymore). But it didn’t matter in the end, because there was more than enough girl power to go around.
Honorable mention: “Drops of Jupiter” by Train
This is another song I adored that I cringe a little when I hear now. But come on, that piano line is killer. As goofy as my Train obsession seems now.

2002: “The Middle” by Jimmy Eat World

These hometown-boys gone national got a lot of play on the local alternative station when I was a freshman high school. I bought their album, and previous release “Clarity,” which I’ll count in this list though it actually came out in 1999. For the first time, I was listening to music that I loved, but wasn’t uniformly popular. It was also the first time I head the term emo.
Honorable mention: “Hot in Herre” by Nelly
This song would follow me for years: first at high school dances, then at sketchy clubs and at wedding receptions once everyone’s a little tipsy. It’s like the circle of life.

2003: “Time is Running Out” by Muse
I actually loved the entire album, but this was my first favorite Muse song. They were a little dark without being self-consciously so (ahem, Evanescence), perfect for my semi-rebellious 16-year-old self.
Honorable mention: “Tune Out” by the Format
Their pretty little indie rock ditty won my heart, and I still sing it whenever I’m a. backed up in traffic, b. on the 51 or c. all of the above.

2004: “Toxic” by Britney Spears

For the first few years of the decade, Britney drove me CRAAAAAZY. During a very long car ride with my cousin, I was forced to listen to “Oops I Did it Again” on repeat. I couldn’t stand her nasal voice or dimwitted school-girl demeanor. But “Toxic” Britney I could get behind. She was over the top and overtly sexy, instead of cloaking it under pink scrunchies and plaid skirts. And damn, that song is catchy.
Honorable mention: “Alive With the Glory of Love” by Say Anything
You can’t help but feel Max Bemis’ passion when he’s spitting out his declaration of love in this song. Then he somehow combines its pop punk beat with a story of surviving the Holocaust. And it works. Talent indeed.

2005: “All These Things That I Have Done” by The Killers
I might love this song even more now that when I first heard it. Gospel choir, Brandon Flowers pulling off his sultry side and ever quotable lyrics. If you can’t hold on, hold on.
Honorable mention: “At the Bottom of Everything” by Bright Eyes

Sometimes, when you’re a freshman in college going through major dramz, you just need some achingly meaningful crooning. And mock Conor Oberst all you will, the man is a poet. I’m still convinced that “happy birthday, darling, we love you very very very very very much” are the best words any human being could ever hope to hear.

2006: “Rehab” by Amy Winehouse
I adore her voice and love her moxie (who else could say “What kind of fuckery is this?” without sounding absurd?). And as things stand now, I’m truly concerned about her wellbeing. Maybe it’s time to go to rehab, Amy. And stay away from Blake for good. Because no one does punchy retro like you do.
Honorable mention: “SexyBack” by Justin Timberlake
Wiseguys said they never knew sexy left. But after hearing him and Timberland on this track, I’m pretty sure they realized it had, and JT brought it back with a vengeance.

2007: “D.A.N.C.E.” by Justice

I came for the cutesy vocals and stayed for the incredible beats. It’s impossible to hear anything off this album and not want to dance. I managed to see them live twice the following year, and both times I was almost blown away (literally) by the towers of speakers. My generation will never have a Woodstock, but I think the closest we’ve come is the Coachella dance tent when “Waters of Nazareth” played.
Honorable mention: “Girlfriend” by Avril Lavigne
Did you know she recorded this song in other languages? Do yourself a favor and look that shit up. Now.

2008: “Single Ladies” by Beyonce

I would call this the song of the decade, simply because of its recent ubiquity. And, as Kanye West helpfully informed us, it’s got the greatest video of all time. But I’d be liar if I didn’t admit the millions of times I’ve danced to this, cursing I didn’t have the skills to fiercely do it justice.
Honorable mention: “10,000 Nights” by Alphabeat
They never got the U.S. tour I was hoping for, but maybe they’ll hit that milestone next decade. This song is basically pure joy.

2009: “The Reeling” by Passion Pit
To me, this song doesn’t really know what it wants to be. The high-pitched vocal warbling is balanced by heavy bass, with plenty of sythns in the middle. And it’s definitely a dance song, but the lyrics are existential at best. Maybe it’s just a sign of the times — all of us 20-somethings who grew up on pop music are beginning to have that quarter-life crisis. And we’ll dance while we’re doing it.
Honorable mention: “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga
I think when social anthropologists in the future look back at our lives, for better or for worse, they’ll see Lady Gaga. And someday, some pretentious undergrad will write a thesis about what her antics meant in the socio-political context of the ’00s. But for now, we’ll just say we love her because she’s crazy awesome.