4. Gorillaz – “Clint Eastwood” (2001)
Damon Albarn just might be the melodica’s most esteemed living ambassador. The producer/vocalist used the instrument on 13, the 1999 album by his Britpop group Blur, and has since used it on the soundtrack to the movie101 Reykjavik, hisMali Music project, and his solo album Democrazy. But his most notable melodica lead is on “Clint Eastwood,” the massive 2001 single (featuring Del tha Funky Homosapien) that introduced Gorillaz, the cartoon band he founded with then-collaborator Dan the Automator. —Jesse Serwer