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The best pop songs of the 2000s
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The best pop songs of the 2000s

I don't know about you, but to me, pop music in the 2000s was just different than it is today. If you need some inspiration for your throwback playlist, you can check out some of the best pop songs of the decade here.

 
1 of 30

"Bleeding Love," Leona Lewis

"Bleeding Love," Leona Lewis
Leona Lewis

Leona Lewis is so underrated. Unless you were living under a rock in 2007, you know how popular "Bleeding Love" was in the late 2000s. Hopefully, we will be lucky enough to hear some new music sometime soon.

 
2 of 30

"Since U Been Gone," Kelly Clarkson

"Since U Been Gone," Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson

This song and the album Breakaway are everything. "Since U Been Gone" was given to a couple of different artists before landing in Kelly Clarkson's lap, and thank goodness for that because the song absolutely belongs to her and only her.

 
3 of 30

"Closer," Ne-Yo

"Closer," Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo

"Closer" was my jam! Year of the Gentleman has to be one of Ne-Yo's best albums. His slight change in sound made this song one of the "100 Best Songs of 2008," according to Rolling Stone.

 
4 of 30

"Stacy's Mom," Fountains of Wayne

"Stacy's Mom," Fountains of Wayne
Fountains of Wayne

Unfortunately, "Stacy's Mom" was a one-hit wonder for Fountains of Wayne, but what a great song it is! Unless you were named Stacy, then I am very sorry for how many times you must have heard this song sung to you.

 
5 of 30

"Hips Don't Lie," Shakira

"Hips Don't Lie," Shakira
Shakira

"Hips Don't Lie" was so incredibly popular in 2006. If I had to pick only one, it was the song of the year. The people could not get enough! It's obviously one of the best pop songs of the 2000s and of all time.

 
6 of 30

"Welcome to the Black Parade," My Chemical Romance

"Welcome to the Black Parade," My Chemical Romance
My Chemical Romance

MCR's "Welcome to the Black Parade" went so hard. I'm so proud that I grew up listening to this kind of music. The song has had a huge impact on not just rock but all genres of music, and it just so happens to be one of the best albums ever.

 
7 of 30

"Get Ur Freak On," Missy Elliott

"Get Ur Freak On," Missy Elliott
Missy Elliott

One thing is for sure: Missy Elliott and Timbaland put out good music. "Get Ur Freak On" is so fun and impossible not to dance to. It's been nearly 23 years since its release, and Missy is still killing the game.

 
8 of 30

"Unwell," Matchbox Twenty

"Unwell," Matchbox Twenty
Matchbox Twenty

Let me just say that Rob Thomas sure can write a song. Shout out to "Lonely No More" because we can't forget about that jam. "Unwell" has a great message and makes those with anxiety and depression feel seen, making it one of the best songs of the 2000s.

 
9 of 30

"Yellow," Coldplay

"Yellow," Coldplay
Coldplay

This song was the first taste of Coldplay we got in the U.S., and lucky for us, it was a perfect debut single. "Yellow" is considered to be one of the greatest songs by just about every critic ever, and the band is still going strong after all these years.

 
10 of 30

"She Will Be Loved," Maroon 5

"She Will Be Loved," Maroon 5
Maroon 5

Maroon 5's debut album, Songs About Jane, is probably one of the most perfect albums to exist, and not only is "She Will Be Loved" one of their best songs, but it's also most likely everyone's favorite. Please bring back this sound, Maroon 5!

 
11 of 30

"The Climb," Miley Cyrus

"The Climb," Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus

I know it probably should have been "Party in the U.S.A.," but this is my list! I'll give it an honorable mention. "The Climb" meant so much to a lot of people back in 2009, even if it was just the lead single on the Hannah Montana: The Movie soundtrack.

 
12 of 30

"Promiscuous," Nelly Furtado & Timbaland

"Promiscuous," Nelly Furtado & Timbaland
Nelly Furtado

The jam of all jams, "Promiscuous" by Nelly Furtado and Timbaland, was untouchable in 2006. The single essentially marked a comeback for Furtado and rightfully won the Billboard Music Award for "Best Pop Single of the Year."

 
13 of 30

"Get the Party Started," Pink

"Get the Party Started," Pink
Pink

"Get the Party Started" was and still is so much fun. Pink's talent combined with Linda Perry's lyrics made for a timeless bop that's surely on everyone's party playlist.

 
14 of 30

"How to Save a Life," The Fray

"How to Save a Life," The Fray
The Fray

The Fray's "How to Save a Life" has ranked on countless "best of" lists, especially those specific to the 2000s. It's one of those songs that, if you're lucky enough to hear it played live, will make your entire life.

 
15 of 30

"The Middle," Jimmy Eat World

"The Middle," Jimmy Eat World
Jimmy Eat World

As overplayed as this song was, "The Middle" never fails to lift my spirits every time it comes on the radio. Thank you, Jimmy Eat World, for giving us all hope, at least for two minutes and 46 seconds.

 
16 of 30

"Can't Get You Out of My Head," Kylie Minogue

"Can't Get You Out of My Head," Kylie Minogue
Jon Super/Redferns

It's been 22 years, and I still can't get Kylie Minogue's "Can't Get You Out of My Head" out of my head. The song is almost hypnotic and is considered to be one of the best pop songs ever.

 
17 of 30

"It's Gonna Be Me," NSYNC

"It's Gonna Be Me," NSYNC
NSYNC

"It's Gonna Be Me" has one of the most iconic music videos and is one of our most beloved memes that, at this point, we may or may not look forward to seeing every year. The song is still incredibly catchy and impossible not to sing along to, making it one of the best.

 
18 of 30

"Umbrella," Rihanna, Jay-Z

"Umbrella," Rihanna, Jay-Z
Rihanna

"Umbrella" was Rihanna's best song at the time. I mean, that song was everywhere, played especially on repeat on my iPod. Also, one of the best music videos, if you ask me.

 
19 of 30

"Bad Romance," Lady Gaga

"Bad Romance," Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga

And while I'm on about iconic music videos, I couldn't possibly forget about "Bad Romance." I've been a devoted Monster since the very beginning, so I can confirm that this song is still, in fact, a bop.

 
20 of 30

"Independent Women Part I," Destiny's Child

"Independent Women Part I," Destiny's Child
Destiny's Child

"Cameron D and Destiny," am I right? "Independent Women Part I" is hands down one of the best singles on any film's soundtrack. The feminist anthem earned a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records and is regarded as one of the most successful songs of the 2000s.

 
21 of 30

"All For You," Janet Jackson

"All For You," Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson

I'm going to come clean and admit that I don't know many Janet Jackson songs, but "All For You" is the one that comes to mind every time I think about music from the 2000s. This is also a perfect example of a song whose upbeat melody completely overpowered the lyrics because it took way too long for me to realize what she was singing about.

 
22 of 30

"Crazy in Love," Beyoncé, Jay-Z

"Crazy in Love," Beyoncé, Jay-Z
Beyonce

It'd be a crime not to mention this one. The song has made an everlasting mark on pop culture, having been covered countless times, and despite Beyoncé's incredible discography that just keeps getting better, "Crazy in Love" will forever be that jam.

 
23 of 30

"Hollaback Girl," Gwen Stefani

"Hollaback Girl," Gwen Stefani
Gwen Stefani

This song and Gwen Stefani's debut solo album, Love. Angel, Music. Baby., were my absolute favorites. Seriously, no skips! Some might have thought "Hollaback Girl" was super annoying at the time, but they would be wrong, and I don't trust their judgment.

 
24 of 30

"Beautiful," Christina Aguilera

"Beautiful," Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera

The second and Grammy Award-winning single off of the iconic Stripped album, "Beautiful," is one of Christina Aguilera's most memorable songs. Fans were touched by its message and her vulnerability, making it incredibly impactful in the decade.

 
25 of 30

"Hey Ya!," Outkast

"Hey Ya!," Outkast
Outkast

Do I even need to say anything? We have another G.O.A.T. on our hands. I may or may not have bought this album for only three songs, but "Hey Ya!" alone made it worth it! You know it's on the party playlist.

 
26 of 30

"Toxic," Britney Spears

"Toxic," Britney Spears
Britney Spears

Britney ruled the 2000s, let's be honest, but "Toxic" was something else. I have to say that as a kid, I found this song annoying, but now I don't even know why or how that was even possible! It's a great song and a great music video. No notes.

 
27 of 30

"Try Again," Aaliyah

"Try Again," Aaliyah
Aaliyah

It's been almost 24 years, and it's still a masterpiece. Aaliyah was the queen of the nineties and, unfortunately, for only a small bit of the early 2000s before her passing, but her legacy will live on.

 
28 of 30

"London Bridge," Fergie

"London Bridge," Fergie
Fergie

This was the toughest decision because "Glamorous" is right there, but "London Bridge" was huge for Fergie. As the lead single on her debut solo album, The Dutchess, the song made quite an impression.

 
29 of 30

"I Kissed a Girl," Katy Perry

"I Kissed a Girl," Katy Perry
Katy Perry

Though controversial at the time, Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl" was undoubtedly catchy and probably the song of the year, at least according to teenagers who played it nonstop to annoy their parents.

 
30 of 30

"Mr. Brightside," The Killers

"Mr. Brightside," The Killers
The Killers

Going out with a bang with "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers! It's the ultimate karaoke song that encapsulates the decade. As the debut single off of the band's debut album, Hot Fuss, and one of the first songs they ever wrote, it is truly special.

Shelby Weimer, a Kansas City native, grew up watching way too many comedies and Saturday Night Live, inspiring her to build a career in comedy. When she isn’t writing sketches and pilot scripts, Shelby is always keeping up with the latest in entertainment, with reality TV and all things pop culture being her jam. Find Shelby on Twitter & Instagram @shelbwei3

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