friday random ten, 2000 edition

Posted about 1 month ago

1. OutKast, "So Fresh, So Clean." The album went quadruple-platinum. I think that means it sold 4 million copies.

2. Kronos Quartet, "Winter: Lux Aeterna." Even if you don't think you know this one, you know it, as it has become ubiquitous over the years. You'll think it was written hundreds of years ago, but you'll be wrong.

3. Sleater-Kinney, "Youth Decay." So many to choose from, but in the running for my fave S-K song ever. Janet is a goddess. This song is the source for the Inspirational Lyric atop my MOG page.

4. Bruce Springsteen, "Land of Hope and Dreams." The one new song from the Reunion Tour, which seems so long ago now.

5. Coldplay, "Yellow." Speaking of ubiquitous. When Coldplay got noticed, which is good or bad depending on whether you like them.

6. Afroman, "Because I Got High." Heard a dozen times a day, it got old fast. Heard once a year, not so bad.

7. N' Sync, "Bye Bye Bye." I've told this story many times, but back when boy bands were a dime a dozen, my son told me Justin Timberlake was gonna be around for the long haul. BTW, whoever cast that one season of Mickey Mouse Club that had Justin, Xtina and Britney deserves a raise.

8. Robert Downey, Jr., "River." Ally McBeal was a quirky show that, over time, became tired, as quirky shows often do. Then they brought in Robert Downey, Jr. My brother said he was going to start watching the show, solely because of Downey. I thought that was silly … I mean, I liked Downey, but still. So, of course, he completely revitalized the show. And then he fell off the wagon. Hopefully there's finally a happy ending for him. Oh, and he can sing.

9. Aaliyah, "Try Again." She was a huge star, but I feel like I don't know anything about her, which I assume would not be true if she were still alive.

10. Baha Men, "Who Let the Dogs Out?" No, Afroman didn't concoct the silliest song of 2000. Another song that was good at first, then bad after being overplayed, now worthy of an occasional listen. Sports fans have fonder memories of this than most people, I'd wager … I know when I hear of it, I think of that first season at the Giants' new ballpark.