10 Songs That Get Better Every Time You Hear Them
6. This is America - Childish Gambino
Looking back on the 2010's, the Billboard charts had one hell of a ride from beginning to end. Though we started off fairly strong with the likes of Lady Gaga and Beyonce left over from the previous decade, the contrast between something like Jason Derulo and Billie Eilish is stark as hell. It wasn't the smoothest of transitions, but This is America was one hell of a building block towards something more cerebral.
Although released a single on its own, Donald Glover probably didn't realize the cultural significance that a song like this was going to have, being one of the greatest comments on the state of the United States at the time. Given that the song itself had a lot to say, people were taken aback when they saw the video, which showed everything from heavy handed symbolism about race relations to the subtle nods to racism like the Confederate pants that he sports throughout the entire thing.
In fact, the one thing that probably keeps fans coming back to hear this song every single time comes from the actual video, with the opening gunshots firing as the beat drops showcasing one of the starkest transitions of the entire decade. Despite Donald not being able to carry this kind of song over into the next decade, it's better to cherish what we got instead of focusing on the missed opportunities.