Top 10 Comeback Singles by 2000s Pop Artists

#10: “Flatline” (2013)

Sugababes

They were one of the most successful girl groups of the 2000s, achieving six number-one singles in the UK. However, due to constant infighting, the original trio of Mutya Buena, Keisha Buchanan, and Siobhán Donaghy had been completely replaced by 2009. In 2012, the founding members reunited under the name Mutya Keisha Siobhan and released “Flatline.” Produced by Dev Hynes, the song was a slight departure from their early commercial pop toward a pop-R&B blend. It may not have been a huge commercial success, but that was almost beside the point. What it did do was reintroduce the group in a way that finally felt authentic. After regaining the rights to the Sugababes name, the song was re-released under that name in 2022.

#9: “When I Wasn't Watching” (2019)

Mandy Moore

Today, some might know Mandy Moore primarily as an actor, considering she spent six years starring on the critically acclaimed TV show “This Is Us.” But her first foray into the spotlight actually came through music. Moore burst onto the scene just at the turn of the millennium, with successful singles like “Candy” and “I Wanna Be with You.” By the mid-2000s, Moore seemed to step back from music and began starring in a string of comedy films. Then, in 2019, after about a decade without original solo material, she returned with “When I Wasn't Watching.” A softer, folk-tinged pop song, its lyrics talk about realizing life’s lessons a little too late, fitting for someone re-entering the music world after years away.

#8: “Mature” (2025)

Hilary Duff

Over the years, we’ve seen multiple musical comebacks from Hilary Duff. Back in 2015, she returned after a long hiatus with “Chasing the Sun,” the lead single from her fifth album. While some critics dismissed that song as safe and underwhelming, their tone seemed to change when Duff executed yet another comeback in 2025. With “Mature,” her first original solo single in a decade, Duff showed she had indeed matured. A collaboration with her husband, Matthew Koma, the song sees her revisiting a past relationship with an older partner and poking fun at her own naivety. It was her first single under Atlantic Records, and it got the ball rolling on what the label considered to be Duff’s true musical comeback.

#7: “React” (2020)

The Pussycat Dolls

Nearly a decade after disbanding in 2010, the Pussycat Dolls announced in 2019 that they were coming back. Fans of the group were stoked, eager to see if they would stick to their signature sound or chase current trends. Their comeback single, “React,” which was released in early 2020, struck the perfect balance between both. An energetic, electropop anthem, “React” saw the Pussycat Dolls pick up where they left off, while adding a modern and even sultrier edge. For longtime fans, it was a nostalgic return; for the newer generation, it was an exciting introduction. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic hit fully just weeks after the song’s release, crippling plans for an upcoming tour and new album.

#6: “L.A. Love (La La)” (2014)

Fergie

Fergie’s career can be categorized into two phases, each defined by her two solo albums: the commercially successful “The Dutchess” and the more middle-of-the-road “Double Dutchess.” The latter arrived over a decade after the former, and fans were ushered into its sonic universe with the 2014 single “L.A. Love (La La).” Delivering the same hip-pop sounds introduced in her debut, but even more braggadocious, this song was as radio-ready as ever. It had the upbeat energy, it had the catchy hook and it had the cringeworthy laundry list of random city names. “L.A. Love” may not have caught on with listeners as strongly as her earlier hits, but Fergie showed she hadn’t lost even an ounce of her glamorous touch.

#5: “Baby Don't Lie” (2014)

Gwen Stefani

Pop music got one of its most mainstream experimental artists when Gwen Stefani launched her solo career in 2004. After her second album, “The Sweet Escape,” Stefani seemed to hint that she was done making music as a solo artist. However, following a brief reunion with No Doubt, Stefani returned with the 2014 single “Baby Don't Lie.” Intended as the lead single from her third album, the song saw Stefani do what she does best: experiment. It blended her signature electropop with a tinge of reggae, which critics praised. Despite the favorable reviews, the song was only moderately successful. This led Stefani to scrap it from the album, and instead release 2015’s “Used to Love You” as the project’s lead single.

#4: “Suit & Tie” (2013)

Justin Timberlake feat. Jay-Z

Justin Timberlake released only two solo albums throughout the 2000s, but they were enough to establish him as the Prince of Pop. After dropping “FutureSex/LoveSounds” in 2006, he scaled back from solo releases, instead focusing on collaborations and his acting career. By the time he teased new music in 2013, fans were already hungry for new material. “Suit & Tie” was the perfect reintroduction for Timberlake. The track’s lush orchestration and retro-soul vibe showcased an artist who had grown considerably since his previous record and was eager to show fans his new side. It peaked at number three on the Hot 100 and earned multiple Grammy nominations, an indication that Timberlake’s star power had not dimmed even slightly during his break.

#3: “Accelerate” (2018)

Christina Aguilera feat. Ty Dolla Sign & 2 Chainz

Ever since she debuted in the late 1990s, Christina Aguilera has always found a way to reinvent her sound while keeping things centered around her powerhouse voice. When planning her comeback in 2018 after a nearly six-year hiatus, the singer switched up her sound yet again, this time even more drastically. “Accelerate,” the lead single from her eighth album “Liberation,” was unlike anything she had put out before, drawing influences from techno, electro-funk and trap music. Featuring rappers Ty Dolla Sign and 2 Chainz, the single showed that Aguilera was willing to take risks and push the boundaries of pop music. Critics praised the innovation and fearless approach of the track, deeming it a “comeback worth waiting for.”

#2: “Sucker” (2019)

Jonas Brothers

By the time the Jonas Brothers announced their breakup in 2013, they were already working on their fifth album, which was ultimately scrapped. After six years apart, the group made a triumphant return with the single “Sucker.” The song marked the end of the long hiatus, during which the brothers explored their own solo projects and grew creatively. As a result, “Sucker” felt like a seamless coalescence of their individually sharpened talents. With an infectious chorus and playful lyrics, the song became an instant fan favorite and debuted at the top of the Hot 100. The music video, which featured their real-life partners, added a warm personal touch that also boosted its appeal. Ultimately, “Sucker” became the biggest single of their career.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Back to Me” (2020), Lindsay Lohan

After 12 Years Away, Lohan Returned to the Music Scene With This Electropop Banger

“Big Hoops (Bigger the Better)” (2012), Nelly Furtado

A Moderately Successful Attempt to Recapture the Urban Sounds of Her Earlier Hits

“Hard out Here” (2013), Lily Allen

After Five Years on Hiatus, Allen’s Biting Wit Was Still as Sharp as Ever

“Hopeless Romantic” (2017), Michelle Branch

Record Label Issues Nearly Forced Her to Quit, but Branch Came Back Even Stronger

“Stupid Little Things” (2014), Anastacia

Hailed as Her Best Song in Years, Anastacia’s Almighty Return Defied All Odds

#1: “On the Floor” (2011)

Jennifer Lopez feat. Pitbull

There was a time when it seemed Jennifer Lopez’s career was dead. She had risen to international stardom through her music and then became one of Hollywood’s highest-paid actresses in the 2000s. But as the decade came to a close, her music failed to make as much impact as before and those flashy rom-com roles dried up. After a few years away from the spotlight, Lopez made a bold return with “On the Floor” and reminded everyone why she is the ultimate triple-threat. A collaboration with rapper Pitbull, the track was influenced by Lopez’s Latin heritage and cleverly interpolated a Bolivian folk song, creating a rhythm that was impossible to resist. It was hailed as a triumphant comeback and reignited Lopez’s career.

What other 2000s pop artists would you like to see make a comeback? Let us know in the comments below.