A wide selection of good music from 2005 brings older listeners nostalgia for years passed, and young listeners an audio experience of musical history. This year has helped shape many of the current songs popular on the radio today.
Check out some of the best songs from 2005. You might recognize and remember many of them, and others may be worth adding to your music collection.
1. “We Belong Together” by Mariah Carey
Song Year: 2005
If you’re looking for good music from 2005, you must listen to “We Belong Together” by Mariah Carey. This chart-topping song from her album The Emancipation of Mimi continues to get radio play for its smooth rhythm, heartfelt lyrics, and Mariah Carey’s epic vocal range.
“We Belong Together” shares the heartwrenching feeling of loving someone after you’ve let them go. 2005 was a great year for Mariah, with another amazing hit, “Shake it Off,” released the same year off of the same album.
2. “Hollaback Girl” by Gwen Stefani
Song Year: 2005
Everyone learned how to correctly spell banana with Gwen Stefani’s hit song “Hollaback Girl.” This is one of the best songs from 2005 from No Doubt’s lead singer’s solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby.
While the album got released in 2004, Stefani re-released “Hollaback Girl” as a single in 2005 alongside the award-winning music video featuring Gwen as a cheerleader. The song, co-written by Stefani, Pharrell Williams, and Chad Hugo, peaked on the US Billboard Top 100 charts for four weeks.
3. “Let Me Love You” by Mario
Song Year: 2004 & 2005
“Let Me Love You” by Mario was released in 2004 in the United States and in 2005 in other parts of the world, making it one of the best songs from 2005 for a nostalgic romance song.
From the moment you hear the opening music and Mario’s sultry voice, everyone will get into the groove. The song is about a man who loves a woman who’s with a man that doesn’t deserve her. In this love ballad, Mario suggests himself as a better option.
4. “Behind These Hazel Eyes” by Kelly Clarkson
Song Year: 2005
Kelly Clarkson released one of the best break-up anthems with her hit song “Behind These Hazel Eyes” in 2005. This song is from the American Idol winner’s debut album Breakaway and, alongside the chart-topping success of “Since U Been Gone,” gave Clarkson two songs in the top three charts in 2005.
It’s no wonder why “Behind These Hazel Eyes” got so much radio time in 2005; the song showcases Clarkson’s vocal range in an emotional song, making it one of the best songs of 2005 if you need a good cry.
5. “Feel Good Inc” by Gorillaz
Song Year: 2005
One of the best songs from 2005 is “Feel Good Inc” by the British group Gorillaz from their album Demon Days. The alternative rock and hip-hop group released this slow and catchy tune with a music video featuring their animated characters. The song includes a combination of rapping and singing with hooks that listeners can recall easily, even over fifteen years later.
During performances, Gorillaz rarely revealed their faces. Instead, they projected renditions of their animated characters onto screens.
6. “Sugar, We’re Goin’ Down” by Fall Out Boy
Song Year: 2005
Fall Out Boy released one of their most popular songs in 2005, “Sugar, We’re Goin’ Down.” This song became popular again in 2022 as a sound clip for TikTok videos and Instagram Reels.
Marking the emo era, Fall Out Boy’s hit album From Under the Cork Tree was exceptionally commercially successful. In 2005, band member Pete Wentz featured as himself on season three of the TV series One Tree Hill with the series featuring “Sugar, We’re Goin’ Down” on the soundtrack.
7. “Beverly Hills” by Weezer
Song Year: 2005
One of the best songs from 2005 about celebrity living is “Beverly Hills” by Weezer. This chart-topping indie song sings about longing to be part of the high society in the lavish neighborhood of Beverly Hills.
Originally Rivers Cuomo wrote the lyrics as a serious desire, though audiences have since taken it as a tongue-in-cheek statement. Regardless, the “gimmie, gimmie” hook is undeniably catchy.
Weezer released “Beverly Hills” on their 2005 album Make Believe, and it remains one of Weezer’s most commercially successful songs.
8. “Best of You” by Foo Fighters
Song Year: 2005
The Foo Fighters are a classic example of good music from 2005, especially the song “Best of You” from their album In Your Honor. The moment Dave Grohl opens this song, listeners are sure to sing along.
Upon its release in 2005, “Best of You” peaked at number one on US mainstream rock and Canadian rock weekly music charts. However, its legacy lives on as it continues to be a popular rotation on indie rock radio stations today.
9. “Don’t Phunk With My Heart” by The Black Eyed Peas
Song Year: 2005
“Don’t Phunk With My Heart” by The Black Eyed Peas is one of the best songs from 2005. This song uses funky beats and a driving drum rhythm alongside vocals from Fergie and rap verses from Will.i.am and Taboo.
The cheeky title and use of the word “phunk” instead of a swear got this song lots of radio time, though a radio version also got released in 2005.
10. “Lose Control” by Missy Elliott
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=na7lIb09898
Song Year: 2005
Missy Elliott owned the dance, hip-hop, and rap music scene with her 2005 hit song “Lose Control.” With chaotic background instrumentals and cameos from musicians like Ciara and Fat Man Scoop, this song helped Missy Elliott maintain her crown in the female rap game in the 2000s.
The music video featured Missy Elliot and dancers in navy blue outfits, white gloves, and white sneakers dancing against a black backdrop. As the lights flicker, the white gloves and sneakers reveal the intricate choreography earning it the 2005 MTV Video Music Award for Best Dance Video.
11. “Photograph” by Nickelback
Song Year: 2005
Every radio station played the emotional pop song “Photograph” by Canadian rock band Nickelback in 2005. This song is from Nickelback’s album All the Right Reasons. It tells the story of a man looking through his old photographs and reliving some of his life’s best and worst moments.
The chorus of this popular song is undeniably catchy for fans and haters alike. The music video shows the band exploring lead singer Chad Kroeger’s hometown, winning it the MuchMusic Video Award for Best Rock Video in 2005.
12. “Wait (The Whisper Song)” by Ying Yang Twins
Song Year: 2005
“Wait (The Whisper Song)” by Ying Yang Twins was a commercial success in 2005, from the album United States of Atlanta (U.S.A.)
The song features the Ying Yang Twins rapping seductive lyrics in whispers. “Wait (The Whisper Song)” peaked in the top three on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs in 2005.
13. “Over My Head (Cable Car)” by The Fray
Song Year: 2005
“Over My Head (Cable Car)” by the pop band The Fray is one of the examples of good music from 2005. This popular 2000s song from the album Stealth sings about feeling like life’s burdens are too much, making it a highly-relatable song from 2005.
The song’s lyrics were partially inspired by the lead singer’s estranged relationship with a long friend and the need to face it to move forward.
14. “Don’t Cha” by The Pussycat Dolls feat. Busta Rhymes
Song Year: 2005
Despite their brief musical career, The Pussycat Dolls released some popular songs when they owned the stage in the 2000s. “Don’t Cha” by The Pussycat Dolls featuring Busta Rhymes is one of Doll’s biggest hits from 2005. The pop and dance song features the vocals of the six female members singing about why they are a better option than a man’s current girlfriend.
“Don’t Cha” dominated the charts in 2005 and peaked at number one on music charts worldwide upon its release.
15. “Gold Digger” by Kanye West
Song Year: 2005
Listeners will recognize this popular song from 2005 the second they hear the sample from Ray Charles’s 1954 song, “I Got a Woman,” with Kanye’s iconic voice rapping overtop in the 2005 song “Gold Digger” by Kanye West.
“Gold Digger” is from Kanye’s second studio album, Late Registration. The song raps and sings about gold diggers, women who prefer men with money, and was a club hit upon its release.
16. “Soul Meets Body” by Death Cab For Cutie
Song Year: 2005
“Soul Meets Body” by the American band Death Cab For Cutie is one of the great songs from 2005. “Soul Meets Body” is from the album Plans and features strumming guitars and upbeat instrumentals. The poetic lyrics speak about wanting to feel real in his bodily form and less in his head.
This indie song has a catchy chorus and bridge for easy listening, which made this song get plenty of radio time in 2005 and onwards. Death Cab For Cutie saw this “Soul Meets Body” reach number one on the 2005 US Billboard Adult Alternative Songs weekly charts.
17. “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” by Bon Jovi feat. Jennifer Nettles
Song Year: 2005
One of the best songs from 2005 is “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” by Bon Jovi featuring Jennifer Nettles as the female vocals. This upbeat country pop song from Bon Jovi’s album Have a Nice Day is about inspiring someone to return home after years of running away.
Upon its release in 2005, the feel-good song “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” peaked at number one on the weekly US Billboard Hot Country Songs.
18. “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” by Panic! At The Disco
Song Year: 2005
“I Write Sins Not Tragedies” by Panic! At The Disco is one of the popular songs in the emo genre that was widely popular at the time. This song is from the American pop band’s debut 2005 album, A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out.
The song tells a story, painting a vivid picture of a wedding scene that gets destroyed by infidelity. The music video featured the band dressed as circus characters crashing a wedding.
19. “Fix You” by Coldplay
Song Year: 2005
The slow, sad song “Fix You” by Coldplay is one example of good music from 2005. This song is from Coldplay’s album X&Y. The song was inspired by the lead singer Chris Martin’s wife and life’s hardships. The song speaks about loving someone even when they feel they are broken.
“Fix You” features beautiful piano instrumentals, emotional vocals, and thoughtful lyrics that make listeners sing along. Despite being a sad song, “Fix You” went three times platinum in the UK.
20. “Remember the Name” by Fort Minor
Song Year: 2005
Fort Minor is the musical side project of the famous singer and music producer Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park. In 2005, Fort Minor released the rap album The Rising Tied with the hit song “Remember the Name.”
This song raps and sings about what it takes to be successful, with recipes and percentages of what a person should give to make it to the top. With inspirational lyrics, a catchy chorus, and exceptional instrumentals, it’s no surprise “Remember the Name” is remembered as one of the best songs from 2005.
21. “Hips Don’t Lie” by Shakira
Song Year: 2005
If you want one of the best Spanish songs from 2005, listen to “Hips Don’t Lie” by Shakira. This Spanish dance song was a hit on international radio stations, and Shakira’s clips of iconic vocals in “Hips Don’t Lie” continue to be featured on social media pages.
“Hips Don’t Lie” is from Shakira’s album Oral Fixation Vol. 2 and crowned the Colombian singer as the 2006 Latin Billboard Music Awards winner for Hot Latin Song of the Year in the Vocal Duet or Collaboration category.
Top Songs From 2005, Final Thoughts
A lot of good music from 2005 still gets radio play today or is trending again as TikTok samples; get ahead of the trends and check out the best songs from 2005 today.
Whether you want a slow, sad song or a 2005 party song, these top songs from 2005 are the perfect addition to your 2000s music playlist or a video soundtrack.