TRL was peaking, and we were just getting accustomed to loading up our MP3s with enough songs to last volleyball practice.
See Also: Don’t forget to check out our best of the 90s playlist too.
Millennials grew up on 2000s music and here are 50 reasons why.
Work It

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Missy Elliott
Album:
- Under Construction
Description
The backward chorus happened by mistake. An engineering mishap caused the line to play backward, and it happened to play on the beat. So Missy decided to keep it.
The Way You Move

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- OutKast
Album:
- Speakerboxxx
Description
OutKast released a double album which included, two solo albums from each group member. The hook for The Way You Move came about during a cookout after Big Boi played the song for Sleepy Brown.
No Such Thing

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- John Mayer
Album:
- Room For Squares
Description
The song No Such Thing was John Mayer’s break-out hit single. The lyrics are about breaking the rules when they aren’t in your favor.
Butterfly

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Crazy Town
Album:
- The Gift of Game
Description
Lead singer Shifty Shellshock wrote this song about a now ex-girlfriend of three years. He got his inspiration from her love for and collection of butterflies.
Crazy in Love (feat. Jay-Z)

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Beyonce
Album:
- Dangerously in Love
Description
Beyonce and Jay-Z were dating during the release of Crazy in Love. The couple would later marry, and they selected Crazy in Love as their first dance as a bride and groom.
Forever (with Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne)

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Eminem
Album:
- Relapse: Refill
Description
Forever is the theme song to the Lebron James basketball move More Than a Game. This song was written by 4 of the best MC’s of all-time.
Slow Jamz (feat. Twista & Jamie Foxx)

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Kanye West
Album:
- The College Dropout
Description
The Luther Vandross song, A House Is Not A Home, is sampled in this song. The song is about getting close to the person you love while listening to feel-good slow jam music.
Lose Yourself

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Eminem
Album:
- 8 Mile Soundtrack
Description
Lose Yourself is a song written by Eminem. He wrote the song for the character in the movie 8 Mile. The character, B-Rabbit, was loosely based on actual events that happened to Eminem growing up.
In The End

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Linkin Park
Album:
- Hybrid Theory
Description
The song, In The End, is about bullying that lead singer Chester Bennington encountered when he was young. This gave him suicidal thoughts. Sadly, Chester Bennington would later take his own life.
Crazy

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Gnarls Barkley
Album:
- St. Elsewhere
Description
Crazy is a song about a mental shift into insanity. The song refers to feeling crazy, but being content with it. Gnarls Barkly took this song to the #2 spot on the Billboard Hot 100.
What Goes Around Comes Around

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Justin Timberlake
Album:
- Future Sex/Lovesounds
Description
What Goes Around Comes Around is a song about infidelity. The song is about experiences that Justin’s best friend went through with a past relationship.
Use Somebody

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Kings of Leon
Album:
- Only By The Night
Description
The Song Use Somebody is a rock ballad about loneliness. Frontman Caleb Followill wrote this song about how it feels to be alone and on the road touring.
The Space Between

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Dave Matthews Band
Album:
- Everyday
Description
The Space Between is a rock and roll love song. Dave Matthews wrote the song about mending a relationship while finding what separates you.
Sweet Disposition

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- The Temper Trap
Album:
- Conditions
Description
The song Sweet Disposition was featured in the film, 500 Days of Summer. The song was written to capture the innocence of youth.
Money Maker (feat. Pharrell Williams)

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Ludacris
Album:
- Release Therapy
Description
Money Maker is a song about shaking your butt as if it will make you money. Ludacris and Pharrell hit the #1 spot with this 2006 banger.
Best I Ever Had

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Drake
Album:
- Thank Me Later
Description
The #1 hit song Fallin’ In Love by Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds is sampled in this song. Best I Ever Had hit #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2009.
Empire State of Mind (feat. Alicia Keys)

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Jay -Z & Alicia Keys
Album:
- The Blueprint III
Description
Empire State of Mind is a song about hope. Being from New York, both Jay-Z and Keys reference the state throughout the track to spread the message in a relatable way.
Throw Some D's

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Rich Boy
Album:
- Rich Boy
Description
The song Throw Some D’s is about installing Dayton rims on a classic Cadillac car. Rich Boy hit the #6 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with this hit song.
So Sick

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Ne-Yo
Album:
- In My Own Words
Description
So Sick is a song about love that was lost. Ne-Yo sings about an experience that made him regret his actions that ultimately ended his relationship.
Paper Planes

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- M.I.A.
Album:
- Kala
Description
M.I.A. wrote this song about illegal immigration. This song made it to number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the year 2007.
In da Club

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- 50 Cent
Album:
- Get Rich Or Die Tryin'
Description
In da Club was composed by Dr. Dre with the intentions of rap group D-12 releasing the song. However, that fell through and the song was offered to 50 Cent. He wrote the lyrics in a day and it took the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100.
Lost Without U

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Robin Thicke
Album:
- The Evolution of Robin Thicke
Description
Robin Thicke wrote the song Lost Without U and it became one of his first major hit singles. The song is about Thicke’s insecurities and his starvation for attention.
Lollipop (feat. Static Major)

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Lil Wayne
Album:
- The Carter III
Description
Lollipop was the first single to go #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for Lil Wayne. The song features Static Major, who passed away shortly the release of the music video of complications of a rare disorder.
American Boy (feat. Kanye West)

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Estelle
Album:
- Shine
Description
American Boy hit the American Billboard Hot 100 chart at #9. This song is about a girl meeting a man from America and giving herself up to him.
Umbrella (feat. Jay Z)

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Rihanna
Album:
- Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded
Description
The song Umbrella was a smash hit in 2007. The song s about a woman who vows to stay with her man through thick and thin.
I Write Sins Not Tragedies

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Panic! At the Disco
Album:
- A Fever You Can't Sweat Out
Description
Lead guitarist, Ryan Ross, wrote this song about his ex-girlfriend and their relationship. The band’s album A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out was completed on a small budget of only $10,000.
The Middle

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Jimmy Eat World
Album:
- Bleed American
Description
The Middle is a rock and roll ballad about trying to fit in with the popular crowd. The song is about not conforming to what everyone else is doing, and that we will be just fine by being ourselves.
Hollaback Girl

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Gwen Stefani
Album:
- Love.Angel.Music.Baby
Description
The song Hollaback Girl was the first single ever to sell one million legal internet downloads. Gwen Stefani wrote this song with the hopes to give the album some extra attitude.
Youth of the Nation

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- P.O.D.
Album:
- Satellite
Description
Youth of the Nation was written after the March 5th, 2001 shooting at Santana High School in California. On the day of the shooting, P.O.D. was in a studio recording a new album not too far from where the shooting took place.
No One Knows

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Queens of the Stone Age
Album:
- Songs for the Deaf
Description
Dave Grohl, the lead singer of the Foo Fighters, played the drums for this rock classic. He became the first-ever on the modern rock charts to hit the #1 position for 3 different bands, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age.
Get Low

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Lil John & The East Side Boyz & Ying Yang Twins
Album:
- Kings Of Crunk
Description
The song Get Low introduced the crunk sound to the rap and hip-hop genre. This song is about getting crazy drunk in the club and dancing with females.
Ride Wit Me (feat. City Spud)

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Nelly
Album:
- Country Grammar
Description
Nelly tells his journey in the song Ride Wit Me. In the song, Nelly raps about his drug-dealing past, and how he has a newfound success in the rap world.
I Miss You

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Blink-182
Album:
- Blink-182
Description
This song was inspired by The Cure’s song The Love Cats. I Miss You is a rare acoustic release for the band. Most of their previous singles are more hard-hitting with power chords.
Always On Time (feat. Ashanti)

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Ja Rule
Album:
- Pain Is Love
Description
Always On Time was a huge success and it helped launch Ashanti’s solo career. This song made it to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2001.
It's Been Awhile

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Staind
Album:
- Break The Cycle
Description
It’s Been Awhile is the only Staind song to break into the top ten on the Billboard Charts. The song is about a girl that got away, and the lead singer is devastated.
Put On (feat. Kanye West)

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Jeezy
Album:
- The Recession
Description
The song Put On is about being loyal to the city you came from. Jeezy and Kanye took the #12 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 with this banger.
What You Know

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- T.I.
Album:
- KING
Description
The Roberta Flack song Gone Away is sampled in the song What You Know. In the lyrics T.I. mentions a beef that he had with rapper Lil Flip. Second Lil John album cover on this list :).
If I Ain't Got You

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Alicia Keys
Album:
- The Diary of Alicia Keys
Description
Alicia Keys wrote this song after the death of R&B singer Aaliyah. She was inspired by her work and wrote the song as a tribute to her.
Hate It or Love It (feat. 50 Cent)

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- The Game
Album:
- The Documentary
Description
Hate It or Love It is a song about overcoming obstacles and making it to the top. The music video shows kids growing up in rough neighborhoods and overcoming struggle.
Just Breathe

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Pearl Jam
Album:
- Backspacer
Description
The song Just Breathe was certified platinum on January 22, 2014. Just Breathe was the first Pearl Jam song ever to earn Platinum status.
Need You Now

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Lady Antebellum
Album:
- Lady Antebellum
Description
Need You Now is a song about the feeling you have when someone is away, and all you want is to be with them. This song was a big success and made it to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
One Last Breath

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Creed
Album:
- Weathered
Description
One Last Breath is a song remembering all of the good things in life before taking your last breath. This Christian rock band took this song to #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The Remedy

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Jason Mraz
Album:
- Waiting for My Rocket to Come
Description
The Remedy is a song written by Jason Mraz, in honor of his friend who was battling cancer. This song made it to #15 on the Billboard Hot 100.
I Don't Want to Be

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Gavin Degraw
Album:
- Chariot
Description
I Don’t Want to Be is a song about being yourself. Gavin Degraw writes about not letting others dictate who you are or who you want to be.
Icky Thump

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- The White Stripes
Album:
- Icky Thump
Description
The title of this song is a twist on the northern English phrase ecky thump, which means what the heck. Jack White wanted to Americanize the term and changed the word to icky.
Megalomaniac

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Incubus
Album:
- A Crow Left of the Murder
Description
A Megalomaniac is a person who is obsessed with their position of power. Lead singer Brandon Boyd wrote down his best description as to how this made him feel in the song.
Float On

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Modest Mouse
Album:
- Good News For People Who Love Bad News
Description
Pursuit Of Happiness (Nightmare) [feat. MGMT & Ratatat]

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Kid Cudi
Album:
- Man On The Moon: The End Of Day
Description
This collaboration was a dream come true for Kid Cudi. He was inspired by MGMT and their ability to write off the wall lyrics, so they joined forces for this hit single.
Clocks

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Coldplay
Album:
- A Rush Of Blood to The Head
Description
The song Clocks is a song about love. The idea behind the song is that time is limited with the ones you love, don’t waste it.
One More Time

Listen:
- Amazon Music •
- Spotify •
- Tidal •
- YouTube
Artist:
- Daft Punk
Album:
- Discovery
Description
One More Time is a song about dancing all night long. This song was ranked #33 song of the decade by Rolling Stone.