This is part 4 of my article about the best songs that have come out in this millennium so far. I assure you the explanations will run a little bit deeper. Here we go!
Part 3 is here
#10
Song: Promise
Artist: Romeo Santos feat. Usher
Peak Position: #1 U.S. Latin
In a nice little blend of bachata and R&B, this bilingual love song has two well-known musical crooners serenading the ladies with their blend of soft lyrics and nice vocals that never becomes vulgar, never becomes too over-the-top, and hits all the right spots. I have a softer spot for bachata, and this song deserves better recognition for attempting to expand the horizons by singing in two languages but never mix them.
#9
Song: Thinking About You
Artist: Norah Jones
Peak Position: #7 Billboard Jazz
Being a Norah Jones fan, expect her on this list more than once. While it is hard to really decide which of her songs are best, this one here stands as arguably her adult contemporary friendliest. The entire piece is very simple, and it works to the utmost level. Not enough jazz-inspired tunes are heard nowadays, and Norah's voice and style is just a joyous deviation from the norm. In the case of less being more, Thinking About You is a prime example.
#8
Song: Lose Yourself
Artist: Eminem
Peak Position: #1 everywhere
Eminem is the best rapper of this new millennium. Say what you will about his music now, but back in 2000 nobody could touch him. 2002 certified him as the best since the mid-90s with Lose Yourself, a song performed so well, with so much emotion and so much intensity it made its way into all the rock stations as well as the pop and hip-hop stations. The delivery was great, the beat was infectious, and it wasn't your typical rap song rapping about money, women and/or cars---it even comes off as inspiring. This was Eminem at its peak.
#7
Song: Que Me Quedes Tu
Artist: Shakira
Peak Position: #1 Latin Charts
Remove the infectious rhythms, addicting beats, and jaw-dropping dance moves from Shakira, and what do you have? Her best song. This very soft Spanish rock song calms Shakira to a bare minimum as she bares her soul with beautiful lyrics, beautiful vocals, and good backing guitar/drum work to mix this all together into a memorable track. While her Laundry Service album will forever be known for Whenever, Wherever, Que Me Quedes Tu is the defining example of her pure raw talent.
#6: Hoja En Blanco
Artist: Monchy y Alexandra
Peak Position: #13 Tropical Airplay
The song that put bachata on the New York map, Hoja en Blanco defines bachata to its core: infectious beat, snarky fun guitar work, depressing lyrics, and light vocals that makes it seem like this is being performed in a rural area. What makes this one truly special are the dueling vocalists involved, how they pretty much never sing together expanding the concept of how they are no longer together, how they each have their moment to shine, and the great guitar solo smack dab in the middle of this Dominican classic.
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