Top 10 Indie Songs of the Decade: 2000 to 2009

First off, I hope everyone had a happy new years! I thought it would be fun to post my top favorite songs of the last decade. That's right folks - from 2000 to 2009.

So without any further ado, I present you with my top 10 indie songs of the decade!


10. Pinback – “Penelope“
The band Pinback was formed in 1998 by Zach Smith and Rob Crow. They are part of the San Diego scene and have record eight EPs and 4 full-length studio albums. The track ‘Penelope’ can be found on Blue Screen Life. While Fortress may be their most popular track, ‘Penelope’ is dubbed the greatest song ever written about a goldfish.

9. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “Maps“
Releasing gold every three years since 2003, Yeah Yeah Yeahs make the list with their emotionally hooking song ‘Maps’. This track is from their first full-length album Fever to Tell and seven years after its release, I’m still addicted

8. Spoon – “The Way We Get By“
This band has had much commercial success, and ‘The Way We Get By’ is one of the tracks that contributed to Spoon’s overall success. It is a hit single off of their 2003 album Kill The Moonlight and it has since been popularized by the comedy drama film Stranger than Fiction

7. Grizzly bear – “Two Weeks“
Two Weeks literally blew me away when I bought the newest album. Grizzly Bear quickly moved to the top of my list after they released Yellow House in 2006, but they somehow topped themselves this year with Veckatimest

6. Broken Social Scene – “7/4 (Shoreline)“
Broken Social Scene is a Canadian indie rock band noted for having a large lineup that is constantly changing. As a single off of their self-titled 2005 album, 7/4 (Shoreline) has brought the band much success




5. The Killers – “Mr. Brightside“
The Killers have what appears to be the biggest fan base out of any indie rock band of the decade. They have topped national billboards with their debut album Hot Fuss, which features their most listened to single Mr. Brightside

4. Arcade Fire – “Rebellion (Lies) “
Funeral was and still is an amazing album, and probably the best that Arcade Fire has to offer. Similar to Broken Social Scene, Arcade Fire is also a Canadian baroque pop indie rock band and is most recognizable for their track off of Funeral entitled “Rebellion (Lies)”

3. Phoenix - “1901“
French band Phoenix has made a huge breakthrough with their 2009 release Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. Their most recognized song 1901 is one of the catchiest songs of the decade, but it seems they are beginning to get played out more and more every day. Cadillac, anyone? Either way, “1901” is a huge hit and takes the number 3 spot on my list.

2. M.I.A. – “Paper Planes“
This song contains perhaps the best use of a sample from The Clash that I’ve ever heard. Paper Planes got the recognition it truly deserved with the aid of being featured in a trailer for the stoner comedy movie Pineapple Express.

1. MGMT – “Kids“
There have been a lot of awesome bands coming out of Brooklyn this decade, many of which have made it in to my top ten. Well, at the top of that list is Grammy nominated indie group MGMT. Oracular Spectacular has found a permanent home in my CD player, and the single “Kids” has rightfully earned my vote for best song of the decade.