Think jeans pocket iPods and burned CDs. One 2000s hit appears, four names glow. Only one matches the original single from that decade. Tap it and slide to the next memory.
Let nostalgia do real work. You can feel Max-sized choruses, Neptunes snap, Timbaland shuffle, RedOne lasers; emo radio confessions; country-pop shine; dance-punk weekends. The palette places the year before the credits do.
If your thumb can “scroll-hear” the singer before you read the list, you’re already there. Choose that name, breathe, and keep the wheel spinning.
[A] Green Day | Green Day transformed punk into Broadway-ready anthems with this track. Billie Joe Armstrong's vulnerable lyrics contrast with massive production, creating emo's mainstream moment.
2/30
Need You Now?
[B] Lady Antebellum | Lady Antebellum's harmonies blend country with pop sensibilities perfectly. The late-night drunk dial theme resonates across genres because loneliness is universal.
3/30
Empire State of Mind?
[A] Jay-Z with Alicia Keys | Jay-Z and Alicia Keys created New York's modern anthem together. The Sinatra homage updates classic Broadway for hip-hop's golden era dominance.
4/30
Bad Romance?
[D] Lady Gaga | Lady Gaga's theatrical vocals meet RedOne's electronic wizardry explosively. The French fashion references and monster metaphors defined pop's weird new era.
5/30
Music?
[B] Madonna | Madonna proved her relevance by embracing electronic music early. Mirwais's production stripped away everything except groove, showing restraint creates power.
6/30
Bad Day?
[C] Daniel Powter | Daniel Powter's piano ballad became American Idol's elimination soundtrack. The relatable lyrics about everyday struggles made audiences feel seen and understood.
7/30
Dilemma?
[B] Nelly with Kelly Rowland | Nelly and Kelly Rowland's chemistry made this Dilemma irresistible. The Patti LaBelle sample adds soul while the Nokia phone scene became iconic.
8/30
Stan?
[C] Eminem with Dido | Eminem's storytelling masterpiece features Dido's haunting 'Thank You' sample. The narrative structure influenced countless rappers to explore darker emotional territories.
9/30
Love Story?
[D] Taylor Swift | Taylor Swift modernized Romeo and Juliet for country-pop audiences. Her teenage perspective captured first love's intensity while staying radio-friendly throughout.
10/30
Beautiful Day?
[A] U2 | U2's optimism after 9/11 provided global healing through music. The Edge's guitar effects create cathedral-like atmosphere while Bono preaches hope.
11/30
Rehab?
[D] Amy Winehouse | Amy Winehouse refused rehab, making this ironic anthem timeless. Mark Ronson's retro production highlighted Amy's jazz influences while keeping things contemporary.
12/30
Seven Nation Army?
[C] The White Stripes | The White Stripes' stadium chant started as guitar riff. Jack White's minimalist approach proved sometimes seven notes can conquer the world.
13/30
Big Girls Don't Cry (Personal)?
[B] Fergie | Fergie's vulnerable side emerged through this emotional ballad. The production strips away Black Eyed Peas' usual party atmosphere for genuine heartbreak.
14/30
Mr. Brightside?
[A] The Killers | The Killers captured jealousy's paranoia through new wave revival. Brandon Flowers's vocals convey desperation while synths create claustrophobic sonic anxiety perfectly.
15/30
Take Me Out?
[C] Franz Ferdinand | Franz Ferdinand made art rock danceable for indie crowds. The Scottish band's angular guitars and cheeky lyrics defined mid-2000s alternative scenes.
16/30
You Belong with Me?
[A] Taylor Swift | Taylor Swift's high school hallway observations became universal truths. The cheerleader versus girl-next-door narrative tapped into everyone's underdog fantasies brilliantly.
17/30
Clocks?
[B] Coldplay | Coldplay's piano loop creates urgency through repetition. Chris Martin recorded vocals lying down, creating the breathless quality that defines the track.
18/30
Kryptonite?
[D] 3 Doors Down | 3 Doors Down's post-grunge accessibility conquered rock radio completely. The Superman metaphor resonated with everyday heroes feeling underappreciated everywhere.
19/30
Independent Women?
[A] Destiny's Child | Destiny's Child celebrated financial independence through R&B excellence. Beyoncé's father managed them while they sang about not needing men's money.
20/30
Hey There Delilah?
[D] Plain White T's | Plain White T's recorded this cheaply, proving authenticity sells. The acoustic simplicity let Tom Higgenson's earnest delivery shine without production tricks.
21/30
Use Somebody?
[C] Kings of Leon | Kings of Leon evolved from garage rock to arena anthems. Caleb Followill's raw vocals over reverb-drenched guitars created atmospheric Southern rock.
22/30
Get Ur Freak On?
[B] Missy Elliott | Missy Elliott's innovative production techniques revolutionized hip-hop's sonic palette. Timbaland's backwards vocals and Eastern influences made this impossibly ahead-of-time.
23/30
Lady Marmalade?
[C] Christina Aguilera with Lil' Kim, Mya, & Pink | Christina Aguilera assembled pop's greatest girl group for this cover. The Labelle classic got modern production while maintaining its sass and power.
24/30
Chasing Cars?
[D] Snow Patrol | Snow Patrol's build-up structure became the power ballad template. Gary Lightbody's emotional delivery over swelling instrumentation created guaranteed tearjerker material.
25/30
The Reason?
[B] Hoobastank | Hoobastank's relationship autopsy resonated with breakup survivors everywhere. The post-grunge production provided cathartic release through distorted guitars and pain.
26/30
Hey, Soul Sister?
[A] Train | Train's ukulele comeback surprised everyone including themselves. Patrick Monahan's soulful delivery over minimal production proved less really is more.
27/30
Disturbia?
[A] Rihanna | Rihanna embraced dark pop before it became trendy. The minor key production and paranoid lyrics predicted pop music's gothic turn.
28/30
Complicated?
[B] Avril Lavigne | Avril Lavigne introduced mall punk to mainstream audiences successfully. Her tie-wearing tomboy image contradicted pop princesses while keeping melodies sweet.
29/30
Since U Been Gone?
[D] Kelly Clarkson | Kelly Clarkson's rock transformation shocked American Idol fans positively. Max Martin's production balanced pop sensibilities with genuine rock energy throughout.
30/30
Hot N Cold?
[C] Katy Perry | Katy Perry's bipolar romance metaphor struck gold again. The hot-and-cold dynamic everyone's experienced made this relatable despite its silliness.