YouTubeThe few years between the late ‘90s and the early 2000s—like 1997 through 2003—were hands down, no debate about it, the best years for pop music. Ever. We might even say they were the best years for all music ever.
Sorry, The Beatles! Maybe you should have written "He Loves U Not"!
Here are the definitive hits from the late '90s and early 2000s, presented in chronological order. Now, sit back, relax, and let the smooth sounds of yesteryear (mostly pop, though we included a few rap and R&B songs that defined our youth) wash over you like the greatest episode of TRL you've never seen.
1. Hanson - "MMMBop" (1997)
2. Aqua - "Barbie Girl" (1997)
3. Spice Girls - "Spice Up Your Life" (1997)
4. B*Witched - "C'est La Vie" (1998)
From the Disney Channel original movie Smart House!
5. Five - "When The Lights Go Out" (1998)
6. 98 Degrees - "The Hardest Thing" (1998)
7. Brandy - "The Boy Is Mine" (1998)
8. S Club 7 - "S Club Party" (1999)
Ten years later and there really ain't no party like an S Club Party.
9. LFO - "Summer Girls" (1999)
10. Sisqó - "Thong Song" (1999)
Sisqó to the world: You're welcome.
11. Eminem - "My Name Is" (1999)
12. Smash Mouth - "All Star" (1999)
13. Jessica Simpson - "I Think I'm in Love With You" (1999)
14. Mandy Moore - "Candy" (1999)
15. Britney Spears - "...Baby One More Time" (1999)
BRITNEY!
16. Christina Aguilera - "Genie in a Bottle" (1999)
17. Mariah Carey - "Heartbreaker" (1999)
18. Ricky Martin - "Livin' La Vida Loca" (1999)
19. Destiny's Child - "Say My Name" (1999)
Shout-out toLaTavia Roberson! Shout-out toLeToya Luckett!
20. TLC - "No Scrubs" (1999)
21. Backstreet Boys - "I Want It That Way" (1999)
22. Blink-182 - "What's My Age Again?" (1999)
23. Ludacris featuring Shawnna - "What's Your Fantasy" (2000)
The dirtiest song we knew in sixth grade.
24. Aaron Carter - "Aaron's Party (Come Get It)" (2000)
25. Baha Men - "Who Let the Dogs Out?" (2000)
Did we ever find out who (who who who)?
26. OutKast - "Miss Jackson" (2000)
27. Nelly Furtado - "I'm Like a Bird" (2000)
28. Dream - "He Loves U Not" (2000)
No chains to unlock! So free to do what he wants! He's into what he's got!
29. Hoku - "Another Dumb Blonde" (2000)
30. 'N Sync - "Bye, Bye, Bye" (2000)
*stomp, stomp, hand, hand, hand*
31. BBMak - "Back Here" (2000)
Anyone remember when BBMak guest starred on Even Stevens?
32. 3LW - "Playas Gon' Play" (2000)
33. Samantha Mumba - "Baby Come on Over" (2001)
34. Christina Milian - "AM to PM" (2001)
35. Pink - "Get the Party Started" (2001)
36. O-Town - "Liquid Dreams" (2001)
The dirtiest song you didn't know was dirty at the time.
37. Destiny's Child - "Bootylicious" (2001)
38. Shakira - "Whenever, Wherever" (2001)
39. Kylie Minogue - "Can't Get You Out of My Head" (2001)
40. Missy Elliot - "Get Your Freak On" (2001)
41. Usher - "U Got It Bad" (2001)
42. Enrique Iglesias - "Hero" (2001)
43. Eve featuring Gwen Stefani - "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" (2001)
44. City High - "What Would You Do?" (2001)
If you still know every word to this song, we can be friends.
45. Mary J. Blige - "No More Drama" (2001)
46. Shaggy - "It Wasn't Me" (2001)
47. Petey Pablo - "Raise Up" (2001)
The reason we wore two shirts to every school dance from 2001 to 2003. North Carolina, come on and raise up, take your shirt off, twist it round your head, spin it like a helicopter!
48. 112 - "Peaches and Cream" (2001)
49. Blu Cantrell - "Hit 'Em Up Style (Oops!)" (2001)
We miss you, Blu.
50. No Doubt - "Hey Baby" (2001)
51. Maroon 5 - "She Will Be Loved" (2002)
52. Jennifer Lopez - "Jenny From the Block" (2002)
53. Nelly - "Hot in Herre" (2002)
54. 50 Cent - "In da Club" (2003)
55. Beyoncé featuring Jay Z - "Crazy in Love" (2003)