Continuing with ‘20 songs turning 20 in 2025’, the following tracks encapsulate the varied artistry of the 2000s. From heartfelt ballads to dancefloor anthems, artists across genres pushed creative boundaries and resonated deeply with audiences worldwide.
Coldplay’s ‘Fix You’ from their third studio album ‘X&Y ‘ has become one of the band’s most iconic and emotional tracks. The ballad, which builds from a minimalistic arrangement to a grand, powerful climax, explores themes of healing and resilience. Chris Martin, lead singer of Coldplay, revealed he found inspiration for the track after his father-in-law (actor Bruce Paltrow) died, and stated he’s most proud of this song “because it’s so unlikely that that song would have come out of that period.” The song continues to resonate deeply with listeners and has become a staple on their ‘Music Of The Spheres’ Tour.
Gorillaz’s ‘Dare,’ featuring Shaun Ryder, showcased the British band’s signature mix of Dance-Pop, Funk, and Electronic elements. The track charted in the Top 10 of the UK Singles Chart for four weeks and remains one of the most popular songs in Gorillaz discography. Its iconic music video and animated visuals further solidified the band’s status as pioneers in blending music with visual art.
The Black Eyed Peas’ ‘Pump It,’ from their album ‘Monkey Business’, is renowned for its sample from Dick Dale’s ‘Misirlou’. Blending Hip-Hop, Dance, and Rock elements, the song became a club anthem and was a commercial success, charting in multiple countries including the US, the UK, and Australia. The hit single contributed to the American group’s status as one of the best-selling musical acts of all time.
‘Hip’s Don’t Lie’ by Shakira, featuring Wyclef Jean, was released as a single from the reissue of Shakira’s album ‘Oral Fixation, Vol. 2′ and topped charts across the world, reaching No. 1 on the UK Singles Charts. Notable for its fusion of Latin pop and Reggaeton, the song and accompanying music video have became a global phenomenon. Shakira’s performance of the track at the 2006 FIFA World Cup closing ceremony solidified her status as an international icon.
James Blunt’s ‘You’re Beautiful,’ from his debut album ‘Back to Bedlam’, became a worldwide hit in 2005 and claimed the UK Singles Chart No. 1 position for five weeks. The song’s emotional lyrics, simple instrumentation, and sincere delivery made it one of the most memorable ballads of the year. It’s commercial success contributed significantly to the success of ‘Back to Bedlam’ which became one of the best-selling albums of all time and released it’s 20th Anniversary Recycled Vinyl and CD last year.
Beaten to the No.1 spot in the UK by Blunt’s ‘You’re Beautiful’ was Kanye West’s ‘Gold Digger’, featuring Jamie Foxx. The song’s catchy, upbeat production and distinctive sample from Ray Charles’s 1954 hit song ‘I Got a Woman‘ creates a memorable soulful feel. It was widely praised by critics for its catchy beat, clever lyrics, and social commentary, seen as a prime example of Kanye’s ability to blend Hip-Hop, Soul, and satire into a hit song.
Kanye West’s “Gold Digger” feat. Jamie Foxx has surpassed 1 billion streams on Spotify. It’s Jamie Foxx’s first song to reach this milestone, and Kanye West’s fifth. pic.twitter.com/ZKOoyHb1n0
— Talk of the Charts (@talkofthecharts) November 9, 2023
Rihanna’s debut single, ‘Pon de Replay,’ was also snubbed of UK No.1 by Blunt’s hit single, and introduced the Barbados singer to the global music scene. With its Caribbean dancehall rhythms, reggae-inspired beats, and a fusion of Pop and Reggaeton elements, the song established Rihanna as a rising star, marking the beginning of her illustrious career.
Franz Ferdinand’s ‘Do You Want To’ was the hit single from their second album ‘You Could Have It So Much Better’ and cemented their status as leaders of the 2000s Indie Rock Revival. Its catchy hook and Post-Punk influences helped the band gain mainstream popularity as the single soared to the Top 10 in various countries, including the UK.
The Pussycat Dolls’ ‘Don’t Cha’, featuring Bust Rhymes, was another standout single from 2005, blending Pop, R&B, and Hip-Hop into a catchy, danceable anthem. At a time when music videos were a crucial platform for artists to express their visual identity, the iconic choreography in the ‘Don’t Cha’ music video solidified the track’s place in pop culture. Equally, the song’s playful lyrics propelled the American girl group to stardom as it claimed No.1 position in the UK for three weeks.
Lastly, ‘Ghetto Gospel’ featuring Elton John was released as a single in 2005, a year after 2Pac’s posthumous album ‘Loyal to the Game’, produced by American rapper Eminem. The song’s fusion of 2Pac’s iconic Rap style with Elton John’s soulful vocals was groundbreaking and exemplifies the ability of music to transcend genre boundaries. As a result, it achieved global success, peaking at No.2 on the UK Singles Chart. The track is poignant not only for its themes of struggle and redemption but also as it marked the end of 2Pac’s posthumous releases.
The year 2005 was a defining moment in music history, a turning point in a decade filled with innovation and creativity.
These 20 songs exemplify cultural movements in the industry during this time: with Hip-Hop releases catalysing its rise to pop culture; the emergence of Neo-Soul and continuous evolution of R&B; Latin Pop’s transition into mainstream; the surge of Pop-Punk into global charts; the Indie Rock Revival, which reshaped how Rock music was approached; and the increasing popularity of EDM.
Additionally, the music industry was revolutionised during this era by the rise of streaming platforms, enabling artists to connect directly with fans and increasing the impact of music videos on pop culture. The accessibility of DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) empowered musicians to create and produce high-quality tracks entirely digitally and in home-studios. Meanwhile, the growth of MP3 players made music portable, changing the way music was consumed and enjoyed – a shift that still resonates today.
These cultural movements not only shaped the decade but continue to influence music 20 years later. The 2000s undoubtedly reshaped the music industry, the way artists create and share music, and the way it is consumed, laying the groundwork for the modern music industry of today.
