Uptown Funk is most important song of the decade (so far)

First off, as I am writing this, I cannot help thinking that what I want most of all is a list of the Most Important Filipino Songs of the Decade. But since there are really no statisticians that keep track of the sales, airplay, streaming, downloading sharing, etc. of local recordings, I have no choice but to accept the fact that there isn’t any credible listing around.

I used to dream of having Soundscan in the Philippines, a device that can track the market movement of every record release, that will give us a true picture of how songs are selling. But given how stores are now reducing space provided music releases if not totally removing these, then I do not think anybody would be interested in investing on something like Soundscan.

Hopefully, somebody will take the trouble to compile online sales soon in the Philippines and we can have a fairly accurate report on what is really selling. But until then, those interested will have to use their judgment as to whether to believe ads and press releases that trumpet this or that big hit.

This list of The Most Important Songs of This Decade (So Far) was compiled by Slacker Radio’s Engagement Quiotient Data Analysis and published by the Digital Music News. It comes from tracking online sales and performance mainly from the US of A. But I do not think the results would be any different if we were to put together a list of the foreign hits that Pinoys bought and listened to this past decade. 

On top of this elite batch is Uptown Funk! by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars. You all know Uptown Funk!. It is the song that goes “I’m too hot/hot damn/call the police and the fireman/I’m too hot/hot damn/make a dragon wanna retire, man/I’m too hot/hot damn/say my name you know who I am/I’m too hot/hot damn/and my band ‘bout that money/break it down.”

Released early this year in Ronson’s big-selling album Uptown Special, the song has become one of the greatest  earworms ever and gave Mars another huge hit despite the fact that he has not released an album in quite a while. And to whom does Bruno owe this large bite of success? To hot and sexy and very stylish producer Ronson who is the stepson of Mick Jones of the rock band Foreigner. Ronson also did a wonderful job with Bruno’s Unorthodox Jukebox.  He was also behind Back To Black and Rehab by Amy Winehouse.

A No. 1 seller for 14 weeks, Uptown Funk! has already sold over a million copies. It also broke streaming records, 2.34 million for one week in the UK where it was also honored with the Brit Award for British Single of the Year. I wonder how it will fare in next year’s Grammys.  Will it also turn out to be the song of this decade? We will know in five years. 

Meanwhile, here are the titles that already boast of a good headstart in the race. Ta da! The 50 Most Important Songs of the Decade.

Uptown Funk! by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars

Tik Tok by Kesha

Rolling In The Deep by Adele

Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke

Problem by Ariana Grande featuring Iggy Azalea

Royals by Lorde

Stay With Me by Sam Smith

Firework by Katy Perry

Somebody That I Used To Know by Gotye featuring Kimbra.

See You Again by Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth

Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera

Radioactive by Imagine Dragons

Fancy by Iggy Azalea featuring Charli XCX

Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran

Shake It Off by Taylor Swift

Roar by Katy Perry

Earned It by The Weeknd

Need You Now by Lady Antebellum

Rude by Magic!

Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen

Give Me Everything by Pitbull featuring Ne-Yo

Get Lucky by Daft Punk

Am I Wrong by Nico & Vinz

Wake Me Up by Avicii

We Found Love by Rihanna

OMG by Usher featuring will.i.am

We Are Young by fun.

All About That Bass by Meghan Trainor

Wrecking Ball by Miley Cyrus

I’m Not The Only One by Sam Smith

F***in Perfect by Pink

Round Here by Florida Georgia Line

Love Me Like You Do by Ellie Goulding

Locked Out Of Heaven by Bruno Mars

Hey Soul Sister by Train

Whistle by Flo Rida

Payphone by Maroon 5 featuring Wiz Khalifa

Me And My Broken Heart by Rixton

Blank Space by Taylor Swift

Ho Hey by the Lumineers

Crash My Party by Luke Bryan

Love The Way You Lie by Eminem featuring Rihanna

Lips Are Movin’ by Meghan Trainor

Super Bass by Nicki Minaj

Dark Horse by Katy Perry

Don’t You Worry Child by Swedish House Mafia

Happy by Pharrell Williams

Centuries by Fall Out Boy

F*** You by Cee Lo Green

Drunk In Love by Beyonce featuring Jay Z.