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All Songs Considered

Discussion: The Decade Defined

November 9, 20093:08 PM ET

Discussion: The Decade Defined

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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.

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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.

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.

Discussion: The Decade Defined

Stan

6:43

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Eminem

Song: Stan
from Marshall Mathers LP

Hold Me Closer

2:34

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The Equals

Song: Hold Me Closer
from Greatest Hits

The District Sleeps Alone Tonight

4:44

Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/120182047/120186865" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

The Postal Service

Song: The District Sleeps Alone Tonight
from Give Up

Cover for The Randy Newman Songbook, Vol. 1

Political Science

2:05

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Randy Newman

Song: Political Science
from The Randy Newman Songbook, Vol. 1

Theatre Is the Life of You

1:30

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Minutemen

Song: Theatre Is the Life of You
from Double Nickels on the Dime

Frontier Psychiatrist

4:51

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The Avalanches

Song: Frontier Psychiatrist
from Since I Left You

Peacebone

5:13

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Animal Collective

Song: Peacebone
from Strawberry Jam

Big Rock Candy Mountain

2:18

Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/120182047/120186877" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Harry McClintock

Song: Big Rock Candy Mountain
from O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Do I Make You Proud

4:08

Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/120182047/120186879" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Taylor Hicks

Song: Do I Make You Proud
from Do I Make You Proud/Takin' It to the Streets

99 Problems

4:08

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Danger Mouse

Song: 99 Problems
from Grey Album

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

I Am Trying to Break Your Heart

6:58

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Wilco

Song: I Am Trying to Break Your Heart
from
by

Upon This Tidal Wave of Young Blood

4:35

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Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

Song: Upon This Tidal Wave of Young Blood
from
by

Casimir Pulaski Day

5:54

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Sufjan Stevens

Song: Casimir Pulaski Day
from Illinoise

Volcano

4:38

Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/120182047/120187727" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Damien Rice

Song: Volcano
from O

House of Jealous Lovers

5:05

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The Rapture

Song: House of Jealous Lovers
from Echoes

Days Go By

3:42

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Dirty Vegas

Song: Days Go By

Rebellion (Lies)

5:11

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Arcade Fire

Song: Rebellion (Lies)
from
by