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Get ready to vibe with the ultimate early 2000s flash-in-the-pan hits that still bring energy to the party today! From catchy anthems to unforgettable choruses, these iconic tracks from artists like DJ Sammy, Iyaz, The Darkness, Metro Station, and more defined a decade and continue to inspire new fans. Whether you’re nostalgic for the era or discovering these bangers for the first time, this countdown proves these one-hit wonders still go hard!
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00:09Welcome to Ms. Mojo and today we're counting down our picks for the best
00:13flash-in-the-pan singles from the early 2000s that still go hard today. For this
00:18list we're featuring artists who may have found success with other hits but
00:22are most known for these particular ones.
00:34Number 50, Heaven, DJ Sammy and Yanu featuring Doe.
00:46Bryan Adams may have introduced the soft rock anthem to listeners in the early
00:501980s but the 2001 remix introduced it to a new audience. From beginning to end
00:56DJ Sammy and Yanu's version of Heaven is pure EDM perfection.
01:07Doe's take on the lyrics elevated it even further and both modernized aspects helped
01:13the song easily hit the top 10 in the United States and chart worldwide. Over two
01:18decades later the track is still beloved on and off the dance floor. The
01:22stylized production creates a feeling of joy that's impossible to ignore, all while
01:27maintaining the endearing message of Adams's original. Listening to it is
01:31guaranteed to put a smile on your face, no matter who you are.
01:42Number 49, Replay, Ayaz. As soon as you hear that producer tag, you know you're in for a good
01:48time. Much like the subject of Ayaz's single Replay, the song has a melody that's impossible
01:53to get out of your head.
01:59It took a few months to gain widespread recognition, but by early 2010 it became a global success.
02:05As if the production alone wasn't enough to explain its long-standing popularity,
02:10its wholesome message about developing a crush on your dream partner has made it accessible to
02:14listeners of all ages. Although it is a millennial anthem through and through,
02:27the piece has seen a resurgence thanks to Gen Z turning it into a hilarious meme.
02:31Once this comes on, it's a given that you'll hit replay over and over again.
02:35Got me singing like, na-na-na-na, every day, it's like my eyeballs stuck on replay, replay.
02:41Number 48, I Believe in a Thing Called Love, The Darkness.
02:48Can't explain all the feelings that you're making me feel.
02:52The band may have intended to write a silly love song, but they inadvertently created one
02:57of the most memorable singles of the early 2000s instead. With its instantly recognizable
03:02chorus and impressive falsetto vocals, it's no wonder why I Believe in a Thing Called Love
03:07became a standout within the glam metal subgenre.
03:17Despite being barred from charting at first, it gained enough prominence in the United Kingdom
03:22for it to become a hit around the world. Several publications consider it to be one of the best
03:27rock tunes of the 21st century, and it's clear why. Its timeless appeal and infectiously positive
03:33vibe are so apparent that it's practically impossible to not sing or groove along as soon as it starts to
03:39play.
03:47Number 47, I Wanna Be Bad, Willa Ford featuring Royce to Five-Nine.
03:52She may not have reached the same heights of popularity as her contemporaries, but this ensured
03:57that people would remember her for years to come.
04:07Willa Ford's I Wanna Be Bad is the very definition of early 2000s dance pop,
04:12with the smooth vocals and unforgettable production to prove it. Ford was determined to create a boundary
04:18pushing track, which ended up being the key to its success.
04:29The single earned her comparisons to other divas like Britney Spears,
04:32and a peak at number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its unapologetically defiant message and
04:38impeccable sound design have helped it stand the test of time. Its legacy continues on today,
04:44with some communities even claiming it as an anthem.
04:55Number 46, Do It To It, Cherish featuring Sean Paul of the Youngbloods.
05:00Thanks to the power of remixes, this bop from 2006 has now become a multi-generational hit.
05:06Cherish's initial take on Do It To It with rapper Sean Paul was a perfect fusion between hip-hop and
05:12R&B,
05:12and its accompanying choreography helped its popularity spread.
05:22It eventually reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, but its legacy wouldn't end there.
05:28Fifteen years after its release, Florida-based DJ Akre's reworked it into a tech house masterpiece.
05:41It garnered millions of streams and went to number three on the electronic songs chart.
05:47The reworked version won over the hearts of the band and the general public,
05:50and both it and the original are guaranteed to put a smile on your face while listening.
06:05You know a song is born for greatness when it knocks a well-established
06:09icon like Mariah Carey from the number one spot. That was the case for Laffy Taffy,
06:14an instantly recognizable jam track from 2005.
06:24It was one of the first to reap the benefits of online sales,
06:27and even set a world record in 2007 for being the most downloaded single.
06:32It ushered in an era of digital prominence, and its impact has not waned.
06:42Both its catchy beat and eye-catching choreography have aged well,
06:46which helped it catch on amongst younger generations.
06:49It's difficult to resist the urge to break out into dance as soon as it starts playing,
06:53making it the perfect addition to any modern party playlist.
06:56And girls like that laffy taffy, that laffy taffy, that laffy taffy, that laffy taffy,
07:03that laffy taffy, that laffy taffy, girls like that laffy taffy.
07:04Number 44, Scotty Doesn't Know, Lustra.
07:08This one's for you, baby. Happy anniversary.
07:17Scotty doesn't know that Fiona and me do it in my band every Sunday.
07:22It may have been written for Eurotrip, but its popularity has long since outpaced that of the movies.
07:28Scotty Doesn't Know manages to turn a song about cheating into a comedic masterpiece.
07:33Both its iconic guitar riff and hilarious biting lyrics helped it quickly gain popularity,
07:38and eventually led to Lustra becoming one of the first unsigned bands to chart.
07:43And I'm about to stop it.
07:45Scotty doesn't know. Scotty doesn't know. Scotty doesn't know.
07:49Scotty doesn't know. Don't kill Scotty.
07:51Its success is more than deserved,
07:53with its classic pop-punk sound fitting in perfectly within the genre.
07:57Despite that, it still sounds as fresh as it did the day it premiered in 2004.
08:01The track still goes hard, thanks to its rousing and infectious chorus
08:05that inspires listeners of all musical tastes to sing along.
08:08What? You gotta admit, it's a really catchy tune.
08:15Tells them she's in church, but she doesn't go, but she's on her knees.
08:20And Scotty doesn't know. Scotty doesn't know. Scotty doesn't know. Scotty doesn't know.
08:25You gotta know?
08:26Number 43, Gotta Get Through This, Daniel Bedingfield.
08:30Sometimes the songs that stand the test of time are the simplest.
08:34Said I'm gonna get through this. I'm gonna get through this.
08:37I gotta take, gotta take my mind out for you.
08:40With its repetitive yet undeniably catchy chorus, Gotta Get Through This might not seem like the most memorable track.
08:47Its chart presence proved that it could stand on its own against its competitors,
08:50even reaching the top 10 in the United States.
09:01The futuristic, punchy production and tasteful use of autotune have both aged like fine wine.
09:07It sounds as though it could have been released in the last few years, despite being over 20 years old.
09:12It has been able to appeal to those who heard it upon its debut,
09:15as well as those who are just discovering it for the first time today.
09:27Number 42, Groove Jet, If This Ain't Love, Spiller with Sophie Ellis Baxter.
09:32What do you get when you combine a masterful blend of disco samples with Sophie Ellis Baxter's impeccable voice?
09:38A modern classic that still stands the test of time today.
09:42Know that you need it and try to believe it. Take me one step out of time.
09:48Groove Jet, If This Ain't Love, shows the power of collaborative work amongst musicians,
09:53with both components fusing together to create a still iconic bop.
09:57It achieved global success early on after its release, and while it may not get played on the radio anymore,
10:02it has remained relevant amongst music lovers everywhere.
10:12Its versatility has made it perfect for retro playlists and current club lineups alike.
10:17The resurgence of disco-inspired production in the 2020s has helped the song maintain its fresh sound,
10:23and has ensured that its legacy will live on for years to come.
10:34Number 41, Get Over Yourself, Eden's Crush.
10:37You may know her from the Pussycat Dolls, but that isn't where Nicole Scherzinger got her start.
10:42Her original girl group, Eden's Crush, gained nationwide prominence thanks to their single charting tune in 2001.
10:55Get Over Yourself reached number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100,
10:59thanks to its liberating message encouraging young women to prioritize their well-being over that of a man's.
11:05Although they weren't able to score another hit, their debut still goes as hard today as it did back then.
11:17It perfectly encapsulates the Y2K-pop sound without coming across as dated.
11:22Beyond that, the empowering lyrics were so well-written that they can still serve as inspiration for younger audiences.
11:29Get Over Yourself, goodbye, everything's alright, everything's alright, everybody else say it.
11:34Get Over Yourself, goodbye.
11:37Number 40, He Loves You Not, Dream.
11:41Their initial run may have only lasted five years,
11:43but in that time they released a hit that ensured they would be remembered forever.
11:48With sassy lyrics and an infectious beat,
11:51He Loves You Not by Dream is pure pop perfection.
11:54The grass is greener on the other side.
11:57You're the kind of girl who's not used to hear and know.
12:01The 2000 release helped usher in the 21st century on a fantastic note,
12:05and people at the time clearly agreed.
12:07It charted around the globe and became a favorite amongst fans.
12:18The chorus is an earworm in the best way possible, and after just one listen, the melody is bound to
12:24be stuck in your head for hours afterward.
12:27It still makes for a fun listen today, and serves as a perfect example of a turn-of-the-century
12:32jam.
12:32He's into what he's got, and that's me.
12:37He loves me, but he loves you not.
12:39Number 39, According to You, Orianti.
12:43I'm beautiful, incredible.
12:46He can't get me out of his head, according to him.
12:50It should come as no surprise that a musician endorsed by the king of pop would make a song that
12:54still holds up today.
12:56Orianti effortlessly shook up the pop-rock scene in 2009 with her debut single, According to You,
13:02which made an immediate impact amongst audiences and critics alike.
13:12The catchy chorus alone makes it clear why it was so successful.
13:16However, what's even more impressive were her guitar skills,
13:19which she flexed throughout the track.
13:27All the components combined created a hit that was the very embodiment of girl power.
13:32That quality has contributed to its overall legacy,
13:35making it just as fun to sing along to today as it was back then.
13:39Babe, I'll tell you what you've got to lose.
13:42Cause it's for me for everything I'm not, according to you.
13:47Number 38, Shattered, Turn the Car Around, OAR.
13:51Another town, another everything, but it's always back to you.
13:58A song doesn't have to be high energy to leave a lasting impact.
14:02OAR's Shattered, Turn the Car Around is the perfect example.
14:06Although it doesn't have the bells and whistles of some other tracks on this list,
14:10its straightforward melody serves as the perfect vehicle for the heart-wrenching lyrics.
14:14How many times can I break till I shatter over the line?
14:20The heartfelt piece clearly resonated among fans and casual listeners alike.
14:24It reached the top 40 on the pop chart and even achieved number one on the U.S. adult alternative
14:30airplay.
14:31Its message and sound are both timeless.
14:33So whether you're listening to it to cope with a bad day or simply to get a dose of nostalgia,
14:38it will hit just as hard as it did in 2008.
14:48Number 37, You're A Jerk, New Boys.
14:52Certain choreography has a way of unifying people across lifestyles, ages and genres.
14:57That was certainly the case for You're A Jerk by New Boys,
15:00whose 2009 smash hit quickly led to an even larger dance craze.
15:04Why you trippin', I ain't even doin' nothin'.
15:06You're A Jerk.
15:07I'm a jerk, you ain't never lie, but hey, do me a favor, call me Jerk one more time.
15:11The carefree rap track was supplemented with braggadocious bars
15:14and a constant driving beat that made listeners of all ages want to get up and groove.
15:19The inclusion of various groups showing off their best jerkin' moves only added to its popularity,
15:24with non-dancers attempting to learn as well.
15:26You gotta hop up on your right foot.
15:28Okay, you gotta hop up on your right foot.
15:29Uh-huh.
15:30Back on your left.
15:31Keep your right foot up, and then hop up on your left.
15:34Yeah, that's not gonna happen.
15:35They had other songs that charted, but You're A Jerk has easily become their most recognizable tune.
15:41Despite it being over 15 years old, it is just as much of a banger now as it was back
15:46then.
15:52Number 36.
15:53Girl Fight.
15:54Brooke Valentine featuring Big Boy and Lil Jon.
15:57Even if you've never been in a brawl, this is bound to pump you up for one.
16:01Girl Fight by Brooke Valentine doesn't have the most heartfelt message,
16:05but that hasn't made it any less iconic.
16:07We're about to sing today.
16:11We're about to sing today.
16:11We're about to be a what?
16:13Girl Fight?
16:14The track details a catfight on the horizon.
16:16With the singer warning her opponents and their friends what will happen if they cross paths.
16:20From her gorgeous voice to the infectious refrain, everything about the tune is polished.
16:25The moment the first note starts, you're treated to a near-perfect song.
16:36It easily became a hit in 2005 and its impact hasn't lessened since then.
16:42Playing it at a party today is sure to get everyone on the guest list
16:45up out of their seats and grooving to the beat.
17:07You've likely heard this song plenty of times before, even if it wasn't on the radio.
17:12From ads to video game soundtracks,
17:15Calabria 2007 has been embedded into modern-day pop culture.
17:26The combination of horns, beat and Natasha's rendition of the simple yet effective lyrics
17:31is the very definition of an earworm.
17:34It's easy to see why it soared to the very top of the dance charts in multiple countries
17:38and snagged a spot in the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100.
17:41Whether you hear this out in the wild or in your favorite game,
17:45it's bound to have as much of an impact now as it did in 2007.
17:56Number 34, I Like That, Houston featuring Chingy, Nate Dogg and I-20.
18:02The legacy of some songs is apparent as soon as you press play.
18:05Houston's debut single, I Like That, falls perfectly into that category.
18:16There's truly something for everybody, from Houston's smooth vocals to a beat that's impossible to not bob your head along
18:22to.
18:23The features only add to the experience, turning up the listeners' excitement even more throughout the track.
18:36After its release in 2004, it quickly gained prominence with people around the nation.
18:41It peaked at number 11, which is no small feat for a new artist.
18:46Its continued ability to get people up and moving is proof of how impactful it was at the time,
18:51and how powerful it continues to be.
19:00Number 33, On The Way Down, Ryan Cabrera.
19:04With just his voice and his guitar, he effortlessly created 2004's Song of the Summer.
19:16On The Way Down was a massive success for Ryan Cabrera, but not without hard work.
19:21After weeks of performing the tune at every venue possible,
19:25it peaked at number 15 on the Hot 100 and appeared on other charts around the world.
19:30The debut single introduced him and his unquestionable gifts to the world,
19:33and set him apart from his contemporaries in the scene at the time.
19:44Although his guitar skills are impressive, the heart of the piece lies in his heartbreaking,
19:50poignant lyricism. Although Cabrera's other releases weren't as successful,
19:54On The Way Down is all people need to see just how talented he is.
20:07Number 32, Let It Rock, Kevin Rudolph featuring Lil Wayne.
20:11When rap and rock come together, the results can be life-changing.
20:16Let It Rock by Kevin Rudolph is proof,
20:18with him and Lil Wayne joining forces to create one of the best songs of 2008.
20:30Rudolph wrote from a place of anger,
20:32and it's hard not to channel that intense energy as you sing along to it.
20:36Despite its fierce delivery, Lil Wayne masterfully counteracts the emotion with a carefree verse of his own.
20:48It's easy to see why it resonated with so many people,
20:52and why it helped the singer secure his only top five hit.
20:55It's just as much of a banger today, with the first few notes alone being enough to get anyone into
21:00the zone,
21:01and ready to sing along.
21:10Number 31, Wine Up, Cat DeLuna featuring Elephant Man.
21:14Releasing a flawless debut single is no easy feat.
21:18Yet that's exactly what Cat DeLuna did when she teamed up with Elephant Man to drop Wine Up.
21:29The Latin-inspired dance track is a banger from start to finish,
21:33with the singer's impressive voice perfectly complementing the energetic instrumental.
21:37It ended up being the best way to introduce her to the public,
21:41as it soon shot up from the bubbling underboard to number 29 on the main pop chart.
21:45Pull me closer and closer and closer, and pull me tight to your body, I wanna feel you, I wanna
21:51feel you near.
21:53DeLuna also found success in several international countries and communities,
21:58which had been her original goal when creating the bilingual tune.
22:01It's still just as explosive and dynamic as it was back in 2007,
22:05and will get the party started, no matter where you are.
22:16Number 30, Just The Girl, The Click Five.
22:19She's cold and she's cruel, but she knows what she's doing.
22:27When this song came out and it was an instant success,
22:31everyone thought the band would have a bright future ahead.
22:34Just The Girl bagged the 11th spot on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart,
22:37and even topped the digital song sales chart.
22:40The music video was hugely popular,
22:42and The Click Five went on Late Night with Conan O'Brien to perform the track.
22:52Unfortunately, the group's future endeavors did not live up to the high standards they set.
22:57After their disbandment, we didn't hear much from them until 2025.
23:01Joining the Jonas Brothers for their Jonas 20 Greetings From Your Hometown Tour,
23:05they performed Just The Girl again,
23:07and it felt fresh as new.
23:26The R&B scene in the 2000s was on a whole different level,
23:30and this song was one of its crown jewels.
23:32Mario was singing for the lovers and the yearners here.
23:35No wonder it resonated far and wide, earning him a Grammy nod.
23:39Baby, you a star, I just wanna show you your one, you should let me love you.
23:45From that point on, Mario had a steady career, releasing music and participating in reality TV
23:50shows like Dancing with the Stars and The Masked Singer.
23:53However, he couldn't replicate the success of Let Me Love You.
23:56Label issues and stylistic detours slowed him down, but Let Me Love You remained a timeless hit.
24:02In the era of situationships and red flags, it hits even harder.
24:06Make me yours, too many times.
24:09You've been with love, so close to you.
24:13Maybe you should let me in.
24:15Number 28, Party Like a Rockstar, Shop Boys.
24:19And soon I came out the womb, my momma knew a star was born.
24:22Now I'm on the golf course, trippin' with the arms born.
24:25This high-energy hip-hop track about living it up with reckless abandon has managed to
24:30captivate music lovers across generations.
24:32The repetitive chorus is as catchy as it gets, and you can't help but headbang,
24:36especially with that sick guitar riff in the background.
24:46It topped Billboard's hot rap songs and rhythmic charts in the US, and was nominated for a Grammy, too.
24:52Although Shop Boys eventually disappeared from the spotlight,
24:55Party Like a Rockstar remained an eternal banger.
24:58The song has found its place in other media as well,
25:01such as the video games Fortnite Festival and NBA Live 08.
25:14Before releasing this rap rock gem, the band suspected it might end up defining them.
25:19That's exactly what happened.
25:28Butterfly, which sampled Red Hot Chili Peppers' Pretty Little Diddy, was a smash hit.
25:32It climbed to the top of several charts across the world, most notably the Billboard Hot 100 in the US.
25:38Their debut album, which the song was a part of, sold over a million copies.
25:42Hey, Sugar Mama, come and dance with me.
25:44The smartest thing you ever did was take a chance with me.
25:47Fans were eager for their comeback, and the band's label, Columbia, was expecting another Butterfly.
25:52Sadly, their second studio album, Dark Horse, did not deliver.
25:56Columbia let them go, and soon after, the band was no more.
25:59Despite their reformation and rebranding, Crazy Town could not outdo Butterfly,
26:04which still lives rent-free in our heads.
26:15Number 26, The Middle, Jimmy Eat World.
26:25You could not go to a party in the 2000s without this song blaring through the speakers.
26:30The Middle gave a second win to Jimmy Eat World's career.
26:33After Capitol Records ended their contract, the band went back to basics and whipped up
26:38a power pop anthem with Mass Appeal, funding it out of their own pockets.
26:42Needless to say, it paid off, bringing the band major commercial success.
26:53In the US, it was number one on Billboard's Alternative Airplay.
26:57Across the pond, it ranked second on OCC's rock and metal chart.
27:01The band continued to be successful afterwards, but there's no denying that
27:05the middle is where they peaked. Unsurprisingly, they're still riding that high,
27:09because we're never getting tired of this song.
27:18Number 25, American Boy. Estelle featuring Kanye West.
27:29This collaborative track is one of the first songs that comes to mind when thinking of the old
27:33Ye's glory days. The rapper's effortless flow alongside Estelle's effervescent vocals make for
27:39a delightful listening experience.
27:48The song top charts around the globe, such as in the UK, Europe, and Belgium. Critics couldn't stop
27:54gushing over it either, and the duo ultimately took home a Grammy for it. Since then, American
27:58Boy has been remixed and covered by famous artists like Busta Rhymes, Pitbull, and Fallout Boy. More
28:04recently, it has frequently gone viral on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. American
28:09Boy is just that iconic.
28:11I really want to come pick you with me. You'll be my American Boy. Be my American Boy.
28:21Number 24, Me and You, Cassie. This pop girly had an enviable debut. Her first ever single,
28:28Me and You was tailor-made for mainstream success. It had the addictive beat of electro, combined
28:34with the sweet seduction of R&B. The music video, though simple, captivated viewers with Cassie's
28:44impressive dance moves. Before we knew it, it was the song of the summer, even in the German clubs.
28:57In the States, Me and You hit number one on Billboard's Hot R&B Hip Hop Songs chart and topped
29:02the 2006
29:03year-end rhythmic chart. Cassie had fans and critics under her spell, and all eyes were on her next
29:09career step. Unfortunately, a string of mediocre live performances left fans disappointed. Despite
29:14releasing more music, Cassie couldn't return to her former fame.
29:25Number 23, Collide, Howie Day.
29:35From sleeper hit to everyone's favorite 2000s throwback, this soft rock bop has had quite the life.
29:41Howie Day sings of an ordinary relationship here, which is what makes it so perfectly relatable,
29:46yet magical. Still, it was nowhere near successful when it first released. In fact,
29:51it took a year for it to have any considerable presence on music charts. The tide finally turned
29:55in Day's favor by the end of 2005, and Collide soared to the sixth spot on the U.S. Adult
30:00Top 40 chart.
30:10A lot of the success was owed to the use of the song in popular media, such as 2005's Pride
30:15and Prejudice,
30:15One Tree Hill, and Grey's Anatomy. However, Day's personal controversies held him back from
30:21sustaining his fame.
30:27Number 22, Bulletproof, LaRue.
30:37One Hit Wonders almost always leave a bitter aftertaste on artists' tongues. LaRue was no exception.
30:43Bulletproof peaked at number one on the UK singles chart and topped Billboard's U.S. Dance Club Songs
30:48List 2. However, Ellie Jackson, who wrote and produced it with former LaRue member Ben Langmaid,
30:53admitted to having panic attacks due to its massive popularity. In a 2014 interview,
30:58she opened up about feeling represented by the track, but not respected creatively.
31:03I knew I was never going to write another song like Bulletproof. Like, it's the most poppy, like,
31:07young kind of sounding thing I've ever written, you know? It's like, when I have to perform it on
31:11stage, now I do a different version of it. I've just done a remix of it.
31:14The English singer wished to erase the music video of Bulletproof, and seemed averse to
31:19recreating its success. A few years after this interview, she released a rework of the song
31:24called Disco Proof. Unfortunately, it was not too memorable. The OG still gets us hyped, though.
31:37Number 21, Bad Day, Daniel Powder.
31:47This song wasn't just a flash in the pan. It was a pop culture phenomenon. Daniel Powder's Bad Day
31:53gave him some of the best years of his career. It was first released in Europe and dominated the
31:57airwaves there. The American release of Bad Day was equally legendary, as it topped multiple
32:02Billboard charts. Over time, it became a top five hit in several countries across the world,
32:07and global digital sales were through the roof.
32:16Naturally, the song found its way to TV next. It was famously used on American Idol and parodied
32:22on Saturday Night Live. In the years that followed, Powder kept his music career going,
32:26but the triumph of Bad Day has proven unbeatable so far.
32:30The camera don't lie, you're coming back down, and you really don't mind.
32:36Had a bad day, yeah.
32:38Number 20, Don't Think I'm Not, Candy.
32:41Now I don't have to question where you were last night.
32:48You may know her from The Real Housewives of Atlanta or The Chi. However, for 90s kids,
32:53Kandi Burris is a certified hitmaker with Xscape fame. After winning a Grammy for co-writing TLC's
32:59iconic song, No Scrubs,
33:05she had the world looking forward to her future. So when she went solo with Don't Think I'm Not,
33:11fans were obsessed.
33:19It was on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for months and dominated party playlists. The Miami bass beats
33:25and Kandi's smooth vocals were just hitting different. The song is still the perfect anthem
33:29for carefree queens who can't be played with. However, Kandi's solo singing career did not live
33:34up to the hype it built. She didn't make another album until 2010. And that is her latest.
33:39Feeling good, did somebody spot? Getting hot, don't stop. Just don't think I'm not,
33:45cause I'm out getting my time.
33:47Number 19, Who Let the Dogs Out, Baja Men.
33:51Who let the dogs out?
33:53Who, who, who, who?
33:54Who let the dogs out?
33:56Who, who, who, who?
33:58Critics may have dubbed this one of the worst pop songs ever, but fans beg to differ.
34:02This chaotic hit went platinum in the United Kingdom and peaked at number 18 on the US
34:07Billboard Pop Airplay chart. It was viral before going viral was even a thing.
34:19However, the song wasn't able to build a solid identity for Baja Men in the international music
34:25scene. Most people only knew the catchy chorus and didn't actively seek out more music from the group.
34:30Sure, it was a Grammy-winning release, but it wasn't taken seriously,
34:33and the rest of the group's discography didn't have the same impact.
34:44Nevertheless, to this day, it is constantly referenced in pop culture and is a mainstay at sports events.
34:58Number 18, Absolutely, Story of a Girl, Nine Days.
35:02This power pop love song soundtracked the story of many a teen's first crush.
35:11It was a hard-earned success for Nine Days, who had been in the music business for years without
35:16breaking into the mainstream. With Absolutely Story of a Girl, they not only entered the
35:28Billboard Hot 100 chart, but also made it to the top ten. MTV and VH1 were generous with their
35:34promotion of the song too. However, due to issues with their label, 550 Music, the band lost its
35:40momentum and could not deliver a strong follow-up. Years later, when different versions of Absolutely
35:53were created for and featured in Everything Everywhere all at once, Nine Days came under
35:57the spotlight again. Needless to say, each version was a masterpiece.
36:15The New York rapper popped off with his signature record, paying homage to hip-hop greats like
36:20Mobb Deep, Snoop Dogg and Ye. The beat switches up according to the area he's paying tribute to,
36:25but his rhythm and flow remain immaculate. What helped the track blow up even more was the
36:37lyrics. Simple and easy to follow. No wonder it topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and was
36:43one of the most popular ringtones back then. All these years later, it is still impossible not to
36:54sing along to the chorus, even if ironically. However, Mims couldn't replicate his magic and
36:59eventually stopped releasing music entirely.
37:01This is why I'm hot. This is why, this is why, this is why I'm hot. I'm hot cause I'm
37:07fly. You ain't cause you not.
37:09This is why, this is why, this is why I'm hot.
37:12Number 16, Pop, Lock and Drop It, Huey.
37:15Toot that thing up, mommy make it roll. Once you pop, pop, lock it for me, girl get low. If
37:21your mama gave it to you.
37:23You couldn't walk into a party in the late 2000s without this banger blasting through the speakers.
37:28DJs never failed to include it in their set lists, and club goers had the titular dance moves down pat.
37:34The song was a total earworm and impossible to forget, so famous MCs like Bow Wow and T-Pain jumped
37:47on remixes.
37:47By 2007, it had peaked on the U.S. Hot Rap Songs chart at number two, and on the U
37:53.S. Billboard Hot 100 at number six.
38:00Unfortunately, the success was short-lived, and Huey retired from music to start a fashion company before passing away from
38:07a fatal shooting.
38:07Still, his legacy remains indelible, because Pop, Lock and Drop It never stopped being cool.
38:19Number 15, All the Things She Said, Tattoo.
38:28A lot of things about this record were questionable.
38:30The music video was criticized for depicting a WLW relationship for shock factor, and the artists were accused of queerbaiting.
38:38However, one thing everyone acknowledged was that the song itself was hypnotizing.
38:42I've been serious. I feel totally lost.
38:45If I'm asking for help, it's only because being with you has opened my eyes.
38:50The mix of Eurodance and emo lyrics brought the pop fanatics and the scene kids together.
38:56Tattoo broke records, climbing up to the 20th spot on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart,
39:01and topped the UK singles chart, becoming the first Russian artist to do so.
39:12However, Tattoo never managed to outdo themselves.
39:15The track may have become a meme today because of its exaggerated angst, but there's no denying that we still
39:21head-bang to it.
39:39The only problem with this song getting too big too fast was that everything else the artist released afterwards paled
39:45in comparison.
39:46Tipsy was a 17-year-old Jaquan's magnum opus.
39:49The lyrics channeled the carefree and rebellious energy of youth.
39:53And the beat was groovy enough to dominate club playlists.
40:01Being a crowd pleaser, it landed high on the charts, taking second place on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100
40:06list,
40:06and topping the U.S. Hot Rap Songs ranking.
40:09It was not only ingrained into the pop landscape of the 2000s, but its impact is still felt, even though
40:15Jaquan's fame has faded.
40:16In fact, it's so timeless that when Shibuzzi interpolated it for his song, A Bar Song Tipsy,
40:21it instantly became a chart-topping hit.
40:38This song was much more than an ode to a makeup staple.
40:41Lil Mama gave teens all over the world the perfect dose of motivation to strut their stuff down intimidating school
40:47hallways.
40:48When that hook hit, it was like a shot of pure confidence, and you couldn't help stomping your feet to
40:53the beat.
41:02This was schoolyard rap at its simplest and best, and it was popping to say the least.
41:07Although the highest rank it reached on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart was 10th,
41:11it went platinum in teen bedrooms and school talent shows.
41:15Even now, if we heard that intro, we'd get to clapping.
41:24Meanwhile, Lil Mama is focusing on her film and reality TV career.
41:39The enduring life of this song needs to be studied.
41:43Intellectuals have praised it for its empowering exploration of female pleasure.
41:46What really made it viral, however, was its unapologetically explicit lyrics set to a laid-back beat ideal for sweaty
41:53nights at the club.
42:01One listen and you'd be hooked, repeating the chorus in your head until you got sick of it.
42:05Radio stations opted for a clean version, and all that airplay earned the track a place in the U.S.
42:10Billboard Hot 100 chart.
42:15On social media, the name Kaya might now be synonymous with someone who's past their peak.
42:19But the icon deserves respect for giving us this addictive hit.
42:23People still haven't forgotten the lyrics, and we doubt they ever will.
42:31Number 11, A Thousand Miles, Vanessa Carlton.
42:41This song has been inextricably linked to Terry Crews after his White Chicks character, Littrell, jammed out to it in
42:47the film.
42:53However, the original music video by Vanessa Carlton is just as legendary.
42:58The singer is seen making her way downtown while playing a piano.
43:10It was simple, but struck gold.
43:12The lyrics resonated with listeners, especially young people who found it relatable.
43:16It topped Billboard's pop airplay and adult contemporary charts in the U.S.
43:21However, Vanessa could not build on its popularity with her later releases,
43:24and even admitted that its unique charm could never be recreated.
43:28If I could fall into the sky, do you think time went past me by?
43:37Nevertheless, A Thousand Miles will live on because every time we hear that piano riff,
43:42we'll be back in our teen heartbreak era again.
43:45If I can just hold you tonight.
43:54Number 10, About Us, Brooke Hogan featuring Paul Wall.
44:06Move over, Britney. Step away, Beyonce.
44:10It's time to make way for the first daughter of wrestling, none other than Hulk Hogan's eldest child, Brooke.
44:15In all seriousness, as the first single off of Hogan's debut album, About Us holds up as an irresistibly catchy
44:21time capsule.
44:32That's probably at least partially due to its head-bopping beat, produced by hip-hop mainstay Scott Storch.
44:38Hogan was signed to his record label, Storch Music Company.
44:40Rapper Paul Wall's effortlessly cool feature only adds to the song's authenticity,
44:45and Hogan shows genuine pop star chops, making it a genuine shame that her music career never took off.
44:56Number 9, Crazy, Gnarls Barkley.
45:09Where were you when you found out that Gnarls Barkley wasn't the name of a person, but a band?
45:13Okay, maybe that's just us, but the duo of CeeLo Green and producer Brian Danger Mouse Burton
45:18came out of nowhere to blow us all away in 2006.
45:21Does that make me crazy?
45:25Based on a Spaghetti Western sample and driven by Green's powerhouse vocals,
45:30Crazy sounded like nothing else on the radio, and it could be argued that nothing has sounded like it since.
45:35While Burton and Green would separately go on to have fruitful solo careers,
45:39they never again produced a hit as unique or as ever-present as this mid-2000s banger.
45:44Maybe we're crazy, probably.
45:54Number 8, Move Ya Body, Nina Skye featuring Jabba.
46:01Yet another case of a duo with a confusing name that made them sound like a single person.
46:06Maybe that has something to do with why this Puerto Rican musical outfit never produced another major hit,
46:11consisting of identical twins Nicole and Natalie Albino.
46:14Nina Skye's 2004 hit Move Ya Body was designated by Pitchfork as one of the best songs of that year.
46:24And it's easy to see why.
46:29The song's hypnotic groove makes it nearly impossible to not move one's body.
46:33Riding high on the dancehall wave of the 2000s that also introduced Sean Paul and Rihanna to the general public,
46:39Move Ya Body still gets audiences' hips shaking over 20 years after its initial release.
46:44Can you feel the beat? Can you, can you feel the beat?
46:47Number 7, Wherever You Will Go, The Calling.
46:50So lately, been wondering, who will be there to take my place?
46:59Oof, pull out the tissues for this one.
47:01A yearning, post-grunge ballad, Wherever You Will Go tugs at the heartstrings from its opening guitar plucks.
47:07It isn't exactly hard to tell what the song's about.
47:09Over an all-too-familiar chord progression, The Calling's Alex Band devotes his life without abandon to the subject of
47:15Wherever You Will Go.
47:25According to Band, the song was written after a funeral.
47:28In which, I just started thinking of what it would be like to
47:30Have your whole life change so dramatically and not for the best in a matter of moments.
47:35Landing at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100,
47:37Wherever You Will Go takes the remnants of grunge and cleans them up for radio.
47:41If I could, then I would.
47:46I'll go wherever you will go.
47:50Number 6, Shake It, Metro Station.
47:53I'll take you home if you don't leave me at the front door.
47:56At the front door.
47:58Look, let's get it out of the way first thing.
48:00Yes, Metro Station is a Disney-adjacent band,
48:03consisting of Mason Musso, older brother of Mitchell,
48:06and Trey Cyrus, half-brother to, well, you know who.
48:09But putting the Disney connection aside, Shake It is more than a nostalgia fest.
48:19It's a rousing emo pop tune that'll instantly perk any millennial's ears up,
48:24before calling them straight to the dance floor.
48:26The perfect kind of pop song that doesn't take itself even the slightest bit seriously,
48:30the ear-warm chorus of Shake It is undeniably a hook for the ages.
48:41Number 5, Flavor of the Week, American Hi-Fi.
48:45She paints her nails and she don't know, he's got her best friend on the phone.
48:51With a clear, indelible ear for crafting unshakable hooks and finely tuned pop songs,
48:56American Hi-Fi's lack of enduring success is an unfortunate curiosity.
49:01Maybe it owes to radio programmers' insistence on grouping them in with pop-punk acts like Blink-182,
49:06Sum 41, and Good Charlotte, when they were really closer to vintage acts like Cheap Trick and The Cars.
49:11Her boyfriend, he don't know anything about her.
49:17Whatever the case may be, Flavor of the Week tells a classic suburban semi-love story of wanting but not
49:23having.
49:24Featuring a sugary sweet chorus and nimble guitar licks that deserve to be blasted from your parents' six-disc CD
49:30changer,
49:31it may be a shame that the band never took off the way they should have,
49:34but at least they can be your best-kept secret.
49:37She's just the flavor of the week.
49:41Number 4, Stacy's Mom, Fountains of Wayne.
49:44Stacy, can I come over after school? After school?
49:52Speaking of power-pop bands, Fountains of Wayne members Chris Collingwood and Adam Schlesinger
49:56specifically engineered the song to be reminiscent of The Cars.
50:00Stacy's Mom contains one of the catchiest choruses in pop music, which almost makes up for its, um, let's say
50:06questionable lyrics.
50:08Stacy's Mom has got it going on. She's all I want and I've waited for so long.
50:16As if the actual story of the song wasn't bad enough, its actual inspiration was a childhood friend of Schlesinger's
50:22who bore a crush on the fountains of Wayne Bassett's grandmother.
50:24Said Schlesinger of the awkward situation, quote,
50:27Hey, you're stepping over the line, but at that point in life, I wouldn't put it past anyone.
50:32Must be nice to have a friend as forgiving as Adam.
50:34Stacy, can't you see? You're just not the girl for me.
50:38Number 3, Teenage Dirtbag, Weedis.
50:41Her name is Noel. I have a dream about her. She rings my bell.
50:48If you haven't guessed from our last few entries, the Y2K era may have been the golden age of pop
50:53punk.
50:53Case in point, this all-time sad boy banger, which many have mistakenly attributed to Weezer.
50:59Even the Buddy Holly boys never produced a song so in tune with the mainstream sensibilities of the time.
51:04Cause I'm just a Teenage Dirtbag, baby.
51:09Teenage Dirtbag immediately strikes a chord, or should we say a power chord?
51:14With its belt out loud hook and eternally relatable lyrics.
51:17So Y2K is this weedest jam that its music video is a spin-off of the 2000 film Loser,
51:23starring American Pie alums Jason Biggs and Meena Suvari.
51:26It doesn't really get more Y2K than that.
51:29Listen to a young maiden, baby will you be?
51:35Number 2, Pieces of Me, Ashley Simpson.
51:38On a Monday, I am waiting.
51:41Tuesday, I am fading.
51:44Poor Ashley Simpson.
51:45When you listen to Pieces of Me, you can hear a new Avril Lavigne in the making,
51:49an emo pop queen for the 2000s.
51:52Unfortunately, the only thing anyone can associate Pieces of Me with at this point
51:55is Simpson's now infamous Saturday Night Live performance,
51:58in which the singer was caught lip-syncing red-handed.
52:01On a Monday, I am waiting.
52:04Tuesday, I am fading.
52:07I'm fading.
52:08I'm fading.
52:08I'm fading.
52:10I'm fading.
52:11I'm fading.
52:12I'm fading.
52:13I'm fading.
52:14I'm fading.
52:16I'm fading.
52:27I'm fading.
52:28Pieces of Me still goes hard.
52:30That chorus chills.
52:32I love how you can dance.
52:35All the pieces, pieces, pieces of me.
52:39Number 1, Stars Are Blind, Paris Hilton.
52:43I don't mind spending some time.
52:49We can't say that we expected Paris Hilton of all people
52:52to come up with the hottest reggae slapper of 2006.
52:55To be clear, we're not complaining.
52:57Stars Are Blind is a legitimately great, somehow even moving pop hit.
53:01The lead single from Hilton's self-titled debut album,
53:04the idea of the socialite recording a musical project
53:07was derided by critics and audiences at the time as a mere vanity record.
53:11Some people never get beyond their stupid pride,
53:16but you can see the real me inside.
53:20Stars Are Blind forced the world to sit up and take notice
53:22of the possibility of a hot new musical talent on the horizon.
53:26While that, of course, wasn't the case in the end,
53:28we can still relish in the moment when it looked like Paris
53:31might become the next Britney or Christina.
53:33Even though the guys are crazy, even though the stars are blind,
53:37if you show me real love, baby, I'll show you mine.
53:42Which Y2K-era one-hit wonder do you think is the most iconic?
53:46Let us know in the comments below.
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