Rolling Stone's 21st Century Rock List Sparks Outrage
Critics deride the magazine's ranking of "Maps" by Yeah Yeah Yeah's as the greatest rock song of the era, citing omissions of major artists and questionable inclusions.
Rolling Stone has released its list of the "200 Greatest Rock Songs of The 21st Century So Far," a compilation that has drawn significant criticism for its perceived omissions and questionable placements.
The list, which names "Maps" by the Yeah Yeah Yeah's as the top rock song of the century, has been called "God-awful" by critics who argue it fails to represent traditional rock music and overlooks influential artists.
Commentary on the list highlights a perceived shift in Rolling Stone's editorial direction, moving away from its historical focus on rock music towards what is described as "hipster drivel." Previous controversial rankings, such as the "250 Greatest Guitarists of All-Time" and the "500 Greatest Albums of All-Time," are cited as examples of the magazine's evolving, and for some, declining, standards.
Specific points of contention include the placement of "Maps" at number one, with some questioning the song's mainstream recognition and rock genre credentials. Artists such as Blink-182, System of a Down (with "Chop Suey"), and Panic! At The Disco (with "I Write Sins Not Tragedies") are noted as being notably absent or ranked surprisingly low.
Conversely, artists like Lana Del Rey, Jay-Z, MGMT, Taylor Swift, and Lady Gaga are included on a list ostensibly dedicated to rock music, leading to accusations that the magazine is redefining the genre too broadly or inclusively.
Songs that were ranked lower than some critics believe they deserved include Jimmy Eat World's "The Middle," which landed in the top-25 but was placed below songs like Geese's "Getting Killed" and Mitski's "Your Best American Girl." Queens of the Stone Age's "No One Knows" ranked 36th, trailing Sleater-Kinney's "Entertain." Even The Strokes' "Last Nite," while in the top-10, was considered too low by some, with their track "Reptilia" not ranking highly.
Despite the widespread criticism, the list did acknowledge some widely recognized rock anthems. White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army" made the top-five, and The Strokes' "Last Nite" was included in the top-10.
Some commentators suggest that Rolling Stone may be intentionally publishing provocative lists to generate engagement and reaction, a tactic they refer to as "rage bait."