Jack White’s iconic, fuzzy bass riff (actually played on a semi-acoustic guitar with a Whammy pedal) has transcended rock music. Originally an anti-war, blues-rock stomper, it is now the unofficial Global Football Anthem, chanted by soccer stadiums from London to Buenos Aires. It is arguably the most enduring riff of the decade.
The VH1 100 Greatest Songs of the 2000s list was a comprehensive ranking of the most iconic and enduring tracks of the decade, as voted by music enthusiasts and industry experts. The list was compiled by VH1, a popular American music television channel, and was broadcast in 2009.
The Top 10 Songs:
Trends and Observations:
Honorable Mentions:
Legacy and Impact:
The VH1 100 Greatest Songs of the 2000s list served as a musical time capsule, reflecting the diverse tastes and preferences of the decade's music enthusiasts. The list's impact extends beyond the music world, as it:
The VH1 100 Greatest Songs of the 2000s list remains a valuable resource for music enthusiasts, offering a comprehensive look back at the decade's most memorable and enduring songs.
If the 2000s had a unified national anthem for the club, this is it. The crunk-and-b synergy of Lil Jon’s "Yeah!" chant, Usher’s silky falsetto, and Ludacris’s rapid-fire third verse changed Atlanta hip-hop forever. It remained on the Billboard Hot 100 for 27 consecutive weeks. Even today, the opening synth stab triggers a pavlovian response on every dance floor.
The song that saved rock music by putting it in a pop star’s hands. Dr. Luke and Max Martin’s production turned a scorned lover’s anthem into a power-chord explosion. VH1 argued this track single-handedly killed the post-grunge era and birthed modern pop-rock.
VH1’s 100 Greatest Songs of the 2000s is not a definitive musical ranking but a cultural mood board. It prioritizes songs of transition: between analog and digital, between pre- and post-9/11 innocence, between R&B and electronic production. The list tells us more about what industry insiders in 2011 thought the 2000s meant (anxious, hip-hop dominated, fragmented) than what was most popular (by sales or streams). For students of media, it remains a vital primary source for understanding the decade’s emotional core.
The VH1 100 Greatest Songs of the 2000s is more than just a playlist. It is a time capsule. It captures the moment when the internet was destroying the old music business, but before streaming refined our tastes into silos.
It is a list where Eminem sits next to Shakira ("Whenever, Wherever" at #84), and The Strokes sit next to 50 Cent. In the 2000s, a hip-hop fan and a rock fan still listened to the same radio stations. We watched the same MTV.
Whether you agree with the rankings or not (and you likely don't—where is "Hips Don't Lie"?), scrolling through the list is an emotional journey. It smells like CK One cologne and stale cigarette smoke. It sounds like the buzzing of a Razr phone. It feels like high school.
So press play on "Crazy in Love," turn up the volume, and shake it like a Polaroid picture. The 2000s are gone, but on this list, they will never be forgotten. vh1 100 greatest songs of the 2000s
Did your favorite song make the cut? Let us know in the comments which track you think VH1 missed from the 2000s.
The summit of the list is dominated by pop and hip-hop icons who fundamentally reshaped the music industry. Beyoncé's "Crazy in Love" (2003) takes the #1 spot, a song that cemented her solo superstardom and featured her future husband, JAY-Z. Song Title Beyoncé (feat. JAY-Z) "Crazy In Love" OutKast Lady Gaga "Poker Face" Eminem "Lose Yourself" Kelly Clarkson "Since U Been Gone" Kanye West (feat. Jamie Foxx) "Gold Digger" Justin Timberlake (feat. Timbaland) "SexyBack" JAY-Z (feat. Alicia Keys) "Empire State of Mind" Mariah Carey "We Belong Together" 50 Cent "In Da Club" Key Trends & Hidden Gems
The 2000s were a "digital revolution," where the iPod became a cultural icon and genres like contemporary R&B, hip-hop, and pop-punk flourished.
Pop-Punk & Emo Explosion: The list captures the peak of this movement with tracks like Green Day’s "American Idiot" (#13) and Fall Out Boy’s "Sugar, We're Goin Down" (#40).
R&B Dominance: Artists like Alicia Keys ("Fallin'", #22) and Usher ("Yeah!", #27) defined the "cranking" club sounds of the mid-2000s.
The "One-Hit" Wonders: VH1 also gave nods to massive viral sensations of the time, including Sisqo’s "Thong Song" (#100) and OK Go’s "Here It Goes Again" (#93), famous for its treadmill video. Critical Reception: Did They Get It Right?
Like any major ranking, VH1’s list sparked debate among fans and critics. Many noted "perplexing" choices, such as placing Lady Gaga's "Poker Face" (#3) significantly higher than her late-decade cultural milestone "Bad Romance" (#49). Similarly, the placement of M.I.A.’s "Paper Planes" at #89 was often cited as being far "too low" for its massive impact.
VH1: 100 Greatest Songs of the 00's - List - Album of the Year
VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the 2000s is a list compiled by the American music television network VH1, ranking the most iconic and popular songs of the 2000s decade. The list was presented in a special two-part episode that aired on December 10 and 17, 2009.
The list features a diverse range of songs from various genres, including pop, rock, hip-hop, R&B, and more. Here are some of the top songs from the list:
Other notable songs on the list include:
The VH1 100 Greatest Songs of the 2000s list showcases the musical diversity and talent of the decade, featuring a mix of established artists and newcomers who helped shape the music industry during that time.
The 2000s were a decade of massive transition, sitting at the intersection of the CD’s peak and the rise of the digital download. VH1’s "100 Greatest Songs of the 2000s" serves as a definitive time capsule for this era, capturing a period where pop, hip-hop, and indie rock collided to redefine the mainstream. The Crown Jewel: "Crazy in Love" Topping the list at number one, Beyoncé’s "Crazy in Love" Jack White’s iconic, fuzzy bass riff (actually played
(2003) represents the decade's sonic ambition. With its triumphant horn sample and high-energy delivery, it didn't just launch Beyoncé as a solo powerhouse; it set the standard for the "maximalist" pop sound that dominated the early millennium. A Decade of Genre-Blurring
The list highlights how the 2000s broke down the walls between genres. Songs like Outkast’s and Gnarls Barkley’s
proved that "weird" could be "global," blending funk, soul, and alternative music into inescapable earworms. Simultaneously, the rise of Southern Hip-Hop and "Crunk" made its mark with entries like Missy Elliott’s "Get Ur Freak On," showcasing a decade that was experimental yet accessible. The Impact of Reality and Teen Pop
VH1’s ranking also acknowledges the cultural phenomena of the time. Kelly Clarkson’s "Since U Been Gone" stands as a testament to the power of American Idol , while the inclusion of Britney Spears’
reflects a more mature, electronic evolution of the teen pop explosion that began in the late '90s. Conclusion
Ultimately, the "100 Greatest Songs of the 2000s" isn't just about melody; it's about the technological and cultural shifts
of the time. From the garage rock revival of The White Stripes to the R&B dominance of Usher, the list proves that the 2000s were a vibrant, chaotic, and incredibly melodic bridge into the modern digital age. from the list, or perhaps create a subset ranking of the top 10 tracks?
Looking Back: VH1’s 100 Greatest Songs of the '00s The 2000s were a wild ride for music. We saw the rise of the digital download, the death of the Walkman, and a complete blurring of genre lines. In 2011, VH1 took on the monumental task of ranking the era with their 100 Greatest Songs of the '00s special. Hosted by Pete Wentz
, the five-night event featured commentary from pop culture experts and artists as it counted down the tracks that defined a generation. The Reign of Pop and R&B
The list made one thing clear: the 2000s belonged to the charts. While rock had its moments, R&B, hip-hop, and massive pop anthems dominated the top spots.
took the crown with "Crazy in Love," a choice many critics considered "inarguable" for its cultural impact. The Top 10 Hits: Beyoncé feat. JAY-Z – "Crazy in Love" (2003) – "Hey Ya!" (2003) – "Poker Face" (2008) – "Lose Yourself" (2002) Kelly Clarkson – "Since U Been Gone" (2004) Kanye West feat. Jamie Foxx – "Gold Digger" (2005) Justin Timberlake feat. Timbaland – "SexyBack" (2006) JAY-Z feat. Alicia Keys – "Empire State of Mind" (2009) Mariah Carey – "We Belong Together" (2005) – "In Da Club" (2003) Rock and Alternative Staples Rock fans had to wait until #13 to see a band— with "American Idiot". Other notable entries included "Beautiful Day" (#15) and The White Stripes’
"Seven Nation Army" (#26), which critics have since cited as one of the most defining events in 21st-century pop culture. Cult Classics and Quirky Inclusions One of the fun parts of the VH1 countdown was seeing how it handled viral moments and cult hits. Viral Pioneers:
OK Go’s "Here It Goes Again" landed at #93, immortalizing the treadmill dance. Low-Ranked Icons: Some critics felt "Paper Planes" (#89) and
"Get Low" (#80) were ranked surprisingly low given their massive influence. Guilty Pleasures: Trends and Observations:
The list didn't shy away from novelty, closing out at #100 with Sisqó’s "Thong Song". A Decade of Collaboration The 2000s were the era of the "featured artist."
appeared in the Top 10 twice—once as a lead and once as a guest
. Collaboration was the secret sauce for hits like "Lady Marmalade" (#47) and "Umbrella" (#11).
Today, the special has become a bit of "lost media," with fans still searching for full high-quality copies of the episodes to relive the nostalgic commentary. or a list of the biggest snubs from the VH1 countdown? Hips Don't Lie
Throwback: Reliving VH1’s 100 Greatest Songs of the '00s The 2000s were a wild ride for music—a decade where R&B divas, emo-pop princes, and hip-hop legends all shared the same space on our MP3 players. When released its definitive "100 Greatest Songs of the '00s"
special (hosted by Pete Wentz), it sparked a massive debate about which tracks truly defined the turn of the century.
Whether you were rocking a Motorola Razr or burning CDs in your bedroom, these songs were the soundtrack to your life. Let’s break down the heavy hitters that took the top spots. The Top 10: The Untouchables
VH1’s top selections read like a "who’s who" of pop royalty. Topping the list was none other than , proving her solo dominance right out of the gate. (ft. Jay-Z) "Crazy in Love" "Poker Face" "Lose Yourself" Kelly Clarkson "Since U Been Gone" Kanye West (ft. Jamie Foxx) "Gold Digger" Justin Timberlake (ft. Timbaland) "SexyBack" (ft. Alicia Keys) "Empire State of Mind" Mariah Carey "We Belong Together" "In Da Club" The Defining Trends of the Decade
The list highlights just how much the musical landscape shifted between 2000 and 2009: VH1 100 Greatest Songs Of The 00's - Creativedisc
VH1’s 100 Greatest Songs of the 2000s Airing Date: 2011 Network: VH1
In the early 2010s, as the world looked back at the decade that had just passed, VH1 did what it did best: it ranked, debated, and celebrated pop culture. VH1’s 100 Greatest Songs of the 2000s was a definitive love letter to a chaotic, genre-bending decade. It was the era where TRL ruled the afternoons, iPods changed how we listened to music, and the lines between pop, rock, hip-hop, and R&B blurred into the smash hits that defined a generation.
The special featured commentary from the artists themselves, comedians, and pop culture critics, breaking down the hooks, the drama, and the legacy of the tracks.
Here is the official countdown from that special.