Top 20 Songs From The 2000s You Forgot Were Awesome

The Calling
When we daydream about someone writing a song for us, we usually imagine something like this. Los Angeles post-grunge group The Calling touched our hearts in 2001 with their massive hit, “Wherever You Will Go.” A moving anthem about undying devotion to another person, this song speaks to us now just as much as it did when we first heard it. It’s anchored by the resonant and riveting vocals from frontman Alex Band, and we can’t forget that monumental chorus. The Calling ran away with our heart with this song, and we let them keep it.

Akon
Loneliness can make you feel, well, alone. But there will always be people who understand, like Akon. On “Lonely,” the R&B artist sings passionately about missing his ex after a breakup and wanting her back. Over a sample of Bobby Vinton’s “Mr. Lonely,” Akon sounds like he’s figuring out his new reality, and learning to better appreciate his loved ones. While it might be sadder than other hits, the song’s smooth production, relatable message, and heartfelt vocal performance make it a timeless classic. We feel a little less lonely whenever we hear this song.

Michelle Branch
In the early 2000s, this pop-rock hit was literally everywhere, and we were completely fine with that. Singer-songwriter Michelle Branch was only 15 years old when she started writing this track, but it’s a mature number for anyone who's ever been infatuated. And speaking of infatuation, we were quick to fall in love with this song and Branch's fiery performance, particularly during the chorus. “Everywhere” still makes us want to pick up a guitar to strum with all our might and sing to someone who’s always on our mind. When it comes to great songs from the 2000s, this song is everything.

Metro Station
Before Taylor Swift was telling us to “shake it off,” Metro Station were simply telling us to “shake it.” On this synth-rich pop-punk song, vocalist Mason Musso sings about seeing someone on the dancefloor and falling head over heels at first sight. While there aren’t any bleep-worthy words in the lyrics, it’s still a pretty suggestive song if you’re paying attention. It’s also an unstoppably catchy one, with a chorus that will get you moving even if your emo phase ended years ago. We can’t shake our love for this song, and we doubt we ever will.

Nelly Furtado
While time travel has yet to be invented, music has a way of taking us back, even letting us experience eras we didn’t live through. A perfect example is this song, from Canadian singer Nelly Furtado. Co-produced by Timbaland, “Maneater” is a 2000s banger that also sounds like it could’ve been made in the ‘80s. With Timbaland’s signature booming production and Furtado’s confident vocals, this song proves that sometimes, bigger really is better. Inspired by classic ‘80s artists like Madonna, Eurythmics, and Blondie, “Maneater” starts at 100 and keeps going. While it wasn’t as big as “Promiscuous,” we still ate it up.

Spice Girls
While the Spice Girls are mainly associated with the 1990s, they still managed to give us at least one great song in the 2000s before going on hiatus. “Holler,” off of their third album, “Forever,” is both an awesome song as well as a demonstration of the group growing their sound. Moving from their bubbly beginnings into more seductive R&B vibes, the Girls showed their talents couldn’t be confined to one style. And assistance from famed producer Darkchild went a long way as well. While the presence of Geri Halliwell, a.k.a. “Ginger Spice” is missed, “Holler” still makes us scream in appreciation for this amazing group.

Daniel Bedingfield
Did you think that you need access to a fancy studio to write a hit song? Try telling that to Daniel Bedingfield. The singer-songwriter lit up the charts with his debut single about trying to make it through a tough situation. And he reportedly recorded it with just his computer and a microphone. A UK garage song, "Gotta Get Thru This" has a stuttering beat, smooth synth chords, and teased-out vocals from Bedingfield. It's one of those songs that sounds like nothing you've ever heard before, but it somehow feels familiar and comforting. And before you ask, yes, he is Natasha Bedingfield’s brother.

Ashlee Simpson
Speaking of famous siblings, there was a moment when it looked like Ashlee Simpson might get even bigger than older sister Jessica. This was based on the strength of her debut single, “Pieces of Me,” which reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100. A song about feeling love and trust for another, "Pieces of Me" showed us the many pieces of Simpson. From the chilled-out acoustic guitar at the beginning to the intense chorus, this song makes us wish we were falling in love for the first time. On a Monday, on a Tuesday, basically any day of the week is perfect for this song.

Matchbox Twenty
Was Rob Thomas doing okay in the 2000s? Considering how he was singing about not wanting to “be lonely no more” and feeling “unwell,” we’re not sure. But we do know that he could write one catchy and touching song. On his band Matchbox Twenty’s “Unwell,” Thomas sings about not feeling quite right. It’s a song for anyone going through a tough time, but who knows that a better day is on the horizon. With its unique range of instruments and Thomas’ impassioned vocal performance, this song’s important message carries even more weight. “Unwell” reminds us of a very important truth: things might never be perfect, but they can always get better.

Boys Like Girls
If something doesn’t make a splash the first time around, it can be worth trying again later. That’s what Boys Like Girls did with this song. It was originally released as the pop-punk band’s debut single. But after their second single “The Great Escape” made waves, they reportedly decided to re-release it. It’s hard to miss the metaphor of the song’s title, which talks about someone’s love in addictive terms. But we don’t listen to songs like this for subtlety, we listen to them to soak up the youthful energy they give us. And “Hero/Heroine” scratches all of our pop-punk itches, one wailing chorus at a time.

Kevin Rudolf feat. Lil Wayne
Did you think that “Let It Rock” was nothing more than just a really good party song? It’s okay, we did too. It has a driving electronic beat and a Lil Wayne feature, after all. But the message is closer to church than it is the club. In this single, Kevin Rudolf sings about all the hypocrisy he felt he was seeing and how he wants to remedy it. Alluding to the Bible, particularly the story of the Prodigal Son, Kevin Rudolf basically made a faith-based song disguised as a party anthem. What's more, he scored a feature from one of the top rappers of all time and got a top-five hit out of it. Now that rocks.

Natasha Bedingfield
What can we say? The Bedingfields are a talented family. A single from her first studio album, “Unwritten,” “These Words” has Natasha Bedingfield sounding lovely as she says she loves us. Blending pop with R&B and hip-hop production, Bedingfield pulls off a song brimming with enthusiasm, particularly from her magnetic voice. It came from a place of frustration, as she was struggling to find the right words for the song. So she took it back to basics, and ended up with a number one hit in the U.K. “These Words" remains one of the most infectious songs of the 2000s, and that's no hyperbole.

Mandy Moore
While she might not have had as many hits as Britney or Christina, Mandy Moore still impressed as a teen pop idol. And her crowning achievement is “Crush,” a sweet song about falling for someone and the butterflies in your stomach. Moore is infatuated with the person, and it seems she’s trying to work up the nerves to tell him, or anyone. Her tender vocals and the song’s earnest vibes make this a wholesome pop song, but not an empty one. It simply acknowledges the universal feeling of really, really liking someone and hoping they feel the same. Needless to say, we have a crush on this song.

Janet Jackson
After ruling the ‘80s and the ‘90s, Janet Jackson started the 2000s with a bang. She dropped "Doesn't Really Matter" and "All for You", both of which were number-one Hot 100 hits. While “Someone to Call My Lover” peaked at number three, it’s another chart-topper in our eyes. And, as is typical for Jackson, she makes it look easy. The track takes a simple concept, wanting someone to have and hold, and presents it perfectly. The gorgeous production came from Jackson and frequent collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Add that to the singer’s wonderful vocal performance, and the result is a song that makes us believe in love and hope again.

Staind
The hardest part of healing can often be allowing yourself to move forward with a clean slate. This song makes that painfully clear. On “It’s Been Awhile,” Staind vocalist Aaron Lewis sings about his many regrets and how he can’t shake his negative feelings. While he doesn’t want to keep feeling this way, he isn’t quite sure how to break out of it. It’s not exactly a happy song, but there’s a glimmer of hope to be found underneath the moody energy and grim lyrics. If it's been awhile since you last heard this song, now’s your chance to revisit it.

Dirty Vegas
While lots of house songs are great for dancing, this one from Dirty Vegas also manages to touch our hearts in a bittersweet way. And as good as this song is on its own, the best way to experience it is by watching the music video. A man performs an exhaustive dance routine in hopes of reuniting with a lost love who left him over his dance obsession. We won’t tell you how it ends, but we can say you’ll likely be moved. Not a day goes by that we’re not in the mood to hear this song.

Wolfmother
Wolfmother know how to make a rock song in a way few other modern bands are capable of. On "Woman," the Australian hard rock band talks about one of the most common song topics, but manages to make it sound fresh through the energy alone. Inspired mainly by vocalist Andrew Stockdale’s affection for the city of Sydney, "Woman," is a classic blast of rock. The guitar riffs, drum blasts, and vocals runs are all fighting for dominance and tying for first place. There’s no time to slow down and stop the rockin’, and that’s just the way we like it.

Estelle feat. Kanye West
All sorts of talented folks contributed to writing “American Boy,” including will.i.am, Kanye West, and John Legend. But the success of this song is driven by its star. British artist Estelle sings about a friendly guy from across the pond who she hopes will show her the many wonders of his country. In addition to her sultry but bouncy vocals, the song is boosted by smooth and funky production and a clever verse from West. Even if you’re from America, this song should still fill you with a sense of wanderlust, eager to explore unfamiliar lands.

Yellowcard
Memories are powerful things, as people and places can form permanent associations in our minds. Florida pop-punkers Yellowcard understand this. On “Ocean Avenue,” the band talks about a longing that never quite goes away. Vocalist Ryan Key notably remembers the titular street and other formative Jacksonville places. You might have memories of listening to this song with a special someone during your teenage years. Or maybe it reminds you of your hometown and the landmark spots that shaped you growing up. While life changes fast, we’ll always be grateful for songs like these that let us remember.

Franz Ferdinand
Lots of bands have vocals, guitar, bass, and drums. But few are able to utilize them with as much creativity as Franz Ferdinand did here. On “Take Me Out,” the band delivers a hit that’s funky not only in a rhythmic sense but also in an unconventional one. Addressing the uncertainty that comes with wanting to take a romantic leap, the song makes you think you know where it's going only to switch lanes. However, the melody and rhythm make the track’s eccentricities feel delightful. Lead singer Alex Kapranos’ (kuh-PRAW-noce) bold vocals, the irresistible guitar licks, and the stomping of the drums ensure that this song will never go out of style.