Because everyone’s a sucker for lists, I spent some time the other day scrolling through NPR’s list of “The 200 Greatest Songs by 21st Century Women+.”
There were plenty of artists in there who I liked — the highest-ranked on my iPhone is Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” at No. 20 — but my favorite artist (and not just woman artist), Jennifer Nettles, was missing.
To my mind, this can mean only one of three things:
1. Jennifer Nettles is secretly a dude (which means someone would have a lot of explaining to do, but then again, the “+” in NPR’s title stands for non-binary, if that was the case).
2. Her work was all before 2001, although I’m pretty sure that 2004, when Sugarland’s “Twice the Speed of Life” came out, is after 2001. And 2014, when her solo album “That Girl,” came out, is also well within the confines of the 21st century.
3. The people doing the countdown have no idea what they’re talking about, and for all of the good choices they made, the entire countdown should be rendered worthless and tossed in the rubbish.
I mean, seriously, a lot of women have done a lot of music, but nothing in the top 200? For a woman who can sing like this?
Of course, I should have seen the clue right in the criteria — “have shifted attitudes, defied categories and pushed sound in new directions since then.” (“Then,” by the way, is defined as Jan. 1, 2000, although we pedants know the century actually started a year later.)
As for me, I prefer to use the standards of “really freaking good,” “make me want to listen over and over” and “stop what I’m doing so nothing distracts me from this awesome song.”
But that’s the nature of fandom, isn’t it? If you think something or someone is brilliant, everyone should think the same way, right?
I saw “My Fair Lady” in New York and loved it, so of course Tony voters should see it the same way and give it all they awards. (They didn’t.)

The good news is that when “Moulin Rouge” arrives on Broadway, they’ll have a chance to make up for it, which I’m sure they will.

And yes, I judge people harshly if they don’t agree with me.
I’m sorry, but if you didn’t think “Killing Eve” was the best thing you’ve seen on TV all year — and I’m including you, Emmy voters who only gave it two (two!?!?) nominations, and none for the show itself or Jodie Comer — I just don’t want to know you.
But oh well, I know what’s good, regardless of what those people with no taste think.
By this point, I’m sure you’re wondering just who I think I am (unless you already know me, and are well aware of who I think I am), but just know this … you do it, too.
Admit it.
I won’t hold it against you.
Unless “Girls” was your favorite show.
Then I might.
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