Top 10 Pop Songs of Summer 2006

The biggest hit songs of the summer months of June, July, and August 2006. These are the songs you listened to at home, on the radio, and in the car.

01
of 10

Nelly Furtado - "Promiscuous" featuring Timbaland

Nelly Furtado Loose
Nelly Furtado - Loose. Courtesy Geffen

It looked like Nelly Furtado's pop career was on a slow fade after her second studio album Folklore was a commercial disappointment. However, then she connected with Timbaland and the pair unleashed the dance pop smash "Promiscuous." It spent six weeks of the summer at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

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02
of 10

Cassie - "Me & U"

Cassie Me & U
Cassie - "Me & U". Courtesy Bad Boy Entertainment

As a teenager Cassie Ventura modeled for department stores and appeared in the magazine Seventeen. She was spotted at clubs and parties by producer Ryan Leslie in 2002. He introduced Cassie's work to Tommy Mottola who signed the young singer to a management deal. Ryan Leslie wrote and produced Cassie's first single "Me & U." It turned into an international pop smash reaching the top 10 in the US, UK, and France.

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03
of 10

Shakira - "Hips Don't Lie" featuring Wyclef Jean

Shakira Hips Don't Lie
Shakira - "Hips Don't Lie" featuring Wyclef Jean. Courtesy Epic

Shakira first visited the pop top 10 in the US in 2001 with the hit "Whenever Wherever." She followed it with "Underneath Your Clothes." However, no further top 10 hits were forthcoming until this multi-platinum international collaboration with former Fugee Wyclef Jean.

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Top 20 Shakira Songs

04
of 10

Gnarls Barkley - "Crazy"

Gnarls Barkley Crazy
Gnarls Barkley - "Crazy". Courtesy Downtown Records

The duo of singer-rapper CeeLo Green and producer Danger Mouse first came together when CeeLo Green was on a concert tour with Danger Mouse serving as a DJ. "Crazy" was released as the first single under the name Gnarls Barkley. It was a #1 pop hit in the UK before crossing the Atlantic and climbing to #2 in the US. "Crazy" earned a Grammy Award for Best Urban / Alternative performance.

05
of 10

Yung Joc - "It's Goin' Down"

Yung Joc It's Goin' Down
Yung Joc - "It's Goin' Down". Courtesy Atlantic

Rapper Yung Joc met Atlanta producer Nitti Beatz and the pair recorded "It's Goin' Down" in 2005. It was released as Yung Joc's debut single in June 2006. The song climbed to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Song.

06
of 10

Chamillionaire - "Ridin'" featuring Krayzie Bone

Chamillionaire Ridin
Chamillionaire - "Ridin'" featuring Krayzie Bone. Courtesy Universal

Rapper Chamillionaire, a childhood friend of fellow Houston rapper Paul Wall, released his debut single "Turn It Up" in 2005 and it climbed into the top 10 on the rap chart. His second single "Ridin'" became his major pop breakthrough. The song went all the way to #1 in the US and earned a Grammy Award for best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. It also earned a nomination for Best Rap Song.

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07
of 10

Rihanna - "Unfaithful"

Rihanna Unfaithful
Rihanna - "Unfaithful". Courtesy Def Jam

Following her #1 uptempo dance-pop smash "SOS," Rihanna changed course for the dramatic ballad "Unfaithful." It was co-written by Ne-Yo and producers StarGate. In the song, Rihanna takes on the role of a woman who regrets having cheated on her lover. "Unfaithful" reached #6 in the US and was a top 10 pop hit around the world.

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Top 20 Rihanna Songs

08
of 10

The Fray - "Over My Head (Cable Car)"

The Fray Over My Head
The Fray - "Over My Head (Cable Car)". Courtesy Epic

Colorado based rock band The Fray was formed in 2002. They earned local acclaim with the song "Over My Head (Cable Car)." It led to a recording contract with Epic in late 2004. The single was re-released by Epic in October 2005 and it soon became a top 40 alternative radio hit. Later in 2006 pop radio stations discovered the song and it became a hit across mainstream pop, adult pop, and adult contemporary radio. "Over My Head (Cable Car)" earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Performance By a Duo or Group With Vocals.

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09
of 10

Christina Aguilera - "Ain't No Other Man"

Christina Aguilera Ain't No Other Man
Christina Aguilera - "Ain't No Other Man". Courtesy RCA

Four years after the release of her album Stripped, Christina Aguilera returned with the double album Back To Basics. The lead single is the brassy "Ain't No Other Man." It was influenced by the spirit of music of the 1930s and 1940s. The song was a top 10 pop hit and hit #1 on the dance chart. It also reached the pop top 10 in countries around the world.

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Top 10 Christina Aguilera Songs

10
of 10

Pussycat Dolls featuring Snoop Dogg - "Buttons"

Pussycat Dolls Buttons
Pussycat Dolls - "Buttons" featuring Snoop Dogg. Courtesy A&M

"Buttons" became the third top 10 pop hit from the Pussycat Dolls' breakthrough album PCD. It incorporates elements of Middle Eastern music into the mix. The song hit #1 at mainstream pop radio and climbed to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was a #3 smash in the UK and a top 10 hit in many countries around the world.

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