What's Your Favorite Song From 2001?
It’s hard to believe, but the year 2001 gave us a treasure trove of timeless bangers. From pop powerhouses and hip-hop legends to one-hit wonders and emerging rock royalty, this was a year of major musical milestones.
Here’s a nostalgic look back at some of the biggest songs that dropped in 2001.
Fallin’ – Alicia Keys
With sultry vocals and a piano-driven melody, Alicia Keys’ debut single "Fallin’" was an instant classic. It topped the Billboard Hot 100, won three Grammy Awards, and catapulted Keys into superstardom.
Alicia Keys - Fallin' (Official HD Video), Alicia Keys
Survivor – Destiny’s Child
An empowering anthem with attitude, "Survivor" declared Destiny’s Child’s resilience. Beyoncé, Kelly, and Michelle cemented their place in pop history with this bold, driven track—and the iconic nature-themed video didn’t hurt either.
Destiny's Child - Survivor (Official Video), Destiny's Child
Get Ur Freak On – Missy Elliott
Missy Elliott changed the game with “Get Ur Freak On,” a wild, genre-defying track full of infectious energy and sonic surprises. It became a defining moment in both hip-hop and pop culture.
Missy Elliott - Get Ur Freak On [Official Music Video], Missy Elliott
U Got It Bad – Usher
Smooth, soulful, and dripping with heartbreak, Usher’s “U Got It Bad” topped the Billboard Hot 100 and solidified his R&B dominance heading into the 2000s.
Usher - U Got It Bad (Official Video), Usher
Can’t Get You Out of My Head – Kylie Minogue
With its hypnotic beat and unforgettable "la la la" hook, Kylie Minogue’s electro-pop comeback was a global sensation. It reintroduced her to the US audience and dominated European charts.
Kylie Minogue - Can't Get You Out Of My Head (Official Video), Kylie Minogue
Lady Marmalade – Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mýa, Pink & Missy Elliott
This powerhouse collaboration from the *Moulin Rouge!* soundtrack combined four major female artists—and Missy Elliott’s production flair—into a cover that not only honored the original but elevated it with glam and grit.
Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya, P!nk - Lady Marmalade, Christina Aguilera
Drops of Jupiter – Train
Train’s orchestral rock ballad “Drops of Jupiter” was poetic and packed with emotion. It earned multiple Grammy nominations and remains one of the band’s signature songs.
Train - Drops of Jupiter (Official Video), Train
It Wasn’t Me – Shaggy feat. RikRok
Shaggy’s tale of denial—"wasn’t me!"—became a hilarious and catchy cultural phenomenon. Despite its unconventional narrative, the song topped charts and became one of the year’s most unexpected hits.
Shaggy - It Wasn't Me (Video), Timeless Music Hits
Family Affair – Mary J. Blige
Produced by Dr Dre, this club-ready jam took Mary J Blige to the top of the charts for the first time. “No more drama” was the mantra, and "Family Affair" delivered it with style and groove.
Mary J. Blige - Family Affair (Official Music Video), Mary J Blige
Clint Eastwood – Gorillaz
This debut single introduced the world to Damon Albarn’s virtual band Gorillaz. “Clint Eastwood” was moody, unique, and genre-bending—ushering in a whole new multimedia approach to music.
Gorillaz - Clint Eastwood (Official Video), Gorillaz
Stutter – Joe feat. Mystikal
R&B singer Joe teamed up with Mystikal for a remix that gave “Stutter” extra bite—and sent it to #1 on the Billboard charts. It was a smooth blend that listeners couldn't stop grooving to.
Joe - Stutter (Remix Video Without Film Footage), Joe
Peaches & Cream – 112
This steamy, uptempo track by R&B group 112 was both catchy and controversial. Its suggestive lyrics and slick production made it a defining track of early 2000s bedroom R&B.
112 - Peaches And Cream (Official Music Video), Bad Boy Entertainment
Let Me Blow Ya Mind – Eve feat. Gwen Stefani
Produced by Dr Dre, this chill-yet-tough anthem paired rapper Eve with No Doubt’s Gwen Stefani. The unlikely duo struck gold, and the song won the first Grammy ever awarded for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.
Eve - Let Me Blow Ya Mind (Official Music Video) ft. Gwen Stefani, The Real Eve
I’m Real (Murder Remix) – Jennifer Lopez feat. Ja Rule
This remix redefined JLo’s sound and brought her hip-hop credentials to the forefront. Her chemistry with Ja Rule made this version a radio mainstay and gave her a new image edge.
Jennifer Lopez - I'm Real (Remix) ft. Ja Rule, Jennifer Lopez
Someone to Call My Lover – Janet Jackson
Sampling America’s “Ventura Highway,” this breezy track showed Janet’s softer, romantic side. It was one of the standout tracks from her All for You album era.
Janet Jackson - Someone To Call My Lover (Official Music Video), Janet Jackson
Island in the Sun – Weezer
Weezer went sun-soaked and sentimental on this beloved indie-pop single. “Island in the Sun” became one of the band’s most iconic songs, and its beachy video matched the mood perfectly.
Weezer - Island In The Sun (Official Music Video), weezer
Hero – Enrique Iglesias
A romantic ballad with cinematic flair, “Hero” became a massive international hit and helped solidify Enrique Iglesias’ crossover into English-language stardom.
Enrique Iglesias - Hero [2K Remastered], elcoronelGOD
How You Remind Me – Nickelback
Love them or loathe them, Nickelback had their biggest hit in 2001 with this angst-filled rocker. “How You Remind Me” was Billboard’s top song of 2002 thanks to its mid-year 2001 release.
Nickelback - How You Remind Me [OFFICIAL VIDEO], Roadrunner Records
When It’s Over – Sugar Ray
Sugar Ray continued their post-“Fly” success with this sunny, bittersweet tune. It captured the band’s mellow vibe and was a staple on pop radio all year long.
Sugar Ray - When It's Over (Official Music Video), RHINO
Smooth Criminal – Alien Ant Farm
This heavy-hitting cover of Michael Jackson’s classic gave it a nu-metal twist—and surprisingly, it worked. The song was a smash on both radio and MTV, complete with a backflip-filled video.
Alien Ant Farm - Smooth Criminal (Official Music Video), Alien Ant Farm Channel
Bootylicious – Destiny’s Child
Yes, Beyoncé and crew had two major hits in 2001. “Bootylicious” wasn’t just a club anthem—it became a pop culture term that made its way into the dictionary.
Destiny's Child - Bootylicious, Destiny's Child
Whenever, Wherever – Shakira
Shakira’s English-language breakthrough was exotic, bold, and completely fresh. “Whenever, Wherever” helped launch her global career and became one of the biggest international hits of the year.
Shakira - Whenever, Wherever (Official HD Video), Shakira
Dig In – Lenny Kravitz
Funky and electric, “Dig In” was a late-2001 release that gave Lenny Kravitz yet another radio hit. It won a Grammy for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance and reinforced his staying power.
Lenny Kravitz - Dig In, Lenny Kravitz
He Loves U Not – Dream
One of 2001’s catchiest girl-group bops, Dream’s “He Loves U Not” combined attitude and pop appeal. Though the group didn’t last long, this track burned bright during its moment.
DREAM - He Loves U Not (Official Video), DREAMVEVO
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