Questlove (The Roots): It’s the greatest pop song ever written that is actually a song about a failed marriage. It tricks you. You’re dancing, you’re crying, you’re shaking it like a Polaroid picture.
The emo movement’s crowning achievement, merging theatrical rock with raw emotion. Pop-Punk Anthems
Songs like Kelly Clarkson’s and Rihanna’s "Umbrella" have only grown in stature. Clarkson’s track proved that pop-punk energy could perfectly fuse with a pristine pop vocal, setting a template for the late-2000s radio landscape. Meanwhile, Rihanna's "Umbrella," with its repetitive, hypnotic hook and synthetic hi-hats, established her as an international icon.
The 2000s marked the era where hip-hop and R&B officially became the new mainstream pop. Sound architects like Timbaland and The Neptunes injected space-age beats into the radio rotation. 50 Cent's "In Da Club" locked down the club scene, while Kanye West’s "Gold Digger" masterfully sampled classic soul to create a massive pop crossover smash. Pop-Rock and the New Wave of Rock vh1 100 greatest songs of the 2000s upd
Here’s a feature-style look at — including how it originally aired, why it resonated, and how an “updated” version might look today.
⸻ ✨ Reissue Bonus Track 12. Hips Don't Lie (feat. Wyclef Jean) • The song that changed everything. A global smash, fusing Latin, r... Hips Don't Lie Get Ur Freak On
Missy Elliott and Timbaland pushed pop music into the future with an unconventional six-note Punjabi bhangra riff and stuttering, avant-garde rhythms. The Indie and Alternative Resurgence Questlove (The Roots): It’s the greatest pop song
A riff that redefined rock music in the 21st century.
While VH1’s original countdown is iconic, certain songs have only grown in stature over the last 15+ years. Here is a look at the top contenders that defined the millennium's first decade:
The influence of artists like Kanye West and Eminem has only grown, securing their spots in the top 10. Summary of the Top 100 why it resonated
The nostalgic resurgence of emo and pop-punk has elevated songs by bands like Fall Out Boy and My Chemical Romance in recent years.
Conversely, the decade's nu-metal and post-grunge booms—represented at the time by bands like Nickelback and Linkin Park—have faced differing fates. While Nickelback became a frequent target of internet meme culture, Linkin Park’s has achieved a revered legacy, recognized for its masterful blending of hip-hop dynamics with deeply emotional rock choruses. The Legacy of the 2000s
The White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army" (#26) and Amy Winehouse's "Rehab" (#31). Highlights from the Full List (51–100)