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From bops to bangers, these are the tracks that defined a generation! Join us as we count down our picks for the most iconic and influential pop songs of the 21st century so far! Our list features hits from artists like Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish and many more! What's your favorite modern pop anthem? Let us know in the comments!
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00:06Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most iconic and influential
00:12pop tracks that have defined our musical landscape since 2000.
00:23Number 30, No Tears Left to Cry, Ariana Grande.
00:31No Tears Left to Cry, I wanna be in like a...
00:35Released in 2018 as the lead single from Sweetener, Ariana Grande's No Tears Left to Cry marked a poignant turning
00:41point in her career.
00:42Following the Manchester Arena tragedy at her concert the year before, Grande created this uplifting anthem about resilience and moving
00:49forward.
00:49The track's unique structure starts in a ballad-like tempo before transitioning into a dance pop beat, mirroring the journey
00:55from grief to hope.
00:56Ain't no tears left to cry.
01:04Max Martin and Ilya Salmanzadeh produced this musical phoenix rising from tragedy, helping it reach the number 3 spot on
01:11the Billboard Hot 100.
01:12The inventive music video, with its gravity-defying visuals, perfectly complemented Grande's message that even after the darkest times, we
01:20can find light again.
01:28Number 29, Driver's License, Olivia Rodrigo.
01:32I got my driver's license last week, just like we always talked about.
01:38When 17-year-old Olivia Rodrigo dropped Driver's License in January 2021, few predicted it would become the cultural phenomenon
01:46that broke Spotify's record for most streams in a day.
01:50This piano-driven ballad about teenage heartbreak and the bittersweet milestone of driving past an ex's house resonated across generations.
01:56I know we weren't perfect, but I've never felt this way for no one.
02:04Produced by Dan Nigro, the song's genius lies in its build, starting with intimate verses before exploding into that gut
02:11-wrenching bridge.
02:12Red lights, stop signs, I still see your face in the white cars.
02:20The track spent 8 consecutive weeks atop Billboard's Hot 100, and propelled Rodrigo from Disney star to genuine musical force.
02:28Commercial success aside, Driver's License revitalized the teenage heartbreak narrative in pop music with authentic, diaristic lyrics that felt both
02:36intensely personal and universally relatable.
02:38Cause you said forever, now I drive along past your street.
02:43Number 28. Good Luck Babe, Chapel Roan.
02:46The most recent entry on our list, Good Luck Babe exploded onto the scene in 2024, establishing Chapel Roan as
02:53pop's most exciting newcomer.
02:55It's fine, it's cool, you can say that we ain't nothing but you know the truth.
03:02This deliciously sassy kiss-off anthem combines disco-influenced production with razor-sharp lyrics about wishing an ex well with
03:09their new partner.
03:10Though the title's exclamation point drips with sarcasm.
03:14Roan's powerful vocals shine throughout, especially during the infectiously catchy chorus that's practically designed for dramatic hairbrush singing sessions.
03:21Can't cushion the poison once, shoot another shout to stop the feeling.
03:29Producer Dan Nigro frames Roan's theatrical delivery with shimmering synths and a pulsing beat.
03:34The track effortlessly balances vintage pop influences with thoroughly modern sensibilities,
03:39creating a timeless earworm that stakes acclaim as one of the most unique pop anthems of its era.
03:52Number 27. Chandelier, Sia.
04:01This masterpiece transformed Australian songwriter Sia from behind-the-scenes hitmaker to global superstar.
04:07The track's raw exploration of alcohol dependence and self-destruction contrasts brilliantly with its soaring euphoric chorus,
04:14creating the illusion of freedom while detailing captivity to substance use disorder.
04:26Sia's vocal performance is nothing short of extraordinary,
04:29with that stratospheric chorus showcasing her remarkable range and power.
04:33The song's cultural impact was amplified by its iconic music video featuring young dancer Maddie Ziegler,
04:39whose haunting choreography has been viewed billions of times.
04:49Co-produced by Greg Kirsten and Jesse Shatkin,
04:52Chandelier peaked at number 8 on Billboard's Hot 100,
04:55but its artistic legacy far outweighs its commercial achievements,
04:58redefining what pop music could tackle thematically.
05:11I've never seen a diamond in the flesh.
05:17I cut my teeth...
05:19A 16-year-old from New Zealand changed the course of pop music when this song dropped in 2013.
05:24A minimalist critique of materialism that felt like a direct response to the excess dominating the charts at the time,
05:30Royals was a breath of fresh air.
05:31But everybody's like crystal, maybach, diamonds on your timepiece,
05:36jet planes, islands, tigers on a gold leash, we don't care.
05:40Lorde's sophisticated observations about wealth obsession were delivered with remarkable poise over Joel Little's sparse production.
05:46The track's anti-luxury message resonated worldwide,
05:49earning Lorde two Grammy Awards and nine weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100.
06:00Even more, Royals arrived at a particularly poignant time.
06:04It served as a perfect antidote to the champagne and diamonds pop narrative of the late 2000s and early 2010s,
06:10introducing a more thoughtful, alternative sensibility that would influence countless artists who followed.
06:15We're bigger than we ever dreamed
06:18And I'm in love with being queen
06:21Oh
06:32This track slithered onto airwaves in 2019,
06:36challenging every pop convention with its whispered vocals,
06:39minimalist production, and that famous bass line.
06:41Co-written with her brother, Phineas O'Connell,
06:43the track playfully subverts power dynamics,
06:46with Eilish half-speaking over a beat that sounds like pop music from an alternate universe.
06:57The song's structural brilliance culminates in that tempo-shifting outro
07:01that feels like being dropped into a different track entirely.
07:08At just 17, Eilish became the youngest artist to win Grammy's Big Four categories,
07:14with Bad Guy taking record and song of the year.
07:16Beyond its commercial impact,
07:18the track's adventurous sound design and ASMR-adjacent vocal style
07:22helped push mainstream pop into darker, weirder territory.
07:25You said she's scared of me?
07:27I mean, I don't see what she sees, but maybe it's cause I'm wearing your cologne.
07:32Number 24, Levitating, Dua Lipa.
07:42This song achieved something rare in modern pop,
07:46becoming a massive hit nearly a year after its initial release.
07:50Dropped at the start of the pandemic on Dua Lipa's album Future Nostalgia,
07:53this disco-infused gem gradually ascended to become Billboard's number one song of 2021.
08:06Producers Stephen Kosmanyuk and Stuart Price crafted a perfect retro-futuristic soundscape
08:11with its bouncy bass line, star-dusted synths, and irresistible roller disco energy.
08:16The track's staying power comes from its effortless blend of nostalgic disco elements
08:20with contemporary production, plus that earworm chorus.
08:28Levitating became the soundtrack to our collective emergence from lockdown,
08:31bringing us back to the dance floors we had sorely missed for months.
08:35You can fly away with me tonight
08:37You can fly away with me tonight
08:39Baby, let me take you for a ride
08:42Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
08:43Number 23, Sexy Back
08:45Justin Timberlake featuring Timbaland
08:53When Justin Timberlake declared he was bringing sexy back,
08:56he set off a revolution.
08:58Co-produced by Timbaland and Danger,
09:00Sexy Back abandoned Timberlake's previous R&B pop sound for something entirely new,
09:05distorted vocals, and an industrial-tinged electronic production.
09:08Come here, girl
09:09Go ahead, be gone with it
09:11Come to the back
09:11Go ahead, be gone with it
09:13C-I-P
09:13Go ahead, be gone with it
09:15Strengths on me
09:15The track's aggressive, club-ready sound shocked listeners expecting another crimey river,
09:20but quickly conquered radio and dance floors alike,
09:23spending seven weeks atop Billboard's Hot 100.
09:26Timbaland's innovative production, those mechanical beats and synth stabs,
09:30helped usher in a new era of electronically driven pop that would dominate for years.
09:34Go ahead, be gone with it
09:37Go ahead, be gone with it
09:39A commercial juggernaut of a song,
09:41Sexy Back completed Timberlake's transformation from boy band alum
09:44to legitimate musical force.
09:46It won a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording.
09:49If that's your girl, better watch your back
09:52Yeah!
09:53Cause you'll burn it up for me and that's a fact
09:56Number 22, Despacito, Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber
10:09Despacito shattered language barriers and pop charts alike,
10:12becoming the first predominantly Spanish language song to top the Billboard Hot 100 in over two decades.
10:17Released initially by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee in January 2017,
10:22the track's infectious fusion of reggaeton and pop proved irresistible,
10:26but it was the Justin Bieber remix that propelled it to unprecedented heights.
10:30My sunrise on the darkest day
10:33Got me feeling some kind of way
10:35Make me wanna savor every moment slowly
10:38Produced by Andres Torres and Mauricio Renjifo,
10:41the song's genius lies in its perfect balance of Latin rhythms and pop sensibilities,
10:46all anchored by that unforgettable guitar hook.
10:52Despacito marked a turning point for Latin music,
10:58paving the way for the mainstream success of artists like Bad Bunny and J Balvin,
11:02while demonstrating how streaming platforms were reshaping music consumption worldwide.
11:07Quiero ver bailar tu pelo, quiero ser tu rey
11:10Que le enseñes a mi boca
11:13Tus lugares favoritos
11:15Number 21. Dancing On My Own, Robin
11:19Somebody said you got a new friend
11:22This is the ultimate sad banger,
11:25an electro-pop song that pairs crushing heartbreak with pulsing dance beats.
11:29Released in 2010, Dancing On My Own encapsulates that bittersweet feeling
11:33of watching someone you love move on,
11:35while you try to dance away the sting.
11:43The Swedish masterpiece turns loneliness into an anthemic experience
11:47with its throbbing synthesizers and Robin's vulnerable yet defiant vocals.
11:51Co-written by Patrick Beria and the artist herself,
11:54the track creates an emotional paradox.
11:56Lyrics about isolation paired with music made for communal dance floors.
12:00So far away, but still so near
12:08Though it topped the charts in her native Sweden,
12:11the song never charted on the US Hot 100,
12:13yet its cultural impact has been immense.
12:22Number 20. Watermelon Sugar, Harry Styles
12:25While he may have come into fame as a member of a boy band,
12:28his solo stuff is what has helped him become a true star.
12:32Harry Styles' fine line had some of his biggest singles to date,
12:35such as the optimistic Adore You.
12:41However, his single Watermelon Sugar is what truly set him apart.
12:50Fun, technically impressive, and irreverent,
12:53he created a timeless summer bop.
12:55The lyrics detail the feelings one has when first falling for someone new,
12:59and it conveys those excited vibes immaculately.
13:09Its softer verses and explosive chorus result in one of the catchiest songs ever made,
13:14easily getting stuck in listeners' heads.
13:16It has the ability to make anyone feel fun and carefree,
13:19a sign of a true summer jam.
13:29Number 19. Sorry, Justin Bieber
13:32Not only did this song prove his growth as an artist from teeny bopper to legitimate pop star,
13:37it also helped him earn some of his good credit back among the general public.
13:42Sorry features prominent DJ Skrillex,
13:44who elevated the production and highlighted Bieber's smooth vocals perfectly.
13:54The dance-inspired instrumental helped morph it from a regular love song
13:58into something truly special.
14:00The lyrics are about apologizing to a past partner,
14:02but also can be interpreted as an apology to his fans.
14:06It was the first step in proving that he had grown up,
14:16and was ready to be taken seriously as a musician.
14:19The single helped revitalize his career,
14:21and reminded everyone why he had taken the world by storm as a teenager.
14:33Number 18. Since You've Been Gone
14:35Kelly Clarkson
14:36After winning the premiere season of American Idol,
14:40Kelly Clarkson had a lot to prove.
14:48She knocked it out of the park with Since You've Been Gone.
14:51It's an empowering hit that focuses on how much better off she is
14:54now that she's no longer with a toxic partner.
14:57Since you've been gone
15:03It captures the emotions that come with finally choosing happiness.
15:07The inclusion of the pounding drums and the guitar,
15:10a choice made by the singer herself,
15:12helped add an edge and make it feel more authentic to Kelly,
15:15which added to its success.
15:17It's a year to see it now again
15:22The song has gone on to be referenced in pop culture,
15:26most famously in the 2012 film Pitch Perfect,
15:29and helped introduce one of the most iconic voices of the generation.
15:33Since You've Been Gone
15:36I can't breathe for the first time
15:39Number 17. Rehab
15:41Amy Winehouse
15:42While pop is usually associated with happy, up-tempo pieces,
15:46it sometimes embraces gritty, experimental tracks as well.
15:50Rehab is unlike any other popular song that came before it,
15:53with jazzy instrumentation and defiant yet poignant lyrics.
15:56Try to make me go to rehab
15:58I say it no, no, no
16:01It detailed Winehouse's refusal to get help
16:04during her struggles with alcohol use disorder.
16:06The message was raw and truly authentic,
16:09while not sounding like it was trying too hard to be edgy.
16:12I just
16:17It was a delicate balancing act
16:19that she and her team executed flawlessly,
16:21resulting in a truly unique piece
16:23that helped reshape the landscape.
16:25While it's bittersweet to listen to now,
16:28it shines as an example of what Winehouse's future
16:30could have been like were she still alive today.
16:38Number 16. Rolling in the Deep
16:40Adele
16:41While melancholy tracks had gone straight
16:43to the top of the charts beforehand,
16:45this completely reimagined what a breakup song could be.
16:48We could have had it
16:57The seemingly simple bass line
16:59and constant drum beats
17:00subverted expectations of the artistry that was to come.
17:03While it's undoubtedly angry,
17:05the restraint in Adele's voice during the verses
17:07makes it more subtle.
17:08There's a fire
17:10Starting in my heart
17:13Reaching a fever pitch
17:15And it's bringing me out the dark
17:17Then, all of her emotion
17:19is released at once
17:20with the dynamic chorus.
17:21It's a masterpiece
17:22in both emotion and storytelling,
17:24and it took Adele's fame
17:26to the stratosphere.
17:36It's even been covered by musicians
17:38across several different genres.
17:40While she's released other stellar hits
17:41about lost love since then,
17:43this one takes the cake
17:44due to its sheer impact on culture as a whole.
17:47But you played it, you played it, you played it, you played it to the beat
17:53Number 15
17:55So What?
17:56Pink
17:56Pure fury packaged into song form,
17:59this explosive number is all about
18:01being completely over your ex
18:03and their bad vibes.
18:04I got a brand new attitude
18:06and I'm gonna wear it tonight
18:07I wanna get in trouble
18:09I wanna start a fight
18:11Pink has never been afraid
18:12to push boundaries in her music,
18:14whether it's R&B inspired
18:15or rock-infused.
18:17So What?
18:17is her version of a breakup anthem
18:19all about how she doesn't care about his feelings
18:21and how she's gonna be just fine without him.
18:31With the intense guitar
18:33and her unapologetic attitude,
18:35she was able to sell this angry piece
18:37without coming across as bitter.
18:38She showed emotional and musical range,
18:41impressing critics and fans alike.
18:43It was one of her biggest hits
18:44and completely redefined her career
18:46up to that point,
18:47helping her pivot into a distinctive pop sound.
18:50I am a rock star
18:52I got my rock moves
18:54And I don't want to watch you tonight
18:57Number 14
18:58Shape of You
18:59Ed Sheeran
19:00Talk about never letting them know your next move.
19:03Ed Sheeran's flawless transition
19:04from a purely acoustic artist
19:06into a bonafide pop star
19:07is a feat in itself.
19:09I'm in love with the shape of you
19:11We push and pull like a magnet do
19:13Although my heart is falling too
19:15While the musician had started transitioning
19:18into the genre on earlier projects,
19:20Shape of You is what fully cemented his place in it.
19:23With its addictive backing beat
19:24and straightforward lyrics,
19:26it had everything it needed to go number one.
19:28Let's not talk too much
19:30Grab all my waist and put that body on me
19:33I'm coming now, follow my lead
19:35It's one of the most streamed songs in modern history
19:38and his most well-known track to date.
19:40It includes some of his signature vocal stylings
19:43such as his unique delivery
19:44and use of different rhythms.
19:46It became the anthem of parties and bars
19:48and to this day,
19:49it is nearly impossible not to sing along to.
19:59Number 13
20:00Poker Face
20:02Lady Gaga
20:02It wouldn't be a list of the best pop songs without her.
20:06Love game, intuition
20:07Play the cards with spades to start
20:09And after he's been hooked up
20:11Play the one that's on his heart
20:13If anyone had a chokehold
20:15on the first chunk of the century,
20:17it was Lady Gaga.
20:18Between her willingness to take musical risks
20:20and pursue never-before-seen fashion,
20:22she took the industry and the world by storm.
20:25Can't read my, can't read my
20:27No, we can't read my
20:29Poker Face
20:33While she has come out with anthems,
20:35such as the classic activist piece
20:37Born This Way,
20:38she's most well-known for her EDM-infused tracks.
20:47Poker Face is unforgettable.
20:49As soon as that synth kicks in,
20:51you know exactly what's about to play.
20:53Her dynamic voice combined with the robotic,
20:55dark production created the ultimate pop hit.
20:58It helped bring creativity back into popular music,
21:01inspiring entertainers to take chances with their own art.
21:04Can't read my, no, we can't read my
21:07Poker Face
21:09She's the winner of the world
21:11Number 12.
21:12Happy, Pharrell Williams
21:14Celebrating nothing but happiness and unity,
21:16this tune helped bring people together to celebrate life.
21:19Because I'm happy
21:21Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
21:25Because I'm happy
21:27Pharrell Williams is most known for his smooth vocals
21:29and production genius.
21:31And he's helped make some of the most well-loved songs
21:33in modern music history,
21:35such as Daft Punk's legendary Get Lucky.
21:37We're up all night to get some
21:39We're up all night for good fun
21:41We're up all night to get lucky
21:43However, his solo work is nothing to sneeze at.
21:46His biggest triumph so far,
21:48Happy is infectiously positive,
21:50from the lyrics to the light instrumental.
21:58It is impossible not to dance along,
22:00especially during that iconic chorus.
22:03While other pop songs being released
22:04were technologically heavy,
22:06this being carried entirely by his voice alone
22:09helped it stand apart.
22:10It also provided some levity in the scene,
22:12which was appreciated by many.
22:15Clap along if you feel like
22:18that's what you wanna do
22:21Number 11
22:22California Girls
22:23Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg
22:26One sign of a great pop song
22:27is how fun it is to sing along to.
22:36At the height of her career,
22:39no one understood this better than Katy Perry,
22:41who released several versatile hits
22:43in a short time span.
22:44They range from motivational anthems
22:46like Firework
22:47to the pure poppy goodness
22:48that is California Girls.
22:57Silly, campy, and bright.
22:59The piece is an ode to the Sunshine State.
23:02Perry tells the listener
23:02all about why California is the place to be,
23:05listing its best qualities.
23:06California Girls
23:08where I can get you
23:10Daisy Dukes
23:12bikinis on top
23:13The appearance from Snoop Dogg
23:15helped broaden the audience
23:16and allowed it to appeal
23:18to a wider group of people.
23:19It was bubblegum pop
23:20for the new millennium
23:21and it became an instant classic.
23:24California Girls, man.
23:30Number 10
23:31Work It
23:31Missy Elliott
23:32While many would consider this
23:34to be more of a rap song,
23:35its impact on pop
23:36cannot be overstated.
23:38As soon as that iconic sample
23:40and infectious beat kick in,
23:41it is nearly impossible
23:43not to groove along to.
23:53Missy Elliott's effortlessly cool style
23:55and unique flow,
23:56along with the fun lyrics,
23:58helped to become an instant hit
23:59among the pop crowd.
24:00Her stellar production
24:01helped it stand out
24:02among other tracks on the radio
24:04and took her to the top 10
24:06easily.
24:13It was the perfect blend
24:14of two distinct sounds
24:16and helped introduce hip-hop
24:17to a whole new demographic.
24:19Creative, catchy, and clever,
24:21it immediately solidified
24:23Missy Elliott's place
24:23as one of the greatest producers
24:25and artists of her time.
24:34Number 9
24:35Call Me Maybe
24:36Carly Rae Jepsen
24:372011 was a huge year for music,
24:40for new and established performers alike.
24:42I threw a wish in the well
24:44Don't ask me, I'll never tell
24:46I looked to you as it fell
24:48And now you're in my way
24:50It was the year of the versatile hit
24:52from Gautier's
24:53incomparable
24:54Somebody That I Used To Know
24:55to Carly Rae Jepsen's
24:56optimistic Call Me Maybe.
24:58Now you're just somebody
24:59that I used to know
25:01Somebody
25:02While the latter is poppy
25:04to the extreme,
25:05it never becomes too much
25:07and instead makes the listener
25:08feel optimistic
25:09as they bop along.
25:10It perfectly encapsulates
25:12the feeling of being
25:13infatuated with someone new
25:14and urging them
25:15to take the first steps
25:16into a new relationship.
25:24A huge success,
25:26it dominated airwaves
25:27for years to come.
25:29Jepsen is considered
25:29to be one of the best
25:30pop artists currently working,
25:32with this serving
25:33as the ultimate proof why.
25:43Number 8.
25:44Shake It Off
25:45Taylor Swift
25:46She is one of the most
25:47versatile artists
25:48of our time,
25:49with each era proving why.
25:51Can't stop, won't stop,
25:53move, move, move,
25:54it's like I got this music
25:56in my body.
25:58Taylor Swift can serve
25:59a pop song of different varieties,
26:01from ballads to dance numbers.
26:03While she's more known
26:04for her ambitious songwriting,
26:06such as in her magnum opus
26:07All Too Well,
26:08Taylor's version,
26:09she's proven that
26:10her less serious hits
26:11are just as well crafted.
26:13Self-referential
26:14and with a fun,
26:15horn-filled instrumental,
26:16Shake It Off is different
26:17from anything else
26:18in her career.
26:27It was the final part
26:29of her transition
26:29into pop away from country,
26:31and helped introduce
26:32one of her most successful
26:33albums to date,
26:341989.
26:35It serves as a turning point
26:37both in her work
26:38and in the industry
26:39as a whole.
26:52While her work in the 90s
26:54helped introduce her,
26:55it's her solo work
26:56in the 2000s
26:57that cemented her
26:58as an icon.
27:06Beyonce has proven
27:08that she isn't afraid
27:09to be experimental,
27:10creating versatile songs
27:11that are on completely
27:12different ends
27:13of the musical spectrum.
27:20While her hard-hitting
27:22track formation
27:23helped show her maturity
27:24as a musician,
27:25Single Ladies
27:26is what landed her
27:26a permanent spot
27:27as an entertainment legend.
27:29It made an instant
27:30and long-lasting impression
27:31that has been referenced
27:32throughout pop culture
27:33since the day it dropped.
27:41The constant looping beat
27:43and her empowering lyrics
27:44helped it become
27:45an earworm
27:45in the best way possible,
27:47sticking in people's heads
27:48long after they listened.
28:00One sign of a truly
28:02iconic pop song
28:03is if it sounds
28:04as current today
28:05as it did
28:05when it was first released.
28:14With its Latin-inspired instruments
28:16and its fun,
28:16timeless lyrics,
28:17Hips Don't Lie
28:18is as welcome
28:19in 2026
28:20as it was in 2006.
28:22Shakira and Wyclef Jean
28:23came together
28:24to craft one of the most
28:25recognizable
28:26and enjoyed pieces
28:27across the world.
28:35It also helped popularize
28:37the Latin sound
28:37in English-speaking countries,
28:39which went on
28:40to inspire other artists
28:41in that genre.
28:42While the Colombian singer
28:43had already seen success beforehand,
28:45this is what truly made her
28:47an international pop star
28:48across several different nations.
28:50The music serves
28:51as a universal language,
28:52with the message
28:53being understood
28:54even across
28:54different language barriers.
28:55My hips don't lie
28:57and I'm starting to feel
28:58it's right.
28:59The attraction,
29:00attention,
29:01baby,
29:02like this is perfection.
29:03Number 5.
29:04Can't Get You Out of My Head,
29:06Kylie Minogue.
29:07Disco has long been
29:08one of the cornerstones
29:09of pop music,
29:10with many modern artists
29:12taking inspiration from it.
29:13I just can't get you
29:15out of my head
29:16Boy, your love
29:18is a song
29:19I think about
29:20Australian star
29:22Kylie Minogue
29:22has spent much
29:23of her career
29:24crafting songs
29:24that serve
29:25as love letters
29:26to the form.
29:26Can't Get You Out of My Head
29:27was the track
29:28that introduced her
29:29to a brand new generation,
29:30a carefree number
29:32about falling for someone new.
29:39The true standout
29:41is the synthy production,
29:42creating an infectious beat
29:43that's impossible
29:44not to groove along to.
29:45While it's fun,
29:46there is a certain
29:47understated quality
29:48that keeps it
29:49from becoming too much
29:50and overpowering
29:51her softer vocals.
29:52To this day,
29:53it is one of the best offerings
29:55of the scene as a whole.
30:04Number four,
30:05Blinding Lights,
30:06The Weeknd.
30:07As soon as you hear
30:08those opening notes,
30:10you know exactly
30:10what you're about
30:11to get into.
30:12The Weeknd
30:12is one of music's
30:13biggest names,
30:14known for crafting
30:15some of the most memorable
30:16songs of the century.
30:25This is most apparent
30:26on Blinding Lights,
30:28an ambitious synth-pop
30:29masterpiece
30:29that took the world
30:30by storm.
30:31His dreamy voice
30:32combined with
30:33the infectious instrumental
30:34helped make it
30:35a global hit.
30:44It legitimized him
30:45as a true star,
30:46deserving of being
30:47compared to past icons.
30:49It's sonically brighter
30:50than his previous oeuvre,
30:51causing it to stand out
30:52among his own work.
30:53It's proof that
30:54if he ever wanted
30:55to make a purely pop album,
30:57he would be able
30:57to do so with ease.
31:06Number 3.
31:08Toxic,
31:08Britney Spears.
31:09While Britney Spears
31:10has plenty of songs
31:12to choose from,
31:13this is by far
31:14one of her most iconic.
31:22Britney Spears
31:23is no stranger
31:24to crafting pop hits.
31:25From her bubblegum
31:26pop beginnings
31:26to her more experimental music
31:28of the mid-2000s.
31:29However,
31:30it's Toxic that stands out
31:31as her most ambitious
31:32and well-crafted.
31:40A technological marvel
31:42along with a musical one,
31:44it utilizes intense production
31:45and tasteful autotune
31:47to create a robotic
31:47yet entrancing track.
31:49It acted as a perfect transition
31:51from teen pop
31:51into a more adult sound
31:53and added versatility
31:54to her discography.
32:02It sounds like it could
32:03be released today
32:04and still go number one,
32:06a sign of a true timeless hit.
32:15Number 2.
32:16Umbrella.
32:17Rihanna featuring Jay-Z.
32:18While the 2010s
32:19vaulted her into
32:20pop legend status
32:22with hits like
32:22the EDM banger
32:23We Found Love,
32:24it was her music
32:25in the 2000s
32:26that gave her
32:26the global stage
32:27she has today.
32:35With its captivating
32:36hi-hat loop
32:37and infectiously
32:38catchy melody,
32:39Umbrella stands out
32:40in her catalog.
32:45The build-up from the bridge
32:46into the final chorus
32:47is enough to get
32:48anyone pumped
32:49and the whole piece
32:50transports you back in time
32:51to the mid-2000s.
32:53Rihanna's voice
32:53is allowed to shine
32:54as she croons
32:55a classic love song
32:56that has aged gracefully.
33:06With Rihanna's
33:07extended break
33:07from creating music,
33:09this has become
33:09part of her legacy,
33:11a sign of proof
33:12as to why she was once
33:13one of music's
33:14biggest stars.
33:22Before we continue,
33:23be sure to subscribe
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33:35and switch on notifications.
33:38Number 1.
33:39Uptown Funk
33:40Mark Ronson
33:41featuring Bruno Mars.
33:49Some of the best pop songs
33:50are the ones
33:51honoring past genres.
33:53With its groovy production
33:54and effortlessly cool lyrics,
33:56Uptown Funk serves
33:57as an homage
33:57to tunes of the 1970s.
34:07Bruno Mars shines
34:08on the track,
34:09his attitude
34:10capturing the vibe
34:11perfectly.
34:11The varying sounds
34:12help create
34:13a modern-day symphony,
34:15all headed by
34:15Mars' impeccable singing.
34:17It's impossible
34:18not to dance along
34:19or smile
34:19to the infectious beat.
34:29While it is undeniably
34:30a love letter
34:31to music's past,
34:32it also is one
34:33of the biggest standouts
34:34of the 2010s.
34:35There is no doubt
34:37that when masterpieces
34:38of that era
34:38are talked about
34:39in the future,
34:40this will be one
34:41of the first ones
34:42to come to mind.
34:46What's your favorite
34:47modern pop anthem?
34:48Let us know
34:49in the comments.
34:50comments.
34:51We love you!
34:53We love you!
34:54We love you!
34:55We love you!
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