Rolling Stone ranks top 200 rock songs of the 21st century

Rolling Stone has published a comprehensive ranking of the 200 best rock songs of the 21st century to date. The list aims to capture the genre's evolution from the year 2000 through the present, highlighting how rock has integrated with pop, hip-hop, indie, and electronic music.

Taking the top spot is “Maps” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs, released in 2003. The ranking follows with “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes in second place and “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers in third. Other high-ranking tracks include Olivia Rodrigo’s “Good 4 U” at fourth, Radiohead’s “The National Anthem” at fifth, and Phoebe Bridgers’ “I Know the End” at sixth.

The list features a diverse array of artists and styles, including The Strokes, Jay-Z, Arctic Monkeys, and Wilco. By focusing on individual songs rather than just artists, the publication showcases the genre's shifting boundaries and its ability to define different musical movements and cultural eras.