Produced by Max Martin, this track perfectly blended power-pop guitars with a soaring vocal performance, establishing the blueprint for the decade’s radio-friendly pop-rock.
: A massive country-pop crossover that became a definitive karaoke staple.
| Rank | Artist(s) | Song Title | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z | "Crazy in Love" | | 2 | OutKast | "Hey Ya!" | | 3 | Lady Gaga | "Poker Face" | | 4 | Eminem | "Lose Yourself" | | 5 | Kelly Clarkson | "Since U Been Gone" | | 6 | Kanye West featuring Jamie Foxx | "Gold Digger" | | 7 | Justin Timberlake featuring Timbaland | "SexyBack" | | 8 | Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys | "Empire State of Mind" | | 9 | Mariah Carey | "We Belong Together" | | 10 | 50 Cent | "In Da Club" | vh1 100 greatest songs of the 2000s
Whether you agree with the rankings or believe your favorite song was robbed, one thing is certain: the soundtrack of the 2000s never gets old. And somewhere, Pete Wentz is still counting them down, one syncopated beat at a time.
Named Billboard's song of the decade; engineered an iconic career comeback. "In Da Club" A definitive club rap classic produced by Dr. Dre. Defining Trends of the VH1 Selection 1. The Dynamic Duos of Pop, Hip-Hop, and R&B Produced by Max Martin, this track perfectly blended
: Britney Spears transitioned from teen idol to avant-pop pioneer with "Toxic" (No. 20).
Representing the late-decade shift toward electro-pop, Gaga’s breakthrough hit redefined the visual and sonic expectations of a pop star. And somewhere, Pete Wentz is still counting them
Ultimately, the VH1 special remains a primary reference point for millennials looking back on their formative years. It wasn't just about the technical quality of the music, but about the "moment" each song created. Whether it was the strobe-light energy of the Black Eyed Peas or the raw vulnerability of Amy Winehouse, the list serves as a vibrant roadmap of a decade that was as loud as it was diverse. It reminds us that while the 2000s began with the uncertainty of a new millennium, they ended with a soundtrack that was bold, experimental, and entirely unforgettable.
Cemented Beyoncé's solo megastardom with an iconic horn sample.
Brought futuristic, distorted electro-funk to the absolute mainstream. "Empire State of Mind" JAY-Z ft. Alicia Keys Became the modern definitive anthem for New York City. 9 "We Belong Together" Mariah Carey Billboard’s Song of the Decade; a massive vocal comeback. 10 "In Da Club" 50 Cent Defined the club-ready, Dr. Dre-produced rap landscape. Iconic Genre Eras Highlighted by VH1 1. The Dance-Pop & R&B Royalty