Top 10 Songs of the 21st Century that Should Be on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time but Aren't

Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time has been updated a few times now, and while it's no longer just a boomer mixtape with a few token newer tracks sprinkled in, it's still missing some serious heavy-hitters from the 21st century. Not just fan favorites or guilty pleasures. We're talking about songs that stopped critics in their tracks, stirred conversation, shaped soundscapes, and rewired what pop, rock, hip hop, and everything in between could look like after the year 2000.

So what do you think deserves a rewrite in the Rolling Stone canon? What track lit the fuse on a movement, redefined an artist, or became a cultural flashpoint?

The Top Ten

  1. Rolling in the Deep - Adele

    Adele, while still young and relatively new, is on the best way to becoming a legendary singer, and her albums and songs receive praise from both critics and audience. She is popular with both teens and adults, and she is all about the music, not her image. Since Rolling in the Deep is her signature song, it should be on the list.

    It's just criminal. How could you forget such an amazing gem like this?

    This should be on, but it isn't definitive.

  2. Welcome to the Black Parade - My Chemical Romance

    My Chemical Romance received exceptional reviews and became an essential part of the pop culture of the latter half of the 2000s. Welcome to the Black Parade is their signature song and received rave reviews.

    PS: Considering they charted over here where this type of alternative rock was not associated with emo (instead, artists that had a certain manga style were, like early Tokio Hotel, Cinema Bizarre, or LaFee), it shows they are also a great band without the gimmick of being leading figures of a subculture.

    Before voting, please listen to this song and you'll understand how great it is and why it should be number one.

  3. Ride - Twenty One Pilots

  4. Back to Black - Amy Winehouse

    I don't know about the US, but the song Back to Black got way more airplay than Rehab over here and became Winehouse's signature song. Rehab is on their list, and considering her impact on pop culture she needs to be on the list.

  5. I Write Sins Not Tragedies - Panic! at the Disco

  6. American Idiot - Green Day

  7. Set Fire to the Rain - Adele

  8. Wheel of Time - Blind Guardian

    This song left me in awe when I first heard it. To me, it's the best and most impressive song by far.

  9. Schism - Tool

    Should be top ten. Honestly, Tool should dominate the top ten. I'd also throw in some Eagles.

  10. Numb - Linkin Park

    11. The Newcomers
  11. ?

    Wonder - Shawn Mendes

    This song is everything. Nothing else matters, especially not school.

  12. ?

    Love Is a Losing Game - Amy Winehouse

    This is such a heartbreaking yet well-made song. Hope this gets added in the next update.

    13. The Contenders

  13. My Future - Billie Eilish

  14. Starboy - The Weeknd

  15. Lose Yourself - Eminem

    Considered one of his best songs and loved by many.

  16. Liability - Lorde

  17. Boulevard of Broken Dreams - Green Day

  18. Bring Me to Life - Evanescence

  19. Anthem - Iced Earth

  20. Taxi Cab - Twenty One Pilots

    A song from their first album. That's a surprise for me.

  21. Buzzcut Season - Lorde

    This song should be in the top 500 because of its unique lyrics and background music. It has a catchy beat and Lorde's unique vocals. If you disagree with me, fight me.

  22. Mana - Equilibrium

  23. No Matter What - Calum Scott

    This song is sad and encourages people. Great work, Calum.

    The best song about being gay there is.

  24. Bad Romance - Lady Gaga

    Lady Gaga is pretty much the definition of pop of the 2010s and late 2000s, and is acclaimed beyond compare. "Bad Romance" and "Poker Face" are both her signature songs, but Poker Face seems a bit unlikely because it was released at a time when Gaga wasn't yet taken as seriously as a musician as she is now.

    Hell yeah. This is the best Lady Gaga song, in my opinion.

    I think Rolling in the Deep should be added. But this song is on a different level. Just iconic.

  25. Change (In the House of Flies) - Deftones

  26. Sonne - Rammstein

    I know that Rolling Stone has a huge misconception of Rammstein, but Rammstein are megastars in their home country. When asked about who is the best German band, most Germans would answer either Rammstein or Die Ärzte. However, it's only Rammstein that also made it big internationally. Additionally, the lyrical quality of their songs is among the best. Sonne is their best known song of the 21st century, so it should be on the list.

  27. Alright - Kendrick Lamar

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