Top 20 Best Pop Songs of the Century So Far

While he may have come into fame as a member of a boyband, his solo stuff is what has helped him become a true star. Harry Styles’ “Fine Line” had some of his biggest singles to date, such as the optimistic “Adore Y ou.” However, his single “Watermelon Sugar” is what truly set him apart. Fun, technically impressive, and irreverent, he created a timeless summer bop. The lyrics detail the feelings one has when first falling for someone new, and it conveys those excited vibes immaculately. Its softer verses and explosive chorus result in one of the catchiest songs ever made, easily getting stuck in listeners' heads. It has the ability to make anyone feel fun and carefree – a sign of a true summer jam.

Not only did this song prove his growth as an artist from teeny-bopper to legitimate pop star, it also helped him earn some of his good credit back among the general public. “Sorry” features prominent DJ Skrillex, who elevated the production and highlighted Bieber’s smooth vocals perfectly. The dance-inspired instrumental helped morph it from a regular love song into something truly special. The lyrics are about apologizing to a past partner but can also be interpreted as an apology to his fans. It was the first step in proving that he had grown up and was ready to be taken seriously as a musician. The single helped revitalize his career, and reminded everyone why he had taken the world by storm as a teenager.

After winning the premiere season of “American Idol,” Kelly Clarkson had a lot to prove. She knocked it out of the park with “Since U Been Gone.” It’s an empowering hit that focuses on how much better off she is now that she’s no longer with a toxic partner. It captures the emotions that come with finally choosing happiness. The inclusion of the pounding drums and the guitar – a choice made by the singer herself - help add an edge and make it feel more authentic to Kelly, which added to its success. The song has gone on to be referenced in pop culture, most famously in the 2012 film “Pitch Perfect,” and helped introduce one of the most iconic voices of the generation.

While pop is usually associated with happy, uptempo pieces, it sometimes embraces gritty, experimental tracks as well. “Rehab” is unlike any other popular song that came before it, with jazzy instrumentation and defiant yet poignant lyrics. It detailed Winehouse's refusal to get help during her struggles with alcoholism. The message was raw and truly authentic, while not sounding like it was trying too hard to be edgy. It was a delicate balancing act that she and her team executed flawlessly, resulting in a truly unique piece that helped reshape the landscape. While it is bittersweet to listen to now, it shines as an example of what Winehouse’s future could have been like were she still alive today.

While melancholy tracks had gone straight to the top of the charts beforehand, this completely reimagined what a breakup song could be. The seemingly simple bassline and constant drum beat subverted expectations of the artistry that was to come. While it's undoubtedly angry, the restraint in Adele's voice during the verses makes it more subtle. Then, all of her emotion is released at once with the dynamic chorus. It's a masterpiece in both emotion and storytelling, and it took Adele's fame to the stratosphere. It’s even been covered by musicians across several different genres. While she’s released other stellar hits about lost love since then, this one takes the cake due to its sheer impact both on culture as a whole.

Pure fury packaged into song form, this explosive number is all about being completely over your ex and their bad vibes. Pink has never been afraid to push boundaries in her music, whether it's R&B inspired or rock-infused. “So What” is her version of a break-up anthem, all about how she doesn’t care about his feelings and how she’s going to be just fine without him. With the intense guitar and her unapologetic attitude, she was able to sell this angry piece without coming across as bitter. She showed emotional and musical range, impressing critics and fans alike. It was one of her biggest hits, and completely redefined her career up to that point, helping her pivot into a distinctive pop sound.

Talk about never letting them know your next move! Ed Sheeran’s flawless transition from a purely acoustic artist into a bona fide pop star is a feat in itself. While the musician had started transitioning into the genre on earlier projects, “Shape of You” is what fully cemented his place in it. With its addicting backing beat and straightforward lyrics, it had everything it needed to go

It wouldn’t be a list of the best pop songs without her. If anyone had a chokehold on the first chunk of the century, it was Lady Gaga. Between her willingness to take musical risks and pursue never-before seen fashion, she took the industry and the world by storm. While she has come out with anthems, such as the classic activist piece “Born This Way,” she’s most known for her EDM-infused tracks. “Poker Face” is unforgettable – as soon as that synth kicks in, you know exactly what’s about to play. Her dynamic voice combined with the robotic, dark production created the ultimate pop hit. It helped bring creativity back into popular music, inspiring entertainers to take chances with their own art.

Celebrating nothing but happiness and unity, this tune helped bring people together to celebrate life. Pharrell Williams is most known for his smooth vocals and production genius, and he’s helped make some of the most well-loved songs in modern music history, such as Daft Punk’s legendary “Get Lucky.” However, his solo work is nothing to sneeze at. His biggest triumph so far, “Happy” is infectiously positive, from the lyrics to the light instrumental. It’s impossible not to dance along, especially during that iconic chorus. While other pop songs being released were technologically heavy, this being carried entirely by his voice alone helped it stand apart. It also provided some levity in the scene, which was appreciated by many.

One sign of a great pop song is how fun it is to sing along to. At the height of her career, no one understood this better than Katy Perry, who released several versatile hits in a short time span. They range from motivational anthems like “Firework” to the pure poppy goodness that is “California Gurls.” Silly, campy, and bright, the piece is an ode to the Sunshine State. Perry tells the listener all about why California is the place to be, listing its best qualities. The appearance from Snoop Dogg helped broaden the audience and allowed it to appeal to a wider group of people. It was bubblegum pop for the new millenia, and it became an instant classic.

While many would consider this to be more of a rap song, its impact on pop can’t be overstated. As soon as that iconic sample and infectious beat kick in, it's nearly impossible not to groove along to. Missy Elliott’s effortlessly cool style and unique flow, along with the fun lyrics helped it become an instant hit amongst the pop crowd. Her stellar production helped it stand out among other tracks on the radio, and took her to the top ten easily. It was the perfect blend of two distinct sounds, and helped introduce hip-hop to a whole new demographic. Creative, catchy, and clever, it immediately solidified Missy Elliott’s place as one of the greatest producers and artists of her time.

2011 was a huge year for music, for new and established performers alike. It was the year of the versatile hit, from Gotye’s incomparable “Somebody That I Used To Know” to Carly Rae Jepsen’s optimistic “Call Me Maybe.” While the latter is poppy to the extreme, it never becomes too much, and instead makes the listener feel optimistic as they bop along. It perfectly encapsulates the feeling of being infatuated with someone new and urging them to take the first steps into a new relationship. A huge success, it dominated airwaves for years to come. Jepsen is considered to be one of the best pop artists currently working, with this serving as the ultimate proof why.

She’s one of the most versatile artists of our time, with each era proving why. Taylor Swift can serve a pop song of different varieties, from ballads to dance numbers. While she’s more known for her ambitious songwriting, such as in her magnum opus “All Too Well (Taylor’s Version),” she’s proven that her less serious hits are just as well-crafted. Self-referential, and with a fun, horn-filled instrumental, “Shake It Off” is different from anything else in her career. It was the final part of her transition into pop away from country and helped introduce one of her most successful albums to date, “1989.” It serves as a turning point both in her work and in the industry as a whole.

While her work in the 90s helped introduce her, it’s her solo work in the 2000s that cemented her as an icon. Beyoncé has proven that she isn’t afraid to be experimental, creating versatile songs that are on completely different ends of the musical spectrum. While her hard hitting track “Formation” helped show her maturity as a musician, “Single Ladies” is what landed her a permanent spot as an entertainment legend. It made an instant and long-lasting impact that has been referenced throughout pop culture since the day it dropped. The constant looping beat and her empowering lyrics helped it become an earworm in the best way possible, sticking in people’s heads long after they listened.

One sign of a truly iconic pop song is if it sounds as current today as it did when it was first released. With its Latin-inspired instruments and its fun, timeless lyrics, “Hips Don’t Lie” is nas welcome in 2023 as it was in 2006. Shakira and Wyclef Jean came together to craft one of the most recognizable and enjoyed pieces across the world. It also helped popularize the Latin sound in English-speaking countries, which went on to inspire other artists in that genre. While the Colombian singer had already seen success beforehand, this is what truly made her an international pop star across several different nations. The music serves as a universal language, with the message being understood even across different language barriers.

Disco has long been one of the cornerstones of pop music, with many modern artists taking inspiration from it. Australian star Kylie Minogue has spent much of her career crafting songs that serve as love letters to the form. “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” was the track that introduced her to a brand new generation – a carefree number about falling for someone new. The true stand-out is the synthy production, creating an infectious beat that’s impossible not to groove along to. While it’s fun, there’s a certain understated quality that keeps it from becoming too much and overpowering her softer vocals. To this day, it's one of the best offerings of the scene as a whole.

As soon as you hear those opening notes, you know exactly what you’re about to get into. The Weeknd is one of music’s biggest names, known for crafting some of the most memorable songs of the century. This is most apparent on “Blinding Lights,” an ambitious, synth-pop masterpiece that took the world by storm. His dreamy voice combined with the infectious instrumental helped make it a global hit. It legitimized him as a true star, deserving of being compared to past icons. It’s sonically brighter than his previous work, causing it to stand out among his own work. It’s proof that if he ever wanted to make a purely pop album, he would be able to do so with ease.

While Britney Spears has plenty of songs to choose from, this is by far one of her most iconic. Britney Spears is no stranger to crafting pop hits, from her bubblegum-pop beginnings to her more experimental music of the mid 2000s. However, it’s “Toxic” that stands out as her most ambitious and well-crafted. A technological marvel along with a musical one, it utilizes intense production and tasteful autotune to create a robotic yet entrancing track. It acted as a perfect transition from teen pop into a more adult sound and added versatility to her discography. It sounds like it could be released today and still go