With this list I’ve tried to select the 100 songs that are broadly representative across different genres and that have had the most impact on me / I think are the finest examples of their ilk from the decade. It’s an imperfect science of course and there will be weighting towards certain years or genres, but I’ve tried to be balanced.

One of the most challenging elements in compiling this list was determining genres, as one of the defining factors of the 2010s has been what you might, ironically or otherwise, classify as “genre fluidity”. As our collective exposure to more and more different varieties of music increases (one of my new ones for this year was ‘Sambass’, a cross between Brazilian samba and drum ‘n’ bass), so do the synergies between different styles. It’s great for listening but challenging for codification.

1. 212 – Azealia Banks ft. Lazy Jay (2011)
Hip House
A ferocious diss track named for the neighbourhood of New York in which Banks grew up (and the numerical neighbour of Warren G’s 213), 212 saw Azealia Banks explode onto the scene. Its unusual structure effectively covers four acts, rather than conventional verses – an introduction, main verse, bridge or build-up and then the explosive, expletive-ridden finale, each part creating more and more tension until the final release.

2. A Real Hero – College ft. Electric Youth (2010)
Synthwave
Like Nightcall, A Real Hero serves both musically and lyrically as one of the most significant (and perfectly selected) expressions of the character of Drive’s protagonist. Electric Youth’s live version is well worth a watch & listen, with Bronwyn Griffin’s beautiful vocals supported by Andrew Garrick who manages both electric drumkit and synth bassline. Although it can’t quite capture the magic of the original, Zane Lowe’s reworking of the Drive soundtrack with British artists replaces this with the 1975’s Medicine, which also works in its own way.

3. Aftershower Funk Pt.1 – The Fantastic Souls (2010)
Funk
This is a high-tempo prime example of awesome instrumental funk. The strength of the opening drum fill sets the tone throughout.

4. Airglow Fires – Lone (2013)
Nu Rave
Airglow Fires is very unusual in terms of instrumentation and structure, and its jazzy free-flowing nature, supported throughout by varying synth hits and loose cymbal accompaniment, makes it a fascinating listen – and one that’s great on the dancefloor.

5. Always (Classixxx Remix) – Panama (2013)
Nu Disco
Classixxx bring out some of the subtler elements of the original song to make something that can easily be listened to on repeat. Once the fantastic bassline kicks in you’re in for a nu disco classic, and the tension released by the final climax is stunning.

6. Ancient Names (Pt 1) – Lord Huron (2018)
Indie
Ancient Names relates an encounter with a fortune teller who reveals to the protagonist uncomfortable truths, leading to the “I gotta get away from here / I gotta get away from her” of the chorus. In a similar vein to Dream Theater’s Count of Tuscany, it becomes something of a survival horror story (“if I live to see the next sunrise … if I leave this place alive”). Bookended by mysterious instrumentation, the core of the song is sharp, high-tempo indie and very catchy. The guitar solo is distinctive and well-done. Pt II follows and is somewhat reminiscent of Jerk It Out by the Caesars.

7. Animal Rights – Deadmau5 & Wolfgang Gartner (2010)
Electro House
An instrumental which is quintessentially Deadmau5, confidently building up and layering electro over the house drum track to a big climax and then comedown.

8. Away / Towards – Hookworms (2013)
Psychedelic
Away / Towards starts with a steady build-up before kicking off the rhythm, powering this one along into a surprisingly catchy chorus section for a psychedelic piece.

9. Bangarang – Skrillex ft. Sirah (2011)
Dubstep/Moombahcore
Arguably the most iconic dubstep song, Bangarang takes its name from the battle cry of the Lost Boys in 1991’s Hook. Funky guitar segues into the heavy and catchy dubstep section. Length and content-wise, it’s about as pop as the genre gets, which isn’t a bad thing in this instance.

10. Before I Ever Met You – Banks (2013)
Electropop
A self-produced track that (when discovered by and subsequently aired on BBC Radio 1 by Zane Lowe) helped propel Banks to her worthy international stardom, Before I Ever Met you is a haunting tale of the effects of a relationship breakdown with a manipulative partner. The minimal synth backing and menacing plodding baseline compliment her vocal delivery perfectly, before building up to a cathartic conclusion – “I never knew I could be broken in so many ways, yeah… / Everyone knows that I’m right about one thing… you and I don’t work out”.

11. Bound 2 – Kanye West (2013)
Hip Hop
Something of a musical melting pot and the inspiration for the bootlegged hit Nobody to Love by Sigma, Bound 2 features some of Kanye’s more interesting samples and lyricism – “got a fresh cut / straight out the salon, bitch”.

12. Boyfriend (Repeat) – Confidence Man (2016)
Dance
A band that started as a joke before becoming quite big actually (forever partying with the likes of Liam Gallagher), Confidence Man boast some of the freshest and most eccentric dance moves on the scene. Everything about this track screams fun and energy, from the campy synth to the risible pleadings of the boyfriend character.

13. Break Free – Ariana Grande & Zedd (2014)
Dance
Zedd and Ariana could have made the list for other works, but this empowering club banger about self-acceptance and moving on with big synth hits and a catchy chorus.

14. Breaking All Illusions – Dream Theater (2011)
Progressive Metal
Some of Dream Theater’s more theatrical (perhaps aptly) later works have been more divisive, but the unique atmosphere this song creates makes it standout. You can really imagine yourself breaking illusions and pushing through the sky (as the album’s tightrope-in-the-clouds artwork implies).

15. Can’t Feel My Face – The Weeknd (2015)
Disco-Funk
Can’t Feel My Face was compared to Michael Jackson on release and it’s easy to see why – from the funky backing through to the memorable refrain. Another one that successfully builds the intensity to a series of peaks that are among the most exciting of the decade.

16. Closer – Chainsmokers ft. Halsey (2016)
Electronic
Back before the I-II-III-II-I chord progression became a conspicuous staple of a Chainsmokers release, Closer helped them explode onto the international scene. A stripped-down electronic instrumentation supports the rekindling of lost love between two characters with unresolved emotional history, alternating perspectives between the characters of Andrew Taggart and Halsey. This worked alongside releases such as Setting Fires to help supercharge their ascent into stardom, when initially the equal-parts annoying sample and floorfilling backing of first major hit #SELFIE had seemed instead to lay out a path to one-hit wonderment.

17. Cut Your Teeth (Kygo Remix) – Kyla La Grange (2014)
Tropical House
The remix of Cut Your Teeth is one of our earliest introductions to Norwegian DJ Kygo’s distinctive tropical stylings that were soon to become ubiquitous, but certainly one of the strongest. Kyla La Grange followed up with some strong pieces such as Sweet which are well worth a listen.

18. Dance Apocalyptic – Janelle Monáe (2013)
Contemporary Soul
Dance Apocalyptic brings the rock-and-roll soul of the fifties back through exquisite 2010s production, celebrating the end of the world through dance. It’s fun.

19. Dark All Day – Gunship ft. Indiana & Tim Cappello (2018)
Synthwave
Dark All Day combines one of the most talented independent artists (Indiana) and synthwave powerhouse Gunship in a dark, brooding Lost Boys-inspired four minutes. Then there’s that unbelievable sax work from Tim Cappello.

20. Do It (Icarus Remix) – Rae Morris (2017)
Progressive House
Atmospheric, Do It is another triumph that manages to create a distinctive energy between chill and dance. The second act where additional melody layers enter is exquisite listening.

21. Donnie Darko – Let’s Eat Grandma (2018)
Alternative / Experimental
One of the longer songs on the list, Donnie Darko begins subtly before building and building to an epic crescendo, supported along its journey by synth and guitar fills. Once the percussion kicks in, we see the track confidently stride on towards its destination on with an energy that’s somehow redolent of Underworld’s Born Slippy.

22. Don’t Leave Me Lonely (Purple Disco Machine Remix) – Mark Ronson ft. Yebba (2019)
Disco
Mark Ronson has a funktastic track record already, but the Purple Disco Machine reimagining of this number takes it to a whole new level. When the funk guitar kicks in for the instrumental break it’s disco heaven.

23. Don’t Wanna Dance – MØ (2013)
Indie
One of MØ’s earliest singles during the emergence of her and fellow Scandinavians (the likes of Tove Lo and Elliphant for example) as a dominant force in modern pop music, Don’t Wanna Dance is a singalong floor-tapper and a showcase of her impressive vocal capabilities during the post-chorus (“I’m on my own / and I’m crazy for you / get the creeps by the way / your body moves”) which ups a level each line. Co-writing and singing on Lean On really pushed her career on, and follow-up singles include the strong Kamikaze.

24. Fifteen (Oxford Remix) – Goldroom ft Chela (2013)
Synth-pop
Pulsating synth wonder in the vein of early Empire of the Sun, a song evocative of summer happiness that really makes you feel like you’re a carefree fifteen-year-old, “floating through the slipstream”. Excellent remix by French artist Oxford, who does a similar wonder for Portland on the track Deezy Daisy.

25. FourFiveSeconds – Rihanna, Kanye West & Paul McCartney (2015)
Acoustic-folk / Soul
A perhaps somewhat unexpected collaboration, this is a compelling tale of despair and redemption.bThe somewhat jarring Kanye line “hold me back, I’m about to spazz” line aside, Rihanna ultimately steals the show with her tortured vocals, run down to the point of casually equating the prospect of incarceration to that of inebriation (“I think I’ve had enough / might get a little drunk / I say what’s on my mind / might do a little time”). Interestingly, Kanye increased the speed of McCartney’s part which increased the pitch of the guitar and also led to the sounds throughout the second verse which have been dismissed by some as “grandma noises”.

26. Garden – Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs (2011)
Future House
Chosen as the backing track for Nokia’s Lumia adverts, this laidback electronic masterpiece showcases TEED at his absolute best. The introduction sounds like ripples on a placid lake, before progressing into the memorable rhythmic hits that dictate the rest of the song.

27. German Whip – Meridian Dan ft. Big H and JME (2013)
Grime
German Whip is a catchy tribute to the joys of driving German-manufactured automobiles but equally applicable to any vehicular environment. “Don’t watch what man earning / man paid over thirty bag Sterling / German whip but I ain’t in Berlin”.

28. Ghost Assassin – Maduk ft. Veela (2012)
Drum ‘n’ Bass
About as liquid as liquid DNB comes, Ghost Assassin’s videogame / alternate reality inspired concept is a solid fit for a song that’s pure escapism.

29. Glue – Fickle Friends (2017)
Indie
With a sound palette from the 80s, Glue really kicks off in the chorus and post-chorus sections where, much like in the 1975’s Love It If We Made It, the bassline makes a I-II-III progression hugely listenable.

30. Go – Grimes ft. Blood Diamond (2014)
Fusion / Dubstep
It’s an unusual piece of music, inspired by Dante’s Inferno and originally written for Rihanna. The absolute highlights are both bridges where Grimes’s vocals soar before leading into the Blood Diamond breakdown. A very similar verse instrumentation is repeated in 2019’s excellent 4AEM, before segueing into the drum n’ bass chorus.

31. Go! – M83 ft. Mai Lan & Steve Vai (2016)
Synth-pop
Go! alternates between the understated beauty of the verses and the explosive chorus, before culminating in the outro chorus and an exquisite solo from guitar legend Steve Vai, who was asked to create the ”craziest space solo possible” – and succeeded in the task with aplomb.

32. Hey Now (Arty Remix) – London Grammar (2014)
Dance
Several London Grammar efforts are among the greatest hits of the 2010s, but this particular instance elevates the original which is driven by the haunting and otherworldly vocals of Hannah Reid to a cool, pulsing trance backing which keeps your attention for the full six minutes.

33. Hideaway – Kiesza (2013)
Dance
Kiesza’s first and biggest hit brought early-90s dance music back to the fray while delivering a legendary single-take video of creative and impressively-choreographed dancing.

34. Högre – Evigt Mörker (2019)
Techno
A beautiful piece from the Swede, evoking the sheer natural splendour of his homeland and a little at odds with the translation of Evigt Mörker as eternal darkness. Sit back and relax.

35. I Blame Myself – Sky Ferreira (2013)
Synth-pop
A strong eighties vibe drives along I Blame Myself, where Sky Ferreira tackles the notion that she is to blame for her perception in the media.

36. If You Wanna – The Vaccines (2011)
Alternative Rock
If not simply for the memory of this being chanted all the way down the hill from Alexandra Palace the first time I saw the Vaccines live, If You Wanna is a rocking banger that touches on the early Vaccines themes of recent breakups and the grey area and sometimes bizarre sense of hope shortly thereafter. The minimal but effective guitar solo is just right to lead into the final chorus. The Vaccines could have had a whole bunch of others on here, but this just takes it.

37. Internet Friends – Knife Party (2011)
Electro House
A real tough faceoff between this track and Bonfire, famously played during Breaking Bad’s final season, but the way this builds to a head, while lampooning Facebook culture in its video and content, just tip the balance. There are not too many drops as compelling as that which follows “You blocked me on Facebook / and now you’re going to die”.

38. Invincible – Tool (2019)
Progressive Metal
Tool kept fans tantalised for a whole 13 years in between their 10,000 Days album and this year’s Fear Inoculum. The album delivered on everything it promised, being a quintessentially Tool record. Invincible is its finest example, an epic spread over multiple acts of guitar and bass build-up and culminating in an explosion of Danny Carey’s virtuoso polyrhythmic drumming.

39. It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You) – The 1975 (2018)
Alternative Rock/Dream Pop
A shimmering slice of nouveau-80s inspiration that’s a touch too high-tempo to be fully shoegazing or dream pop, It’s Not Living depicts a breakup – with heroin. The uplifting positivity of the backing music provides an ironic and stark contrast with the protagonist (based on Healy’s own experiences beating addiction), who spends the verse and chorus fully in the thrall of the drug, while the middle eight covers the shaking and lack of bodily control while going cold turkey. Its accompanying video presents a nightmarish version of the famous Talking Heads “Stop Making Sense” concert, as Healy’s heroin-induced horrors wreak havoc on his imagined performance.

40. Jungle – Tash Sultana (2017)
Alternative Rock
The third of the half-Australians (half-Maltese, along with Xavier Rudd, half-Canadian, and John Butler, half-American) on this list who made their initial success through busking, Tash Sultana’s guitar prowess is undeniable. The use of loop pedals on several of her songs, perhaps most noticeably Jungle, is reminiscent of early Ed Sheeran, but the virtuoso yet melodic playing over the top creates a very different overall effect.

41. K. – Cigarettes After Sex (2014)
Ambient Pop
K. is an exemplar of minimalism and effective dynamics, detailing a relationship that could never have lasted.

42. King and Lionheart – Of Monsters and Men (2011)
Indie Folk
King and Lionheart is a powerful ballad about familial isolation with choruses that grow in intensity to a strong climax, drawing on the distinct Icelandic vibe that Of Monsters and Men exude.

43. Laid Low – The Naked and Famous (2016)
Indie
The big open hits of the introduction set up a big electro-indie hit for the New Zealanders. Covering heartbreak through “learning to live with ghosts”, the music remains somewhat hopeful, moved on by driving synth.

44. Leave the Lights On (Krot Remix) – Meiko (2012)
Drum ‘n’ Bass
Rapid acoustic guitar chords lead into upbeat DNB that transforms the source material into a six-minute banger.

45. Life is Life – Noah and the Whale (2011)
Indie
Life is Life tells the tale of a young man in need of a change, who decides to leave it all behind and head off into the distance in his “rundown eighties car”. It’s a fantasy most have probably hoped for at some point. It’s a strong start to a solid album (Last Night on Earth), but the way Noah and the Whale build up the rousing music around makes this distinctive.

46. Lioness Eye – Xavier Rudd (2012)
Roots
A tense instrumental piece that evokes jungle environments and aboriginal culture through the use of native bird sounds and didgeridoo, all underpinned by the menacing drum beat. Another one to catch live – as Xavier Rudd alternates singing and didgeridoo playing while keeping the percussion going the whole way through, all by himself.

47. Lost & Found – Lianne La Havas (2012)
Soul
A deeply moving piano-driven ballad about the deleterious and lingering psychological effects of a toxic former relationship. Lianne La Havas can really play the guitar as well, a distinctive fingerpicking mastery. The part that really tugs at the heartstrings is how the piano comes back in briefly hopeful before returning to “You broke me”

48. Love It If We Made It – The 1975 (2018)
Alternative Rock
The neo-80s synth backing supports Matt Healy’s stream of consciousness, covering a host of modern issues from a relatively neutral perspective and encouraging us to challenge them. Thank you, very cool. And then there’s the killer bassline behind the chorus.

49. Luna – Bombay Bicycle Club ft. Rae Morris (2013)
Indie
Thematically comparing the target of affection to the moon, Luna is one of Bombay’s strongest efforts. The bassline is reminiscent of Otis Redding’s Sitting On the Dock of the Bay and drives the song to the uplifting chorus, and the tension created after “when the moon was out instead” is joyfully resolved.

50. Mace Windu Riddim – Ezra Collective (2018)
Jazz
The selection of Samuel L Jackson’s purple lightsaber-wielding Jedi Master from the Star Wars prequel trilogy (or does that technically have to be the first Skywalker Saga trilogy now?) as subject matter is certainly appropriate for a piece that so effortlessly effuses cool, laid-back yet commanding from every orifice. The instrumentation is superb with a star turn from the drums, but building up to what’s a very catchy melody at the climax. The fate he deserves.

51. Marriage (Star Slinger Remix) – Gold Panda (2013)
Electronic
Marriage uses an interesting and expansive soundscape to deliver melodies evocative of wedding bells over the traps-style drumming. At its core is an instantly-recognisable rhythm delivered by the bass drum and cymbals.

52. Miama 2 Ibiza – Swedish House Mafia ft. Tinie Tempah (2010)
Electro House
A solid collaboration featuring Swedish House Mafia’s finest backing track and immortalised through Tinie Tempah lines such as ”you can find me on a table full of vodka and tequila / surrounded by some bunnies / but it ain’t fuckin’ easter”.

53. Miami 82 – Syn Cole ft. Madame Buttons (2013)
Progressive House
Everyone from Avicii to Kygo had a crack at remixing this one, with varying degrees of success, but it’s the original that best stands up still as a track strongly evocative of the cool early 80s Florida vibe. Sit back and imagine yourself driving a convertible down Ocean Drive, aviators on, on the way to the valet and an exclusive VIP booth. Syn Cole is the list’s only representative Estonian.

54. Miasma Sky – Baths (2014)
Electronic
Sometimes eerie, sometimes mesmerising, Miasma Sky’s unique atmosphere is the greatest-yet achievement by Baths and one that covers the confusion the narrators feels at the dark world surrounding him.

55. Monster – Kanye West ft. Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj & Bon Iver (2010)
Horrorcore
Eerie throughout, one of the weirder assemblies of featured artists produces a highly listenable song, from the strong hook to the widely-acclaimed Nicki Minaj verse which shows off her distinctive vocal range and schizophrenic delivery. Oh, and Kanye rhymes ‘sarcophagus’ with ‘oesophagus’. Brilliant.

56. My Number – Foals (2012)
Funk Rock
The highest-charting Foals effort to-date, My Number is an instant singalong classic, funky verses building into a belting chorus and exciting breakdown.

57. Mystery Man – John Butler Trio (2010)
Roots
Mystery Man is one of the strongest tracks from the April Uprising album (named after an event which occurred in the home country of John Butler’s Bulgarian ancestors). However, it’s the live versions of this track which really shine. JB’s solo edition on the Tin Shed Tales is a must-listen, as his control of dynamics and pacing with just a voice, an eleven-string guitar and a foot stomp (pedal to make an amplified bass drum sound), is stunning. Then the recording of the 2017 French concert with the full band elevates the piece to a true piece of art as it builds to an emotional, catharsis-inducing crescendo – which is made more incredible by the fact it’s just a three-piece.

58. National Anthem – Lana Del Rey (2012)
Indie
Songs like West Coast, Video Games or This Is What Makes Us Girls could easily have made it on here, but the classical Lana Del Rey themes of empty materialism and longing are personified so well in this early effort.

59. New Dorp, New York – SBTRKT ft. Ezra Koenig (2014)
Electronic
Ezra Koenig brings the strangely provocative lyrics that underpin so much of Vampire Weekend’s oeuvre to one of SBTRKT’s finest works in a song that screams effortless New York cool. One of the slickest basslines of the decade.

60. New Rules – Dua Lipa (2017)
Tropical House
New Rules is unusually genre-bending for an artist that would usually be classed just as pop. The timing of the ‘eh’ in the chorus section is slightly off-beat which is somewhat interesting.

61. Nightcall – Kavinsky ft. Lovefoxxx (2010)
Synthwave
Produced by one half of Daft Punk and featuring the lead singer of CSS on vocals, this gritty and explosively powerful synth masterpiece is iconic as the soundtrack to the title sequence of 2011’s noir film Drive. The dark grittiness of the verses (“I’m going to tell you something you don’t want to hear”) contrast with the uplifting refrains (“there’s something about you / it’s hard to explain / they’re talking about you boy / but you’re still the same”), reflecting the character of the mysterious and ambiguously principled protagonist who is capable of support and protection of the vulnerable but also extreme violence and darkness (think the lift scene).

62. No Requests – The Knocks (2019)
Acid House
It’s been a strong decade for the Knocks, with big-hitters such as 2012’s Learn to Fly and 2014’s post-summer banger Classic featuring POWERS. No Requests is a brilliantly-poised floor-filler which steadily builds to two peaks, the climax being pure dancing gold. The sample is reminiscent of #SELFIE, featuring an obscene and self-centred narrator, and can be seen as annoying – but ultimately it doesn’t spoil the highlights.

63. Open Eye Signal – Jon Hopkins (2013)
Ambient / Electronic
Eight minutes of pulsing, ambient electro that’s as easily at home during a rave as it is on headphones while walking to the shops. Jon Hopkins creates distinctive soundscapes that manage to retain both beauty and danceability and the exciting way Open Eye Signal ebbs and flows is one of his foremost instances. Its spiritual sequel, Emerald Rush, was released in 2018 as part of the stunning album Singularity.

64. Other People – Beach House (2012)
Dreampop
A wistful lament to losing someone and being unable to keep on any contact, Other People sees Beach House at their most mesmerising and saddening.

65. Out Of My System – Youngr (2016)
Electronic
The son of the lead singer of King Creole and the Coconuts, Youngr has produced an impressive selection of tracks and numerous bootlegs. His live performances where you’ll see him play and loop every instrument used are not to be missed. This is a song about getting the thrill of being young, travelling, partying and exploring before settling down into “the life”. Not recommended for those on a budget.

66. Passionflower – Jon Gomm (2011)
Acoustic
In spite of a significant disadvantage in hailing from Lancashire, there’s no denying Jon Gomm’s singular talent at the acoustic guitar as he takes the one-man band aesthetic to a whole new level. Passionflower is not only a phenomenal showcase of his talents, synchronising percussive with perfectly accurate harp harmonics (which are then, ridiculously, retuned in real time and then tuned back down to create a uniquely beautiful sound), along with one-handed shredding and two-handed tapping, but it’s also a very listenable song, supported by his strong vocals. Envy-inducing.

67. Primordial – Satin Jackets ft Niya Wells (2019)
Nu Disco
Certain artists so perfectly epitomise the essence of one particular genre. Satin Jackets does just that for nu disco, with an extremely strong back catalogue of bangers such as Sunrise In Paradise (he also curates the Nu-Disco playlist on Spotify). His 2019 effort Solar Nights is one of the strongest albums of the year and it’s difficult to choose just one. However, Primordial just about takes it, replete with solid bassline throughout and a catchy chorus dominated by the layered vocals of Niya Wells that’s equally at home in environments from Ibiza pool parties through to chillout sessions back at the house.

68. Rather Be – Clean Bandit ft. Jess Glynne (2014)
Pop
Rather Be is a tight piece of music that held number one spots globally and served as Clean Bandit’s breakthrough single. It serves as an archetype of their songs, fusing synth with cello and dance beats, with a chorus pushed on through dramatic chord changes.

69. Red Eyes – The War On Drugs (2014)
Indie
A tear-up between this and Under the Pressure which was appropriately featured at the end of Bojack season 5, but the dark journey we’re taken on with Red Eyes builds in intensity to a satisfying peak.

70. Reflections – MisterWives (2014)
Indie
MisterWives, a band which gets its name from a gender-inverted play on the polygamous practice of “sister wives” (sororal versus non-sororal polygyny, i.e. one man with multiple wives who in this instance are related), first came to prominence with this distinctive effort. The relaxed yet chilling verses build up to the exciting belter of a chorus driven by staccato bass – “Put me on a shelf / discipline myself / to let the sparks die out…”. Singer Mandy Lee’s vocals go stratospheric in the final refrain.

71. Resurrection (Penguin Prison Remix) – Temper Trap (2010)
Nu Disco
Temper Trap are best known for Sweet Disposition, but the song Resurrection is strong competition. Penguin Prison discovers completely new aspects of the piece, with the inspired disco breakdown section after the second chorus a significant highlight.

72. Rival Dealer – Burial (2013)
Industrial
A dark, industrial-sounding epic whose sense of menace never fades across any of its different sections, as it quickly launches into murky drum-led mystery before fading out in dark ambience.

73. Rock The Night (Diamond Cut Remix) – Supermal (2011)
Synthwave
A synth-heavy instrumental that could be taken straight out of Stranger Things, Rock The Night perfectly evokes the mean electronic edge of the 80s, and makes for a top driving tune.

74. Rude – MAGIC! (2014)
Reggae
A pop-reggae singalong in the storytelling tradition of such songs as Shaggy and RikRok’s It Wasn’t Me, Rude relates the tale of a suitor unable to gain the blessing for marriage of his lover’s father, but who is determined to go ahead anyway. A lot of fun, unless your name happens to be Hugh Mantu.

75. Run – Tourist (2016)
Electronic
Tourist is one of those electronic artists with such a distinctive sound palette that you can scarcely mistake any of his recordings (he also won a Grammy for co-writing Sam Smith’s Stay With Me). While the more relaxing ‘Emily’ and ‘We Stayed Up All Night’ get honourable mentions, ‘Run’ truly showcases him at his absolute peak. Two minutes of build-up leads into a strong techno centre that bounces along nicely.

76. Sea of Voices – Porter Robinson (2014)
Ambient
Beautifully atmospheric, Sea of Voices touches on the beautiful, vulnerable side of Porter Robinson’s spectrum. The RAC remix is definitely worth a listen as well.

77. Seven Gates – Astrix & Vertical Mode (2017)
Progressive Psytrance / Nitzhonot
Seven Gates is everything a psytrance song should be – diverse, varied and with enough peaks and troughs to keep it interesting over. In a genre dominated by Israeli DJs, Astrix is one of the standout artists and this variety of “uplifting trance” or Nitzhonot (Hebrew for “Victories”) is a positive sign that the style is still alive and well.

78. She Work Very Hard – Ibibio Sound Machine (2019)
Funk Fusion
Absorbing funk / African rhythm fusion from the ever-enjoyable Ibibio Sound Machine. Listen out for the guitar wailing over the top of the synthy funk base.

79. So Much It Hurts – Niki and the Dove (2016)
Indietronica
A hint of Stevie Nicks on vocals for the Swedish indietronica duo lends itself well to the steady electronic backing. The chorus is uplifting and the denouement powerful.

79. Somebody That I Used to Know – Gotye ft. Kimbra (2011)
Art Pop
Somebody That I Used to Know samples Luiz Luiz Bonfá’s instrumental, Seville, to create an international smash hit. Like the Chainsmokers’s Closer, the song tells the story from a male then a female perspective with both harmonising for the singalong chorus. The main problem with this is the significant overplaying virtually everywhere, but it’s easy and welcome to return to after a break.

81. Something For The Weekend – The Rhythm Method (2017)
Pop
The half-rapped London vocals go well over the funky backing to tell an innocent story of preparing for British weekends with a haircut, then taking advantage of bank holiday cinema deals, and the ubiquitous expectation that you’ll speak fluent football down the pub.

82. Step – Vampire Weekend (2013)
Indie
Vampire Weekend have had some phenomenal hits over the decade (and before), but the standout one for me is still Step. You could get lost in the labyrinthine depth of the lyrics, but the unusual instrumentation supporting through the Pachelbel-esque chord progression and evolving over three different takes on the chorus delivery, creates a spectacle.

83. SuperLove – Charli XCX (2013)
Pop
A non-album song that sits between the initial experimental Charli XCX and mainstream success, SuperLove is a high-energy banger driven by a stonking bassline and funky guitar rhythms.

84. Supreme – Postiljonen (2014)
Dreampop
The shoegazing style of Scandinavian Postiljonen reaches its peak with Supreme, which itself climaxes wonderfully with a superb synth guitar solo during the outro. Other highlights include All That We Had Is Lost, taking the verse lyrics from Whitney Houston’s How Will I Know.

85. Teenage Dream – Katy Perry (2010)
Pop
Katy Perry has had some of the biggest pop hits of the decade. The whole Teenage Dream album and Prysm follow-up were laden with bangers, and they’re still coming (e.g. Never Really Over). Teenage Dream is a ballad that perfectly sums up innocent teenage love. The chorus lends itself readily to a mash-up with Carly Rae Jepsen’s Call Me Maybe and Jason Derulo’s The Other Side.

86. Tidal Wave – Sub Focus ft. Alpines (2013)
Drum ‘n’ Bass
With such a strong back catalogue it’s hard to choose any standouts from Sub Focus, but Tidal Waves follows the same winning formula and structure as Turn It Around, with the half-time verses building to a crescendo as the normal time final chorus kicks in.

87. Tied Up In Nottz – Sleaford Mods (2014)
Electro-punk
Delightful wordplay delivered in the industrial East Midlands accent, painting a bleak picture of Nottingham life. “The smell of piss is so strong / it smells like decent bacon / Kevin’s getting footloose on the overspill“. And of course it’s Nottz with a Z, you c**t.

88. That’s Not Me – Skepta ft. JME (2014)
Grime
Act like a wasteman, that’s not me. Not much else to say on this one.

89. The Mother We Share – CHVRCHES (2012)
Synth-pop
This was the first and (to-date) most successful single for CHRVCHES, the first time we hear the signature Scottish tinge of Lauren Mayberry’s enchanting vocals over the synth-driven backing. Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh, oh, oh, oh.

90. Too Much Information (Mr Raoul K Transformation) – Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra (2015)
Fusion
If only all music could be this fun. Too Much Information takes us on a progressive journey through African rhythms and singing through the brass section, to repeated dance-styled synth and then back up through funk guitar. Enough peaks and troughs in dynamics and intensity to keep it exciting and listenable through the whole 12-something minutes.

91. Try – Hatchie (2017)
Dreampop
Hatchie’s debut single evokes Beach House vibes but with somewhat deeper vocal tones. The flawlessly uplifting chorus sweeps in like a pleasant dream.

92. Two Weeks – FKA twigs (2014)
R&B
The pulsating synth supports commanding vocals from FKA twigs in her biggest European hit to-date.

93. Wake Me Up – Avicii (2013)
Folktronica
His biggest hit (as well as the highest-charting dance track of the decade and most-Shazamed song of all time) and the first – and greatest – of Avicii’s masterful fusions of the country-inspired acoustic ballad and dancefloor filler genres, Wake Me Up features Aloe Blacc on vocals and Mike Einziger of Incubus on the acoustic guitar. Although later followed up by many other pieces using this ‘storytelling’ style (with some of the stronger examples being Hey Brother and The Days, which features an uncredited Robbie Williams), Wake Me Up remains a life-affirming and pioneering triumph, and one of the greatest tributes to the memory of a man the world lost far too early.

94. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together – Taylor Swift (2012)
Pop
A subject matter that’s classic Taylor Swift, every part of this song is catchy, even the spoken word part (“like, evah”). She’s produced a lot of pop bangers but this just about stands out.

95. What Am I Doing Here? (Pt. 1) – Chicane (2010)
Trance
What Am I Doing Here is an immersive, hypnotic piece about longing and waiting, with layered vocals telling the story over an I – V – VI – IV chord progression which is more commonly the domain of genres such as pop punk.

96. Without You – Dillon Francis ft. Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs (2013)
Electronic
With lyrics written by TEED about the relationship breakdown of Dillon Francis, Without You is a tender and moving masterpiece. TEED’s stunning vocal inflection on ”ooh you’ll be” and the powerful sus chords of the chorus take the song to another level.

97. Wrong Opinion – Chairlift (2012)
Synth-pop
Chairlift’s 2012 album Something is full of weird and catchy synth-pop hits. Wrong Opinion creates a dreamy atmosphere with a cymbal rhythm driving the chorus not dissimilar from that used in the full-length Red Dwarf theme.

98. XXX 88 (Dreamtrak Remix) – MO & Diplo (2013)
Dance
A sometimes ethereal techno piece driven along by a solid beat and cymbal-heavy percussion, parts of this touch on the sort of trance that you can rave or relax to. A fantastic re-imagining of MO’s original.

99. You Don’t Turn Down – Marnie Stern (2013)
Indie
Intricate clean-tone guitar tapping throughout complemented with powerful bursts of distortion and snare-led drumming.

100. Youth – Daughter (2013)
Indie
Narrowly beating Shallows, Medicine and Human to become Daughter’s entry on the list, Youth (besides being a very fun fingerpicking guitar piece) summarises that very base condition of being young, going through relationship cycles and engaging in self-destructive pastimes. “Most of us are breathing through corrupted lungs / Setting fire to our insides for fun / Collecting names of the lovers that went wrong”. Nice.