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Two Irish bands named in 21st century’s top 100 rock songs by Rolling Stone

Published 15:03 28 Oct 2026 GMT

Updated 15:03 28 Oct 2026 GMT

Ava Keady

Two Irish bands named in 21st century’s top 100 rock songs by Rolling Stone

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The countdown included a classic Irish rock band, and a more modern entry.

Two Irish bands have been named in the century’s 200 greatest rock songs by Rolling Stone.

The iconic music magazines recent countdown of the 21st century's best rock songs (so far), and breaking the top 100 are a classic Irish rock band, as well as a more modern entry.

At number 22 on the list is U2's 2000 hit Beautiful Day, which took home both Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the 2001 Grammy Awards.

Commenting on the hit, Rolling Stone said it "reignited [the band's] signature mix of soaring studio atmospherics".

"The result is one of the most exciting return-to-form moments any major band has pulled off."

The track came in just ahead of ahead of David Bowie’s Blackstar (23) and Coldplay’s Yellow (24).

Ireland's newer rock offering, Fontaines D.C., also made the list, with their 2024 song Starburster.

Coming in just ahead of Café Tacvba's Eres (63) and Bloc Party's Banquet (62), Rolling Stone said the track "sounds like a panic attack, that’s the point".

"Birthed from an anxiety episode frontman Grian Chatten experienced inside of a bustling London train station, “Starburster” follows someone on the verge of a breakdown, knotting rap and post-punk influences to create a feels-so-bad-it’s-good banger," they added.

The top 20 had the usual suspects, with Fall Out Boy's Sugar, We’re Goin Down marking spot 20, My Chemical Romance with Welcome to the Black Parade at 16, 11th place sees Foo Fighters and Times Like These, and The Strokes with Last Nite at seven.

Radiohead's The National Anthem, Olivia Rodrigo's Good 4 U, The Killer's Mr Brightside and The White Stripes' Seven Nation Army all rounded out the top 5, with Yeah Yeah Yeahs' most successful offering taking the coveted top spot.

2003 track Maps was named by Rolling Stone as the 21st century's best rock song.

They wrote: "Though New York art-punk trio Yeah Yeah Yeahs are often celebrated for their off-the-wall energy, it’s a quieter moment that became the band’s most-enduring song.

"What remains in “Maps” is pure feeling, so much so that the song has reappeared as musical inspiration for artists from Kelly Clarkson to Beyoncé over the years. Still, the original has held out strongest through the decades, speaking to anyone who has understood whispered pleas in the face of cruel timing and inevitable goodbyes — and what it means to hold on even when it hurts."

See below the full list of the 200 greatest rock songs of the 21st century thus far as per Rolling Stone:

1. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - “Maps” (2003)
2. The White Stripes - “Seven Nation Army” (2003)
3. The Killers - “Mr. Brightside” (2004)
4. Olivia Rodrigo - “Good 4 U” (2021)
5. Radiohead - “The National Anthem” (2000)
6. Phoebe Bridgers - “I Know the End” (2020)
7. The Strokes - “Last Nite” (2001)
8. Jay-Z - “99 Problems” (2003)
9. Arctic Monkeys - “I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor” (2005)
10. Wilco - “Impossible Germany” (2007)
11. Foo Fighters - “Times Like These” (2002)
12. Paramore - “That’s What You Get” (2007)
13. Lucy Dacus - “Night Shift” (2018)
14. Rilo Kiley - “Portions for Foxes” (2004)
15. Franz Ferdinand - “Take Me Out” (2003)
16. My Chemical Romance - “Welcome to the Black Parade” (2006)
17. LCD Soundsystem - “All My Friends” (2007)
18. TV On the Radio - “Wolf Like Me” (2006)
19. Mitski - “Your Best American Girl” (2016)
20. Fall Out Boy - “Sugar, We’re Goin Down” (2005)
21. Geese - “Getting Killed” (2025)
22. U2 - “Beautiful Day” (2000)
23. David Bowie - “Blackstar” (2016)
24. Coldplay - “Yellow” (2000)
25. Jimmy Eat World - “The Middle” (2001)
26. The Hives - “Hate to Say I Told You So” (2000)
27. Bruce Springsteen - “The Rising” (2002)
28. Lana Del Rey - “Venice Bitch” (2019)
29. Modest Mouse - “Float On” (2004)
30. Broken Social Scene - “7/4 (Shoreline)” (2005)
31. MJ Lenderman - “Hangover Game” (2022)
32. Sleater-Kinney - “Entertain” (2005)
33. Taylor Swift - “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)” (2021)
34. System of a Down - “Chop Suey!” (2001)
35. MGMT - “Time to Pretend” (2007)
36. Queens of the Stone Age - “No One Knows” (2002)
37. Arcade Fire - “Rebellion (Lies)” (2004)
38. Bob Dylan - “Honest With Me” (2001)
39. Phoenix - “1901” (2009)
40. Slayer - “Disciple” (2001)
41. OutKast - “B.O.B.” (2000)
42. Vampire Weekend - “A-Punk” (2008)
43. Courtney Barnett - “Pedestrian at Best” (2015)
44. The Rapture - “House of Jealous Lovers” (2003)
45. Alabama Shakes - “Hold On” (2012)
46. Beyoncé and Jack White - “Don’t Hurt Yourself” (2016)
47. Deftones - “Change (In the House of Flies)” (2000)
48. The New Pornographers - “Letter From an Occupant” (2000)
49. Weezer - “Hash Pipe” (2001)
50. Red Hot Chili Peppers - “By the Way” (2002)
51. Muse - “Supermassive Black Hole” (2006)
52. My Morning Jacket - “Wordless Chorus” (2005)
53. Alvvays - “Party Police” (2014)
54. PJ Harvey - “This Is Love” (2000)
55. Waxahatchee - “Never Been Wrong” (2017)
56. Panic! at the Disco - “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” (2005)
57. Parquet Courts - “Stoned and Starving” (2012)
58. Blink-182 - “The Rock Show” (2001)
59. D’Angelo and the Vanguard - “The Charade” (2015)
60. Mastodon - “Blood and Thunder” (2004)
61. Fontaines D.C. - “Starburster” (2024)
62. Bloc Party - “Banquet” (2004)
63. Café Tacvba - “Eres” (2005)
64. Car Seat Headrest - “Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales” (2016)
65. Fountains of Wayne - “Mexican Wine” (2003)
66. The Walkmen - “The Rat” (2004)
67. Converge - “Concubine” (2001)
68. Wednesday - “Chosen to Deserve” (2023)
69. The Hold Steady - “Killer Parties” (2004)
70. St. Vincent - “Marrow” (2009)
71. Kelly Clarkson - “Since U Been Gone” (2004)
72. Wheatus - “Teenage Dirtbag” (2000)
73. Tyler Childers - “Eatin’ Big Time” (2025)
74. Turnstile - “Blackout” (2021)
75. Haim - “The Wire” (2013)
76. Kaiser Chiefs - “I Predict a Riot” (2004)
77. Mannequin ***** - “Drunk II” (2019)
78. Jesu - “Star” (2006)
79. The War on Drugs - “Red Eyes” (2014)
80. Maná - “Mariposa Traicionera” (2002)
81. Interpol - “PDA” (2002)
82. Lady Gaga - “Yoü and I” (2011)
83. Radiohead - “There, There” (2005)
84. Wet Leg - “Chaise Longue” (2022)
85. Evanescence - “Bring Me to Life” (2003)
86. Black Keys - “Lonely Boy” (2011)
87. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - “Jubilee Street” (2013)
88. Arctic Monkeys - “R U Mine” (2011)
89. Stephen Malkmus - “Real Emotional Trash” (2008)
90. Against Me! - “Transgender Dysphoria Blues” (2014)
91. Tool - “The Grudge” (2001)
92. Green Day - “Holiday” (2004)
93. Fiona Apple - “Horns of a Bull” (2026)
94. Opeth - “Deliverance” (2002)
95. R.E.M. - “Imitation of Life” (2000)
96. Doves - “Black and White Town” (2005)
97. Japanese Breakfast - “Be Sweet” (2021)
98. Natalia Lafourcade - “En el 2000” (2002)
99. Drive-By Truckers - “Marry Me” (2003)
100. The 1975 - “I Always Wanna Die (Sometimes)” (2018)
101. The Roots feat. Cody Chesnutt - “The Seed (2.0)” (2003)
102. The National - “Bloodbuzz Ohio” (2010)
103. Linkin Park - “In the End” (2000)
104. White Stripes - “Ball and Biscuit” (2003)
105. Death Cab for Cutie - “Transatlanticism” (2003)
106. Bartees Strange - “Boomer” (2020)
107. Boygenius - “Stay Down” (2018)
108. The Vines - “Get Free” (2002)
109. Black Sabbath - “God Is Dead?” (2013)
110. Bob Dylan - “Key West (Philosopher Pirate)” (2020)
111. The Darkness - “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” (2003)
112. Brandi Carlile - “The Story” (2007)
113. Elliott Smith - “L.A.” (2000)
114. Pearl Jam - “Got Some” (2009)
115. Gaslight Anthem - “The ’59 Sound” (2008)
116. Willow feat. Travis Barker - “Transparent Soul” (2021)
117. Nine Inch Nails - “The Hand That Feeds” (2005)
118. Silversun Pickups - “Lazy Eye” (2006)
119. Cameron Winter - “Love Takes Miles” (2024)
120. Benjamin Booker - “Violent Shiver” (2014)
121. My Chemical Romance - “I’m Not Okay (I Promise)” (2004)
122. Paul McCartney - “Fine Line” (2005)
123. Taking Back Sunday - “You’re So Last Summer” (2002)
124. John Mayer - “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room” (2006)
125. Gojira - “Flying Whales” (2005)
126. Spoon - “The Way We Get By” (2002)
127. Audioslave - “Like a Stone” (2002)
128. Gary Clark Jr. - “Bright Lights” (2011)
129. Sonic Youth - “Incinerate” (2006)
130. Harry Styles - “Kiwi” (2017)
131. Muse - “Uprising” (2009)
132. Japandroids - “The Nights of Wine and Roses” (2012)
133. Kings of Leon - “The Bucket” (2004)
134. Rush - “Headlong Flight” (2012)
135. The Killers - “Read My Mind” (2006)
136. The Stratford 4 - “Telephone” (2003)
137. Big Thief - “Not” (2019)
138. The Strokes - “Reptilia” (2003)
139. Neil Young and Crazy Horse - “Ramada Inn” (2012)
140. Arch Enemy - “We Will Rise” (2003)
141. Soccer Mommy - “Circle the Drain” (2020)
142. Low Cut Connie - “Revolution Rock n Roll” (2017)
143. Snail Mail - “Heat Wave” (2018)
144. Wolfmother - “Joker & the Thief” (2005)
145. Songs: Ohia - “Farewell Transmission” (2003)
146. Lou Reed - “Big Sky” (2000)
147. The Libertines - “Don’t Look Back Into the Sun” (2003)
148. Yo La Tengo - “Cherry Chapstick” (2000)
149. Meshuggah - “Bleed” (2008)
150. Bleachers - “Jesus Is Dead” (2024)
151. Kurt Vile - “Pretty Pimpin’” (2015)
152. Jet - “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” (2003)
153. Foo Fighters - “Best of You” (2005)
154. Boris with Michio Kurihara - “Rainbow” (2007)
155. Sky Ferreira - “You’re Not the One” (2013)
156. Prince - “Guitar” (2007)
157. Hop Along - “The Knock” (2015)
158. Gossip - “Standing in the Way of Control” (2006)
159. The Shins - “Caring Is Creepy” (2001)
160. Water From Your Eyes - “Barley” (2023)
161. Metallica - “Spit Out the Bone” (2016)
162. Ought - “Beautiful Blue Sky” (2015)
163. Sturgill Simpson - “Call to Arms” (2016)
164. Deerhunter - “Desire Lines” (2010)
165. Louis XIV - “Finding Out True Love Is Blind” (2005)
166. At the Drive-In - “Arcarsenal” (2000)
167. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit - “Cumberland Gap” (2017)
168. Electric Six - “Danger! High Voltage” (2002)
169. The Rolling Stones - “Whole Wide World” (2023)
170. Sum 41 - “Fat Lip” (2001)
171. Mdou Moctar - “Afrique Victime” (2021)
172. The Monkees - “Me and Magdalena” (2016)
173. Blondshell - “Salad” (2023)
174. Future Islands - “Seasons (Waiting on You)” (2014)
175. Red Clay Strays - “Wondering Why” (2022)
176. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - “Rattlesnake” (2017)
177. Alejandro Escovedo - “Castanets” (2001)
178. Sleigh Bells - “Rill Rill” (2010)
179. Moses Sumney - “Virile” (2019)
180. Downtown Boys - “Monstro” (2015)
181. Yungblud - “Hello Heaven, Hello” (2025)
182. Avril Lavigne - “My Happy Ending” (2004)
183. Bombino - “Amidinine” (2013)
184. Mudcrutch - “Crystal River” (2008)
185. Velvet Revolver - “Slither” (2004)
186. Tame Impala - “Elephant” (2012)
187. Slipknot - “People = ****” (2001)
188. The Raconteurs - “Steady, As She Goes” (2006)
189. Baroness - “Isak” (2007)
190. Alex G - “After Ur Gone” (2014)
191. Wolf Parade - “I’ll Believe in Anything” (2005)
192. Juanes - “Es Por Ti” (2002)
193. Momma - “Speeding 72” (2022)
194. Old 97’s - “Rollerskate Skinny” (2001)
195. The Mountain Goats - “This Year” (2005)
196. Incubus - “Circles” (2001)
197. Mogwai - “2 Rights Make 1 Wrong” (2001)
198. Speedy Ortiz - “The Graduates” (2015)
199. Noah Kahan - “American Cars” (2026)
200. Yellowcard - “Ocean Avenue” (2003)