The best summer songs of the 21st century

“Hot In Herre” became American rapper Nelly’s first No. 1 on the Hot 100 in the United States and Canada. Following its release in 2002, the track received over 760,000 streams on its first day — setting a new record for AOL Music’s First Listen feature. Later, Nelly would win a Grammy for Best Male Rap Solo Performance in 2003. In 2014, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the song two times multi-platinum for selling over two million copies.

Nelly Furtado’s “Promiscuous” was an international success and became the artist’s first No. 1 hit on the Hot 100 in the US. The track won Best Pop Single at the Billboard Music Awards in 2006 and received a Grammy nod during their 49th annual awards ceremony. On August 23, 2006, the song was officially certified platinum by the RIAA for selling over one million copies. As of September 2022, “Promiscuous” has sold over seven million copies, certifying it seven times multi-Platinum.

“We Can’t Stop” is the first single off Miley Cyrus’ fourth studio album, Bangerz. The electropop and R&B track was Miley’s first attempt at distancing herself from her Disney Channel image and taking her sound in a different direction. The single peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and, as of January 2018, has sold five million units. 

Megan Thee Stallion has become extremely popular in mainstream music in recent years. She has two No. 1 hits — “WAP” with Cardi B and “Savage” featuring Beyoncé. The two Houston natives bodied entirely new verses on this remix and donated all proceeds to The Bread Of Life COVID-19 relief efforts in Houston, Texas. On March 14, 2021, Megan and Beyoncé won Best Rap Song at the 2020 Grammy Awards.

“Cheerleader” by the Jamaican artist Omi was initially released in 2012 but didn’t receive widespread recognition until 2015. Then, it reached No. 1 in 20 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Ireland. Even though the song blew up in 2015, it still reaches new audiences today, with over 1.2 billion views on YouTube. 

“I Gotta Feeling” was released by the band Black Eyed Peas on June 15, 2009. The song gained widespread international attention, which made this track one of the group’s most successful. The song debuted at No. 2 on the Hot 100 chart and eventually peaked at No. 1, staying there for 14 consecutive weeks. “I Gotta Feeling” also peaked atop several charts in 20 countries, won the Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo, and sold over 10 million copies in the United States.

“Umbrella” is one of Rihanna’s 14 No. 1 hits. Initially released on April 28, 2007, this track would ultimately spend seven weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100. As of May 31, 2022, “Umbrella” has sold over eight million copies. The R&B and pop track has won two MTV Video Music Awards and one Grammy.

Usher released the third single of his fourth studio album, Confessions, on June 1, 2004. Although the track wasn’t as successful as its predecessor, “Burn,” “Confessions Part II” ultimately reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and sold over 500,000 copies in the US. 

“We Belong Together” was considered by many to be Mariah Carey’s comeback song in the early 2000s. Released on March 15, 2005, the track became Carey’s 16th No. 1 hit and spent 14 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100.

If you’ve been out and about for the last 20-plus years, you’ve undoubtedly heard Beyoncé’s No. 1 hit single “Crazy In Love.” This song was the singer’s lead single for her debut album, Dangerously In Love, in 2003. Beyoncé won two Grammys for "CIL" during the 46th Annual Grammy Awards. 

“Old Town Road” is the debut single from rapper Lil Nas X. After being released by Columbia Records in March 2019, the track peaked at No. 1 and remained atop the chart for 19 consecutive weeks. Lil Nas X released several remixes of the song, but the most successful was with country artist Billy Ray Cyrus. Eventually, Lil Nas X and Co. would win two Grammys for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and Best Music Video. 

Imagine Dragons’ sleeper hit “Radioactive” garnered worldwide praise from listeners and critics for the song’s overall production. It was the group’s first top-10 hit on the Hot 100 chart, peaking at No. 3. In 2013, "Radioactive" became the third-best-selling song in the country and broke the record for the most time spent on the chart at 87 weeks. As of 2023, this song has continued to make its rounds, selling over 16 million copies in the US.

“We Are Young” is the group Fun's monumental track featuring Janelle Monáe. The song is the lead single from their 2012 project, Some Nights, and quickly became a smash hit. The anthem was covered on shows like Glee and topped the Billboard Hot 100 for six consecutive weeks. On June 12, 2019, the track reached diamond status by selling over 10 million units. 

“Hollaback Girl” is certainly one of Gwen Stefani’s most popular songs. In the US, the hip-hop track topped the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks and ultimately became the first digital download to sell one million copies. As of 2021, the single has been certified five-times multi-platinum.

On November 29, 2010, Adele released her international breakthrough hit, “Rolling In The Deep.” The rhythm and blues song is a powerful message to Adele’s unfaithful ex and meshes perfectly with the theme of heartbreak and healing. The song won Grammys for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Short Form Music Video. 

“Super Bass,” initially released as Nicki Minaj's fifth single from her debut album, Pink Friday, became an overnight hit and ultimately helped boost the rapper further into the spotlight. The song reached No. 3 on the Hot 100 chart and gained diamond certification in the US.

“A Milli,” released by Lil Wayne as the second single from his sixth album, is arguably one of the artist’s best numbers. The song peaked at No. 6 on the Hot 100 and was ranked the 10th best song of 2008 by Rolling Stone. Lil Wayne won a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance in 2009 and has since been certified six-times multi-platinum with over six million units sold. 

“Fancy” is the first single from the Australian rapper Iggy Azalea. The song was released in 2014 and became a success topping the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks straight. Later that year, the track was named "Song of the Summer" by Billboard and became the most-streamed song of the year on Spotify. Iggy has performed the electro/rap song on programs such as Good Morning America, Dancing with the Stars, and the 2014 BET Awards. 

“Foolish” is, without a doubt, one of Ashanti’s most noteworthy records. The song was released as her debut single from her first studio album in 2003. “Foolish” spent 10 weeks atop the Hot 100 chart and received a Grammy nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. Although the track didn’t win, Ashanit took home an award at the 2003 Soul Train Music Awards for Best Female R&B/Soul Single. 

“Good 4 U” is a song from Olivia Rodrigo’s critically acclaimed debut album, Sour. The track had similar success to Rodrigo’s first single, "Drivers License," and reached No. 1 in 23 countries, including the US, UK, and Canada. In 2021, “Good 4 U” was ranked No. 3 on Genius’ list of "The Best 50 Songs" of the year and No. 9 on NPR’s. As of March 2022, the single has sold over four million records, becoming her second song to reach this achievement.