M.I.A.’s ‘Paper Planes’ tops NPR’s newly released list of the ‘200 Greatest Songs by 21st Century Women’
NPR expands its “Turning the Tables” endeavor with a 200-track list of the “Greatest Songs by 21st Century Women.” “Turning the Tables” represents NPR Music’s attempt to re-conceptualize “the popular music canon in more inclusive–and accurate–ways.”
The extensive list seeks to “celebrate artists whose work is changing this century’s sense of what popular music can be.” Selected by a panel of “more than 70 women and non-binary writers,” the “200 Greatest Songs By 21st Century Women” canvasses releases from artists whose pivotal musical contributions arrived on or after January 1, 2000. The songs that qualified for inclusion on NPR’s list “have shifted attitudes, defied categories, and pushed sound in new directions” since 2000.
M.I.A. claims the number one spot for her 2007 single, “Paper Planes,” a victory that NPR credits to the song’s lucid political critique of American colonization and capitalism.
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs trail M.I.A., taking second place for their 2003 release “Maps,” a track that NPR cites as pivotal to paving the path of commercial radio success for indie-pop crossovers.
Beyoncé‘s 2008 single, “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It),” accounts for third place by way of its focus on female empowerment and its viral inspiration of music video imitations of Beyonce’s choreography.
Amy Winehouse‘s 2006 single, “Back To Black,” Alabama Shakes’ 2012 release, “Hold On,” Lorde‘s 2013 hit, “Royals,” and Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings’ 2007 song “100 Days, 100 Nights” follow in sequential succession. Respective productions from Alicia Keys, Brandi Carlile, Peaches, Janelle Monae, Solange, and more round out the comprehensive list.
View the complete list, here.
Photo Credit: NME
H/T: NPR
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