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Discussion: The Decade Defined

Note: This is not our list of the best music of the decade. The songs listed below appear in the show as part of our discussion on the decade's defining moments and trends. We'll post a multi-genre list of the 50 most important recordings of the decade next week.

Language Advisory: The language in some of the featured songs is not suitable for all ages.

collage 4:3
collage 4:3

Top row, left to right: Missy Elliott, Taylor Hicks, Eminem; Second row: Win Butler and Regine Chassagne of Arcade Fire, Regina Spektor; Bottom row: Cover for Danger Mouse's The Grey Album, Sufjan Stevens.

November 9, 2009 - It's hard to believe, but the first decade of the new millennium is rapidly drawing to a close — and it's been a remarkable one for music. AllSongs Considered, which launched on Jan. 1, 2000, has had a front-row seat for all the amazing artists, albums and songs released in the past 10 years, from the klezmer music of Kaila Flexer (featured on our first episode) to the noise-rock of the New Zealand band The Dead C (featured last week).

In this edition of All Songs Considered, host Bob Boilen looks back at some of the defining trends, sounds and historic moments that made the '00s stand out, in a roundtable discussion with Monitor Mix blogger Carrie Brownstein, All Songs Considered producer Robin Hilton and NPR Music editor Stephen Thompson.

A Timeline of the Decade in Music

Nominate the decade's most important recordings.

Complete coverage of the decade in music.

Subscribe to the Second Stage podcast to automatically download each song to your computer.

Submit your music for possible inclusion in Second Stage or All Songs Considered.

Discussion: The Decade Defined

cover for eminem

Eminem

Album: Marshall Mathers LP
Song: Stan
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    • "Stan"
    • CD: Marshall Mathers LP
    • Artist: Eminem
    • Label: Interscope
    • Released: 2000
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cover for the equals

The Equals

Album: Greatest Hits
Song: Hold Me Closer
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    • "Hold Me Closer"
    • CD: Greatest Hits
    • Artist: The Equals
    • Label: Koch
    • Released: 1974
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Cover for Give Up

The Postal Service

Album: Give Up
Song: The District Sleeps Alone Tonight
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    • "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight"
    • CD: Give Up
    • Artist: The Postal Service
    • Label: Sub Pop
    • Released: 2009
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Cover for The Randy Newman Songbook, Vol. 1

Randy Newman

Album: The Randy Newman Songbook, Vol. 1
Song: Political Science
 
 
Cover for Double Nickels on the Dime

Minutemen

Album: Double Nickels on the Dime
Song: Theatre Is the Life of You
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    • "Theatre Is the Life of You"
    • CD: Double Nickels on the Dime
    • Artist: Minutemen
    • Label: SST
    • Released: 2009
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cover for the avalanches

The Avalanches

Album: Since I Left You
Song: Frontier Psychiatrist
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    • "Frontier Psychiatrist"
    • CD: Since I Left You
    • Artist: The Avalanches
    • Label: Decca
    • Released: 2000
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Cover for Strawberry Jam

Animal Collective

Album: Strawberry Jam
Song: Peacebone
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    • "Peacebone"
    • CD: Strawberry Jam
    • Artist: Animal Collective
    • Label: Domino
    • Released: 2007
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Cover for O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Harry McClintock

Album: O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Song: Big Rock Candy Mountain
 
 
cover for taylor hicks

Taylor Hicks

Album: Do I Make You Proud/Takin' It to the Streets
Song: Do I Make You Proud
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    • "Do I Make You Proud"
    • CD: Do I Make You Proud/Takin' It to the Streets
    • Artist: Taylor Hicks
    • Label: RCA
    • Released: 2006
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cover for the grey album

Danger Mouse

Album: Grey Album
Song: 99 Problems

 

This album was never officially released and is not available for purchase.

 
Cover for Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

Wilco

Album: Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Song: I Am Trying to Break Your Heart
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    • "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart"
    • CD: Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
    • Artist: Wilco
    • Label: Nonesuch
    • Released: 2009
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Cover for Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

Album: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Song: Upon This Tidal Wave of Young Blood
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    • "Upon This Tidal Wave of Young Blood"
    • CD: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
    • Artist: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
    • Label: Wichita Recordings
    • Released: 2005
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Cover for Illinoise

Sufjan Stevens

Album: Illinoise
Song: Casimir Pulaski Day
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    • "Casimir Pulaski Day"
    • CD: Illinoise
    • Artist: Sufjan Stevens
    • Label: Asthmatic Kitty
    • Released: 2009
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Cover for O

Damien Rice

Album: O
Song: Volcano
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    • "Volcano"
    • CD: O
    • Artist: Damien Rice
    • Label: 14th Floor
    • Released: 2003
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Cover for Echoes

The Rapture

Album: Echoes
Song: House of Jealous Lovers
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    • "House of Jealous Lovers"
    • CD: Echoes
    • Artist: The Rapture
    • Label: Strummer/Universal
    • Released: 2003
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cover for dirty vegas

Dirty Vegas

Album: Dirty Vegas
Song: Days Go By
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    • "Days Go By"
    • CD: Dirty Vegas
    • Artist: Dirty Vegas
    • Label: Capitol
    • Released: 2002
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Cover for Funeral

Arcade Fire

Album: Funeral
Song: Rebellion (Lies)
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    • "Rebellion (Lies)"
    • CD: Funeral
    • Artist: Arcade Fire
    • Label: Merge
    • Released: 2008
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