🎵 2000s Pop Wedding Songs
With the rise of American Idol, boy bands, solo female dominance, we all enjoyed a decade of many party hits!
Let’s get my wedding playlists of the 2000s kicked off with 2000s pop. With the rise of American Idol, boy bands and members going solo, and solo female dominance, there are many great party hits (and slow dances too).
Table of Contents:
Party Songs
Background Songs (Dinner/Cocktail Hour)
Slow Dance Songs
(Spotify Playlist) - 40 songs!
One condition to this list. Every song must have been released in the 2000s. Nothing from the 1990s and 2010s!
If you are interested, more playlists from the 2000s are coming soon!
Party Time
Bye Bye Bye - *NSync
2000 - The iconic dance moves became a routine by fans. It peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100. It is also a very popular last dance song at weddings!
Candyman - Christina Aguilera
2007 - A song with a retro vibe that will make you think of poodle skirts. It is a fun dance song and has accented many wedding cake cuttings too.
Come Clean - Hilary Duff
2004 - The song became Duff’s first track to reach the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US, peaking at number 35. It was used in the popular reality show Laguna Beach trailers and promotional videos.
Everywhere - Michelle Branch
2001 - Even though the song reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100, it won the MTV Video Music Awards Viewer's Choice Award in 2002.
Glamorous - Fergie, Ludacris
2007 - The song reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It helped launch Fergie’s solo career (Black Eyed Peas). With slower BPMs for a party song, be careful how it’s mixed.
He Could Be The One - Hannah Montana (Miley Cyrus)
2008 - The track was released for the album on an episode of the same title and the series' third soundtrack, Hannah Montana 3. It became Cyrus' best-charting song as Montana reached #10 on the Billboard charts.
Hips Don’t Lie - Shakira, Wyclef Jean
2006 - Did you know the song was originally recorded by the Fugees for a union but was scrapped? It became Shakira’s first #1 hit. The song broke the record for the most radio play in a single week at the time of its release.
Hollaback Girl - Gwen Stefani
2004 - The unforgettable beat to the song was created by Pharrell Williams. "Hollaback Girl" became one of the first digital downloads to sell over one million copies in the U.S. The song is a girl anthem with its catchy and fun lyrics.
Hot N Cold - Katy Perry
2008 - The song peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 - BUT spent an enormous 18 weeks in the top ten. It helped propel her from a promising newcomer to a global pop star.
I Drove All Night - Celine Dion
2003 - The song was originally written for Roy Orbison and first released by Cyndi Lauper in 1989. Even though it peaked at #45 in the U.S., it hit #1 in Canada - her home country. It saw a bounce back in 2019 when it was featured on James Corden’s "Carpool Karaoke".
I Kissed a Girl - Katy Perry
2008 - The song rose to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks. It has become an LGBTQ+ anthem and has been a fun and catchy hit for all.
It’s Gonna Be Me - *NSync
2000 - The lyrics describe a guy reassuring a partner that he's committed and won't be leaving them for someone else. It is a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 - and the band’s only #1.
Lady Marmalade - Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mýa and Pink
2001 - Did you know the original version by the group Labelle reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1974? The cover by Aguilera and friends was recorded for the musical movie Moulin Rouge.
Mercy - Duffy
2008 - Even though it topped at #27 in the U.S., it hit #1 in several other countries. I would consider the song one of the hidden gems and forgotten hits that will get people to dance.
Murder on the Dancefloor - Sophie Ellis-Bextor
2001 - Even though the song peaked at #51 in the U.S., it did see international success including #2 on the UK Singles chart. It saw a rebirth in 2023 when it was on the Saltburn Soundtrack and trended on TikTok.
Music - Madonna
2000 - The song was inspired by French electronic music. Even though it reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, it is commonly overlooked by other more popular hits. Definitely a sleeper party song!
My Life Would Suck Without You - Kelly Clarkson
2009 - The track debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It became the first single by an American Idol alum to top the chart that wasn't directly associated with the show.
Party In The U.S.A. - Miley Cyrus
2009 - The song peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. It helped solidify Cyrus as a pop superstar beyond her Disney Channel fame. In 2020, she received a diamond certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of over 10 million copies in the U.S. alone.
Pocketful of Sunshine - Natasha Bedingfield
2008 - The lyrics encourage listeners to find positivity even during challenging times. It became a party anthem for escaping from troubles. It saw a resurgence in 2010 when it was featured in the movie Easy A.
Promiscuous - Nelly Furtado featuring Timbaland
2006 - The track became her first #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and stayed there for 6 weeks. Even though the theme of the song is a bit risque for weddings, the popularity of the song is undoubted with it receiving a Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals in 2007.
Rock Your Body - Justin Timberlake
2003 - The song is tied to the wardrobe malfunction of Janet Jackson during a Super Bowl halftime show. It reached #5 on the Billboard chart. Did you know the song features a flute sample from Nelly's hit "Hot in Herre”?
SexyBack - Justin Timberlake
2006 - The song became Timberlake's first #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart! It won the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording in 2007.
The Sweet Escape - Gwen Stefani
2006 - “The Sweet Escape" marked Stefani's first major collaboration outside of No Doubt as she teamed up with Akon. It reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is one of her biggest solo hits. One that is selected for the wedding cake cutting too.
Toxic - Britney Spears
2004 - Did you know the song features a high-pitched Bollywood strings sample from the 1981 Indian song "Tere Mere Beech Mein”? "Toxic" won Spears her first Grammy Award in the Best Dance Recording category in 2005. Surprisingly, it only reached #9 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Unwritten - Natasha Bedingfield
2004 - The inspirational lyrics about following your dreams and not being afraid to write your own story make it a party anthem. The song still trends today on many music sales and streaming charts including TikTok.
We’re All in This Together - High School Musical
2006 - Don’t forget that many couples today grew up during the success of High School Musical. The song was written specifically to be the big musical number for the final scene.
Womanizer - Britney Spears
2008 - The song reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 - her first since 1999. It won the 2009 MTV Video Music Award for Best Pop Video. Even though the song’s theme could be questionable for weddings, it represents a message of female strength.
Year 3000 - Jonas Brothers
2003 - Did you know the song is a cover of the original by British pop-punk band Busted in 2003? It remains a nostalgic favorite for fans who grew up listening to the Jonas Brothers during their Disney Channel era.
Background Songs
A Moment Like This - Kelly Clarkson
2002 - The song was written specifically for the season one American Idol winner’s song. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart and sold over 1 million copies in its first week, setting a record for sale of a debut single at the time.
A Thousand Miles - Vanessa Carlton
2002 - The song became a piano-driven pop anthem and reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100. The piano riff is extremely recognizable. It can also be played as a party sing-along.
Beautiful Soul - Jesse McCartney
2004 - The song helped McCartney become a teen pop star on his debut album. It peaked at #16 on the Billboard Hot 100. The music video for the song featured clips from the movie Raise Your Voice, where Jesse McCartney played the lead role.
Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis
2007 - The song was a global sensation. It topped the charts in over 35 countries. Leona Lewis is the second artist in history (after Elton John) to achieve #1 singles in the U.S. and UK with their debut release.
Bubbly - Colbie Caillat
2007 - The song captures the universal feeling of having a crush on someone and the giddiness and butterflies that come with it. The song reached #5 as her lead single from her debut album. The song earned her a Grammy Award nomination for Best New Artist in 2008.
Everyday - High School Musical 2
2007 - Just like "We're All In This Together" from the first movie, "Everyday" was written to be the big musical number for the finale of High School Musical 2. The first part features a country pop sound, while the second part transitions into a more upbeat pop-rock style.
Right Here, Right Now - High School Musical 3
2008 - The acoustic version in the movie would be the version I would play for dinner/cocktails. However, during dancing, the second version plays during the graduation finale and features the full cast in a more upbeat pop-rock style.
She Will Be Loved - Maroon 5
2004 - The song peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and quickly became a song couples wanted for walking down the aisle. The lyrics capture the complexities of love and insecurity in relationships.
Valerie (Live At BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge, London / 2007) - Amy Winehouse
2006 - This live performance of "Valerie" became one of Amy Winehouse's most streamed songs on streaming platforms like Spotify. The song saw a resurgence from the 2024 release of the movie about Winehouse’s life titled Back to Black.
Slow Dance Songs
I’m Yours - Jason Mraz
2008 - The song is most recognized for its laid-back ukulele sound. It reached #6 on the Billboard Hot 100. The lyrics express devotion and commitment in a simple and heartfelt way. The song celebrates the beauty of finding love and the joy of being with someone special.
Make You Feel My Love - Adele
2007 - Did you know this soulful ballad was written by legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan in 1997? It reached #4 on the UK Singles chart and did not make it on Billboards U.S. charts.
Shape of My Heart - Backstreet Boys
2000 - The song features a more mature ballad style with influences from The Cardigans (whose guitarist plays on the track). It made it to #9 on the Billboard charts but earned a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.
True - Ryan Cabrera
2004 - Did you know Cabrera recorded a Spanish version of "True" titled "Tan Real"? to reach a wider audience? It peaked at #14 on the Billboard chart.
Do you have a favorite pop wedding song from the 2000s on or off the list?
Thanks for reading!
Matthew
P.S. Do you have a favorite wedding playlist you created on Spotify? Let me know!
P.S.S. Want a guide to wedding music by era and genres? Check out my “Wedding Songs Planner”.