I’d been waiting to write how awestruck I’ve been by this, but I can’t contain myself any longer. This list has been facemeltingly perfect, at least from the perspective of anyone who’s been reading Pitchfork since the days of dial-up. I can hardly be bothered with the snooty critic’s picks, but what fascinates me are the entries for the corporate rock entities that defined a generation who thought they were rebelling against corporate entities.
Favorites of the moment include the entry for Oasis’ “Live Forever” and the Verve’s “Bittersweet Symphony,” to say nothing of New Order’s “Regret,” the song that introduced me to their entire catalogue. Those opening strains still stop me in my tracks.
Am I a little bummed no one has out and out shocked the readership by including the Verve Pipe? Am I amazed that neither Live nor Dave Matthews Band have made an appearance? Which U2 song will make the list? I hope they pick something from Zooropa. The ’90s weren’t perfect and neither were we. I hope they acknowledge that somehow.
Here are my guesses for what will be in the final 20. let’s see how many I get right!
Radiohead-Fake Plastic Trees
My Bloody Valentine-Soon
Neutral Milk Hotel-Holland, 1945
Pavement-Summer Babe
Nirvana-All Apologies
Belle & Sebastian-the State I am in
Beck-Debra
Bjork-Joga
Weezer-Say It Ain’t So
Notorious BIG-hynotize
Wu Tang Clan-Protect Ya Neck
Aphex Twin-windowlicker
Outkast-spottieottiedopaliscious
Pulp-Common People
Daft Punk-Da Funk
Dr. Dre-Nothin But a G Thang
Tom Waits-Come On up to the house
Cocteau Twins-Heaven or Las Vegas
Metallica-the unforgiven
talk talk-taphead
Dude, do you secretly work for Pitchfork? This was uncanny! Nicely done!
I’m still sad that there was no Sheryl Crow or Shania Twain.
yeah, weird! Still, it’s not really a surprise I could guess them fairly well. no joke, I’ve been reading this website since I was a sophmore in high school. I’m surprised they didn’t really include any 80s holdovers like the bottom four on my list or U2, but it would be hard to argue with what they chose instead. That said, I do NOT agree with Pavement having the best song (would’ve put Pulp in the top spot maybe). I“ll see you at the Mann Center Sept. 17 tho.
I didn’t buy a ticket to Pavement. Can you believe it?
I’m seeing Pavement with the same person I saw them with the last time in 1999. may the circle be unbroken…
Sweet! Have a fun time!