Top Rock Songs Of 21st Century Ranked By Rolling Stone: No. 1 May Come As Surprise
The Killers' “Mr. Brightside,” released in 2004, checks in at No. 3 on Rolling Stones' rankings. — TheKillersVEVO
Rolling Stone has ranked the greatest rock songs of the 21st century, and its top pick may send listeners back to their playlists.
The magazine’s 200-song ranking brings together guitar anthems, pop-punk hits, and even hip-hop, making room for very different definitions of rock.
The winner is “Maps,” the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ 2003 song, which places ahead of the White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army” and the Killers’ “Mr. Brightside.”
Rolling Stone credits the New York trio’s enduring appeal on “Maps” to singer Karen O’s emotional vulnerability and Nick Zinner’s guitar work. The choice gives the top spot to a restrained, deeply personal song from a band also known for explosive performances.
There is another New York connection farther down: the Strokes land at No. seven with “Last Nite,” a defining track from the city’s early-2000s garage-rock revival.
The top 10 also stretches well beyond that era. Olivia Rodrigo’s 2021 pop-punk hit “Good 4 U” ranks fourth, while Phoebe Bridgers’ 2020 album finale “I Know the End” finishes sixth.
Jay-Z’s inclusion at No. eight may prompt a second look. Rolling Stone points to producer Rick Rubin’s hard-rock influence on “99 Problems,” which draws on recordings by Billy Squier and Mountain.
Guitar fans have plenty to revisit, too. The magazine highlights Jack White’s commanding riff on “Seven Nation Army” and Nels Cline’s extended solo on Wilco’s “Impossible Germany.”
Here is the top 10, counting down to the winner. Click each song title to sample it on YouTube; the Radiohead and Wilco links feature official audio uploads.
No. 10: Wilco, “Impossible Germany” (2007).
No. 9: Arctic Monkeys, “I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor” (2005).
No. 8: Jay-Z, “99 Problems” (2003).
No. 7: The Strokes, “Last Nite” (2001).
No. 6: Phoebe Bridgers, “I Know the End” (2020).
No. 5: Radiohead, “The National Anthem” (2000).
No. 4: Olivia Rodrigo, “Good 4 U” (2021).
No. 3: The Killers, “Mr. Brightside” (2004).
No. 2: The White Stripes, “Seven Nation Army” (2003).
No. 1: Yeah Yeah Yeahs, “Maps” (2003).
Visit Rolling Stone’s complete ranking to explore all 200 selections.
Source: Entertainment
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