Vh1 100 Greatest Songs Of The 2000s Upd Access
Original Rank: #1 In 2011, VH1 called this the #1 song of the decade. Today, it’s undoubtedly top 10, but we’ve nudged it down slightly to make room for songs that defined the entire arc of the 2000s (2000-2009). Still, those horn stabs are the sound of a superstar being born.
In 2011, just as the world was catching its breath after a decade defined by the rise of digital music, reality TV overload, and the last dying gasp of CD sales, VH1 released its definitive countdown: VH1’s 100 Greatest Songs of the 2000s. At the time, it felt like a nostalgic victory lap. But nearly fifteen years later—and with the ongoing 2010s and 2020s providing fresh perspective—critics and fans alike agree: that list is due for a serious update.
While the original list captured the immediate hits of the era (Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” at #1, Beyoncé’s “Crazy in Love” at #2), it suffered from a problem common to all “best of” lists released too close to the subject matter: recency bias and the lack of long-term cultural hindsight.
So, if VH1 were to release an updated 2024/2025 edition of the 100 Greatest Songs of the 2000s, what would change? Here’s a look at the most glaring omissions, the overrated placements, and the songs that have only grown more powerful with age.
Updating the VH1 list isn’t about tearing down the past; it’s about realizing that the 2000s was the last monoculture. It was the bridge between TRL and Spotify. We watched music videos on cable, then we watched them on YouTube. We bought CDs, then we stole MP3s.
The VH1 100 Greatest Songs of the 2000s UPD is a living document. It acknowledges that "Crank That" is as important as "Clocks," and that Mr. Brightside is now a global religion. Whether you agree with the rankings or not, one thing is certain: They don’t make decades like this anymore.
What song did we miss? Tell us in the comments.
VH1’s " 100 Greatest Songs of the '00s " is a definitive retrospective of the decade's most impactful music, originally premiered as a five-part television special starting on October 3, 2011. Hosted by Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy, the list was curated by VH1 executives to highlight tracks that defined the cultural landscape of the early 2000s. Top 10 Greatest Songs of the 2000s vh1 100 greatest songs of the 2000s upd
The top of the list is dominated by pop and hip-hop icons who defined the era: "Crazy in Love" – Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z (2003) "Hey Ya!" – OutKast (2003) "Poker Face" – Lady Gaga (2008) "Lose Yourself" – Eminem (2002) "Since U Been Gone" – Kelly Clarkson (2004) "Gold Digger" – Kanye West featuring Jamie Foxx (2005) "SexyBack" – Justin Timberlake featuring Timbaland (2006)
"Empire State of Mind" – Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys (2009) "We Belong Together" – Mariah Carey (2005) "In Da Club" – 50 Cent (2003)
Watch a full breakdown of the rankings from 1 to 100 in this retrospective video: VH1's Top 100 Songs of the 00's - Party in the USA #38 YouTube• May 24, 2013 Notable Rankings & Genre Highlights
The countdown featured a wide variety of genres, from alternative rock to R&B:
Rock Anthems: High-ranking rock tracks included "American Idiot" by Green Day (#13), "Beautiful Day" by U2 (#15), and "Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes (#26).
Pop Powerhouses: Britney Spears appeared twice with "Toxic" (#20) and "Oops!... I Did It Again" (#37), while Lady Gaga had two top-50 entries with "Poker Face" (#3) and "Bad Romance" (#49).
R&B & Hip-Hop Icons: Beyond the top 10, the list celebrated "Umbrella" by Rihanna (#11), "Fallin'" by Alicia Keys (#22), and "Get Ur Freak On" by Missy Elliott (#24). Original Rank: #1 In 2011, VH1 called this
Indie & Alternative: Notable inclusions were "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley (#14), "Clocks" by Coldplay (#17), and "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers (#55). List Context and Updates
VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the 2000s: An Updated List
In 2009, VH1 released a list of the 100 greatest songs of the 2000s, showcasing the most iconic and enduring hits of the decade. To create an updated list, we'll re-examine the top songs from the original list, incorporating new insights and perspectives. This revised list will highlight the most significant and influential songs of the 2000s.
Methodology
To update the list, we considered the following factors:
The Updated List
Here's the revised list of the 100 greatest songs of the 2000s: The Updated List Here's the revised list of
Top 20 Songs
Honorable Mentions
This updated list reflects the decade's diverse musical landscape, from rock and pop to hip-hop and electronic music. The songs that made the cut have had a lasting impact on the music industry and continue to influence new generations of artists and fans.
Original Rank: #2 The greatest trick Andre 3000 ever pulled was convincing us a song about the failure of love was the happiest track on the radio. The separation of lyrics (depression) from music (euphoria) remains a masterclass in pop contradiction.
Original Rank: #9 Timeless. A piano ballad that sounded like a 1960s classic dropped into the TRL era. Alicia Keys’ vocal performance remains untouchable. It hasn't moved much because it doesn't need to—it is a perfect song.
Original Rank: #16 The critical re-evaluation of Britney Spears has been seismic. "Toxic" is no longer just a pop song; it's a production marvel (those Bollywood strings!) and a feminist anthem of obsession. It has risen 5 spots in the UPD list.