Top 10 Best Songs by Gorillaz

The ultimate masterpiece. That laughing intro ("Hahahahaha!") followed by one of the fattest bass lines in music history. The combination of melancholic acoustic passages with the aggressive rap of De La Soul is brilliant.nnThe song has everything: funk, rock, rap and pop. The lyrics about alienation and escapism ("Windmill, windmill for the land") are poetic. In the Top 2000, this is their undisputed number 1; a timeless classic that unites generations.

The breakthrough. The beat is sluggish and stumbling, the melodica is spooky and the rap of Del the Funky Homosapien is legendary. The chorus ("I ain't happy, I'm feeling glad") caught the zeitgeist of the nillies perfectly.nnIt's a mix of trip-hop, dub and rock that was completely unique at the time. It sounds like a zombie movie on music; gray, mysterious and ungeekedly cool.

The title says it all. A bittersweet synth-pop pearl that sounds like the end of a beautiful dream. The melody is simple, almost childlike, but the emotional charge is enormous.nnThe production is airy and plastic (in the good sense), which amplifies the vulnerability of the lyrics. "You are my medicine." It's the most romantic and dreamy song from their oeuvre.

THE dance song of the band, sung by Shaun Ryder (Happy Mondays). The beat is irresistibly catchy and has strong disco influences. The iconic "It's coming up, it's coming up" is actually a studio mistake that stuck around.nnThe song radiates pure party fun, but in a somewhat eerie, Gorillaz-like setting. It's impossible not to stay seated at this bass line.

A fast, pulsing electro track that sounds like a chase on the highway. The bass line is mechanical and relentless. Bobby Womack provides a crazy vocal performance full of soul and power.nnThe combination of futuristic synthesizers and Womack's raw voice is gold. Mos Def adds another layer of energy. It's dark, fast and intense.

A reggae-pop song that sounds deceptively sunny. The bass line is relaxed and the beat is simple. But the lyrics are about overthinking and the fear of death ("I've been thinking too much").nnThe transition to the fast rap and screaming finale gives the song depth. It's the perfect balance between accessible radio pop and their serious message.

Possibly the most beautiful song from the Plastic Beach album. It begins as a quiet, rippling ballad with Albarn at the piano, but transforms halfway through into a flourishing synth-pop track.nnYukimi Nagano's voice is ethereal and floating. The transition feels like the sunrise; warm, hopeful and wonderfully beautiful. A favorite with connoisseurs.

A mix of funk and hip-hop with a serious edge. The children's choir in the chorus sounds innocent, but contrasts sharply with the rap of Bootie Brown about war and soldiers.nnThe groove is funky and laid-back. The song cleverly balances a summer folk anthem with a political statement. The strings give it cinematic grandeur.

One of their most cheerful and funky songs. The beat is playful and bouncy, and the synthesizer sample sounds like a computer game from the 80s.nnThe vocals of Miho Hatori (as Noodle) are cute and catchy ("Get the cool shoe shine"). It's Gorillaz at their most accessible and airy, perfect for a sunny day.

A hypnotic track that rides on a repetitive, menacing bass line. The song slowly builds toward a chaotic climax full of guitar noise and distortion.nnThe atmosphere is paranoid and tense. Neneh Cherry adds subtle vocals that give the whole thing an extra layer of mystery. It's a protest against violence, wrapped in a tight groove.