Top 10 Songs of the Decade of 2000-2009

Not all of the songs on this list of the top 10 songs of the decade of 2000-2009 have "meaning." Some just sound great. Some have meaning and some qualify on both counts.

It was a turbulent decade that is about to come to an end. Y2K, 9/11, George W. Bush's reign of error, Tiger Woods' infidelities, the last ten years had a little bit of everything.

Here are my top 10 songs of the decade of 2000-2009:

Smooth/Rob Thomas & Carlos Santana
This Carlos Santana penned song sung by Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20 is not meaningful in a social sense unless you consider a line like "I can change my life to better suit your mood" to be a commentary on gender relations.

It just sounds great with it's fusion of Santana's searing guitar and latino beat and Rob Thomas' vocals.

Kryptonite/3 Doors Down
Many critics and fans of "indie rock" don't think much of this Mississippi band. So what? That and 50 cents will buy you novelty gift out of a condom machine in a convenience store restroom. Ok, maybe 75 cents or a dollar due to inflation. If I go crazy would you still call me Superman?

I Hope You Dance/Lee Ann Womack
This is a meaningful song in the sense that it is a reflective look at life. I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean, I hope when one door closes, one more always opens, I hope that you'll give love more than just a passing glance, when you get the choice to sit it out or dance...

There is a lot of wisdom in the lyrics of this top 10 song of the decade of 2000-2009. I suggest you look them up if not familiar with them already. Music is not just words to dance to in the words of Ray Davies.

Live Like You Were Dying/Tim McGraw
This is a story song of a man whose father has found out he has cancer or some other dreaded condition and the ways it changes one's life. And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter and I gave forgiveness I'd been denying, he said, someday I hope you get the chance, to live like you were dying.

Meant To Live/Switchfoot
Fumbling his confidence and wondering why the world has passed him by, hoping that he's meant for more than arguments and failed attempts to fly, we were meant to live for so much more, have we lost ourselves?
Dreaming about providence and whether mice and men have second tries...does that need any explanation?

Mr. Brightside/The Killers
This song doesn't have a socially relevant message, unless you consider spying on an ex worthwhile. Or just imagining what your cheating girlfriend is doing with that guy. The Brandon Flowers written song is about a guy who finds out his girl is cheating and can't help but imagine the gory details. I think.

Anyway, this is one of the top 10 songs of the decade of 2000-2009. It started out with a kiss, it was only a kiss. The guy seems to be lamenting getting involved emotionally with a woman over just a kiss and determined to never let it happen again. It could even be a fantasy, but Flowers is said to have confirmed the cheating girlfriend angle.

Jealousy turning saints into the sea, swimming through sick lullabies, choking on your alibis, but it's just the price I pay, destiny is calling me, open up my eager eyes, 'cause I'm Mr. Brightside...

Umbrella/Rihanna
This song is about relationships and the inevitable things that seem to be trying to pull them apart. The Chris Brown situation doesn't apply since Rihanna never took an oath with Brown. No one should be expected to stay with an abusive boyfriend/girlfriend.

When the sun shines we'll shine together, told you I'll be here forever, said I'll always be a friend, took an oath I'm gonna stick it out to the end, now that it's raining more than ever, know that we'll still have each other, you can stand under my umbrella..

How Far We've Come/Matchbox 20
To fully appreciate this song, you must see the video. The video montage of all the momentous events in our nation and the world in the last 40-50 years or so is self explanatory.

I sat down on the street took a look at myself, said where you goin' man you know the world is headed for hell, say your goodbyes if you got someone you can say goodbye to.

Love Song/Sara Bareilles
This top 10 song of the decade of 2000-2009 probably should have been on the list of top 10 pop songs of the decade I did earlier, and Unwritten on this list, so I'll just switch the two. So there.

Sara apparently had her fill of the record company trying to twist her arm to write a love song. So she wrote a song about not writing a love song. It worked very well, thank you, for one of the top 10 songs of the decade of 2000-2009.

Blank stares at blank pages, no easy way to sat this, you mean well, but you make it hard on me, I'm not gonna write you a love song...

If Today Was Your Last Day/Nickelback
Nickelback is probably the most despised band by some rock fans since Creed. So? I'll refer you to the statement about what 75 cents will buy you earlier in the article.

If today was your last day and tommorow was too late would you say goodbye to yesterday? Would you live each moment like your last, leave old pictures in the past...

How dare a mere rock band speak of forgiving enemies and such seems to be the attitude of the rock thought police who spew venom on Nickelback. Whether they are phonies or not, I have no idea. Neither do I have an idea if their critics are any better. It's still one of the top 10 songs of the decade of 2000-2009 in my book.