The Top 100 from 1997-2002: No. 1-20
No. 20: Sasha- If You Believe
German soloist Sasha Alexander, or simply "Sasha" over in Europe, never did make a big splash in North America, but I think it's a shame when he had this exceptionally written, spiritually deep track about the joy of love. It is very sensual and moving, and, if you'll believe me, it was uplifting too. I've long held pop artists from outside of North America (except Michelle Branch)- at least those from Europe- were much more artistic than their North American brethren when they were themselves (not as often as I'd like) and this track is an excellent example of this. Perhaps that's why the song didn't do as well as it should over here, but, no matter what, it truly needs to be classified among the best.
No. 19: P. Diddy f/Faith Evans & 112- I'll Be Missing You
I know when Sean Combs (A.K.A. P. Diddy) was Puff Daddy when he made the song, but, since I like to keep things up to date, he's "P. Diddy" for our purposes. Regardless, this 1997 hip-hop song about Diddy's fallen friend The Notorious B.I.G. was a thoughtful, deep and touching tribute to the late rapper that raised over $3 million for the estate of "Biggy Smalls" (where the proceeds for the single went) and was No. 1 on MTV's 1997 Year-End countdown, but, in truth, Combs would rather have his friend than a No. 1 hit- and I'll believe him, no matter how good this song was.
No. 18: Outkast- Rosa Parks
"Da Art Of Storytellin'" may have been better lyrically, but it couldn't have compared to the delivery of this song, meant as a party song for the back of a bus. It's a tribute to Rosa Parks, a Black woman living in the South during the 1950s, who refused to follow the law and give up her seat in the front of the bus for a White man. It may sound like the crew is excluding but in truth, why should they include in a party people who excluded them? Clever.
No. 17: Eminem- Role Model
However good "Stan" was, the rarely-played "Role Model" is Eminem's (A.K.A. Marshall Mathers') best song, as it cuts very deep and exposing the faults of picking role models. It was a little too harsh for radios, but it made its point very clearly and very effectively, exhibiting just how thought-provoking Eminem is as a rapper.
No. 16: Santana f/Rob Thomas- Smooth
Featuring the best guitar sound since Guns 'N Roses' Slash's work in "Paradise City", "Smooth" was a simple summer song where the title that adequately described just how sweet Carlos Santana's guitar work was. Thomas, who wrote the song, did a good job in complimenting Santana's sound into an excellent song, and, although lyrically it could use a little work, just the guitar is worth the price of admission. Santana won a Grammy for this, and, let me tell you, it was fully deserved.
No. 15: Eric Clapton- My Father's Eyes
Many consider "Slowhand" Clapton to be the best guitarist ever, and they definitely have a case with a song like this one. Clapton's guitar work is very smooth and just beautiful to listen to, definitely among the best ever, although Santana's "Smooth" has the better guitar work. So what ranks this track ahead of Santana? The lyrics, providing an intelligent, thoughtful and deep song about a man and his father, as this song is lyrically stronger than Santana's still excellent song.
No. 14: Beastie Boys- Intergalactic
The Beasties have always strayed away from the pack, using a different sound than the rest of rap and excelling in the silly side of the music, which is very hard to pull off. This song was intriguing indeed, featuring lyrics that made absolutely no sense but somehow dragged you into it and kept you compelled. The band picked their name because they thought they wouldn't last: just to let you know, this 1998 song ranks as one of the Beasties' best during their illustrious career, which had spanned 15 years at the single's release. Will they be back? Maybe, but I'll tell you that if they do, it'll most likely be a joy to listen to, like the rest of their work.
No. 13: Nas f/Amerie- Rule
This song barely made the cut, being released in July 2002, but I'm thankful it did since this is, by far, the smartest rap song ever released. Nas pulls no punches in condemning modern America, saying, "how can he (George W. Bush) fix all the problems when he ain't fixed home yet?" and urging Colin Powell to "throw in the towel". It also doesn't hurt that rising R&B star Amerie nails the chorus, adding another element to this riveting song. This song will definitely be remembered among rap's classics for sure.
No. 12: The Bomfunk MC's- Freestyler
These Finns- yep, Finns- stormed onto the music scene in 2000 with their compelling dance/rap hybrid hit "Freestyler", adding a different and more artistic vibe to the music style. B.O.W.'s raps are delivered very well and are actually very smart (the song is sung in English, by the way), but, at the same time, are very easy to dance to. It's unfortunate they didn't get the success they should have with this track, as it definitely was among rap's best for sure.
No. 11: Michelle Branch- Goodbye To You
Perhaps this is a little too high for the summer 2002 release, but I have my reasons. Branch, whose work even tops that of international pop acts- often held as more artistic than their North American counterparts- offers what, at first, appears as a run-of-the-mill love lost song (albeit a beautiful one), singing in lamentation about a guy she lost. Then she throws in a line about how she won't give in this time, in a classic Branch twist that sets the Sedona, Arizona native well above her contemporaries. There may have been works similar to hers but none have ever had her energy and her lyrical strength, marking Branch among- if not the- best songwriter in music today.
No. 10: Michelle Branch- Everywhere
Yep, Branch has the No. 11 and No. 10 spots on this list, but, as I've said before, her work bests every other artists' out there mainly because her tracks are not what they seem after the first listen, like this song. At first, it sounds like a joyous tune, as Branch is declaring how her boyfriend is "everywhere to me/And when I close my eyes/It's you I see", but, as the piece progresses, Branch starts to question as to whether or not her boyfriend sees her in the exact same way. It's very uplifting and, at the same time, very touching, providing a myriad of feelings in one song.
No. 9: The Rascalz- Dreaded Fist
This is, arguably, The Rascalz's smartest and most reflective work and shows exactly why they're hip-hop leaders today: because they're smart and different, something rarely ever done in hip-hop today, if ever. Here, emcees Red-1 and Misfit display their talents expertly, while DJ Kemo provides an excellent beat to complement the thoughtful and sometimes dark nature of the song. "Northern Touch" may have broken more ground for them, but this track is definitely their best.
No. 8: U2- Beautiful Day
Copping- and well deserved- the 2000 Grammy for single of the year, "Beautiful Day" reaffirmed U2's legendary status as the band went back to the basics to record, arguably, their best piece yet: smart, in-your-face lyrics, instrumentation tuned to perfection, and absolutely amazing guitar riffs provided by Dave Evans, A.K.A. "The Edge". The Dubliners may be a little long in the tooth but they proved with "Beautiful Day" and its album "All That You Can't Leave Behind" that they still have lots left in the tank.
No. 7: The Offspring- Gone Away
What? Dexter Holland singing a love song? It can't be! Yet it is. You may be surprised that the lesser-played "Gone Away" made this list as opposed to their much bigger tracks like "Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)" or "The Kids Aren't Alright", but the truth is none of those songs ever hit the same quality this song- or most others on this list- did. As for the piece, "Gone Away" is very reflective, thoughtful and deep, plus Noodles absolutely nails his guitar riffs, making it one of rock's more energetic and better overall tracks.
No. 6: 1 Giant Leap f/Maxi Jazz & Robbie Williams- My Culture
The first thing that popped in my mind when I heard worldwide collaboration 1 Giant Leap- or Duncan Bridgeman and Jamie Catto- was how different they were, providing an excellent example here. Featuring two of Britain's better known musicians- Faithless' Jazz and former Take That member Williams- this piece uses a very sensual and mellow beat, providing a spiritual essence complimented by the voices of Jazz and Williams, who sing very thoughtful lyrics. The band is an underground act, but, after hearing music this good, it won't be long before they hit mainstream.
No. 5: Wave- California
Canadians Wave offer the perfect summer tune, providing an uplifting beat and some pretty smart lyrics, staying happy but never going cheesy. It may not offer much lyrically but, as a summer tune, it doesn't have to, as the sound was enough to be refreshing on the radio airwaves during those long summer nights. The Niagara Falls duo never did recapture the same spirit this song did, but that was due more to poor single selection than anything else, as they offered several tunes that were just as good if not better than "California" on their amazing album "Nothing's As It Seems". Maybe the boys will be back, and, although this song will be hard to top, hopefully they'll be able to refresh the airwaves like this song did.
No. 4: Lene Marlin- Unforgivable Sinner
To my knowledge, Norwegian teen Marlin never did release her work over here, a shame since this song has been one of music's most artistic pieces ever done. It's a very dark song where Marlin cuts deep in anger at a boy who, I believe, killed his girlfriend. "Someone cries and you're to blame", sings Marlin in one part, "Now she's up there/Seems like an angel/But you can't hear those words," sings Marlin during the chorus. It probably cut a little too deep for the contemporary North American crowd, as the song could have upset many listeners, but, in a world where true art has always been muzzled, it's refreshing to hear someone pushing the envelope like Marlin has done.
No. 3: Creed- My Own Prison
Back when the Miami band was starting out, they were writing very thoughtful, deep and spiritual pieces, all of it very artistic in nature and always different on the radio. This song is an excellent lamentation piece, as a man searches deep within his soul for whatever justification he can find for his terrible crime. "No appeal on the docket today/Just my own loss" sings frontman Scott Stapp, with a tinge of reflection and regret in his voice. Many rock songs have strived to hit this plateau of quality but none so far have equaled it, not even Creed themselves.
No. 2: 1 Giant Leap f/Neneh Cherry & Speech- Braided Hair
When I first heard 1 Giant Leap's self-titled album, this song was, far and away, the best track on the album- which was overall very exceptional. Just to hear Cherry- the sister of Eagle-Eye Cherry, who also has a charter here- and Speech nail their vocal segments (Speech is an African rapper, by the way) amidst a backdrop featuring the world's best sounds is truly breathtaking, adding spice to the radio whenever it came on- which wasn't often enough if you ask me.
No. 1: Michelle Branch- All You Wanted
Perhaps this song was released too late for any conclusiveness on its staying power, but the truth is when I hear it even now, eight months after its initial release, it still sounds exceptionally better than everything else I hear. What's so good about this song? There's nothing done wrong in this song- the lyrics are exceptionally penned, the music fits perfectly, Branch's voice is top notch, and progression is flawless. Every time I think of a flaw I realize that it not only it works, but works well. It's very easy to listen to, but, at the same time, Branch offers very intelligent, thoughtful and deep lyrics that leave the song open to several interpretations. If there ever was a pop song that truly defined art, this is it.
-DG
The Top 100: Nos. 20-1
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