12. "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley (2006) / "Paper Planes" by M.I.A. (2007)

Two global smashes. Two timely collaborations. Two ingenious uses of samples. And two inventive vocal performances. Both "Crazy" and "Paper Planes" will long be remembered as sonic touchstones of this decade.

On "Crazy," mash-up producer Danger Mouse collaborated with Goodie Mob member Cee-Lo and the duo created a song for the ages. It has been said that Shakespeare will be performed on Mars; likewise, this song will be playing when the house lights go up. From Gnarls Barkley's debut album St. Elsewhere, "Crazy" was inspired by Ennio Morricone's spaghetti Western scores; the song uses a sample from the film Viva Django. Danger Mouse's heady mix of psychedelic rock and hip-hop are only surpassed by Cee-Lo's classic soul vocal work. Word has it that Cee-Lo recorded the entire vocals for the song in one take. Unbelievable.

On "Paper Planes," M.I.A. teamed with producer Diplo for her second album Kala and shook up the Establishment with her gun-shot ringing third-world anthem. "Paper Planes" uses a backing track from The Clash and the chorus is based on that early-nineties ditty "Rump Shaker" by Wreckx-n-Effect. But it's the song's recorded gun shots and cash register (ka-ching!) that listeners will remember as the perfect symbols (cymbals?) for the class warfare of the catchy chorus. Little wonder the song was used to such good effect by the Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire. While it is possible "Paper Planes" will sound dated in years to come (unlike the superior "Crazy"), M.I.A.'s global cross-over hit gloriously captured the sound of disparate peoples flooding over borders in the chaotic global marketplace.

For the video, click here. For the Slumdog Millionaire version, click here.

Why listen? These two songs are striking original outliers that managed to capture worldwide audiences savvy enough to appreciate authentic performances and songcraft. Can you think of any other tracks this decade that have such widespread recognition and massive critical acclaim? Didn't think so.