50 Greatest Songs of the Decade 2000-2010

I got the inspiration after watching CMT's 40 Greatest Songs of the Decade... here's mine. These aren't necessarily my favorite songs, but songs that should be considered when talking about the 2000s as they were revolutionary, really catchy, or had the staying power. It wasn't easy to narrow down my list, but I tried... I am trying in my best musical reviewer/critic spiel, so let's see how this goes... feel free to comment/give opinions. I had such a blast combining my musical knowledge and love for music in compiling this.

These are ranked in no particular order.

Catchy lyrics, eccentric style, and scandalous for the time... she was bold enough to admit she liked "it..." and her popularity still rose!
Katy Perry - I Kissed A Girl

With the advent of reality shows, anyone could suddenly rise to super stardom. Thousands vied for their 15 minutes of fame and to show off their singing abilities. Kelly has been one of the most successful, sold among the most records, and has had several musical collaborations with other artists.
Kelly Clarkson- A Moment Like This

She split from Destinys Child to go solo. She has been successful with such hits as Irreplaceable, If I Were a Boy, and even branched into the movies with roles in shows such as Dreamgirls. Beyoncé has proved she can function and be taken seriously in multi media platforms. And how many times in everyday conversation have you found yourself saying "to the left, to the left," after hearing this song?
Irreplaceable- Beyoncé



Unique sound and lyrics. They were one of the first mainstream groups to help define the indie rock scene, the independent label, underground sound.
When You Were Young- The Killers

She has proven to be a fashion statement, has a large gay following, has been compared to Madonna, a social and political statement, everything is a spectacle. Sold out many concert venues, was the first artist who has ever had fans camp out days before to see her perform on the Today Show.
Just Dance- Lady Gaga

Mariah Carey still has staying power, and is still relevant in the 2000s. She can even bring in current pop culture topics like youtube and make them sound sexy in a song.
Touch My Body- Mariah Carey

Adult contemporary artist Michael Buble has a unique sound. This song from the early 2000s suddenly made everyone yearn for home.
Home- Michael Buble

One of now several unique musical collaborations. A rock group uses Timerland, a hiphop artist, to provide a unique sound to their record.
Apologize- One Republic

Remember how long this song was on the charts? Remember how catchy it was, and everyone was suddenly singing it? Remember how it was the rage among all middle schoolers? She seems like pre-Kesha with her bratty lyrics.
Sk8r Boi- Avril Lavigne



Pink can tackle tough issues like the issue of being gay as in songs like "Dear Mr. President," or dependency on pills like in "Just Like a Pill."
Just Like a Pill- Pink

These lyrics still resonate today in everyday conversations. I always offer to let people stand under my umbrella ella ella ay ay.
Umbrella- Rhianna

Is this not the song of the decade? Remember when rehab was cool? Brittany was doing it, Lindsay tried it too, and recently Demi Lovato had a stay. Amy was beyond that, she didn't have the time- she bucked the trend.
Rehab- Amy Winehouse

We were first introduced to this song in Star Trek Enterprise, and everyone was wondering where did this come from? It took me about 2-3 years and a random convo with The Guy to learn it was Russell Watson.
Where My Heart Will Take Me- Russell Watson


A little bit of the Latin flair. Shakira was a latin crossover artist, which was important, as we are becoming increasingly connected. Also, who can forget her strange sexual lyrics, "lucky my breasts are small, so you don't confuse them with mountains?" Small breasts are suddenly sexy?
Whenever, Wherever- Shakira

U2 continued to showcase their staying power with their 2001 hit "Beautiful Day"
Beautiful Day- U2

This group burst on the scene in 2001 with their hit Kryptonite, which had a unique sound, and is still widely played today. And they're from Biloxi MS, of all places.
Kryptonite- 3 Doors Down

Perhaps one of my favorite B&D songs, the guitars, the Spanish lyrics, and who does not like the great harmonies of the duo? With so many great songs it was hard to choose just one!
My Heart is Lost to You- Brooks & Dunn

Chris Cagle creates a great story about a 50 year, or 18,253 love affair. A great country story in a song...
What a Beautiful Day- Chris Cagle

This song stuck on the charts for close to a year and detailed everything Morgan loved about Sunday. This 2005 ballad was an ode to everything Southern- going to church, seeing sweet Ms. Betty who likes to sing off key in the pew behind me, going home to cut the coupons out of the Sunday paper, Sunday dinner with chicken and baked beans... that's what we all like about Sunday.
That's What I Love About Sunday- Craig Morgan

There was a wave of patriotic country songs that came about in 2001 including the obnoxious "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue," from Toby, the reflective "Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning," from Alan Jackson, and then you have this tribute from Daryl Worley...
Have You Forgotten?- Daryl Worley

A pop artist crosses over into country music, and is pretty successful at it. He always had a country sound to his voice. He grew up not only listening to country artists much to his brothers and sister's displeasure, but also listened to other white boy stuff like KISS. A long way from his Hootie and the Blowfish days with the song that propelled him onto the country charts.
Don't Think I Don't Think About This- Darius Rucker

While not as popular as Carter's song "Strawberry Wine," there was something sexy about this one too, as she danced in a pair of briefs in her bedroom.
There's No Limit- Deana Carter



They were at the top of the world with their catchy lyrics, great vocals, and songs that made you long for a cowboy to take you away...
Cowboy Take Me Away- Dixie Chicks

There was that controversy where they were ashamed they were from Texas during a concert performance, where they were making a statement against the war. This one moment turned their whole life around. This brilliant song chronicles the experience.
The Long Way Around- Dixie Chicks

This one hit wonder from 2005 is an international hit still being played on the radio today that was made popular during American Idol's 5th season.
Bad Day- Daniel Powter

One of those catchy country/pop crossover hits from the 2000s. Breathe and This Kiss are two that you can still readily find on either pop or country radio today. And who knew that you could describe a kiss with such cool words like centripical motion? If that's what a kiss is, I want one...
This Kiss- Faith Hill

Despite going to Hollywood and taking a role in Stepford Wives, despite being on all of the magazine covers, despite being married to the sexiest man in country music, Faith Hill stays true to her roots in Mississippi Girl. She describes herself as someone who still likes wearing her old ballcap and riding her kids around piggy back. This hit was written by John Rich of Big and Rich.
Mississippi Girl- Faith Hill

He spent much of the 2000s raising his kids and being married to the lovely, Trisha Yearwood. Garth came out of retirement in the late 2000s to record and skyrocket to number 1 with this hit. It is a tale of being so enamored with someone and them being more than a memory.
More Than A Memory- Garth Brooks

With the advent of reality TV, you had American Idol, then Nashville Star. While George Canyon never received super stardom, this song was significant in the advent of 15 minutes of fame from reality television.
I'll Never Do Better Than You- George Canyon



Hicktown suddenly became the place everyone wanted to go where he made mudding, and other hick recreation sound cool. He's followed it up with several other hits along that line like "Big Green Tractor," and every girl suddenly wanted to go for another ride on his big green tractor. Aldean has a way of making southern activities sound cool.
Hicktown- Jason Aldean

This song sort of made country cool in the early 2000s with lyrics that focused on what it was like to be young, heading to the rapids with some discount beer, and other shenanigans that typify being young.
Young- Kenny Chesney

A group to form in the late 2000s, this was the first hit off of their sophomore album, and their 4th single that propelled them to super stardom crossing over on the pop charts. The first few beats and the song is instantly identifiable.
Need You Now- Lady Antebellum

A group of 3 hunky guys with more than a dozen hits under their belts, this one is a tribute to their fans...
Here's To You- Rascal Flatts

Kelly Clarkson wrote the song and claimed it was about the cycle of parents and children going back and forth, and their influence on one another. This was written during her parent's breakup, which had a great impact on her. Reba sang the song later in a duet with Clarkson, and the song took on a new meaning. The song made #2 on the Hot Country Charts, but wasn't without controversy. Some thought this was Kelly's downfall, others thought it was Reba in trouble, others recognized this track appeared on her duets CD.
Because of You- Reba McEntire

This trio burst onto the scenes in the mid 2000s with their hit "Baby Girl," which chronicled one's journey from rags to riches while trying to be successful in the music business. It had a catchy sound and true to life lyrics. This trio had some fallout, but is still as successful as ever as a duo with their current album, "The Incredible Machine," with songs that are a departure from their traditional country. The unique sound and amazing voice of Jennifer Nettles has helped make this group successful.
Baby Girl- Sugarland


I need Faith. I need Tim. Faith, Tim, Faith, Tim. Which is it? It's hard to decide when you have this hot country couple paired together. Though they each have separate careers, when they are paired together, the collaboration, and love is evident between them.
I Need You- Faith Hill and Tim McGraw

This is one of those songs that touches a nerve because of the time in your life when you realize you are getting older. McGraw first heard this song as he was dealing with the loss of his father. The delivery of this song makes you feel all of the emotion in Live Like You Were Dying.
Live Like You Were Dying- Tim McGraw

Remember Missy Elliott rhyming about her badonkadonk in her song "Work It?" Who knew it would sound just as good, if not better, in a country song? This song seems to have mass appeal.
Honkytonk Badonkadonk- Trace Adkins

Fun, downhome, simple lyrics, and no nonsense pretty much describes the Zac Brown Band. This song is what skyrocketed their careers.
Chicken Fried- Zac Brown Band

Heard on soft rock and country stations, this song made one reminisce, and it is what every mother wants for their kids.
I Hope You Dance- LeeAnn Wommack

Front man Adam Levine and his unique voice help make Maroon 5. They burst on the scenes in 2002 with their debut Songs About Jane and are still around today with their latest hit Misery.
Makes Me Wonder- Maroon 5

This is again one of those songs you hear the first few beats and know it is Viva La Vida by Coldplay. It is catchy and is still played all over today. How many people actually know the lyrics of this song or the religious imagery used? It is definitely a song known more for its sounds.
Viva La Vida- Coldplay


A pop song that brought together 4 very different artists and accompanied the 2001 movie.
Lady Marmalade- Pink, Christina Aguleria, Maya, and Lil Kim

Mass pop culture following, performance artist, catchy lyrics, huge gay following; the question is who is not following her? Lady Gaga's 2008 song Paparazzi that begged the question do we kill the stars or do they kill themselves?
Paparazzi- Lady Gaga

Arguably one of the best guitar players of this era, his combinations of blues and harmony have made his songs distinctive. John Mayer kept the 2000s alive with his controversies over things like twitter, his relationships with Jennifer Aniston, Taylor Swift, and others. He kept us dreaming in the 2000s with his song "No Such Thing."
No Such Thing- John Mayer

Don't be fooled by the rocks that she's got, she's Jenny from the block, your down home Bronx girl who has stayed true to her roots and wants to remind you her love don't cost a thing. Remember, she's now a judge on Idol, and now you've gotta win her over.
Love Don't Cost a Thing- JLo

One of the big mainstream hits for Jason Mraz that is still being played today. Its catchy, carefree lyrics and sound made it one of Mraz' most popular songs.
I'm Yours- Jason Mraz

A rock front girl and a rapper team up and this is what you get. The catchy poppy crossover hit of the 2000s.
The Sweet Escape- Akon and Gwen Stefani

Do you want a piece of her? Your favorite American dream who stepped onto the scene when she was 17, the one who was married for 72 hours, shaved her head when she had a breakdown, and caused her father to be her conservative for a time? Despite all of that she did rear 2 children, she dealt with the paparazzi who's pissing her off, and we still love her- and still want a piece of her. We loved her in 2008 with her hit Piece of Me.
Piece of Me- Britney Spears

So are there any that I missed? Ones that you disagree with? Comment away! I'm anxious to see!