25 popular songs turning 25 in 2026

Kylie Minogue’s hit single “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” is one of those quintessential tracks that beams with early 2000s feels. She combined electronic and disco with a chorus so infectious that it will easily get people on the dance floor. On the track, Minogue describes the feeling of being so enamored with a lover, to the point in which she can’t stop thinking about them. 

In 2001, Missy Elliott released her third album Miss E… So Addictive, which was led by the hit single “Get Ur Freak On.” Produced by her frequent collaborator and friend Timbaland, the sound was an instant hit thanks to the bhangra elements that Timbaland infused into it. As she says in the first verse, “Missy be puttin' it down, I'm the hottest 'round / I told y'all mother— (Skrrt), y'all can't stop me now / Listen to me now, I'm lastin' twenty rounds.”

Alicia Keys took the world by storm with her debut single “Fallin,’” which was the lead from her album Songs in A Minor. On the track, Keys reflects on how she falls in and out of love with her partner, which sometimes can cause her pain and confusion. “Fallin’” ended up winning several Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year and Best R&B Song.

“How You Remind Me” was the lead single to Nickelback’s third album Silver Side Up. On the track, singer Chad Kroeger takes the viewpoint of a guy realizing he’s in a dysfunctional relationship, while each partner points out the faults they see. “How You Remind Me” became Nickelback’s biggest hit song and was the most-played song on U.S. radio in the 2000s. 

Janet Jackson is single and ready to mingle on her 2001 hit “Someone to Call My Lover.” On the track, Jackson is determined to find her lover, suggesting that she might meet him at a bar or club and they’ll fall madly in love. As she says on the first verse, “Back on the road again, feeling kinda lonely / And looking for the right guy who'd be mine / Friends say I'm crazy 'cause easily I fall in love / "You gotta do it different, J, this time."

Four years after releasing his sophomore album My Way, Usher returned with his third studio album 8701. The lead single “U Remind Me” — produced by the legendary duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis — finds Usher describing how any new woman he meets reminds him of an ex-girlfriend. As he sings on the first verse, “See, this girl, she sort of looks just like you / She even smiles just the way you do / So innocent, she seemed, but I was fooled / I'm reminded when I look at you.”

“Hey Baby” was the lead single to rock band No Doubt’s fifth album Rock Steady . On the track, lead vocalist Gwen Stefani describes being in a band with men and seeing how nights turn out with groupies at parties. “Hey Baby” peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

Mary J. Blige had everyone ready to party in her dancery on her hit single “Family Affair.” Produced by Dr. Dre, Blige uses the track to remind people to leave all drama outside and have a good time partying. As she sings on the hook, “Don't need no hateration / Holleration in this dancery (Holler, holler, holler) / Let's get it percolatin', while you're waitin' / So just dance for me.”

In 2001, R&B heartthrob Ginuwine released his third album The Life, which featured the hit single “Differences.” Ginuwine uses the track to describe his love for his partner and how they’ve impacted his life. As he sings on the hook, “You made my life complete / You are so sweet, no one competes / Glad you came into my life / You blind me with your love / With you I have no sight.”

“Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)” was Train’s lead single from their sophomore album Drops of Jupiter. On the track, the band reflects on a loved one who passed away and now shows up spiritually in their everyday life. As they sing on the hook, “But tell me, did you sail across the Sun? / Did you make it to the Milky Way to see the lights all faded / And that Heaven is overrated?” "Drops of Jupiter" ended up winning Best Rock Song at the Grammys. 

The state of North Carolina had something to be proud of when native Petey Pablo released his hit debut single “Raise Up.” He uses the track to shoutout different cities in North Carolina and he wants listeners and outsiders to take notice. “Raise Up” reached No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Hot Rap Songs chart. 

In 2001, Jennifer Lopez teamed up with rapper Ja Rule on the remix to her single “I’m Real.” Produced by Seven Aurelius and Irv Gotti, the song finds J. Lo and Rule discussing the ups and downs of love. As Lopez sings on the first verse, “I met so many men and it's like they're all the same / My appetite for loving is now my hunger pang / And when I'm feeling sexy, who's gonna comfort me? / My only problem is their insecurity.”

Fans saw pop princess Britney Spears come into her own as a young woman on her third album Britney, which was led by the hit single “I’m a Slave 4 U.” Produced by The Neptunes, it gave Spears more of a mature presence as she describes her liberation, freedom, and independence. As she sings on the second verse, “I know I may come off quiet, I may come off shy / But I feel like talkin', feel like dancin' when I see this guy.”

In 2001, rapper Eve released her sophomore album Scorpion, which featured the hit single “Let Me Blow Ya Mind.” Produced by Dr. Dre and Scott Storch, Eve uses the track to describe her dealings with the industry. As Stefani sings on the hook, “If I had to give you more, it's only been a year / Now I've got my foot through the door, and I ain't going nowhere / It took a while to get me here, and I'm gonna take my time / Don't fight that good shıt in your ear, now let me blow ya mind.”

In 2001, Michael Jackson released his tenth and final album, Invincible, led by the hit single “You Rock My World.” Produced by Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, Jackson uses the track to describe the love he has for a new woman and how she has impacted his life. As he sings on the first verse, “My life will never be the same / 'Cause girl, you came and changed / The way I walk, the way I talk / I cannot explain / The things I feel for you.”

Rock band Sugar Ray reflects on the ups and downs after a breakup on their single “When It’s Over.” Sometimes a breakup causes one to still have feelings for their ex, or different things constantly remind them of their partner. As they sing on the hook, “All the things that she used to bring / All the songs that she used to sing / All the favorite TV shows / Have gone out the window.”

“Where The Party At” was the lead single to Jagged Edge’s third album Jagged Little Thrill. Joined by rapper Nelly, the song finds the group describing a night of pulling up to a club, partying, and finding women to leave with. “Where The Party At” became the group’s biggest hit, peaking at No. 3 on Billboard Hot 100.  

Rock band Smash Mouth released a cover of The Monkees’ 1966 single “I’m a Believer.” Added to the soundtrack of the wildly popular animated film Shrek, the song peaked at No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

In 2001, boy band *NSYNC released their third album Celebrity, led by the single “Pop.” On the track, the lyrics reflect on how *NSYNC constantly faced criticism in the music industry and how many people thought boy bands were simply a fad, but the group was determined to prove the naysayers wrong. 

R&B singer Blu Cantrell came onto the scene with her debut single “Hit ‘Em Up Style (Oops!).” Produced and written by hitmaker Dallas Austin, the song finds Cantrell describing how she caught her man cheating so she decided to get some payback by going on a shopping spree on his dime. 

“Hero” was the lead single on Enrique Iglesias’ fifth album Escape. On the track, Iglesias reflects on how he believes he can be a savior to a potential partner. As he sings on the hook, “I can be your hero, baby / I can kiss away the pain / I will stand by you forever / You can take my breath away.”

In 2001, girl group Destiny’s Child released their third album Survivor, which featured the hit single “Bootylicious.” With a sample of Stevie Nicks’ “Edge of Seventeen,” the group uses the track to describe how their voluptuous bodies and dance moves might be a little too much for people to handle. The song was such a hit that the term “bootylicious” got added to the Oxford English Dictionary. 

Doing a cover of a Michael Jackson song is no easy feat, but Alien Ant Farm did it with so much energy and creativity on their hit version of “Smooth Criminal.” Giving the song more of a metal/rock sound, Alien Ant Farm also made sure to pay homage to the King of Pop in the music video. 

In 2001, Aaliyah released her eponymous third and final album, which was led by the single “We Need a Resolution.” Produced by frequent collaborator Timbaland, Aaliyah uses the track to describe how a couple gets into arguments and she’d like to have their problems solved. As she sings on the first verse, “Did you sleep on the wrong side? I'm catching a bad vibe / And it's contagious, what's the latest? / Speak your heart, don't bite your tongue / Don't get it twisted (Yeah), don't misuse it / What's your problem? Let's resolve it.”  

In 2001, rock band Aerosmith released their thirteenth album Just Push Play which featured the hit single “Jaded.” Lead vocalist Steven Tyler uses the track to describe how a young girl has complicated relationships with people around her.