In 2001, popular music was dominated by a range of different sounds and styles. From the pop rock of Nickelback to the hip hop of Jay-Z, there was something for everyone to enjoy. In this list, we take a look at 20 of the greatest songs from 2001.
Contents
- 1. “When It’s Over” by Sugar Ray
- 2. “Chop Suey!” by System of a Down
- 3. “Fallin'” by Alicia Keys
- 4. “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child
- 5. “Get Ur Freak On” by Missy Elliott
- 6. “Lady Marmalade” by Christina Aguilera, Mýa, Pink, Lil’ Kim
- 7. “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” by Eve featuring Gwen Stefani
- 8. “Peaches & Cream” by 112
- 9. “How You Remind Me” by Nickelback
- 10. “Family Affair” by Mary J. Blige
- 11. “All for You” by Janet Jackson
- 12. “Get Over Yourself” by Eden’s Crush
- 13. “U Remind Me” by Usher
- 14. “There You’ll Be” by Faith Hill
- 15. “I’m A Slave 4 U” by Britney Spears
- 16. “Hero” by Enrique Iglesias
- 17. “Drops of Jupiter” by Train
- 18. “Loverboy” by Mariah Carey featuring Cameo
- 19. “I’m Real” by Jennifer Lopez
- 20. “Wherever You Will Go” by The Calling
- Final Thoughts
1. “When It’s Over” by Sugar Ray
Starting off the list strong, “When It’s Over” is a classic Sugar Ray track that was released in 2001. The song peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and is one of the band’s most popular songs to date. It’s a song about breakups and moving on, something that many people could relate to in 2001.
2. “Chop Suey!” by System of a Down
A track that earned the band its first Grammy nomination, “Chop Suey!” was an instant hit upon its release in 2001. It’s one of System of a Down’s most well-known songs and the lyrics can be interpreted to be about death or Christ. You can still stream this track on all music platforms.
3. “Fallin'” by Alicia Keys
This next song was a breakout hit for Alicia Keys, propelling her into the mainstream. “Fallin'” is a soulful ballad about the ups and downs of a relationship. It became one of the most popular songs of 2001 and won Alicia Keys not just one, but three Grammy awards.
4. “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child
Nobody could possibly forget about this next song. “Survivor” was Destiny’s Child’s response to the news that three of the group’s members were leaving the band. The lyrics are empowering and the song is now seen as one of the group’s defining tracks.
5. “Get Ur Freak On” by Missy Elliott
Another bop on this list comes from the one and only Missy Elliott. “Get Ur Freak On” is a fun and catchy track that had everyone dancing in 2001. It’s one of Missy Elliott’s most well-known songs and is still a fan favorite today.
6. “Lady Marmalade” by Christina Aguilera, Mýa, Pink, Lil’ Kim
“Lady Marmalade” is a classic song that was originally released in 1974. However, the 2001 version of the track, which featured Christina Aguilera, Mýa, Pink, and Lil’ Kim, is the one that everyone remembers. The song became a huge hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
7. “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” by Eve featuring Gwen Stefani
This next song is a collaboration between Eve and Gwen Stefani that was released in 2001. “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” is a catchy track with a great beat. You can still hear this song being played on the radio today.
8. “Peaches & Cream” by 112
Next on the list is a track that was impossible to escape in 2001, no matter what kind of music you were into. That song is “Peaches & Cream” by 112.
It features a catchy, easy-to-sing-along hook and some truly smooth production. The song was the lead single off of 112’s third studio album Part III.
9. “How You Remind Me” by Nickelback
Nickelback’s “How You Remind Me” was another ubiquitous track in 2001, thanks to its massive success at radio. The lead single off of the band’s third album Silver Side Up, the song peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and helped Silver Side Up become a very successful album.
10. “Family Affair” by Mary J. Blige
“Family Affair” was a massive hit for Mary J. Blige in 2001, spending weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The track was produced by Dr. Dre and featured some truly iconic bass lines. It was the lead single off of Blige’s fifth studio album No More Drama.
11. “All for You” by Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson was a huge star in the ’90s, and her 2001 album “All for You” continued that momentum. The title track was a massive hit, peaking at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Jackson’s Super Bowl halftime show performance the following year would garner much notoriety, but “All for You” remains one of her biggest hits.
12. “Get Over Yourself” by Eden’s Crush
“Get Over Yourself” was the debut single from girl group Eden’s Crush. The song became a surprise hit, peaking at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. Though the group would only release one album, “Get Over Yourself” remains their most well-known song.
13. “U Remind Me” by Usher
Usher is still one of the biggest names in R&B. A song like “U Remind Me” is a big part of the reason why. The song became a hit all over the world, reaching a spot in the top five hits of several countries. In the US, it peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
14. “There You’ll Be” by Faith Hill
A song from the “Pearl Harbor” soundtrack, “There You’ll Be” became one of Faith Hill’s biggest hits. It now has over 16 million views on Youtube and was nominated for a Grammy Award. You can’t hear the song without thinking of the film’s tragic love story.
15. “I’m A Slave 4 U” by Britney Spears
If you’re a fan of Britney Spears, then “I’m A Slave 4 U” is probably one of your favorite songs. The song was a departure from her earlier work, with a more mature sound and subject matter. “I’m A Slave 4 U” proved that Britney was growing up, and her fans loved it.
16. “Hero” by Enrique Iglesias
Probably Enrique Iglesias’ most well-known song, “Hero” was a smash hit all over the world. It topped the charts in several countries and has been covered by many artists. If you’re looking for a feel-good yet heart-wrenching song, “Hero” is definitely one to add to your playlist.
17. “Drops of Jupiter” by Train
“Drops of Jupiter” was Train’s breakout hit, and it propelled them to superstardom. The song won a Grammy Award and was nominated for several others. It’s also one of those songs that everyone seems to know, even if they don’t know who Train is.
18. “Loverboy” by Mariah Carey featuring Cameo
This next song is a bit of a guilty pleasure. “Loverboy” was Mariah Carey’s first single from her album “Glitter.”
The song was panned by critics, but that didn’t stop it from becoming a huge hit. It peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has been dubbed one of Carey’s signature songs.
19. “I’m Real” by Jennifer Lopez
Here’s another track from Jennifer Lopez that’s sure to get you moving. “I’m Real” was a huge hit, reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100. Reaching over 200 million views on Youtube, the song remains one of Lopez’s most popular.
20. “Wherever You Will Go” by The Calling
Finishing up our list is “Wherever You Will Go” by The Calling. The song was a massive hit, reaching No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. It has been covered by many artists over the years and was featured in various TV shows and films.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, our list of the 20 greatest songs from 2001. These songs have stood the test of time and remain popular to this day. If you’re looking for some good music to listen to, be sure to check out these tracks.
I’m A Slave 4 U MTV VMA Live Performance Still Featured Image (Bottom) by: Scott Gries/Images Direct, Fair use, Link