Unexpected musical partnerships that rocked the charts
From the cringe-worthy fashion to frosty make-up, say whatever you want about the early 2000s, but you can't deny that the music was of exceptional quality. The '00s gave us hit after hit, but many artists who made them only reached the top once. In this gallery, you'll see tracks that became even larger than the artist or band who brought them to life, some that are probably your karaoke go-to!
So from pop to rock, and rap, click on for the best one-hit wonders from the '00s. Get ready for pure nostalgia!
Having made a resurgence on TikTok challenge in recent years, 'Teenage Dirtbag' first rose to popularity in 2000. It appeared in the film 'Loser' (2000), starring Mena Suvari and Jason Biggs, who both appear in the music video.
While Vanessa Carlton continuously released music, no single has quite stuck around like 'A Thousand Miles.' A big part of its popularity is thanks to the 2004 movie 'White Chicks,' where Terry Crews turns a memorable performance singing the song.
Baha Men's single rose to popularity when it was featured in Nickelodeon's 'Rugrats in Paris: The Movie' (2000). The year it came out, it reached number 40 on the Billboard Hot 100.
This track was so popular, it reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2001. Blu Cantrell released 'Breathe' featuring Sean Paul a few years later, but it only peaked at 70 on the Billboard Hot 100.
BBmak first released this single in the UK in 1999. It appeared on their 2000 debut album, 'Sooner or Later,' but didn't find big success until reaching the US that same year. Despite that, BBmak hasn't had much success since then.
Jimmy Eat World's 'The Middle' was their only single to break the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100. Considered their signature song and a breakthrough hit, the band had self-financed their 'Bleed American' album after being dropped by Capitol Records in 1999.
Ashlee Simpson's debut single reached at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 and contributed to the success of her album 'Autobiography,' which went triple platinum. However, after the 'Saturday Night Live' lip-syncing scandal, the world appeared to have forgotten about Simpson.
Who can forget about this smash hit? 'Crazy' won a Grammy for Best Urban/Alternative Performance and was also nominated for Record of the Year.
The band's debut single reached number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2003 and number one on the Mainstream Rock and Modern Rock charts.
In 2004, 'Stacy's Mom' was able to hit number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and secure a Grammy nomination for Best Vocal Pop Performance. Sadly, frontman Adam Schlesinger died from COVID-19 complications in 2020. Even so, the song has withstood the test of time, playing in commercials and on social media.
Released by identical twins Nicole and Natalie Albino, this track has truly stood the test of time. While they did later appear on N.O.R.E.'s 'Oye Mi Canto,' the twins never found the same success again that this song gave them.
While this song screams '80s, it was a major hit in 2003, which reached number two on the UK singles chart.
Another rock anthem that's all about '80s nostalgia, '1985' reached number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100.
This popular club hit reached number one on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart. And while DeLuna continued making music, none was as popular as 'Whine Up.'
'Bad Day' was the melancholic track everyone needed to get through another crappy day, which is probably why this song ended up going three times platinum. During the fifth season of 'American Idol,' this was the song that played in the background when a contestant was voted off the competition.
This infectious rap track hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart after its release in 2005. It also hit strides in the UK, peaking at number 26.
There's nothing more '00s like this pop rock jam! It reached number 32 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Phair's highest-charting single and only top-40 single.
Written in a few minutes, this song rose to popularity after it was featured on 'The Howard Stern Show.' It became one of the most iconic songs of the early '00s.
This emotional ballad peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100, and topped the charts in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
This soulful track by French-Israeli Yael Naïm gained popularity in the US following the commercial for the first generation of Apple's MacBook Air. It remains her only song to reach the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100.
The first single from Swedish band Peter Bjorn and John's third album, 'Writer's Block,' it was featured in practically every advertisement in the mid-aughts. With its catchy whistling start, the song performed well around the world.
This reggae-infused track became a worldwide hit, peaking within the top 10 in 17 countries. The debut single of Vincentian singer Kevin Lyttle, we haven't heard much from him since.
Released on the self-titled debut album by the British synth-pop duo of the same name, 'Bulletproof' hit number one in the UK. A year later, it climbed to number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Three years after leaving the British Army, James Blunt released this 2005 hit. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and turned 'Back to Bedlam' into the UK's bestselling album of the 2000s.
This catchy rap track was accompanied by a dance that was just as unforgettable. It has made a resurgence in recent years, with artists like Becky G and BTS' J-Hope collaborating on a K-pop remake of the record in 2019.
In 2006, Leona Lewis won 'The X-Factor,' which led her to record this chart-topping track. Her debut single, 'Bleeding Love' reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2008 and became a hit in 35 countries.
'All the Things She Said' reached number one in several countries around the world, however, the kiss between the Russian duo in the music video caused a lot of controversy too. The song reached number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming the first Russian act to have a top 40 single.
One of the biggest hits from the 2000s, 'Are You Gonna Be My Girl' was the debut single by the Australian rock band Jet. In the US, it peaked at number three on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks.
Rapper Huey released 'Pop, Lock & Drop It' as the first single from his album 'Notebook Paper.' The song peaked at number two on Billboard's Hot Rap Songs chart. Huey was sadly killed in a shooting outside his family's home in 2020.
Sources: (Stacker) (Cosmopolitan)
See also: How many of these early 2000s fashion crimes are you guilty of?
Memorable one-hit wonders from the 2000s
These songs defined the early 2000s
MUSIC 2000s
From the cringe-worthy fashion to frosty make-up, say whatever you want about the early 2000s, but you can't deny that the music was of exceptional quality. The '00s gave us hit after hit, but many artists who made them only reached the top once. In this gallery, you'll see tracks that became even larger than the artist or band who brought them to life, some that are probably your karaoke go-to!
So from pop to rock, and rap, click on for the best one-hit wonders from the '00s. Get ready for pure nostalgia!