30. *NSYNC - "Pop"
Courtesy Jive
Boy Band *NSYNC answered their critics with this lead single from the group's third studio album Celebrity. Arguably it is one of the group's top artistic successes but commercial appeal did not follow with the song only reaching #19 on the pop singles chart. Don't miss Justin Timberlake's beatboxing.
29. Alien Ant Farm - "Smooth Criminal"
Courtesy SKG
This Michael Jackson cover was a major breakthrough hit for alt rock band Alien Ant Farm. It intensified the rock elements in Michael Jackson's music and topped the modern rock chart while climbing to #23 as a pop single. The music video includes many nods to Michael Jackson most notably the band doing the anti-gravity lean dance move from Michael Jackson's video.
28. Sum 41 - "Fat Lip"
Courtesy Island
Canadian pop punk band Sum 41 blasted into consciousness with this rock and hip hop blend that topped the modern rock chart and made inroads as a pop single. The debut album All Killer and No Filler reached the top 10 while going platinum.
27. Britney Spears - "I'm a Slave 4 U"
Courtesy Jive
Britney Spears received critical acclaim for the slinky, adult R&B groove of this single. The public responded less enthusiastically with the song only reaching #27 on the pop singles chart, but the album Britney reached #1 and was ultimately certified four times platinum.
26. U2 - "Stuck In a Moment You Can't Get Out Of"
Courtesy Island
U2's Bono wrote this song in the wake of the suicide of INXS lead vocalist Michael Hutchence. The sound of the song borrows a great deal from gospel music. The group earned a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance By a Duo or Group With Vocal for this recording.
25. Crazy Town - "Butterfly"
Courtesy Columbia
The catchy rap and rock combination on "Butterfly" put Crazy Town on the map and went to #1 on the pop singles chart in 15 different countries including the US. The group has remained a one-hit wonder never returning to the pop top 40.
24. 3 Doors Down - "Kryptonite"
Courtesy Universal Republic
"Kryptonite" was a very slow building hit for 3 Doors Down having been first released in 1999. It hit #1 on the modern rock chart for 11 weeks and then eventually climb to #3 on the pop singles chart. 3 Doors Down have gone on to have two #1 hit albums and two more top 10 pop singles, but none have matched the success of their first hit.
23. Shaggy - "It Wasn't Me"
Courtesy MCA
Reggae pop singer Shaggy first gained significant US chart success in 1995 with a pair of top 3 hits. However, he failed to return to the top 10 until six years later with this clever song about defending an undefensible act. It became Shaggy's first #1 pop hit in the US and topped the charts in the UK as well.
22. Dido - "Thank You"
Courtesy BMG
Pop fans in the US first became aware of Dido's "Thank You" due to its use as a sample in Eminem's hit single "Stan." Then, in an unusual twist of events, the original track became a hit after the song which sampled it. "Thank You" remains Dido's only top 10 pop hit in the US.
21. Christina Aguilera, Pink, Mya, and Lil' Kim - "Lady Marmalade"
Courtesy Interscope
The soundtrack for the movie Moulin Rouge was the occasion for this collaboration among young female superstars. The original recording of the sexually suggestive song by LaBelle went to #1 on the pop charts in 1975. This version hit #1 as well. It won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals.
