The Billboard Hot 100 is the music industry standard record chart in the United States of America for singles, published weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on sales (physical and digital), radio play, and online streaming.
The weekly sales period was originally Monday to Sunday, when they started tracking sales in 1991, but was changed to Friday to Thursday in July 2015. Radio airplay, which, unlike sales figures and streaming data, is readily available on a real-time basis, and is tracked on a Monday to Sunday cycle (previously Wednesday to Tuesday).[1] A new chart is compiled and officially released to the public by Billboard on Tuesdays.
The first number one song of the Hot 100 was "Poor Little Fool" by Ricky Nelson, on August 4, 1958. As of the issue for the week ending on May 5, 2018, the Hot 100 has had 1,072 different number one hits. The current number one song is "Nice for What" by Drake.
Keep in mind: These aren't my top ten songs of the decade. They aren't even my top ten Hit songs of the decade. It's just a ranking of every song which was ranked Number One on the Billboard Hot 100-in the 2000's. Personally, I would say virtually every song on this list is overrated.
For Fun, I picked one song for each year from the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 list that I would pick as an alternative for number one. Again, that doesn't mean it was my favorite song of the year-just from the top ten of the Billboard charts.
10. "We Belong Together" by Mariah Carey(2005)
While Mariah Carey is a very popular singer, it still baffles me this was the number one Hit Song in 2005. To make matters even stranger, the song spent 14 weeks in 2005 at the number one spot on the Billboards' Charts-making it the second-longest time a song has spent at the number one spot in the history of America's Billboard's. I guess it has one of those sounds...which never appealed to me much. I rank this a lower-mid-tier song at best, and one that could put you to sleep. Apparently, America indulged in it more than I can imagine.
My Pick From the Top Ten: "Hollaback Girl" by Gwen Stefani-Who didn't like this song? It was very catchy, had a high school band vibe to it, and it taught us all how to spell the word banana. It was #2 for 2005.
9. "Breath" by Faith Hill(2000)
Interestingly enough, this song was actually released at the tail-end of 1999, but since it spent five of its six weeks at the number one spot in the year of 2000-behold-we have the top 2000 Hit Song. I've never been a big fan of Country Music, and this song reminds me of Mariah Carey's in that it's just not much of a song to me. I ranked it a little higher than Carey's due to it having a memorable chorus.
My Pick From the Top Ten: "Smooth" by Carlos Santana featuring Rob Thomas-Again, #2 should have been numero uno. This song had killer guitar from one of the best guitarists of all time, Rob Thomas's voice, and a great Latino sound blended with rock. It's the perfect party song.
8. "Bad Day" by Daniel Powter(2006)
If you don't know who Daniel Powter is, that would make sense. After all, this was his only Hit Song. It's not that I wasn't another teenager driving, and singing this song with the windows down, but there is nothing truly talented, or even passionate about this song. It's a decent song, but it benefited from a non-competitive year for music. It spent five weeks at number one.
My Pick From the Top Ten: "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley-Why not pick another One-Hit Wonder instead? This song gives you that soothing, and nostalgic feeling the first time you hear it. It was #7 in 2006.
7. "Irreplaceable" by Beyonce(2007)
A catchy jingle that every high school girl in the 2000's sung in her car full of friends, and also benefited from a weak year of music. It's a little hard for a man to enjoy more I guess. I'll admit, I went to the left a few times myself. It definitely wouldn't be as popular if Beyonce didn't sing it.
My Pick From the Top Ten: "Hey There Delilah" by Plain White T's-This is a song both men, and women can relate to. It reminds me of some somber high school days. Another #7 pick, coincidentally enough in 2007.
6. "How You Remind Me" by Nickelback(2002)
Despite how much Americans claim to hate Nickelback, this was somehow the top of the charts in 2002-and that was a great year for music! Even though this is my favorite Nickelback song(which isn't saying much), I still don't think it was a top jam. At the time, I liked it a lot more than I do these days-but not quite enough for it to spend eight weeks at number one.
They were also lucky that Eminem's "Lose Yourself" was released so late in 2002. That made it split between 2002/2003, making it impossible to claim either year for the top Hit Song.
My Pick From the Top Ten: "Hot in Herre" by Nelly-It's getting hot in here, so take off all your clothes...and yet it sat at...#3
5. "Hanging By a Moment" by Lifehouse(2001)
Another One-Hit Wonder, except many people know who Lifehouse is for some reason. This is a good song, and reminds me of being a kid. A true classic at this point, and had a 1970's rock music sound to it. It only spent three weeks at number one in 2001.
My Pick From the Top Ten: "Drops of Jupiter(Tell Me)" by Train-This is pretty much the most popular song in the decade, so how it was placed #4 on the Billboards baffles me. Is there anyone who doesn't just love this song?
4. "Low" by Flo-Rida featuring T-Pain(2008)
This was a big club/dance hit, and people still sing it to this day. Even the teenagers I teach love singing this song. The bigger question is, who is T-Pain though?
My Pick From the Top Ten: "Low" by Flo-Rida featuring T-Pain-This was one time they got it right. The rest of the top ten is trash for 2008. I dare ya to Google "2008 Billboard Hits."
3. "Yeah!" by Usher featuring Lil' Jon, and Ludacris(2004)
Usher, Lil' Jon, and Ludacris were huge icons in the 2000's, and this is probably the most overplayed song of all time. Which should come as no surprise, this is number one. It's possibly the most sung chorus in the past 20 years.
My Pick From the Top Ten: "Hey Ya!" by Outkast-This was a little overplayed too, but this was also one of the catchiest, and unique Hip-Hop songs I've ever heard. Outkast always has a special place in my heart as well.
2. "In Da Club" by 50 Cent(2003)
"Go Shawty, it's your birthday" is one of the most popular rap lyrics of all time. This song defined 2000's rap music. 50 Cent used to be more iconic than he is now. Great song, great sound.
My Pick From the Top Ten: "Picture" by Kid Rock featuring Sheryl Crow-This may be a Country tune (remake of a rock song), but I love it! Love it, I tell ya! Kid Rock did a great job with this one, and Sheryl Crow just adds to it. Sorry 50 Cent, but this was a very competitive year for music. #9 for 2003.
1. "Boom Boom Pow" by Black Eyed Peas(2009)
It may not be the most overplayed, most lyrical, most talented, or even catchiest, but this is the best number one hit single of the decade(don't confuse that with the best song of the decade, because I would disagree with that). The 2000's saved the best top Hit Song for last. This takes me back to my first year of college, and all the times I would play this to relieve stress. It's very catchy, a nice beat, and The Black Eyed Peas have the ability to draw you in with their sound.
My Pick From the Top Ten: "I Gotta Feeling" by The Black Eyed Peas-And crazy enough, the same band made another smash hit:t I think this is probably their best song. The buildup to this song can't be beat, and I feel this is their most serious-sounding song(if that makes sense). The Black Eyed Pears owned 2009. #4
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