My Top 20 Songs Of The 21st Century

I was born in December of 2000 which means I have lived in every year of the 21st Century! That being said, I obviously experienced music much differently in 2005 at 4 years old than I did in 2025 at 24. I am writing this introduction before I make my list, but I have a prediction about where it will go. First, I think the list will be very 2000-2010 heavy as well as very 2020s heavy. I say this because while I enjoyed 2010s pop at the time, given those were my pre-teen to teenage years, I often do not return to that music as it sometimes brings back memories that I would rather forget. I mostly listen to pop and Spanish music (salsa, reggaeton, bachata.. etc), but I dip into most genres from time to time, even country. My only rule for this exercise is that I cannot do more than one song from each artist.

Disclaimers:

1) I am not saying this is an objective list of the "Best Songs of the 21st Century," it is just my opinion.

2) I have never studied music. I am assuming some things I write may sound naive to a music expert.

Here is the List:

20. Famous - Kanye West (2016)

I grew up listening to Kanye's big singles of the early 2000s, but when The Life of Pablo came out, I was 15, and it was the first time I dove into one of his albums. I was obsessed with the whole album and I think a big part of that was this being the first single. There is nothing really traditional about this song, but there is so much going on from the Taylor Swift diss to Rihanna's vocals and the Caribbean sounds at the end. Slightly before and definitely after this album, Kanye began to do and say things I vehemently disagree with. However, he truly is one of the best rappers of all time just with his work from 2004 to 2016.

19. Back to You (featuring: Bebe Rexha and Digital Farm Animals) - Louis Tomlinson (2017)

Okay, so, this one is definitely out of left field. I have nothing intelligent to say about it, but it has been one of my favorite songs since I heard it for the first time. Bebe Rexha is who makes this song for me. I love Louis, but I feel like Bebe could have made this song with any other male artist and it still would have been a smash.

18. Es Un Secreto - Plan B (2010)

When I started thinking of my list I knew Plan B had to be on here, but it was so hard to pick just one song. To me, they will forever be some of best reggaetoneros of all time. However, when it came down to picking one song, I thought about which one gets me the most excited to hear at the club. I thought back to a place I used to go to San Jose, Costa Rica, where every night, without fail, "Es Un Secreto" would come on and my friends and I would go crazy.

17. The Weekend - SZA (2017)

Like Plan B, SZA is a artists who I knew needed to be on the list. She truly has one of the best voices in the music industry today. There are about ten other SZA songs I could have chosen, but I decided to go with "The Weekend." It is one of her best songs, and the record that introduced me to her.

16. Flor Pálida - Marc Anthony (2013)

There is no genre that makes me happier than salsa. I have always enjoyed listening to it, but it took me moving to Guatemala and taking a salsa class to fully appreciate it. While I sucked at the dancing, I am so glad the class opened my ears to my comfort genre. There are so many iconic salsa artists, but the one I return to the most to is Marc Anthony, specifically his 3.0 album from 2013. There is a plethora of great songs on that album, but I decided on "Flor Pálida" because it is the one I listen to the most. I love the instrumental and Marc's vocals here.

15. Angel Of My Dreams - JADE (2024)

I knew this was one of the best songs I have ever heard upon listening to it for the first time. To me it is just pop perfection. I was lucky enough to see JADE live a few weeks ago, and she killed this song. Her live vocals surpassed my expectations.

14. Since U Been Gone - Kelly Clarkson (2004)

When I think of iconic American pop music of the 21st century, Kelly Clarkson comes right to my mind. "Since U Been Gone" was one of the first pop songs I fell in love with. I remember being at some department store and there was an MP3 player on display with this song on it. I kept listening to it while my parents shopped. This is pop perfection and one of the best showcases of Kelly Clarkson's vocals.

13. La Perla (featuring: Yahritza Y Su Escencia) - Rosalia (2025)

Rosalia's 2025 album Lux is quite possibly my favorite album of the 2020s. The first time I listened, I really appreciated her vocals, but thought the album was something I would probably not return to. However, this has now become a record I listen to front to back at least twice a week. It is a beautiful piece of artwork. I went back and forth on which song to include on my list, but ultimately settled on "La Perla," as it is the song I return to the most. I have lately found myself singing it at the top of my lungs on my way to work at 7:45AM. That is not something I would have predicated the first time I heard it.

12. TQG - Karol G and Shakira (2023)

Shakira and Karol G are two artists who I knew had to be on my list. I kept brainstorming which songs I would include. For Shakira I thought about 2016's "La Bicicleta" and her 2023 Bzrap Session. For Karol, I thought 2021's "Bichota" as well as a plethora of songs from her album Mañana Será Bonito, which is one of my favorite albums of all time. However, as I was combing through that album, I immediately stopped at "TQG" and knew that was the song for this list. This track is sexy, fun, and beautiful. Not to mention, while the art of the music video may be dying, this is one that I love. I have probably listened to this song 5,000 times and I never get bored of it.

11. Wildflower - Billie Eilish (2024)

Off the bat, I want to say this song did not deserve the Song of the Year award at the 2026 Grammys. It is frankly ridiculous that a song that is released in 2024 can win a Grammy in 2026. However, I will say, I fell in love with "Wildflower" upon first listen. I think everything from the lyrics, to the vocals, and production is flawless. I love Billie, but many of her songs leave me wanting more from her vocally. That is not the case here.

10. Callaíta - Bad Bunny (2022)

Bad Bunny is the only artists that has always been in my top 5 on Spotify Wrapped since 2019. He is the one singer that made me consider breaking my "one song per artist rule" as there are at least five of his other songs I wanted to include on this list. Just to mention a few: "Efecto," "DtMF," "LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii," and "Si Veo a Tu Mamá." However, I chose "Callaíta" because it is my favorite song to hear at the club. Yes this song may not be as fun to dance to as some of his others, but there is nothing more fun than belting this out when you are drunk. I have never seen Bad Bunny in concert, but when I do, I will pray he will play this.

9. Back To Black - Amy Winehouse (2006)

Amy Winehouse had one of the best voices for all time. Whenever I want to break out in song while I am driving alone, I can always turn on one of her records. While a basic choice, "Back To Black" is possibly my favorite of hers. Given I spent much of my high school years listening to her music, I had to include Amy on this list.

8. Ella Baila Sola - Eslabon Armando and Peso Pluma (2023)

This is the song that made me fall in love with modern Mexican regional music. Prior to hearing "Ella Baila Sola," I had never really dove into Mexican artists other than Luis Miguel. This song made me fall in love with Peso Pluma. Not only do I think he is so hot, his discography is excellent. This song was huge all over the world despite it coming from a genre that previously had not been popular outside of Mexico. I remember when I lived in Costa Rica singing this with my coworkers at a Karaoke night. Overall, this song proves that if you make a good song, it can reach audiences across cultures.

7. All For You - Janet Jackson (2001)

I did not really start to listen to Janet Jackson until i was in my 20s, but now she has become one of my most played artists. I love listening to Janet at my desk, in the car, at a party, and with my family. "All For You" is a perfect pop song that represents so much of what I love about Janet. The lyrics, light vocals, and energetic instrumental track make it such a pleasant listening experience.

6. Music - Madonna (2000)

It was so hard to choose between "Music" and "Hung Up," but I ultimately went with "Music" for the nostalgia it gives me. My mom is a huge Madonna fan. When I was young, she would play the Music album in our dining room and we would have a dance party. Obviously, our favorite song was always the title track. Another example of absolute pop perfection.

5. Gasolina - Daddy Yankee (2004)

Okay, we need to put respect on the first mainstream reggaeton hit in the United States! It is crazy how a song from 2004 still makes everyone at the club go crazy in 2026. Most of the songs you hear every time you go out eventually get old, cringey, and too predictable. I am talking about Flo Rida's "Low," The Killer's "Mr. Brightside," and any song from Katy Perry's Teenage Dream. However, this is a song I look forward to hearing every time I am out and about. I am so happy to hear this song when I am partying in Boston, New York, Mexico City, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Spain, and beyond.

4. Bodak Yellow - Cardi B (2017)

I still vaguely remember the first time I heard this song. I was scrolling on Snapchat or Instagram and I distinctly remember it was Khole Kardashian who either made a story or a post with it. This is my favorite rap song of all time. Similarly to "Gasolina," I am always pumped to hear this song when I am at a bar or club. When it comes on, I need to stop what I am doing and sing along. To me, "Bodak Yellow" is the pinnacle of a good rap record.

3. Gimme More - Britney Spears (2007)

Here you have it, my favorite Britney Spears song. "Gimme More" is sexy and fun, everything I want from a Britney record. When I studied in Spain at 21, whenever I felt homesick, I would walk around and listen to Britney Spears. I remember thinking: America is an extremely problematic country, but I am proud to be from the same place as Britney Spears.

2. Partition - Beyonce (2013)

It was so hard to pick one Beyonce song. However, I chose "Partition" because it comes from the self-titled album era where Beyonce's career truly made a turn from average pop star to a trend-setting, generation-defining talent. This song represents everything I love about Beyonce, it is experimental, unique, and beautiful. I still remember hearing it for the first time when I was in a friend's car on the way to the mall.

1. We Belong Together - Mariah Carey (2005)

Going into this, all I knew was "We Belong Together" would be number 1. This is a perfect song. It is so fun to sing and Mariah's vocals, especially towards the end, are spectacular. As a gay man, I have always "stanned" many female artists, but Mariah will forever be my number one. I love her attitude, vocals, and discography. Both Billboard and Rolling Stone have put this song on various lists of the best songs of the century or early 2000s, and I have to agree. There is something so special about Mariah Carey. It is a shame that most other people in my generation (Gen Z) do not seem to give her the flowers she deserves.