Top 20 2000s Songs That Defined Our Childhood

#20: “Tik Tok” (2009)

Kesha

We’re starting things off at the late end of the decade, when Kesha began to dominate the charts. Her debut single, “Tik Tok,” was released in August 2009 and became a hit almost instantly. It went platinum 12 times and spent nine weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, a mindblowing feat. Over a decade later, and it’s still one of the best-selling singles of all time, with 14 million claimed sales. For almost an entire year, it was unavoidable. Kesha wouldn’t release another single until 2010, which makes her debut all the more impressive. She wrote only one song in the 2000s, yet it’s considered one of the decade’s most defining tracks.

#19: “Hollaback Girl” (2004)

Gwen Stefani

Stefani rose to fame as a vocalist for the 80s band “No Doubt,” who entered the mainstream during the mid-90s. They broke up in 2004, and Stefani pursued a solo career, which was wildly successful. The most noteworthy track from her debut album is “Hollaback Girl” by a huge margin. A lesser-known fact about the tune is that it was produced by the Neptunes, also known as Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo. Not everyone appreciated it, however, with the magazine Maxim saying it was the “Most Annoying Song Ever.” The 2000s were simpler days. If they knew about “What Does The Fox Say?,” they’d change their tune.

#18: “Numb” (2003)

Linkin Park

Were you a bit of an edgelord during the 2000s? When nu metal was in its prime, and pop punk was still on the charts. At the forefront of this scene was the legendary group Linkin Park, who became wildly for their debut album, “Hybrid Theory,” released in 2000. Three years later, they released the follow-up album, “Meteora.” It featured even more enormous hits, like “Numb,” which has since sold millions of copies globally. The album additionally made its way into the 21st century’s top 10 best-selling albums and is still fondly remembered today.

#17: “Cha Cha Slide” (2000)

DJ Casper

If someone claimed the “Cha Cha Slide” was played at every 2000s school disco or child’s party, it would be easy to believe them. If you grew up in that decade, then this dance will be ingrained in your brain and muscle memory. It’s not like it’s hard to remember, though, with the Slide Man explaining the moves with his lyrics. Those people can easily be distinguished by simply shouting something like “everybody clap your hands”, then seeing who breaks out the fresh moves of Mr. C. It was so popular it even got a sequel, which is pretty much the same but with a simpler instrumental.

#16: “Hey Ya!” (2003)

Outkast

By the turn of the century, the hip-hop duo Outkast had become highly acclaimed in their genre. In 2000, they achieved mainstream fame with the track “Ms. Jackson.” Member André 3000 created the even more popular track “Hey Ya!” in 2003. It’s potentially the most poppy and upbeat Outkast song ever written. As any fan will eagerly tell you, it’s one of their saddest songs. The lyrics are focused on a relationship that’s going sour, but the couple decides to stick together, as they’re scared of being single. The upbeat melody provides a stark contrast to the lyrics, and hammers home the central theme of denying that a relationship is failing.

#15: “So What” (2008)

Pink

Singer Pink released her first album in 2000 and had dropped four more by the time the 2010s came along. These were so successful that she became one of the decade’s most iconic musicians. Towards the end of that era, she released the huge track “So What,” one of her most successful rock anthems. It topped a plethora of charts across the globe, selling over 6 million copies globally. It was so loved that, in 2008, MTV Europe gave it the award for Most Addictive Track. Years later, and many are still experiencing this addiction, but few are complaining.

#14: “Beautiful Soul” (2004)

Jesse McCartney

“All My Children” was an American soap opera that ran from 1970 until 2013. In the late 90s, Jesse McCartney played a main character on the show. McCartney then achieved international fame after beginning a music career in 2004. His debut single was “Beautiful Soul,” which sold 3 million copies in the States alone. It charted in all corners of the Earth, from Europe and the Americas all the way to New Zealand and Australia. McCartney still releases music fairly regularly, but his older works are still the most treasured, carrying huge quantities of nostalgia for the 2000s kids.

#13: “Hips Don’t Lie” (2006)

Shakira feat. Wyclef Jean

The “Queen of Latin Music” is still a big deal, but she was way more prominent during the 2000s. When asked what her most influential track was, many would answer “Hips Don’t Lie.” It was released in 2006 and quickly rose to the top of America’s Billboard Hot 100. It’s still her only track to take that spot. It went quadruple platinum in the States and sold at least 10 million copies globally. It was also downloaded for use as a ringtone 2 million times, a figure you don’t get for tracks released before or after the 2000s.

#12: “Girlfriend” (2007)

Avril Lavigne

Canadian singer Avril Lavigne was one of pop punk’s leading figures in the 2000s. She rose to prominence with her 2002 album “Let Go.” It included majorly influential tracks like “Complicated” and “Sk8er Boi.” While almost all her songs from the decade justify a spot on our list, we opted to settle for just one - “Girlfriend.” It dropped in 2007 as the lead single from her third album. It was easily her catchiest track, with a hook anyone could memorise after one listen. This made it highly popular among the 2000s kids, even the ones who weren’t into pop punk like her fanbase generally was.

#11: “Poker Face” (2008)

Lady Gaga

Gaga came onto the pop scene later than a lot of other major figures from the time, but that didn’t make her music any less influential. Her first single, “Just Dance,” dropped in 2008 and was an immediate classic. Gaga followed this up with “Poker Face,” which showed she was a force to be reckoned with. Across her entire career, she’s sold over 124 million records, and 14 million for just “Poker Face.” Few musicians have had a rise to stardom as meteoric as Gaga, who is still gaining momentum years and years later. For instance, in 2025, 2.5 million people attended her free concert in Brazil, breaking attendance records.

#10: "Bye Bye Bye" (2000)

NSYNC

The 2000s were a marvelous decade for boy bands, and NSYNC helped our childhood selves greet the millennium in style with “Bye Bye Bye.” The scorching break-up track is engrossing, to put it mildly. Our little hearts melted listening to the group members’ perfectly synced vocals and watching them dance. But can you blame us? Their sounds blend together so well, and their moves are nothing short of stellar — that farewell hand gesture alone is priceless. The chorus immediately hooked us back then, and we’re not ashamed to say we’re still under its spell! We can’t imagine ever saying bye bye bye to this pop banger, one of the most iconic of its kind.

#9: "The Climb" (2009)

Miley Cyrus

There are some experiences that 2000s kids shared. One of those was religiously watching Disney Channel shows and their spin-off films. If, like us, you grew up during the “Hannah Montana” years, then we’re betting this song from its movie’s soundtrack was quite formative for you. The message of perseverance, paired with the moving instrumentation immediately drew people in and made it a fan-favorite. You can bet we were belting each word as if our lives depended on it. Through the comforting ballad, Miley Cyrus reminded us to embrace life’s messy journey. And when it plays now, it’s like no time has passed. There’s a reason the singer still performs it from time to time — it’s that amazing!

#8: "Burnin' Up" (2008)

Jonas Brothers

The Jonas Brothers had no shortage of bangers that shaped our mix CDs in the aughts. Of course, they made us want to go to the “Year 3000.” And we were ready to answer their “S.O.S” signal! But no Jo Bros tune marked us quite like “Burnin’ Up.” It has everything you could want in a power pop anthem: gusto and conviction, but also romance, passion, and intrigue. And that’s saying nothing of the brothers’ magnetic delivery, which superbly complements the strong beat. All these years later, we can’t help but smile whenever we get to Nick Jonas’ “red dress” moment! We’ll be burnin’ up for this nostalgic bop until at least the year 3000, thank you very much!

#7: "Leave (Get Out)" (2004)

JoJo

They say you only get one chance to make a first impression. Well, JoJo didn’t waste her shot, arriving on the scene with “Leave (Get Out)”, a debut single for the ages. We were eating the track UP, fixating on every self-assured lyric, grooving to the poppy R&B sound, and feeling bold and independent thanks to her convincing performance. Were many of us still too young to really relate to what she was singing about? Sure, but that didn’t stop us from making the ballad one of the anthems of our youth! Hey, it didn’t hit number one on Billboard’s Mainstream Top 40 chart by accident. The fact that JoJo was merely thirteen years old at the time makes the whole thing extra impressive.

#6: "Misery Business" (2007)

Paramore

We never meant to brag, but we also couldn’t stop singing along to Paramore’s emo, alt-rock masterpiece in 2007. It just felt so good! The song is filled with exactly the right amount of grit, vigor, intensity, and opportunities to headbang. The raw emotion in Hayley Williams’ voice also comes across the whole way through, and it’s infectious. Now look, we won’t shy away from the fact that there are some problematic lyrics in there. But that doesn’t change the fact that “Misery Business” defined a generation! We’d guess the band members had us right where they wanted with this one, because there’s nothing miserable about the business of listening to it.

#5: "Come Clean" (2003)

Hilary Duff

Remember when Hilary Duff invented precipitation? Okay, she obviously didn’t actually, but “Come Clean” and its music video are so iconic that she may as well have! A quintessential pop record expertly infused with rock and techno elements, it uses rainfall as a metaphor for telling the truth and opening up to your partner. Now be honest – did you stare out the window during every storm with a pensive look on your face back then, pretending to be Duff as you played the tune? We know we did! Of course, it’s not the only gem the star gave us throughout the decade. “So Yesterday” was anything but outdated. “Fly,” meanwhile, had us ready to spread our wings. We’re coming clean, we love Hilary Duff!

#4: "A Thousand Miles" (2002)

Vanessa Carlton

Picture it: it’s 2002, and you’re introduced to this new release by a woman named Vanessa Carlton. Suddenly, those opening notes play and change your life forever. We remember it well. The sweet, soft love song is wonderfully expressive, and Carlton gives it her all. And don’t even get us started on the production’s orchestral element – it takes the already spectacular ballad to new, mesmerizing heights. It wasn’t long before our young selves were regularly crooning about making our way downtown and walking a thousand miles. Now, whenever we want to feel like kids again, we simply play this track! The piano riff immediately takes us back. We may not have the ability to time travel, but this is the next best thing.

#3: "Survivor" (2001)

Destiny's Child

Life can be hard – and we start facing our first challenges when we’re growing up. Thankfully though, we had Destiny’s Child reminding us to get up and fight back in the face of adversity with “Survivor.” It’s a message that served us in the aughts, and it’s continued to serve us since. Plus, the fierce melody is unbeatable, and the final result is a hit that’s been making us feel strong and empowered since 2001. The hugely successful single was awarded the Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, and deservedly so. With it, Destiny’s Child cemented their place in girl group history – and in the histories of our childhoods.

#2: "Love Story" (2008)

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift has provided much of the soundtrack of our lives. We remember hearing “Teardrops on My Guitar” and being awe-struck. She then outdid herself with “Love Story” a few years later. Putting a happier twist on the devastating tale of “Romeo and Juliet,” it’s all about two people who end up together against all odds. At the time, many of us were children, and hadn’t fallen in love. But we were familiar with the story of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers – even though we hadn’t necessarily read the play yet! So we got to immerse ourselves in this sweeping, hopeful, and completely entrancing ballad, fantasizing about a grand romance. And yes, the magnetic re-recording had us in our feelings like it was 2008 again!

#1: "Oops!... I Did It Again" (2000)

Britney Spears

Britney Spears has more than one signature song, but “Oops” is undoubtedly one of her best works, and it had a huge impact on us back in 2000. We may have been young, but even then, we knew that the dance-pop single was special. The energy is off-the-charts, Spears’ dazzling vocals never fail to charm us, and the “Titanic”-inspired bridge is epic. Beyond that, each second of the tune is more exciting than the last, with the lyrics and melody working together in exquisite harmony. We’re not lying when we say it helped foster our love of music! Add in the video’s choreography, and you have a winner. Spears definitely played with our hearts with this release, but we’re not complaining.

Were there any particularly important songs we forgot to mention? Let us know in the comments below!