Top 30 Cheesiest One Hit Wonder Songs of the 2000s

#30: Check Yes Juliet (2008)

We the Kings

If you grew up in the 2000s, you mightve had some kind of pop punk phase. We the Kings released their debut album during a great decade for the genre. Check Yes Juliet is their best remembered song, capturing the groups exciting and sometimes-too sincere delivery. The single often veers into that so-cheesy-its-good category. Always catchy, the track also carries an undercurrent of emo vibes. The references to Shakespeare throw in some theater-kid energy thats both goofy and charming. Singer Travis Clark and the band bring you the kind of experience that makes you hopelessly nostalgic.

#29: Ocean Avenue (2003)

Yellowcard

Youd be forgiven if this is the only Yellowcard song you remember. The band had other singles, but this one remains their greatest cultural statement. Its an unabashed masterpiece of 2000s pop punk. The voice, the grooves, and the driving beat all hit you across the face. Ryan Keys voice feels like a trademark of the genre, wearing his emotions on his sleeve throughout. The lyrics pour out of him in rants that sound like an unfiltered teenager. Ocean Avenue was far from their first track, but it arguably became one of their most memorable. For better or worse, it encapsulated the raw and sometimes corny sound of 2003.

#28: My Neck, My Back (Lick It) (2002)

Khia

On her debut record, Khia established herself with this underrated hip hop song from the 2000s. Some people might be offended by it, but you cant help but respect how bold it is. The artists style later got her opportunities with the likes of Janet Jackson. With the title alone, she knows how to get a rise out of an audience. Its such a graphic song that it might push people away. You could call it too much, but you might be surprised by just how funny it can be. By the end of it all, youll likely realize how it became a Billboard Hot 100 hit. Shes been working since, but unable to quite match this original work.

#27: Heaven (2001)

DJ Sammy & Yanou feat. Do

If you like Bryan Adams, you might be pleasantly surprised by this remix. DJ Sammy, Yanou, and Do modernize the song for the 21st century. Who wouldve thought a ballad could become such a fun dance hit? Heaven is a heartfelt track from the 1980s that gets an injection of pure energy. On the other hand, the new version can sound dated over two decades later. The EDM production includes a constant beat thatll either hypnotize or annoy you. Whether youre a child of the 2000s or not, you dont have to be nostalgic to secretly love it. The DJ and his counterparts are best known outside of Europe for this unlikely re-do.

#26: I Wanna Be Bad (2001)

Willa Ford

Having worn many hats, Willa Ford explored a music career in the 2000s. I Wanna Be Bad has the kind of dance pop production that you might expect from the decade. This works in the songs favor, but can also be a bit of an uncanny valley situation. You might hear plenty of other contemporaries in her voice, including the likes of Britney Spears. This makes it seem more like a campy homage than an original statement. Regardless, the song hums along like a well-oiled machine. Ford gives this track her all despite the lackluster lyrics. You might even be quoting it for the wrong reasons, with the words coming off like a bad rom-com script.

#25: Hey There Delilah (2006)

Plain White Ts

Seemingly coming out of nowhere, Hey There Delilah gave Plain White Ts a chance to breakthrough. They have other noteworthy tracks, but none have landed in popular culture like this one. The simple guitar part carries you off to a heartfelt song. You might imagine a high schooler singing to their partner, but thats not necessarily a bad thing. The distant relationship in this song is the right kind of melodrama. At times the track is heartwarming, but it comes dangerously close to being too saccharine. Its certainly an earworm that sneaks up on you. Theres definitely a charm to it, but you cant hear this number one-hit a lot or itll get stale.

#24: Let It Rock (2008)

Kevin Rudolf feat. Lil Wayne

Chances are you havent heard this single in many years. Kevin Rudolfs song is painfully 2008, sending listeners back to the end of a strange decade. Its partly rock, pop, and rap. The mashup is undeniably entertaining, but its also borderline excessive. Let It Rock takes you back to the era of hoodies, sunglasses, and odd musical choices. It stands as the peak of Rudolfs solo career, but hes also done some behind-the-scenes work. Lil Wayne also stops by to give audiences exactly the kind of verse youd expect on a rap rock song. Nobody seems to have said the word no here, and we couldnt ask for something more off-the-wall cheesy.

#23: Absolutely (Story of a Girl) (2000)

Nine Days

Talk about a song that doesnt waste any time. Within the first line, Nine Days forever made a mark on the decade. Absolutely (Story of a Girl) should be the template for crazed and overly-sentimental rock songs. It feels like theyre recounting the plot of a teenage drama, but with some awesome rhythms to accompany it. You cant knock it for having some slick storytelling beneath the sappy words. The top-ten single clearly struck a chord with the love-sick kid in all of us. Never quite reliving this former glory, the band will forever be in our hearts for this one-hit wonder.

#22: Milkshake (2003)

Kelis

Real fans know about her broader catalog, but the general public knows Milkshake best. Its become synonymous with her career as a solo artist. Theres the beat, the lyrics, and Kelis delivery. This wild track wouldnt be the same without all three working in tandem. All metaphors aside, this song likes to be suggestive about its subject matter. It seems like a meme in a world before the internet came into its own. This makes it hard to take seriously, but super enjoyable. Everyone involved with the making of this song knew what they were doing. In the end, they created one of the finest ever odes to the desert beverage. Its comically blunt and an essential listen from the early 2000s.

#21: Youre Beautiful (2005)

James Blunt

Do you remember where you were when you first heard Youre Beautiful? If you were around in 2005, you probably remember hearing it almost every day. James Blunts song is ultimately about spotting an ex with another man. In the end, its not the most poetic or original way to reveal your thoughts to someone. While the underlying story might be unsettling, the production is pure bubblegum. Few ballads are as instantly or effectively maudlin. The performer has moved on to writing other songs, but some people will never forgive him for this hit. Its perfect for the cheesiest advertisements or maybe even a soap opera.

#20: Teenage Dirtbag (2000)

Wheatus

Being a teenager can be tough. It feels like everyone has it in for you, including yourself. This song, from alternative rockers Wheatus, is an anthem for losers who arent afraid to identify as such. Its music video even includes footage from college comedy Loser. Frontman Brendan B. Brown sings about an unrequited crush with absolute agony, only to learn he doesnt know as much about his crush as he thinks. This song is the perfect singalong for anyone whos felt like an outcast but hasnt lost hope. That goes doubly true if theyre into Iron Maiden.

#19: Fireflies (2009)Owl City

Synth-pop is already known as one of the cheesiest genres, but Owl Citys music is enough to make you feel lactose-intolerant. On his biggest hit, the musician, born Adam Young, sings about fireflies as a metaphor for insomnia and the racing thoughts that come with it. And the sound of the song is so bright and cheery, its hard to imagine anyone being able to fall asleep when its playing. Fireflies became one of the most unexpected chart-toppers of the 2000s, and it surely soundtracked many listeners restless nights as they too tired of counting sheep.

#18: This Is Why Im Hot (2007)Mims

Some artists spend years releasing music before they get any kind of recognition. Rapper Mims caught a lucky break when his debut single reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. With its club-ready beat, full of hip-hop samples, confident flow, and iconic hook, its easy to see why this song resonated with so many people. But while Mims was hot with this song, his time in the musical spotlight didn't last too long. However, he's still doing well for himself, having helped make a popular recording app called "Cre8tor." Could the next big hit be made with an app from Mims?

#17: Wherever You Will Go (2001)

The Calling

Another debut single that made a huge splash was Wherever You Will Go, the heartfelt ballad by L.A. band the Calling. Like all good cheesy love songs, this one declares a passion for the other person that's absolutely undying, with frontman Alex Band putting his all into every verse and chorus. But while this song was a hit, the Calling werent able to replicate its success again. Theyve broken up and reformed multiple times, but its been more than 15 years since their last album. Who knows where the Calling could possibly go next?

#16: I Believe in a Thing Called Love (2003)

The Darkness

It may sound like a cheesy 80s rock song, but we can assure you its from the new millenium. With its thick riffs, lascivious lyrics, and over-the-top vocals, English rockers the Darkness made a song that sounded like it was made from the best parts of every glam rock hit ever. And it didnt just resonate with people yearning for a bygone era. The song reached number two on the UK Singles Chart and also performed well in the US and Ireland, among other countries. While the Darkness had other successful songs, none received quite as much love as this one.

#15: I Love College (2009)Asher Roth

College is full of challenges, with many hours spent studying, writing papers, and listening to boring lectures. But those arent the aspects Asher Roth is focusing on. On I Love College, the Pennsylvania rapper talks about the joys of partying as a college student, as well as dispensing advice for staying safe. Its not about a particular school, just the college experience in general. If you went to a fraternity party in 2009, you probably heard it played. But Roth hasnt been able to make another hit on this scale. Maybe he could try I Love Grad School?

#14: Crush (2008)

David Archuleta

David Archuleta won runner-up on American Idol thanks to his soulful vocals and natural charisma. And while he didnt see success at the same level of other Idol alumni, he still managed to score one big hit. Crush is a number two hit that showcases Archuletas many talents as a performer, including singing and playing piano. As the song title suggests, Archuleta is singing about an overwhelming infatuation, and the passionate chorus addresses just how painful a crush can be. We bet a lot of teens got a crush on David Archuleta thanks to this song.

#13: Collide (2004)

Howie Day

Want to win someones heart in 2004 with your voice and an acoustic guitar? You might try a rendition of Collide, Howie Days tribute to a loved one and all they do for him. Theres not a trace of irony to be found in this song, just complete sincerity as Day sings and strums. But the song doesnt pretend that love solves all problems. As the chorus acknowledges Even the best fall down sometimes. But what gives him hope is knowing that the right people can work through their issues together. Hows that for hope?

#12: The Reason (2004)

Hoobastank

Sometimes, you make a big mistake and a normal apology wont do. So, you express your remorse through song. We dont know what exactly Hoobastank frontman Doug Robb is sorry for, but hes definitely doing his best to convince the other person that hes a changed man. The Reason, a combination apology song and love song, became one of the biggest hits of its release year. It peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated for two Grammys, including Song of the Year. If theres someone who should apologize, its whoever came up with the band name Hoobastank.

#11: Tipsy (2004)

J-Kwon

The legal age for drinking alcohol in the United States is 21. But when rapper J-Kwon released his hit single Tipsy, he was only 17 years old. And at the top of the song, he admits to having a fake I.D. That might not be legally admissible evidence, but Tipsy is definitely guilty of being one catchy song. The lyrics arent deep, but its a song made not for deep analysis but for starting a party and keeping it going. Despite the success of Tipsy, J-Kwons career mostly stalled. The party is fun. The morning after, not so much.

#10: He Loves U Not (2000)

Dream

When you think of famous girl groups, names like Spice Girls and Destinys Child spring to mind. But does Dream ring a bell? The members of this group, signed to Diddy's Bad Boy Records, were all teenagers when they released their debut single "He Loves U Not." This confident pop song, about standing up to a romantic rival, wasnt exactly beloved by critics. But it made it to number two on the Billboard Hot 100. What song kept it from the number one spot? None other than Independent Women Part I by Destinys Child. Though Dream seemed poise to be the next big girl group, they were hit by lineup shifts and declining sales. In 2003, the Dream was over.

#9: The Ketchup Song (Aserejé) (2002)

Las Ketchup

If you didnt know better, you might think The Ketchup Song is a novelty song about a certain condiment. But its actually a Latin pop song about a club-goer who loves the Sugarhill Gangs Rappers Delight. With its mix of English and Spanish lyrics, The Ketchup Song will make you proud to be bilingual, and plenty of us memorized its hip-shaking dance. But while the song topped the charts in numerous countries, it only managed to hit number 54 in the U.S. If it hit number 57, do you think they could've gotten an endorsement deal with Heinz?

#8: Lips of an Angel (2006)

Hinder

The title Lips of An Angel suggests a tender romance ballad. While this song by Oklahoma City rockers Hinder is about love, its a lot more dramatic than most love songs. Frontman Austin John receives a late-night phone call from an old flame while his current girlfriend is nearby, but it seems the passion hasnt burned out. Whether they related to the lyrics, got hooked on the chorus, or anything else, audiences loved Lips of an Angel, and it topped the charts in Australia and New Zealand. Although Hinders later material didnt make the same impact, Lips of an Angel was still one of the biggest rock songs of the 2000s.

#7: Bad Day (2005)

Daniel Powter

Theres no one formula for crafting a number-one song. But its always good to write about relatable subjects. Everyone knows what its like to have a bad day, which helped this song by Daniel Powter become such a big hit. The song doesnt go into specifics, meaning listeners can easily insert themselves into the narrative. Powter probably had plenty of good days after its release, as this was deemed the most popular song of 2005 by Billboard. It may be cheesy, but its also the perfect pick-me-up on a day when nothing has gone right.

#6: Butterfly (2000)

Crazy Town

Rap rock isnt exactly known as a sensitive genre. So, we can appreciate Butterfly for being a change of pace with its lyrics about love and affection for a partner. Revolving around a Red Hot Chili Peppers sample, the song is unapologetic in its sentimentality. Of course, even when theyre being romantic, Crazy Town cant help but to be crass, particularly with a certain line about a tongue ring. Many listeners felt the love, as Butterfly made it to number one on the Billboard charts. But they didnt go crazy for the bands other material and this song, along with Crazy Town, is mostly remembered as a relic of the 2000s.

#5: Graduation (Friends Forever) (2000)Vitamin C

Graduation tends to be a bittersweet experience, as it combines the excitement of starting a new chapter with the sadness of saying goodbye to people you care about. This song, by American pop singer Vitamin C, became a staple of graduating classes with its universal lyrics about saying goodbye to your friends while also spreading your wings. Though it was released more than 20 years ago, the lyrics can apply to pretty much any graduating class today. Its hard to say goodbye. But as this song demonstrates, the closing of one door can mean the opening of another.

#4: All the Things She Said (2002)

t.A.T.u.

How did Russian duo t.A.T.us song All the Things She Said get so big? Was it the catchy chorus or the electronic production? While those elements certainly helped, the biggest thing had to be its scandalous music video. At a time when the conversation on LGBTQ+ rights was much different, here was a video about two teenage girls in love, complete with kissing in the rain. Unsurprisingly, the video caused a stir, with many finding it exploitative. But, as we know, controversy sells, and All the Things She Said topped the charts in numerous countries. The group released a few more albums before splitting in 2011. This is one t.A.T.u that wasnt permanent.

#3: Stars Are Blind (2006)

Paris Hilton

During the 2000s, it felt like the radio was one of the only places you could escape Paris Hiltons ubiquitous presence. That is, until the release of Stars Are Blind, her reggae-infused lead single from her first album, Paris. What was more surprising than Paris Hilton making a reggae song is that it actually turned out to be pretty good. While fairly disposable, Stars Are Blind is the kind of summer song we dont get enough of. Hiltons music career didnt see much traction, but something tells us she could get by without that extra income.

#2: Stacys Mom (2003)

Fountains of Wayne

Power pop band Fountains of Wayne had already earned plenty of love from critics, but Stacys Mom was the song that really put them in the spotlight. A song about a crush on a friends mom might not seem like an obvious choice for a top 100 hit, but Stacys Mom evidently proved too catchy to resist, and was even nominated for a Grammy. This song mightve been the bane of girls named Stacy and their mothers in the 2000s, but we cant deny how fun it is to hear, even after all these years.

#1: Who Let the Dogs Out (2000)

Baha Men

There was one question on everyones mind in the year 2000: Who let the dogs out? We werent looking for an answer. But we couldnt get this song out of our heads. A cover of Trinidadian musician Anslem Douglas' song "Doggie," the song isn't about canines. It's actually about women standing up to chauvinistic men. However, many found it to be more annoying than empowering, especially with the barking in the chorus. The song still managed to become a hit around the world and win a Grammy for Best Dance Recording. More than 20 years later, we still dont know who exactly let the dogs out.

Which corny one-hit wonder did we forget to add? Let us know in the comments below.