First off, let’s face the terrifying truth: 2001 was twenty-five years ago.
It’s strange to comprehend that it’s been a quarter of a century since that transformative year, especially since so much of its music remains influential. Consequenceproved that when counting down the top 100 Best Songs of 2001, crowning Missy Elliott’s “Get Ur Freak On” as No. 1.
Missy Elliott’s “Get Ur Freak On” Is The Best Song of 2001
The honor is well-deserved, though not that surprising; Rolling Stone named it the best song of the 21st century so far last October. Consequence’s News Editor Eddie Fu added to the song’s praises, saying “Get Ur Freak On” still “feels like a sonic anomaly that no other artist will ever approach in terms of creativity or everlasting wow factor.”
“Each listen feels like a novel experience: the Japanese-language intro commands the listener to get ready to dance just before Timbaland‘s bhangra-influenced tumbi riff adds an avant-garde flair to his signature syncopated drums,” wrote Fu.
“Throughout the track, a nimble-tongued Missy Elliott sounds downright modest when boasting about leaving the radio airwaves ‘shook’ and chiding copycats for ‘sloppily’ attempting to duplicate her chemistry with Timbaland,” he adds. “After all, given the duo’s history and their latest innovative track, it was apparent that their only true competition came from their future selves.”
Released in March 2001, “Get Ur Freak On” peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 (the same position it hit on the Hot Rap Songs chart). In 2023, the Recording Industry Association of America certified the song double-platinum.
Top 10 Best Songs of 2001
The rest of the Top 10 shows how varied mainstream music was at that moment. Gorillaz, the cartoon avatars of Damon Albarn, came in at No. 2 with their debut single, “Clint Eastwood.” System of a Down, once relegated to MTV2 and metal magazines, broke through onto modern rock radio with No. 3, “Chop Suey.”
Alicia Keys’s immortal “Fallin'” came in at No. 3, while Kylie Minogue’s “Can’t Get You Out Of My Head”—a bit of a renaissance track for the 80s popstar—was ranked No. 5.
Surprisingly, Consequence put The Strokes’s “Someday” at No. 6. The band kicked off the indie rock boom of the 2000s with the song ranked No. 54, “Last Nite.” (Even more peculiar since the best song off of their debut album is “Hard To Explain.”)
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Tool, who may be heading to Vegas after they release their next album, come in at No. 7 with “Schism,” while Daft Punk’s “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” is No. 8. Jimmy Eat World, who are celebrating 25 years of Bleed American, are No. 9 with “The Middle.” And Destiny’s Child’s “Survivor” finishes out the Top 10.
There are plenty of gems throughout Consequence’s list. Blu Cantrell’s “Hit’ Em Up Style,” Tenacious D’s “Tribute,” Cake’s “Short Skirt/Long Jacket”, Basement Jack’s “Where’s Your Head At,” and Andrew W.K’s “Party Hard” can be found in the ranks.
Consequence’s Top 20 Best Songs of 2001
01. Missy Elliott, “Get Ur Freak On”
02. Gorillaz, “Clint Eastwood”
03. System of a Down, “Chop Suey”
04. Alicia Keys, “Fallin'”
05. Kylie Minogue, “Can’t Get You Out Of My Head”
06. The Strokes, “Someday”
07. Tool, “Schism”
08. Daft Punk, “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger”
09. Jimmy Eat World,” The Middle”
10. Destiny’s Child, “Survivor”
11. Gillian Welch, “Everything is Free”
12. The White Stripes, “Fell in Love with a Girl”
13. Sum 41, “Fat Lip”
14. Outkast ft. Killer Mike, “The Whole World”
15. Bruce Springsteen,” 41 Shots (American Skin)”
16. Jay-Z ft. Eminem, “Renegade”
17. Andrew W.K., “Party Hard”
18. Ludacris, “Move Bitch”
19. Sophie Ellis-Bextor, “Murder on the Dance Floor”
20. Radiohead, “Pyramid Song”
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