40 of the Hottest Songs From the Early '00s
Back in the early 2000s, we found out about the latest music from MTV's TRL, posted whatever song we were listening to on our AIM away message, and spent hours at a time trying to re-create the latest looks from Britney Spears's or Christina Aguilera's music videos. Of course, no party in those days was complete without someone bringing over a burned CD of pop and hip-hop jams that they may or may not have downloaded via Napster. Just because we're feeling nostalgic for the early days of the 2000s, we've rounded up some of the biggest party songs from 1999 to 2004. Keep scrolling for the full list, and click the videos to listen!
"Crazy in Love" by Beyoncé feat. JAY-Z
If the clip of Lady Gaga saying, "Talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show-stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before," existed in 2003, it'd be used to describe Queen Bey's "Crazy in Love" music video.
"Hollaback Girl" by Gwen Stefani
It's been 16 years since Stefani dropped "Hollaback Girl," and this is still my sh*t.
"Ms. Jackson" by Outkast
This was released in 2000, but, to this day, I expect people to finish the lyric when I randomly belt, "I'm sorry, Ms. Jackson!"
"Fallin'" by Alicia Keys
Who wasn't trying to learn this song on the piano in 2001?
"Work It" by Missy Elliott
Time flies when you're working it! Just ask Alyson Stoner, who appeared in Elliott's 2002 "Work It" video before dancing to the song 17 years later at the MTV VMAs.
"Take Me Out" by Franz Ferdinand
Don't pretend like you didn't play the air guitar while blasting this song when it came out in 2004.
"Drop It Like It's Hot" by Snoop Dogg feat. Pharrell
Not a single lyrical or instrumental chorus could hold a candle to "Drop It Like It's Hot" in 2004.
"Heartbreaker" by Mariah Carey feat. JAY-Z
Carey and JAY-Z's R&B collaboration topped the charts in 1999.
"Lose Yourself" by Eminem
This standout track from Eminem's 2002 film 8 Mile has stood the test of time.
"Complicated" by Avril Lavigne
Be honest, you can't hear the word "complicated" without thinking of Lavigne's 2002 hit.
"Bye Bye Bye" by NSYNC
In 2000, NSYNC won the boy band wars with this song that managed to get even the biggest bubblegum-pop haters dancing.
"Oops!... I Did It Again" by Britney Spears
Classic Britney Spears! Remember how badly you wanted a red latex suit after seeing this 2000 video?
"Big Pimpin'" by JAY-Z
In 2001, JAY-Z created this massive party jam and made us all want to get our own yacht.
"Thong Song" by Sisqó
No middle school dance in 2000 was complete without kids trying to get this number played and getting promptly shut down by teachers.
"Yeah!" by Usher
In 2004, Usher staged a major comeback with this infectious club song, which also features Lil Jon and Ludacris.
"Livin' la Vida Loca" by Ricky Martin
In 1999, Ricky Martin and his swiveling hips helped launch the Latin invasion, and we are forever grateful.
"Mambo No. 5" by Lou Bega
No wedding in the early 2000s was complete without this 1999 song popping up.
"Hey Ya!" by Outkast
Outkast came back in a huge way with this 2003 jam. Remember shaking it like a Polaroid picture?
"Wild Wild West" by Will Smith
While the 1999 film Wild Wild West may not have been that great, it did give us this song by Will Smith.
"Blue (Da Ba Dee)" by Eiffel 65
Yes, it's that song that no one knew the real name of in 1999!
"All For You" by Janet Jackson
Thanks to this 2001 song and its accompanying video, we all wanted abs of steel and baggy jeans, just like Janet Jackson.
"In da Club" by 50 Cent
No party in 2003 was complete without hearing this song at least once. And it didn't matter if you were actually in a club — or partying with other teens who had never even been to one.
"No Scrubs" by TLC
This 1999 hit from TLC became a staple at girls-only parties.
"Get the Party Started" by Pink
Remember in 2001 when you would hope that this song was playing whenever you entered a room?
"Tipsy" by J-Kwon
He may have been a one-hit wonder, but everyone was loving J-Kwon in 2004 when this song came out.
"Bootylicious" by Destiny's Child
Whether you had a booty or not, this song was every girl's jam in 2001.
"Get It On Tonite" by Montell Jordan
In 1999, we all were in love with the smooth vocal stylings of Montell Jordan in this song. What ever happened to him, anyway?
"Where My Girls At?" by 702
If you wanted to get all the girls to the dance floor in 1999, you just had to play this song.
"Hot in Herre" by Nelly
Remember when we all thought Nelly was going to be churning out hits forever, especially when he came out with this song in 2002?
"Music" by Madonna
With this song in 2000, Madonna introduced us to Ali G, trendy cowboy hats, and ironic gold teeth.
"It Wasn't Me" by Shaggy feat. Rikrok
In 2001, it was considered a major victory if you could play this song at a high school dance without teachers cutting it off.
"The Bad Touch" by Bloodhound Gang
Bloodhound Gang produced the song you hated to admit you actually kind of liked in 1999.
"Back That Thang Up" by Juvenile
Before twerking was something Miley Cyrus did, there was this 1999 video from Juvenile.
"Whenever, Wherever" by Shakira
Americans got introduced to Shakira and her shaking hips in 2001 when she released this monster hit.
"Dirrty" by Christina Aguilera
In 2002, Christina Aguilera kicked off the era of female pop stars going "bad" when she released this raunchy song and video.
"Waiting For Tonight" by Jennifer Lopez
No 1999 New Year's Eve bash was complete without J Lo's big party song.
"Party Up (Up in Here)" by DMX
Remember DMX? Even if you don't, we bet you remember this 1999 party song.
"Get Low" by Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz feat. Ying Yang Twins
Not only did this 2003 song introduce us to the Ying Yang Twins and Lil Jon's chalice, but it also suddenly made us all very interested in the Dirty South.
"Right Thurr" by Chingy
We may not remember who Chingy is, but we do remember awkwardly dancing to this 2003 song at several college parties.
"Lady Marmalade" by Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Pink, and Mýa
In 2004, you couldn't walk into a Claire's without hearing this Moulin Rouge! jam.