The Best Pop Songs of the 2000s at Pretty Much Amazing

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I was thinking about this a lot the other night, and I think its time to being the great debate of the Best Pop Song of the 00s over to PMA. Before everyone starts mouthing off some obscure Scandinavian pop songs, here are a few rules.

1. The song had to have achieved notoriety from 2000-present.
2. It pains me to say this, but the song has to have been a nationwide (or worldwide) hit. The bigger, the better, in most cases.

Why? Because pop music is supposed to be universal. Everyone is supposed to enjoy it and love it and everyone can’t love something if they’ve never heard it before. Simple as that.

3. Only one song per artist. Pick their best single, if that helps.

I have a few submissions in mind. Read on to find out

Here are my picks for the Best Pop Songs of the 2000s

Britney Spears, “Toxic”
There is little doubt left in my mind that Britney Spears’ “Toxic” is the best pop song of the decade. Is it the icy strings permeating throughout the track, that sets this track apart? Or maybe it’s that ridiculously infectious bass line that Bloodshy & Avant have concocted that I love so much? The production on “Toxic” is otherworldly and designed to inject sheer happiness to your brain, but the greatness is mostly due to Britney’s on-record persona. Britney’s now-signature sex kitten purrs and coos were perfected on “Toxic,” and nobody does sex-kitten like Britney Spears. And no one can ride a hook harder.

The other day, I rediscovered Spears’ remix album, B in the Mix, and fell in love with Peter Rauhofer’s “reconstruction” of “Toxic.” Truly epic.
[audio=,Britney Spears - Toxic (Peter Rauhofer Reconstruction Mix Edit),download]

Here are the rest of my picks for Best Pop Songs of the 2000s, in no particular order.

Rihanna, “Umbrella”

50 Cent, “In Da Club”

Beyonce, “Crazy In Love” ft. Jay-Z

Madonna, “Hung Up”

Gnarls Barkley, “Crazy”

Santana, “Smooth” ft. Rob Thomas
**This song was released in October 1999, but the song’s popularity extended well into 2000**

Eminem, “Without Me”

Shakira, “Hips Don’t Lie” ft. Wyclef

Nelly, “Dilemma” ft. Kelly Rowland

Justin Timberlake, “Cry Me A River”

Mariah Carey, “We Belong Together”

Maroon 5, “This Love”

OutKast – “Hey Ya”

No Doubt, “It’s My Life”

Gwen Stefani, “Hollaback Girl”

Green Day, “Boulevard Of Broken Dreams”

Kelly Clarkson, “Since U Been Gone”

Timbaland, “I Way I Are” ft. Keri Hilson

Coldplay, “Viva La Vida”

What are your favorite pop songs of the 2000s?

Ed. Note: Are you interested in writing about music? We'd love to hear from you! Email us with samples and a short bio.

by Luis Tovar on June 25, 2009 ‡ 0 reactions

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{ 55 comments… read them below or add one }

dj-eq June 25, 2009 at 2:38 am

nelly – e.i

john m June 25, 2009 at 2:56 am

very loose definition of pop you’ve got there.

Luis Tovar June 25, 2009 at 3:10 am

Indeed, but it is what it has become – popular songs in popular culture.

Anonymous June 25, 2009 at 3:12 am

Knaye West- Gold Digger
Black Eyed Peas- My Humps

Mick June 25, 2009 at 3:54 am

Viva la Vida, Toxic, Hey Ya, She Will Be Loved, Chasing Cars, Mr. Brightside, The Zephyr Song, She Wants to Move, Relax (Take It Easy), etc.

It’s not all strictly pop but w/e

Gary June 25, 2009 at 4:22 am

Hold up.
We cannot go any further without mentioning
Lady Marmalade – Christina Aguilera, P!NK, Mya and Lil Kim

and then also
Never Be The Same Again – Mel C feat. Lisa Left Eye Lopes
Drops Of Jupiter – Train
Can’t Get You Out Of My Head – Kylie Minogue
Whenever, Wherever – Shakira (better than Hips Don’t Lie imho)
Girlfriend – Avril Lavigne
Don’t Cha – Pussycat Dolls
Valerie – Mark Ronson feat. Amy Winehouse
Poker Face – Lady GaGa
I Kissed A Girl – Katy Perry
That’s Not My Name – The Ting Tings

And then there are so many that I want to say, and then I remember this is an American site and you missed out Notably,
What Took You So Long – Emma Bunton
Don’t Stop Movin’ – S Club 7
Round Round – Sugababes
Superstar – Jamelia

That was kinda exhaustive right? Sorry, got carried away…
A few of those artists I really can’t stand (Avril) but I think pop appeal is undeniable. Yay pop!

Elle Hunt June 25, 2009 at 4:40 am

I think I Kissed A Girl should be up there, definitely, and as Gary says, being American means you’ve missed out on the delights of S Club 7 and B*witched. I’ve got a playlist called ‘Guilty Pleasures’ for this kind of stuff. What about T. L. C. – No Scrubs?

Neil June 25, 2009 at 4:44 am

What about 2009?

Tinchy Stryder – Number 1
Freemasons & Sophie Ellis-Bextor – Heartbreak Make Me a Dancer
Gossip – Heavy Cross
Killers – Human
3OH!3 – Don’t Trust Me
Lily Allen – Fuck You
Dizzee Rascal – Bonkers
Calvin Harris – I’m Not Alone
La Roux – In for the Kill
Noisettes – Don’t Upset the Rhythm
Kid Cudi & Crookers – Day N Nite

adam June 25, 2009 at 5:04 am

R. Kelly – Ignition (Remix)
Missy Elliott – Get Ur Freak On
Annie – take your pick, but my favorite is Heartbeat
Kanye West – Love Lockdown
Kid CuDi – Day and Night
Modest Mouse – Float On
Ted Leo – Me and Mia
Stardust – Music Sounds Better With You
Hot Chip – Ready for the Floor
Basement Jaxx – Where’s Your Head At?
Daft Punk – Digital Love
Kelis – Milkshake
Amerie – One Thing
Le Tigre – Deceptacon
Rihanna – Don’t Stop the Music
Luomo – Tessio
M.I.A. – Paper Planes
Robyn – Cobrastyle
Lyrics Born – Callin’ Out
Tracey Thorn – It’s All True
!!! – Me and Giuliani Down by the Schoolyard
De La Soul – Rock Co.Kane Flow
Jay-Z – The Takeover
Liz Phair – My Bionic Eyes
Lupe Fiasco – Kick, Push
Outkast – The Way You Move
The Go-Betweens – Boundary Rider
Belle and Sebastian – I’m a Cuckoo

Scottish Friction June 25, 2009 at 5:26 am

no way adam. ted leo? pshhhhh

I’d say Beyonce – Crazy In Love

Hands down. No contest. When I first heard that song I think a little pee came out.

Nova June 25, 2009 at 5:53 am

Man!

How is USHER – Yeah not on here?

I would have to say it defines everything that is US Pop from this past decade. And it was a huge Worldwide Hit. Should be #1

Teacup June 25, 2009 at 6:27 am

These three songs instantly come to mind when I hear the phrase “Best Pop Song of the 2000s”:

1. Kylie Minogue – Can’t Get You Out Of My Head (Can’t believe you left this one out! This one still sounds so futuristically awesome!)
2. Britney Spears – Toxic
3. Kelly Clarkson – Since U Been Gone

After two to three seconds of thinking, I thought of:
1. My Love – Justin Timberlake (This one is infinitely bigger and better than “River”. I’m not from the US, I have no idea of the impact “River” had over there, but I’m starting to think that it’s “the Britney factor” that made it bigger than what it really should have been.)
2. Outkast – Hey Ya!
3. Maroon 5 – This Love
4. Beyonce feat. Jay-Z – Crazy In Love
5. Rihanna feat. Jay-Z – Umbrella (Though I personally think “Disturbia” is way better than this one. Still, this record’s appeal was utterly undeniable)
6. N’Sync – Bye Bye Bye (The single that moved 2.4 million copies of an album in its first week. Maybe kinda irrelevant now since bubblegum pop of the yesteryear has now become a phase. Still, this song was HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE!)

I also agree with “Mr. Brightside”, though I think I’d have to think for a few more seconds for me to realize it.

“Poker Face” was the best pop song of ’08 (probably until the end of ’09) for me, however, you really can’t deny that it sounds generic and derivative. At least with the songs that I mentioned above, you know that there’s something special about them, whether you can put your finger on it or not.

Hah, sorry if this comment came out too long. What can I say? I love pop! Hahaha.

Teacup June 25, 2009 at 6:33 am

Oh yeah, “Yeah!”.

That’s what I was supposed to list right after N’Sync’s “Bye Bye Bye”, but then I thought of Britney’s “Oops” since they’re both big bubblegum hits. But then I remembered, only one song per artist and I already forgot what I was supposed to write down. LOL.

sidewalkspew June 25, 2009 at 8:14 am

Peter Bjorn and John’s “young folks,” (once heard it in a 7-11 in Taipei). And backstreet boys’ “I want it that way” is still on heavy rotation in china.

sidewalkspew June 25, 2009 at 8:15 am

oh yeah, theat Kylie Minogue track for sure belongs up there.

joe to hell June 25, 2009 at 8:49 am

cant get you outta my head….totally….you beat me to it.

for madonna, though hung up is a wayyyy better song, music (2000) might have been more of a massive hit.

justin should be sexyback instead, no?

lily allen smile

Axel June 25, 2009 at 8:54 am

Madonna – Music
Nelly Furtdao – I’m like a bird
Justin Timberlake – Cry me a river
Robyn – With every heartbeat
Sugababes – About you now
Kylie Mongue – Slow and or Can’t get you out of my head

JJS III June 25, 2009 at 9:46 am

You know, looking at everyone’s selections, I’m starting to realize that this decade hasn’t been half bad when it comes to pop music. It’s just the past couple of years that have been killing me!

Travis June 25, 2009 at 10:00 am

Liz Phair – Bionic Eyes! Love it, but not sure it was international enough.

I think its Madonna’s Hung up for the win.

Also the Britney single doesnt work above.

Caleb June 25, 2009 at 11:20 am

Usher – Yeah
Eminem – Lose Yourself
50 Cent – In Da Club
Coldplay – Viva la Vida
Flo Rida – Low
Soulja Boy – Crank Dat
Sexy Back – Justin Timberlake
The Killers – Mr Brightside
The Black Eyed Peas – Boom Boom Pow
Kanye West – Gold Digger
Kelly Clarkson – Breakaway or Since U Been Gone

likeadesigner June 25, 2009 at 11:45 am

spaceman the killers

Kirt June 25, 2009 at 1:08 pm

Soulja Boy – Crank That. All of the songs you guys have listed are better songs, but Crank That wins for starting a dance craze. Even I watched the youtube on how to Crank That. Hmmm. How many songs can you say that about?

Dan B. June 25, 2009 at 1:24 pm

Gotta go with a few:

Kanye West – Stronger
Lil Wayne – Lollipop
Usher – U Remind Me

Just three off the top of my head that I haven’t seen put up yet. Three songs that, when I think about pop culture, come to mind, among others.

jayvee June 25, 2009 at 1:31 pm

Aside from the ones mentioned above — the ’00s belonged to NSYNC – “Bye Bye Bye,” “It’s Gonna Be Me,” “Dirty Pop” (’01)

Knatterjak June 25, 2009 at 2:04 pm

I think it’ll be a lot easier to answer this in 5 or 6 years: as of right now, its hard to group newer songs like Viva la Vida and Just Dance with the ones that have been on our minds for a decade. However, in time those 2 will go down as my top dawgs.

That being said, as of now these are my tops:

1.) “Clocks” – Coldplay
2.) “Mr. Brightside” – The Killers
3.) “What Goes Around Comes Around” – JT
4.) “Hips Don’t Lie” – Shakira

*again pop in the sense of “popular” music, as in radio

lestah June 25, 2009 at 3:32 pm

2000:
Aaliyah – Try Again
Madonna – Music

2001:
Kylie Minogue – Can’t Get You Out of my Head
Destiny’s Child – Survivor or Bootylicious

2002:
Justin Timblerlake – Rock Your Body
Coldplay – Clocks

2003:
Kelis – Milkshake
Beyonce – Crazy in Love
Britney Spears – Toxic
Outkast – Hey Ya!

2004:
Kelly Clarkson – Since U Been Gone
Gwen Stefani – Hollaback Girl
Killers – Mr. Brightside

2005:
Mariah Carey – We Belong Together
Madonna – Hung Up

2006:
Nelly Furtado feat. Timbaland – Promiscuous
Christina Aguilera – Aint No Other Man
Justin Timberlake – My Love

2007
Rihanna feat. Jay Z – Umbrella
Amy Winehouse – Rehab
M.I.A. – Paper Planes

2008
Beyonce – Single Ladies
Coldplay – Viva La Vida

2009
Lady Gaga – Poker Face
Keri Hilson – Knock You Down
Black Eyed Peas – Boom Boom Pow

Jonathan June 25, 2009 at 4:48 pm

No Doubt: Running
The best song of the 2000s

filipe custodio June 25, 2009 at 6:05 pm

MGMT – KIDS

Joe Sullivan June 25, 2009 at 7:46 pm

*Nelly Furtado – Turn off The Light
*Sugar Ray – When its Over
*Beyonce – Crazy In Love
*Alicia Keys – Fallin’
*Destiny’s Child – Say My Name
Feist – 1 2 3 4 (I think it should be Mushaboom, though)
Joel Plaskett – Nowhere With You
*John Mayer – Body is a Wonderland
White Stripes – Seven Army Nation
K-oS – Heaven Only Knows
*Kanye West – All Falls Down
The Killers – When You were Young
*Eve featuring Gwen Stefani – Let Me Blow Ya Mind
*Usher – U Remind Me
*Nelly featuring Kelly Rowland – Dilemma
The Fray – Over My Head (Cable Car)
Gwen Stefani – Hollaback Girl
*Maroon 5 – This Love

* songs I really, really think should be on the list

Oh!Yeah... June 26, 2009 at 3:25 am

Madonna- Hung Up
(Produced By the Mozart of electronic music, Stuart price, a.k.a Jaques Lu Cont, Les Rythms Digitales, PaperFaces, Thin white Duke…etc !)

I choose this song whitout a doubt ! Because simple smash all the others sounds in the list, in all the aspects…

flairero June 26, 2009 at 6:04 am

test?

the joesen one June 26, 2009 at 8:58 am

2000
aaliyah – try again
all saints – pure shores
armand van helden – full moon
basement jaxx – bingo bango
beatnuts – watch out now
benjamin diamond – little scare
caribena – ritmo de pasión
daft punk – one more time
dr. dre – still d.r.e. (ft. snoop dogg)
dr. dre – the next episode (ft. snoop dogg)
fatboy slim – weapon of choice (ft. bootsy collins)
fatboy slim – song for shelter (ft. roland clark)
ian pooley – coracao tambor
linkin park – in the end
modjo – lady
sugar ray – spinning away

2001
alicia keys – fallin
basement jaxx – where’s your head at
busta rhymes – break ya neck
dandy warhols – bohemian like you
the decemberists – the legionnaire’s lament
everlast – what it’s like
joseph arthur – in the sun
kylie minogue – can’t get you out of my head
ludacris – area codes
michael jackson – you rock my world
nelly furtado – i’m like a bird
phil fuldner – miami pop
r. kelly – fiesta (remix ft. jay-z)
turntablerocker – no melody

2002
aventura – obsesión
coldplay – clocks
the coral – dreaming of you
eminem – lose yourself
guided by voices – hold on hope
john cale – hallelujah
juanes – la paga
nelly – hot in herre
rhcp – by the way
robbie williams – feel
snoop dogg – beautiful (ft. pharrell)

2003
beyoncé – crazy in love (ft. jay-z)
the cat empire – how to explain
celia cruz – yo viviré
jay-z – dirt off your shoulder
panjabi mc – mundian to bach ke
sean paul – get busy
together – so much love to give (dj falcon & thomas bangalter)
xavier naidoo – ich kenne nichts

2004
armand van helden – my my my
bubba sparxxx – deliverance
green day – boulevard of broken dreams
jay-z & linkin park – numb vs. encore
the killers – somebody told me
mylo – drop the pressure
n.e.r.d. – she wants to move
nikkfurie – thé a la menthe
snoop dogg – drop it like it’s hot (ft. pharrell)
sunset strippers – falling stars
usher – yeah!

the joesen one June 26, 2009 at 9:00 am

2005
bep – my humps
chemical brothers – galvanize
dido – thank you
disco boys – for you
franz ferdinand – do you want to
the fray – how to save a life
gorillaz – feel good inc
jack johnson – better together
jason mraz – I’m yours
juanes – la camisa negra
kanye west – gold digger
mando diao – down in the past
mattafix – big city life
moby – raining again
neil diamond – delirious love
robbie williams – advertising space
timid tiger – miss murray
xavier naidoo – dieser weg

2006
arctic monkeys – a certain romance
by heart – someone to die for
clueso – out of space
gnarls barkley – crazy
james blunt – you’re beautiful
just jack – writer’s block
justice vs. simian – we are your friends
justin timberlake – my love
the kooks – she moves in her own way
nelly furtado – all good things come to an end
pharrell – number one (ft. kanye west)
snow patrol – chasing cars

2007
amy winehouse – rehab
die ärzte – junge
die ärzte – living hell
feist – 1 2 3 4
justin timberlake – what goes around / comes around
kaiser chiefs – ruby
mark ronson – valerie (ft. amy winehouse)
rihanna – umbrella (ft. jay-z)
the wombats – let’s dance to joy division
yael naim – new soul

2008
duffy – mercy
glasvegas – geraldine
hot chip – ready for the floor
the killers – human
lützenkirchen – 3 tage wach
lykke li – little bit
mgmt – kids
mgmt – time to pretend

2009
emiliana torrini – jungle drum
franz ferdinand – ulysses
k-os – i wish i knew natalie portman
n.a.s.a. – gifted
n.a.s.a. – gifted (steve aoki remix)

James Rand June 26, 2009 at 4:27 pm

gotta be mr brightside in there
more recently definitely calvin harris im not alone
and toxic

outside the box – hoppippolla by sigur ros?

Igor June 26, 2009 at 6:02 pm

tatu-all the things she said

Simon June 26, 2009 at 6:17 pm

Has to be Umbrella. Couldnt be anything else.
I hated I Kissed A Girl….so therefore cannot be included haha

Gary June 26, 2009 at 11:24 pm

I think some people are just too indie to fully understand what pop is.

Caleb June 27, 2009 at 11:44 am

eminem’s lose yourself was way bigger than without me. its one of the best rap songs in history IMO

marcelo adelar June 27, 2009 at 6:25 pm

i like the way we get by – spoon; but it is not under the “pop” definition you have putted out

so, i guess i’ll stick with

kylie minogue – can’t get you out of my head
justin timberlake – rock your body
franz ferdinand – take me out

Tanisha June 27, 2009 at 6:49 pm

How is there no P!nk on this list?
P!nk- “So What”
Adele- “Chasing Pavements”
Amy Winehouse- “Rehab”
Beyonce- “Single Ladies”
Black Eyed Peas- “Where Is The Love?”
Blink 182- “What’s My Age Again?”
Ciara- “1,2 Step”
Fergie- “London Bridge”
Gwen Stefani- “Sweet Escape”
The Fray- “How To Save A Life”
Green Day- “American Idiot”
Justin Timberlake- “SexyBack”
Kanye West- “Stronger”
Lady Gaga- “Just Dance”
M.I.A.- “Paper Planes”
Natasha Bedingfield- “Unwritten”
Nelly Furtado- “Promiscuous”
No Doubt-”Hey Baby”
Paramore- “Misery Business”
Plain White T’s- “Hey There Delilah”
Pussycat Dolls- “Don’t Cha”
Rihanna-”Shut Up And Drive”
Sean Paul-”Temperature”
Tegan and Sara-”Walking With A Ghost”
The Ting Tings-”Shut Up And Let Me Go”
Usher- “Burn”
Vanessa Carlton-”A Thousand Miles”
50 Cent- “In Da Club”
Aaliyah- “Rock The Boat”

bheron June 27, 2009 at 10:43 pm

trying to think of a few that haven’t been mentioned…

missy elliot – get yr freak on
nelly – ride wit me
nelly – hot in here
aaliyah – we need a resolution
aaliyah – are you that somebody
amerie – one thing
jay z – hard knock life
jay z ft. UGK – big pimpin
dr. dre ft. eminem – forgot about dre
incubus – drive
sugar ray – answer the phone
third eye blind – semi-charmed kind of life
at the drive-in – one armed scissor
t-pain ft. young joc – buy u a drank
nelly furtado – say it right

himynameis June 28, 2009 at 1:32 am

what happened to Shifty-Side Along Side??

rob June 28, 2009 at 2:15 am

the hoosiers ”worried about ray” was huge this side of the pond if you haven’t heard it its defo worth a listen also jamie t’s ”shiela” and orson ”no tomorrow”

Amelie Q June 28, 2009 at 2:31 am

Obviously some Franz Ferdinand songs should be on that list (Do You Want To, This Fire, The Dark Of The Matinée, …). And, in spite of not exactly being a pop song, I think Seven Nation Army is one of THE most popular songs 2003-present-future.

Mark June 28, 2009 at 8:09 am

Completely agree with Kelly Clarkson and Rihanna. I think Lily Allen needs to be in there somewhere, personally don’t like Smile but it had quite a big impact so would probably have to go with that.

Also, why is no-one mentioning Neyo – Closer! That was a definite tune of the year.

jo June 28, 2009 at 8:43 pm

I need to add Shiny Toy Guns – Le Disko

jessica June 29, 2009 at 5:45 pm

Maybe I’m missing something, because I’m a relatively new fan of PMA, but why hasn’t anyone mentioned John Mayer?

Thomas GvL June 30, 2009 at 8:03 pm

By far:
Rihanna – Umbrella

Runners-up:
Gwen Stefani – Hollaback Girl
Madonna – Hung Up
The Way I Are – Timbaland

Russell July 1, 2009 at 10:28 pm

“Umbrella” for sure #1. The first time I heard it all I could think was that it was the best Pop song i’d heard in ages.

Other greats:

“Toxic”, “Gimme More”, “Womanizer”, “If U Seek Amy” – Britney
“SexyBack”, “What Goes Around..” – Justin
“Can’t Get You Outta My Head” – Kylie
“Paper Planes” – M.I.A.
“My Humps”, “Boom Boom Pow” – Black Eyed Peas
“A Milli” (it’s rap, but technically POPular music & the hit of last summer) – Lil Wayne
“We Belong Together” – Mariah Carey
“Fergalicious” – Fergie
“Candy Shop”, “In Da Club” – 50 Cent
“Hung Up”, “4 Minutes” – Madonna
“Crazy” – Gnarls Barkley
“Bleeding Love” – Leona Lewis
“Apologize” – OneRepublic feat. Timbaland
“Promiscuous” – Nelly Furtado
“Rehab” – Amy Winehouse
“Work It” – Missy Elliott
“Yeah!” – Usher
“Hollaback Girl” – Gwen Stefani

Cait July 8, 2009 at 6:48 pm

Umbrella – Rihanna
Sugar We’re Goin’ down – Fall Out Boy
Since U Been gone – Kelly Clarkson
Yeah! – Usher
Hollaback girl – Gwen Stefani
Bye Bye Bye or It’s gonna Be Me – NSYNC
Dirty Little Secret – All American Rejects
Hey Ya – Outkast
Viva la Vida – Coldplay
My love – JT
Crank that SOulja Boy..

i agree, this will be easier in a few year when the newer songs arent so new

j daniels July 20, 2009 at 3:32 pm

What, Spears from Sears best song of decade. You jest. Serious music lovers are revolted at anything spears. Does she have a song out without the word baby in it. Well, what can I say. it’s obvious what kind of music you like, which is the garbage top 40 of today. this stuff aint music. A dog could write this stuff.

Anonymous July 21, 2009 at 3:33 pm: go f**k yourself, j daniels
Reply
KevinP August 24, 2009 at 5:21 pm: You can go fuck yourself and die a slow death J Daniels. How about a little music diversity!? Can’t someone like indie rock as well as sugar coated pop?
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anonymously anonymous. December 8, 2009 at 2:49 am