30. Madonna - "Music" (2000)
Courtesy Warner Bros.
Madonna headed triumphantly into the new decade with this heavily electronic classic. The voice in the beginning that sounds male is actually Madonna's words heavily reprocessed. It was a #1 smash around the world and nominated for a Grammy Award for Record of the Year.
29. Mary J. Blige - "Family Affair" (2002)
© MCA Records
The music for "Family Affair" originated in a Dr. Dre led jam session. Mary J. Blige helped contribute lyrics. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks.
28. Snow Patrol - "Chasing Cars" (2006)
Courtesy Interscope
Snow Patrol lead vocalist Gary Lightbody has the perfect instrument to convey the power and emotion of his words. He has strong enough vocal chops to hold his own against the surge of backing guitars, but wisely avoids vocal histrionics that could break the song's spell. It is no surprise that Lightbody has said "Chasing Cars" is "the most pure and open love song" he has written.
27. Keri Hilson featuring Kanye West and Ne-Yo - "Knock You Down" (2009)
Courtesy Interscope
Songwriter Keri Hilson continued her emergence as a solo singing star with this top 3 pop single. The record was a true group effort with contributions from Ne-Yo, Kanye West, and Danja among others.
26. Beyonce featuring Jay-Z - "Crazy In Love" (2003)
Courtesy Columbia Records
"Crazy In Love" made it obvious that Beyonce would have no difficulty with solo success outside of Destiny's Child. It brought Beyonce six Grammy Award nominations including Record of the Year, and it won for Best R&B Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. The rap from Beyonce's boyfriend Jay-Z was a last minute addition to the recording.
25. Kanye West - "Love Lockdown" (2008)
Courtesy Rockafella
The first surprise of "Love Lockdown" is that it's a singing, not rapping, Kanye West all the way through. He is not a stunningly gifted singer, but the use of Auto-Tune technology helps create a vocal that is impressive in its electronic precision and drama. Minimalist pounding bass line from the classic 808 drum machine effectively represents the pounding heart in love which continually races into restless overdrive delivered by taiko drums.
24. Leona Lewis - "Bleeding Love" (2007)
Courtesy J Records
The success of "Bleeding Love" is not just due to the hoopla surrounding Leona Lewis and her stunning voice that is equal parts Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, and her own restrained gracefulness. There is magic in the song. Co-written by OneRepublic leader Ryan Tedder and teen star Jesse McCartney, the dramatic lyrics are a perfect foil for Lewis' melismatic performance. As producer, Ryan Tedder surrounds the words with a solemn underpinning of organ chords set off by marching band style drums.
23. Nelly - "Hot In Herre" (2002)
Courtesy Universal
Nelly recorded one of the top party tracks of the decade with "Hot in Herre." The song was produced by the Neptunes and features the ultra-catchy chorus, "It's gettin' hot in herre, so take off all your clothes." It became Nelly's first #1 pop hit.
22. Black Eyed Peas - "Where Is the Love?" (2003)
Courtesy A&M Records
"Where Is the Love?" was the first Black Eyed Peas single to feature Fergie. The socially conscious song also marked a shift toward mainstream pop for the group. It became the first top 10 pop hit by the Black Eyed Peas.
21. Fall Out Boy - "Sugar, We're Goin' Down" (2005)
Courtesy Island Records
This song was the first major label single from post-hardcore band Fall Out Boy. The sheer power of the sound surrounding a catchy pop melody and the group's enigmatic lyrics ultimately proved irresistible to teen fans, and the song charged all the way into the pop top 10.
