Top 50 pop songs of the century

I was born in 2001, which means I grew up in the prime of the pop music era. No other genre of music has reached the heights that pop music has this century. Artists like Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, Adele, Bruno Mars and hundreds more burst onto the scene and changed everything.

Whether you love the genre or hate it, the run of dominance that pop had over the music industry in the 21st century is undeniable, gifting audiences with thousands of instant classics that would go on to become unforgettable memories.

The easy part is listening to them, the hard part is ranking them. Nevertheless, there are some things in life that we all must do.

Here are my top 50 pop songs of the 21st century.

50. “Payphone” - Maroon 5

Starting off the top 50 is Maroon 5, one of the most popular bands of the 2010’s decade. It’s hard to look back and pinpoint any time a song of theirs wasn’t circulating on the airwaves. “Payphone “ was perhaps their most commercially successful song, ultimately peaking at No. 2 on the charts in 2012.

49. “Lover” - Taylor Swift

Swift has always excelled at being able to create memorable, lasting projects across numerous genres over the span of her career. The title track off of Swift’s 2019 album “Lover” does just that, a song that Swift wrote herself late one night while playing the piano.

48. “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back” - Shawn Mendes

One of Mendes’ most memorable songs, “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back” made its debut as a single off of Mendes’ second studio album, “Illuminate.” Like many Shawn Mendes songs, this one reached exceptional popularity status, surpassing 2.3 billion streams on Spotify.

47. “Am I Wrong” - Nico & Vinz

“Am I Wrong” stands in as the first one-hit wonder on the list, but certainly not the last. Because of Nico & Vinz' Norwegian originality, “Am I Wrong” went on to become a hit in the Nordic countries of Sweden, Denmark and Finland. It also reached platinum status 14 times over in Norway.

46. “Something Just Like This” - The Chainsmokers ft. Coldplay

The Chainsmokers’ single off of their 2017 album “Memories…Do Not Open” reached the Top 10 in 30 different countries across the world. A commercial success and radio hit, “Something Just Like This” immediately made an impression due to its catchy chorus and strong vocals courtesy of Coldplay vocalist Chris Martin.

45. “Everybody Talks” - Neon Trees

Debuting on Neon Trees’ second studio album “Picture Show,” “Everybody Talks” quickly became the band’s biggest commercial success. A song that reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2012, Neon Trees has never elaborated on the meaning behind the song, leaving it open to interpretation.

44. “Set Fire to the Rain” - Adele

The first song of Adele’s iconic “21” album to appear on the list is “Set Fire to the Rain.” Being one of three singles from the album to reach No. 1 on the charts, “Set Fire to the Rain” features how flawlessly Adele is able to use her vocals to reach intense emotional heights.

43. “Style” - Taylor Swift

Swift’s second installment on the list is “Style,” the third single from her introductory pop album “1989.” Swift could not have executed a better launch into her new genre with her release of “Style” as it received immediate radio play and commercial success among audiences.

42. “Out of the Woods” - Taylor Swift

You may be surprised to see this topping “Style” in the rankings, but it would be a challenging task to find a tune that is more mesmerizing and memorable a decade later, while also featuring one of the greatest bridges in pop music history.

41. “Hot N Cold” - Katy Perry

One of Perry’s first commercial pop hits, “Hot N Cold” was released in 2008 as the second single off of her album “One of the Boys.” The song reached success among audiences due to the memorable instrumentals and the charm of Katy Perry’s ambitious lyricism.

40. “Good Luck, Babe!” - Chappell Roan

Released in early April of 2024, “Good Luck, Babe!” has already topped 1.2 billion streams on Spotify. It’s been deemed the “breakout song” of Roan’s career, as Roan went on to receive multiple nominations at the 2025 Grammy Awards.

39. “Meet Me Halfway” - The Black Eyed Peas

If you were alive in 2009, you remember The Black Eyed Peas album “The E.N.D..” “Meet Me Halfway,” although not the most popular song off the album, still reached astounding levels of success due to its focus on Fergie’s vocals and a few memorable verses from Will.i.am.

38. “Complicated” - Avril Lavigne

One of the earliest pop hits of the 21st century, Lavigne released “Complicated” in 2002 as a rock-inspired single from her album “Let Go.” “Complicated” is an emotionally charged tune that focuses on the frustration that can come from a dysfunctional relationship.

37. “Locked Out of Heaven” - Bruno Mars

Bruno Mars’ influence on early-2010s pop music can not be understated. Pumping out a number of songs that will live in immortality, “Locked Out of Heaven” is just one that peaked at the top of the charts.

36. “Easy On Me” - Adele

Another Adele song that reached No. 1 on the charts, “Easy On Me” rekindles what makes Adele such a great vocalist and writer. In fact, this song remains Adele’s longest-running No.1 song in the United States and features some of the most memorable choruses in Adele’s entire discography.

35. “Just The Way You Are” - Bruno Mars

During the writing of this song, Mars claims to not have been trying for anything deep or poetic, although it did take him months to write the lyrics. Mars was awarded a Grammy win for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the 2011 ceremony for his work on the project.

34. “Rolling In the Deep” - Adele

Not many artists can capture the bone-chilling feeling that Adele can deliver on her vocals. “Rolling in the Deep” Is one of Adele’s best and one of the best songs in the early-2010s era of pop. Spending seven straight weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, there is no doubt about its commercial success.

33. “Shut Up and Dance” - Walk the Moon

Has any song been played more at middle school dances in the twentieth century? Probably not. There’s a reason “Shut Up and Dance” became such a hit among audiences, the 2014 single features an upbeat rhythm and feel-good lyrics, making it easy to shut up and dance to.

32. “A Thousand Miles” - Vanessa Carlton

Talk about making a good impression. In 2002, Carlton dropped “A Thousand Miles,” the first single of her career. It went on to gain instant popularity, spending three weeks in the top five on the Billboard Hot 100.

31. “Stressed Out”- Twenty-One Pilots

One of the most influential songs of the twenty-first century, audiences resonated with the story within the lyrics as the song discusses the challenges that come with growing up through your adolescent years. The song’s success is very well-documented, being the band’s first to peak in the Top 10 on the charts and surpassing 2.5 billion streams on Spotify.

30. “Cheap Thrills” - Sia

We’re now entering the territory of the best of the best, as Sia makes her first appearance on the list. “Cheap Thrills” was Sia’s first song to hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, due in part to the energetic rhythm and Sia’s masterful vocals.

29. “Counting Stars” - OneRepublic

Not many songs this century can claim to be this catchy, but “Counting Stars” is one of those songs that will stay in your head all day. Reaching No. 1 in the United States and Canada, audiences were hooked on this single off of OneRepublic’s third studio album “Native.”

28. “All Of Me” - John Legend

John Legend’s “All of Me” is one of the most iconic songs of the century and one of the most recognizable love songs ever made. We’re getting to the point in the list where all of these songs have hit No. 1 on the charts at some point, “All of Me” was able to achieve that feat in 2014, a few months after the release.

27. “Halo” - Beyonce

If you ever need a showcase of Beyonce’s majestic vocals, this is the song to listen to. The lyrics tell the story of a sublime relationship between two lovers, becoming a picturesque, unbelievable experience.

26. “Take Me to Church” - Hozier

As a struggling musician, Andrew John Hozier-Byrne was able to craft this masterpiece out of his parents’ attic. Luckily, this song hit it big in 2014, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Take Me to Church” was the first single of Hozier’s career, now sitting at 2.9 billion streams on Spotify.

25. “Since U Been Gone” - Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Clarkson was one of the faces of pop in the 2000s, crafting some of the most memorable records of the decade. “Since U Been Gone” was originally written for singer P!nk to perform, and although P!nk surely would have done a fantastic job, I think we can all be glad Clarkson was able to take the responsibility.

24. “Riptide” - Vance Joy

The composition of Vance Joy’s Riptide took years to come together. Joy began writing his hit song in 2008. Five years before the record dropped as a single. When “Riptide” was released to the public, it was met with immediate critical acclaim due to its poignant lyrics and mesmerizing chorus.

23. “Unstoppable” - Sia

It's difficult to choose between the best Sia songs, they’re all so spectacular. “Unstoppable” stands out as a powerful ballad of self-confidence and showcases Sia’s unstoppable vocals as well as any other song in her career.

22. “Poker Face” - Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga’s 2008 album “The Fame” is widely regarded as one of the greatest pop albums in history due to its shocking abundance of unforgettable hits. “Poker Face” is one of Lady Gaga’s best and it’s no mystery why this song quickly became a favorite among audiences.

21. “I Gotta Feeling” - The Black Eyed Peas

Is there a song that better encapsulates the feeling of growing up in the 2000s? Maybe not. “I Gotta Feeling” spent 14 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2009, making it the longest-running No. 1 hit of the year.

20. “TikTok” - Kesha

There has to be a discussion surrounding “TikTok" addressing whether or not it’s the greatest club song of all time. Not many songs can pump exuberance into your veins like this one. Being Kesha’s very first studio single of her career, “TikTok” is credited with being the best-selling single of 2010 worldwide, with over 12 million copies sold.

19. “Love Song” - Sara Bareilles

This is, personally, one of my favorite songs of the century. “Love Song” was written by Bareilles, not for a lover, but out of growing frustration with her record label. Relations between Bareilles and Epic Records were growing stagnant, as Bareilles would bring in new ideas and get shot down. The record label specifically wanted a Love Song, and that’s what they got.

18. “Somebody That I Used to Know” - Gotye

Perhaps the one-hit wonder of the century. On Spotify, “Somebody That I Used to Know” has 1.7 billion more streams than Gotye’s second-most streamed song, which is a remixed version of “Somebody That I Used to Know.” While reaching No. 1 in the United States, the Gotye song was also awarded a Grammy win for the best record of the year.

17. “Ho Hey” - The Lumineers

“Ho Hey” debuted as the first single to be recorded for the band’s debut album “The Lumineers” back in 2012. The song was the band’s breakthrough hit, skyrocketing their popularity status among audiences. “Ho Hey” became so loved due to its folky pop-rock sound accompanied by heartfelt lyrics.

16. “good 4 u” - Olivia Rodrigo

Not many artists can claim to have achieved what Rodrigo has done within just her first few years in the business. “good 4 u” debuted as the third single from Rodrigo’s first studio album “Sour”, an album that holds the record for the most streamed female album on Spotify. The song perfectly summarizes Rodrigo’s musical style, a frustrated punk-rock-pop ballad that was met with immediate critical acclaim amongst audiences.

15. “Royals” - Lorde

At just age 17, New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde found her stride in the music business. Lorde’s first studio album “Pure Heroine” would go on to become one of the most noteworthy pop projects of the 21st century, with “Royals” winning a Grammy award for song of the year.

14. “The Sweet Escape” - Gwen Stefani

Without double-checking, it’s safe to say Gwen Stefani has had the longest-running career of the artists on this list, with her first work dating back to 1986. Stefani’s 2006 album “The Sweet Escape” was her second solo project and featured a title track that styles a song that could pass as the definition of a summertime hit.

13. “Unwritten” - Natasha Bedingfield

Reaching unprecedented levels of popularity due to its messages of inspiration and self-confidence, Bedingfields’ 2004 single “Unwritten” has reached pop music immortality. Peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, audiences rallied to this record because of its addicting chorus that can bring anyone up from rock bottom.

12. “Last Friday Night (TGIF)” - Katy Perry

I will be telling my children about the Katy Perry run in the early 2010s. “Last Friday Night (TGIF)” was a hit that ruled the summer of 2011, a dance-pop anthem that rallied fun-loving music lovers everywhere.

11. “Toxic” - Britney Spears

A song that could live in your head for days, “Toxic” gained its immortality among audiences due to its hypnotic hook and chorus. Spears dominated the turn of the century, with “Toxic” released at the peak of her popularity in 2003 as a single off of her fourth studio album, “In The Zone.” In 2005, the song was awarded a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording.

10. “Call Me Maybe” - Carly Rae Jepsen

When “Call Me Maybe" hit the airwaves in 2011, not many listeners had heard of Carly Rae Jepsen, but they quickly became familiar with her, as the song spent nine straight weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song is a bubblegum pop tune highlighting the feeling of love at first sight, capturing audiences' attention with silly but relatable lyrics and one of the most addictive choruses of the century.

9. “Closer” - The Chainsmokers Feat. Halsey

Released in the summer of 2016, “Closer” would go on to spend 20 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 which, according to Billboard.com, is the 18th most weeks by a single song in the history of the chart. The duet features singers Andrew Taggart of the Chainsmokers and Halsey, together, they generated one of the catchiest works of the century.

8. “Some Nights” - fun.

As we climb closer to the top of the list, the songs you’ll find reaching this territory are of the truly elite, those that have cemented their legacy and will continue to live on in immortality. “Some Nights” is the title track off of fun.'s second and final studio album, released in 2012. The song taps into the feeling of power that comes from finding yourself in times of stress and turmoil.

7. “Just Give Me a Reason” - P!nk

P!nk has no shortage of hit songs that ruled the airwaves in the early 2010s, with “Just Give Me a Reason” gaining the most critical acclaim and the most audience popularity of the bunch. The duet featuring Nate Ruess focused on the feeling of desperation that comes with a failing relationship, creating a song that could resonate with listeners.

6. “Someone Like You” - Adele

Perhaps being the crown jewel of Adele’s career, “Someone Like You” is one of the most elegant, well-crafted pop songs of the century. It is a slow and passionate song, one in which Adele’s vocals take center stage to highlight the feeling of getting over a loved one. The song went on to be the best-selling single of the year in the U.K., Italy and Ireland, as well as winning a Grammy award for Best Pop Solo Performance.

5. “Hey, Soul Sister” - Train

When you think of Train, chances are you think of “Hey, Soul Sister.” Not that Train is a one-hit wonder by any means, but few songs create a lasting impression like this one. It’s an old-fashioned love song highlighting how it feels to be lost in the entrancement of a relationship. It did well with audiences, breaking into the Top 3 of the Billboard Hot 100 in 2010.

4. “Party in the U.S.A” - Miley Cyrus

The jury’s out on whether or not this is the best feel-good pop song in the history of the genre. Cyrus’ vocals combined with the upbeat tempo and message of the song create a tune that could make anybody want to get up and dance. Surprisingly, this song never topped the charts but rested at No. 2 behind Black Eyed Peas “I Gotta Feeling” for one week.

3. “We Are Young” - fun.

Very rarely do songs become an anthem of an entire generation, but if any ever got close, it was “We Are Young.” The song became a rallying cry for kids and young adults of the early 2010s to live life to the fullest and have no regrets. Winning the Grammy award for Song of the Year and also topping the charts for six consecutive weeks, there is no question that the song hit it big with audiences.

2. “Blank Space” - Taylor Swift

You knew you hadn’t seen the last of Taylor Swift on this list. In 2014, Swift transitioned fully into pop after primarily handling country music for her first four studio albums. With “1989,” Swift gave audiences an abundance of instant classics and songs that immediately made their impression on the pop landscape, none more so than “Blank Space”. The song is a satirical portrayal of how the media views her love life, told with a sprinkle of 1980s synth inspiration and a healthy dose of remarkable lyrics.

1. “Viva La Vida”- Coldplay

We’ve reached the mountaintop, and there sits “Viva La Vida”, a song that depicts the crumbling life of a royal monarch told from the point of view of vocalist Chris Martin. The song elegantly paints a picture for the listeners through the use of passionate lyrics and Martin’s striking vocals. “Viva La Vida” reached No. 1 on the charts and gathered instant popularity among audiences, now harboring north of 2.6 billion streams on Spotify.

Sketch Morton is a fifth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email sam7539@psu.edu.