Five songs from the 2000s that have no business being as excellent as they are

Joseph Arthur - "In the Sun" (2000)

Arthur wastes no time at the beginning of this track. He needs to move on with what he must say - forced to say - and there will be ache and longing. The lyrics are great - not perfect, but excellent - but the way the song is produced with instruments entering exactly when they need to and the sound of Arthur's voice pleading for your understanding will make you want to donate your money to whatever church Arthur is selling you.

The line, "May god's love be with you...always," seems almost angry and sarcastic as if the narrator tried to trust in a higher being during a time of happiness only to find that at the end he was the one pulling the strings. There is irony. But still, the singer hopes and needs and just needs a bit of reassurance. He isn't ready to give up all that is lost...not yet.

Muse - "Hysteria" (2003)

There are few rock songs that begin as well as "Hysteria." You are a balloon about to burst or going up to the high point on a roller coaster ride. What is clear is that the start of the track is not how the rest of the song will go. That is fine, though; the build-up is exactly what you need to find the catharsis of Muse's tune.

You will shake your booty to this song, however. You might not even want to. You just want to enjoy a good rock track. The bass will get you, and then without even realizing you are doing so, the fuzziness of the guitar will likely have you spinning like a top. It's wonderful and exhilarating, and even if you are dancing your legs down to your knees in your room on your own, you won't care if anyone is watching from outside your window. Make them want to dance, too.