The Best Songs of 2000-2009

The first of two "best of..." lists that will be published on here today. The second one, in the highly unlikely event that the anticipation is killing you, will be on films.

Of course, all best of lists are inherently idiosyncratic and reflect the personal preferences of the compiler. That seems obvious, but really comes across when you consider that every track in my Top 20 is from an indie band. And several bands get multiple placings even though we are dealing with over ten years worth of music. But seriously, I think - if nothing else - these 20 tracks make an awesome playlist for anyone's MP3 player:

20: Hey Man (Now You're Really Living), Eels.

The Eels are a pretty depressing band. And the lyric here - about how life-affirming both unhappy and happy experiences can be - is pretty typical of the Eels. But the tube is positively upbeat, and this is a great song for those who realise that life cannot be perfect all the time.

19: Smokers Outside the Hospital Door, The Editors

This is what Coldplay would sound like if they had the decency not to be shit.

18: You Have Killed Me, Morrissey

Morrissey doing what he does best - a moping lyric, replete with obscure references and the sort of chorus that will strike a chord with lovelorn teenagers everywhere. Plus, the backing track is rocking.

17: Bride of Theme From Blinking Lights, Eels

Not a song as such, but a poignant, gentle tune that for some reason really makes me happy.

16: There There (The Boney King of Nowhere), Radiohead

Now, I thought that this decade would be the decade for two bands - Manic Street Preachers and Radiohead. In the event, both bands have proved to have had a disappointing ten years. However, they've still managed to produce some good work, and this track captures for me what once made Radiohead such a great band - namely, good songs.

15: Eleanor Put Your Boots On, Franz Ferdinand

A love song to the lead singer of The Fiery Furnaces by the lead singer of Franz Ferdinand. It is poignant, sweet and tender without ever becoming sickly or over-the-top. It's a shame that Franz Ferdinand didn't go in this direction with their third album. It is one hell of a lot better than the lumpen, sub disco direction they eventually headed in.

14: Decent Days And Nights, The Futureheads

Spikey post-punk from a band who are far from essential, yet still manage to produce great songs. The Futureheads are not one of the best or most essential bands in the world, but their music is well worth listening to and there is at least one potential anthem on each of their albums. This is the one from their debut (and best) album.

13: Open The Door, British Sea Power

A great little song by one of the two best bands of the decade. Yep, I seriously believe that British Sea Power are one of the best bands to emerge since 2000, alongside...

12: Intervention, Arcade Fire

...the Arcade Fire, who have produced two of the most striking albums I have ever heard. This is from their second album, which is grander and angrier than their first record - something that is clear in this track. Which also manages to use an organ effectively; a feat few other bands have ever managed.

11: First of the Gang to Die, Morrissey

By rights, Morrissey should have faded away in this decade. Yet, with You Are The Quarry, he managed to produce perhaps his best work since the Smiths and an absolute return to form. Something that is best demonstrated with this song. It has the lyrical word play and the curious juxtaposition of images that is pure Morrissey, backed by a deft and catchy tune that sticks in your head without irritating you for far longer than you ever thought possible.

10: Mykonos, Fleet Foxes

It starts like every other Fleet Foxes song you have ever heard. Which is no bad thing. Yet halfway through it switches, and becomes impassioned, urgent, compelling and vital. It features one of the best voices in modern music giving it his all, and is worth hearing for that reason alone.

9: Fingers in the Factories, The Editors

Many bands have discovered the edgy post-punk made famous by Joy Division; no-one has ever done it as well as the Editors in this track. A breathless race through a song that offers ominous yet obscured warnings, whilst the singer constantly imploring the listener to "keep with me". You need to, as well - a song that moves this fast is in danger of sweeping you away.

8: Running the World, Jarvis Cocker

This lacks the subtle word-play of the best of Jarvis Cocker's work, and the basic sentiment is the sort of relentlessly cliched left-wing bile that went out of fashion with Neil Kinnock. Nonetheless, the tune is catchy and the chorus is simply wonderful. It is true, Jarvis, now as it ever as been. Cunts are still running the world.

7: Carrion, British Sea Power

If you want an encapsulation of what British Sea Power are like - and how brilliant they are - then listen to this track. It has all their trademarks; the breathless vocal delivery, a lyric packed with obscure references and faintly disturbing images and an anthemic feel to the song as a whole.

6: Hey Ma, James

This is perhaps the most potent and vitriolic protest song in a decade where protest has become fashionable again. James have always been a good band, capable of mope rock, romantic songs, and just great tunes. Yet with this track they commit to posterity a track that sums up this decade; a warning about unthinking revenge, about rage, about how deadly consequences can be. When you consider the fate of other "Madchester" bands, it is staggering to realise that James are still capable of writing songs this good after so long in the music business.

5: Grace Kelly Blues, Eels

A gentle song that deals with the pedestrian minutiae of everyone from hot dog vendors to queens, before the lyric becomes simple yet intensely personal and the singer - E - reveals after all the tragedy that informed his previous album, he is going to be OK.

4: Matinee, Franz Ferdinand

Clever wordplay and a great tune from one of the best debut albums in a long time. In fact, the whole of Franz Ferdinand's debut still stands as a classic to this day, whereas other albums of the same vintage sound pretty terrible now. Yes, Keane, I'm talking about you.

3: William's Last Words, Manic Street Preachers

A terribly sad and very poignant tune. Because, for all the world, this is one man singing what sounds and reads like a suicide note of one of his best friends. What is most striking of all is that there is none of the rage or strident anger that informed The Holy Bible here. Instead, there is a sense of restfulness and an understanding of the transient nature of life throughout the song, which is amplified and made deeply moving when you consider that what is about to end here is a man's life. To my ears, this song is heart-breaking without being gut-wrenching.

2: Please Stand Up, British Sea Power

I understand that this track is far from a fan favourite, and I have no idea why. To my mind, it is a wonderful song, and whilst it is more commercial than many other BSP songs, it is the perfect introduction to their music and a great track. Besides, how commercial can it really be given it was banned by some radio stations and video channels for the line "a little excitement makes us wetter, wetter"?

1: Rebellion, Arcade Fire

Simply awesome. A song that hints at some many different things, and zooms in on both the fear of and the love of sleeping. It is backed by a deceptively simple tune that makes the whole track simple yet utterly compulsive. On an album about death, bereavement and mourning, it is this song that seems to engage most with, at the risk of sounding deeply pretentious, the reality of being human - and being mortal. "Time to close your eyes..."