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'Me Against the Music' - Britney Spears feat. Madonna -

The Queen and Princess of Pop made headlines in August 2003 with their infamous onstage kiss at the MTV VMAs, and they kept the buzz going just a few months later with 'Me Against the Music.'

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'Are You Gonna be My Girl' - Jet -

The bass riff for this track remains one of the most recognizable intros to a '00s rock song. The Australian rockers really nailed it with this one!

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'Where Is the Love?' - Black Eyed Peas -

In what was the first Black Eyed Peas single featuring Fergie, the singer's powerful vocals took the crew to another level. 'Where Is the Love?' was the beginning of a wildly successful chapter for the hip-hop crew.

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'Fighter' - Christina Aguilera -

With her album 'Stripped,' Xtina penned some of her most emotionally vulnerable songs to date. And 'Fighter' was one of them.

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'You Don't Know My Name' - Alicia Keys -

Two decades ago, Alicia Keys eloquently captured the hopeful daydreams and periodic angst that comes with an unrequited crush. And we can still relate! 

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'Can't Stop' - Red Hot Chili Peppers -

In 2003, the band were going through their successful yet mellow period. So when 'Can't Stop' came out with its slapping bass and funk sounds, old-school fans were happy.

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'Beautiful' - Snoop Dogg feat. Pharrell Williams and Charlie Wilson -

Moving away from gangster rap, Snoop reemerged with one of his biggest singles. An immediate mood lifter, 'Beautiful' was a summer hit.

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'Clocks' - Coldplay -

This immaculate single marked the beginning of Coldplay’s unstoppable ascent to the pop music summit. Perfectly polished, it kept some of the group’s early indie-rock sensibilities.

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'Crazy in Love' - Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z -

That's right, this song is 20 years old! For her debut solo single, Bey needed an impactful song, and 'Crazy in Love' certainly did the job.

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'Get Busy' - Sean Paul -

A key track that introduced dancehall to the masses, 'Get Busy' propelled Sean Paul to global fame.

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'Trouble' - Pink -

The lead single from her album 'Try This,' the song won Pink a Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance in 2004.

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'Pass That Dutch' - Missy Elliott -

Written and produced by Timbaland and Missy Elliott, the track still feels futuristic and visionary, 20 years later.

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'Bring Me Back to Life' - Evanescence -

In a male-dominated rock landscape, Evanescence’s debut single was much needed. A mix of nu metal and rap rock, it's a standout song.

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'In Da Club' - 50 Cent -

The lead single of the rapper's debut album, 'In Da Club' peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100.

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'Seven Nation Army' - The White Stripes -

Released during the peak of the garage rock revival, 'Seven Nation Army' propelled the White Stripes to global stardom.

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'Milkshake' - Kelis -

Written and produced by the Neptunes, the song was originally offered to Britney Spears for her album 'In the Zone,' but was instead given to Kelis.

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'Miss Independent' - Kelly Clarkson -

An anthem for self-sufficient, strong-willed women, it was this track that became Kelly Clarkson’s first global hit. And it keeps on inspiring two decades later.

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'Hey Ya' - Outkast -

Two decades later and this track still feels as fresh and vibrant as ever. You simply have to "shake it like a Polaroid picture."

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'I'm With You' - Avril Lavigne -

Coming on the back of her pop-punk anthem 'Sk8er Boy,' Avril Lavigne wanted to show that she was more than just a teen. This track was an understated power ballad that has as much appeal with the young as with the old.

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'Feeling This' - Blink-182 -

The opening track and lead single of their untitled fifth studio album, 'Feeling This' had more of a musical sophistication to it compared to their previous songs. Blink-182 showed they were here for the long haul.

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'Slow’ - Kylie Minogue -

Minimal and sensual, Kylie Minogue's breathy vocals and the track's atmospheric synths had everyone hypnotized.

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'Rock Your Body' - Justin Timberlake -

Channeling his musical heroes Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder, 'Rock Your Body' had JT on his way to becoming the new Prince of Pop.

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'Stand Up' - Ludacris feat. Shawnna -

A co-production with Kanye West, Luda had everyone in his call-and-response grip by summer 2003. 'Stand Up' became his first number one single.

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'Times Like These' - Foo Fighters -

From the jangly guitars to the towering chorus imploring us to fight another day, 'Times Like These' is one of the band's most life-affirming tracks.

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'White Flag' - Dido -

A global hit with lyrics like "I’m in love and always will be," the song translates across decades. Now that's a pop ballad!

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'Numb' - Linkin Park -

One of Linkin Park's most well-known and critically acclaimed songs, 'Numb' has one of rock's most timeless choruses. It topped the Billboard Alternative Songs chart for 12 weeks.

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'Get Low' - Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz feat. Ying Yang Twins -

"To the windooowww, to the wall!" With its up-tempo rhythm, this hit brought crunk music to the mainstream.

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'Stacy's Mom' - Fountains of Wayne -

A power-pop jam that became Fountains of Wayne’s only mainstream hit, 'Stacy's Mom' reached number 21 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

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'Calling All Angels' - Train -

Following the band’s 2001 hit 'Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me),' Train returned to the charts with the soaring 'Calling All Angels.'

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'Come Undone' - Robbie Williams -

A pop-rock anthem, 'Come Undone' tells the story of a life of fame spiraling out of control. The song peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart.

Sources: (Billboard)

See also: Songs you won't believe are turning 30 in 2023

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