The 2000s being a decade of change, we’ve seen some amazing pop songs come out of it. We also saw the birth of some major pop stars such as Justin Bieber, Rihanna, and Lady Gaga.
Not to mention, the 2000s saw some of the greatest comebacks in music history, with artists like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera making major waves in the industry.
So, with so many great pop tracks released in the last decade, it was literally hard to whittle it down to just 50. However, we’ve given it a go and compiled what we believe are the best pop songs of the 2000s.
So, without further ado, here’s our list!
Top Best Pop Songs of the 2000s
1. Breathe by Faith Hill
Breathe by Faith Hill has to be in the number 1 spot on our list. Though released in 1999, the song gained immense popularity in the early 2000s and is still one of Faith Hill’s most iconic tracks. The feel, the arrangement, and the lyrics everything about this song is absolutely perfect with Hill’s mesmerizing voice adding the finishing touch. It has been 21 years since the song’s release, and it still gives us goosebumps!
2. What a Girl Wants by Christina Aguilera
If you are a fan of teen pop songs, then this track by Christina Aguilera is a must-have on your playlist. Released in 1999, the song became an instant sensation and is the first Billboard Hot 100 number-one hit of the 2000s. Besides the song, is a pure ode to any guy who knows how to properly respect and support a woman.
3. Toxic by Britney Spears
When everyone thought that her career was over, Britney Spears made a spectacular comeback with “Toxic.” Even if you are a first-time listener this song will hook you with its campy chorus and unforgettable melody. The production is also exemplary, with intertwining synth lines and a classic Spears vocal delivery. This is also one of the most covered songs of the last decade, with dozens of versions by various artists. including Chapin Sisters, The BossHoss, and Hard-Fi.
4. Hey There Delilah by Plain White T’s
If there ever was a song that defined the 2000s, it has to be “Hey There Delilah” by Plain White T’s. The track was a massive worldwide hit, selling over four million copies in the US alone and spending 35 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also nominated for Song of the Year at the 50th Grammy Awards. The song is about a long-distance relationship and the singer’s yearning to be with the girl he loves.
5. Bad Romance by Lady Gaga
“Bad Romance” is one of those songs that you either love or hate. There is no in-between. Written by Lady Gaga and RedOne, the song is a synth-pop and dance-pop track with elements of house and electroclash. The song’s lyrics feature themes of love and relationships, while the chorus is built around the hook “Ra ra-ah-ah-ah / Roma-roma-ma / Ga ga-ooh-la-la.”
According to an interview, Gaga said she wrote this song while touring and was inspired by the loneliness she felt in her relationships and all the “dark and twisted dramas that were going on in her life.”
Pop Songs of the Early 2000s
6. Crazy In Love by Beyoncé (feat. Jay-Z)
Featuring one of the most iconic hooks of all time, this one is a timeless classic. It was released in 2003 as the lead single from Beyonce’s debut solo album, Dangerously in Love. The track features a guest verse from her then-boyfriend, now husband, Jay-Z.
The song was a massive commercial and critical success. It won three Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year and Best R&B Song. The song’s accompanying music video also won three awards at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards.
7. Yellow by Coldplay
21 years later, this song is still as popular as it was when it first came out. It was released in 2000 as the second single from Coldplay’s debut album, Parachutes. The song was written by lead singer Chris Martin and is one of the band’s most iconic tracks.
The song is a mid-tempo guitar-based ballad with piano flourishes and Martin’s emotive vocals. The lyrics are about the simple things in life and how they can bring happiness. Besides, the music video, which was shot at a beach in Studland Bay, is also beautiful and worth watching.
8. Hey Ya! by OutKast
If ever there was a song that represented the early 2000s, it has to be this one. “Hey Ya!” was released in 2003 as the lead single from Outkast’s sixth studio album, The Love Below.
Featuring elements of funk and soul the song was a massive commercial success, spending several weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and winning a Grammy Award for Best Urban/Alternative Performance. The song’s accompanying music video was also nominated for four MTV Video Music Awards.
If you want to experience the early 2000s in all its glory, then this is the song for you.
9. Bye Bye Bye by NSYNC
The boy band craze of the late 1990s and early 2000s was led by NSYNC. The group was one of the most popular boy bands of all time and they had a string of hits, including “Bye Bye Bye.”
With a simple but catchy beat and an unforgettable chorus, the song was impossible to resist. And it’s no wonder why the song was a massive hit, staying in the top 10 in every country it charted.
10. Hollaback Girl by Gwen Stefani
A certified bop, “Hollaback Girl” was released in 2004 as the lead single from Gwen Stefani’s debut solo album, Love. Angel. Music. Baby. According to liv365.com, this is one of the greatest diss tracks of all time.
The song is basically a response to Courtney Love, who had compared her unfavorably to a high school cheerleader in Seventeen Magazine. Instead of getting mad, Stefani decided to write a song about it and the result is one of the most iconic pop songs of the early 2000s.
The track is a thumping electropop track with a catchy hook and Stefani’s signature rapping. The lyrics are sassy and empowering, making it the perfect anthem for anyone who’s ever been told they can’t do something.
Pop Punk Songs of the 2000s
11. Dear Maria, Count Me In by All-time Low
If you love pop punk, then you’ve probably listened to this song a million times. “Dear Maria, Count Me In” was released in 2007 as the lead single from All-time Low’s second studio album, So Wrong, It’s Right.
Featuring a catchy chorus and upbeat instrumentals, the song is a fun listen from start to finish. It’s also one of those songs that gets better with each listen. And if you want to see the band in their element, then check out the music video which was filmed at a house party.
12. Misery Business by Paramore
Another banger of a song, “Misery Business” was released in 2007 as the lead single from Paramore’s second studio album, Riot. According to a user on Songfacts.com, the song is about a girl who is cruel to those around her and runs her school through fear.
Hayley Williams, the band’s lead singer points out this and sings that being in such a thing doesn’t inherently make you great or interesting. Lyrics “Well, there’s a million other girls who do it just like you“.
In an interview, Hayley said, “the lyrics are real-life events and I wrote it as a way to process and release my high school memory”
Besides the message, the song is an earworm, thanks to its catchy chorus and Williams’ powerful vocals.
13. I’m Not Okay (I Promise) by My Chemical Romance
Looking back, it’s hard to believe that this song is nearly 15 years old. Released in 2004, “I’m Not Okay (I Promise)” was the lead single from My Chemical Romance’s debut album, Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge.
The song is an anthem for outcasts and misfits and it’s one of the band’s most popular songs. It’s also one of the earliest examples of emo music crossing over into the mainstream.
14. All the Small Things by Blink-182
This song needs no introduction. “All the Small Things” was released in 1999 as the second single from Blink-182’s third studio album, Enema of the State.
Despite being released over 20 years ago, the song still sounds fresh today. It’s a perfect example of pop punk at its best – catchy, funny, and perfectly tongue-in-cheek.
15. The Middle by Jimmy Eat World
This was the breakout hit for Jimmy Eat World, peaking at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The song is about feeling lost and uncertain in life, but it’s also an uplifting anthem about finding your way. This is also one of the favorite songs of Taylor Swift as she said in an interview with Rolling Stone.
Spanish Pop Songs of 2000s
Spanish songs have a way of making you feel emotions that you didn’t know existed. From the heartbreak of “Besame” by Camila to the hope and happiness of “La La Land” by Demi Lovato, these tracks will definitely stay with you long after they’re over. And, that’s why they’re some of the best pop songs of the 2000s. Here are our top 10 Spanish pop songs of the 2000s:
- Ahora quien by Marc Anthony
- Eres by Café Tacvba
- La Tortura by Alejandro Sanz and Shakira
- Ave María by David Bisbal
- Me Dediqué a Perderte by Alejandro Fernández
- A Dios le pido by Juanes
- Mariposa Traicionera by Maná
- Fotografía by Juanes and Nelly Furtado
- Asereje by Las Ketchup
- El problema by Ricardo Arjona
Mid 2000s Pop Songs
Unlike the early 2000s , the mid 2000s was a time of change in pop music. We saw the rise of EDM and hip hop-influenced sounds, as well as the decline of rock music’s popularity. But, despite all of these changes, there were still some amazing pop songs released during this time. Here are few of the best:
- Toxic by Britney Spears
- You’re Beautiful by James Blunt
- Pop by NSYNC
- Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) by Beyonce
- You Belong With Me by Taylor Swift
- Can’t Get You Out of My Head by Kylie Minogue
- Grace Kelly by Mika
- Dip It Low by Christina Milian
- Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis
- Since U Been Gone by Kelly Clarkson
Pop Rock Songs of the 2000s
If you ask me , pop rock is the perfect blend of two genres. It takes the best of both worlds and creates something that’s catchy, emotional, and downright addictive. From Avril Lavigne’s “Complicated” to Green Day’s “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” these songs shows that pop rock is a force to be reckoned with. Infact, it’s one of the most popular genres of the 2000s.
- How You Remind Me by Nickelback
- Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day
- Use Somebody by Kings Of Leon
- It’s My Life by Bon Jovi
- The Scientist by Coldplay
- Mr. Brightside by The Killers
- Speed of Sound by Coldplay
- Hanging by a Moment – Lifehouse
- Viva La Vida by Coldplay
- Somebody Told Me by The Killers
Pop Love Songs 2000s
When love hits you, it hits you hard. And, these pop love songs of the 2000s mentioned below definitely reflect that. Love songs always have a way of making you feel emotions that you didn’t know existed. They can be happy, sad, or even a little bit of both. But, no matter what they make you feel , they always leave a lasting impression. In a world filled with so much hate, these songs help us remember that love is still very much alive.
- Thinking Out by LoudEd Sheeran
- If You Ever Want to Be in Love by James Bay
- All of MeJohn by Legend
- Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis
- Skinny Love by Birdy
- Just the Way You Are by Bruno Mars
- Make You Feel My Love by Adele
- Say You Won’t Let Go by James Arthur
- Love Story by Taylor Swift
- Crazy in Love by Beyonce
Pop Rap Songs 2000s
Here are some hand-picked pop-rap songs of the 2000s that definitely deserve a spot on this list. Whether you’re in the mood for some old-school Eminem or looking for something a little bit more recent, these songs will surely satisfy your needs.
- Gold Digger ft. Jamie Foxx – Kanye West
- Frontin – Pharrell Featuring Jay-Z
- Down – Jay Sean Featuring Lil Wayne
- When I’m Gone – Eminem
- The Way You Move – Outkast Featuring Sleepy Brown
