A mix of cool, catchy and cheesy.
After hearing that one of my favourite albums has recently turned 10, I instantly felt old…really old.
This got me thinking about some of the other tracks that were released a decade ago. I’d wager that a lot of you still love some of these tunes just as much as the first time that you heard them.
In the interest of honesty, I’ve thrown in some of my own favourites along with what was topping the charts at the time.
1) The Chemical Brothers – Galvanize
As seen by their set at Longitude, this track still gets people dancing just like it did when it was released. To be honest, I’ll listen to anything that features Q-Tip.
2) Kanye West – Gold Digger
Before he became a self-proclaimed musical Yeezus, the rapper proved that his stellar debut ‘The College Dropout’ was no fluke with this assured follow-up.
Drive Slow, Heard ‘Em Say and Touch the Sky are all cracking entries but this tune was the song of that summer.
3) LCD Soundsystem – Tribulations
I was lucky enough to see James Murphy’s band play in Dublin before they split up and it still ranks as one of my all-time favourite gigs.
With just three albums, LCD Soundystem did more than most other bands could hope to achieve in their entire career. Their debut is an absolutely wonderful record that demands to be played on repeat.
4) Sugababes – Push The Button
It went to the top of the Irish charts for three weeks and it’s easy to see why. Did they ever get Siobhan back in the band?
5) Gorillaz – Dare
The real triumph of this record was actually getting Happy Monday’s frontman Sean Ryder into the studio to record the vocals.
Thank god he did because this is a belter.
6) Bloc Party – This Modern Love
Arguably my favourite album of that year. I’ve written loads about it here if you want a nostalgic read.
7) James Blunt – You’re Beautiful
He’s fantastic on Twitter, as for his music? Next question please. Then again, nearly every second person in Ireland had this album so he must have picked up a fair bit of bob from Irish fans.
This is still cheesy as hell though.
8) Bright Eyes – Road To Joy
Probably the most critically acclaimed album of the year and a must-have for college students a decade ago.
9) We Are Scientists – The Great Escape
Am I the only person that thinks the guitarist looks like Kip from Napoleon Dynamite? Cracking video and an even better riff.
10) Jay-Z and Linkin Park – Numb/Encore
Probably the highlight of Linkin Park’s career. I’d guess that Jay-Z doesn’t feel the same. Still though, it was number one for four weeks as nu-metal was en vogue.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcOwJh4F40M
11) Amerie – 1 Thing
One of those tracks that still drags people up off their chairs and onto the dancefloor on a Saturday night. Rightfully so because its got an amazing beat.
12) The Black Eyed Peas- My Humps
There was no escaping it. None. At. All.
13) Goldfrapp – Oh La La
For my money, it’s still one of the sexiest tracks that has ever been recorded. This tune has popped up in so many TV shows and films that I’ve lost count at this stage.
14) Rihanna – Pon De Replay
Umbrella saw her conquer the world but Ri-Ri took her first steps to dancefloor domination a decade ago. She’s done an awful lot in those ten years.
15) Foo Fighters – Best Of You
I’d consider myself to be a big Foo Fighters fan but ‘In Your Honour’ was a weak album considering what came before it. Still though, this track has managed to work its way into being a regular in their set-list and it’s easy to see why.
16) Kaiser Chiefs – I Predict a Riot
The soundtrack to many a night in a sweaty indie club and almost everyone had a copy of that album.
17) Tony Christie featuring Peter Kay – (Is This The Way) to Amarillo
Take a guess how long this track spent at the top of the Irish charts? Go on. Five weeks people, you know who you are.
18) Westlife – You Raise Me Up
Biggest selling track of the year and played during loads of 3am drunken embraces on the dancefloor.
19) Sigur Ros – Hoppipola
This remains one of the most beautiful pieces of music that I’ve ever heard in my life. Without using any words, this song still emotes more than 99% of tracks could ever manage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnAwPeqrdAk
20) The Arcade Fire – Wake Up
I’m cheating a little bit here because their incredible album ‘Funeral’ was initially released in ’04 but it took a long time for the band to come to the attention of Irish music lovers.
The first time that I heard this track was when U2 used it to come on stage at Croke Park.
It still gives me goosebumps.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
