Rolling Stone published its list of The 250 Greatest Songs of the 21st Century So Far, and fans were quick to notice how low Eminem’s ranking was despite shaping two and a half decades of music.
The magazine’s new list is subtitled “25 years of classic hits from all over the musical map and every corner of the globe”. Ambitiously, it aims to highlight the most creative and original songs of the century, not necessarily the most popular. The selections were made entirely by the magazine’s own editorial staff.
Still, for Eminem fans, the results hit a little offbeat: we only could find two of his songs on the list, and both were sitting surprisingly low.
Ranking
At No.121, the magazine included “Stan”. The writer praised its emotional complexity and called it “a cautionary tale of celebrity”. The entry noted that the song’s concept remains relevant in the era of obsessive online fandoms. However, that did not earn “Stan” a spot in the magazine’s top 100.
Meanwhile, higher up, at No.39, stands “Lose Yourself”, the Oscar-winning anthem from 8 Mile. Rolling Stone described it as “hip-hop’s very own ‘Eye of the Tiger’”. Besides, the writer credited Eminem’s ability to transform his struggles into a motivational triumph.
And yet, it is a surprise that songs so globally influential, both cultural milestones and lyrical masterclasses, did not break the top 20. The magazine’s top three choices give some perspective on the taste behind the ranking:
1. Missy Elliott – “Get Ur Freak On” (2001)
2. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “Maps” (2003)
3. Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z – “Crazy in Love” (2003)
As with all Rolling Stone lists, the choices are more about editorial flavour than universal agreement. For Eminem’s fans, though, seeing “Lose Yourself” outside the top 10 and “Stan” buried at 121 is a reminder that “subjective” can sometimes feel like “disrespectful”.
