The 10 Best Pop Songs From 2004 That We Still Love Today

4. “Pieces of Me” – Ashlee Simpson

Way before the infamous Saturday Night Live hoedown, the Ashlee Simpson Show, the much-discussed nose job and her whirlwind marriage to Fall Out Boy‘s Pete Wentz, Ashlee Simpson was just a regular musician trying to break free of the shadows of her older sister, Jessica. “Pieces of Me” was Ashlee’s debut single from her first (and quite underrated) album Autobiography, which went triple platinum in the US. The single cracked the Top 5 on the Billboard charts, as well as various Top 10 positions worldwide. Arguably her most successful single, “Pieces of Me” was a charming blend of pop and rock that was all about being young in love. The song’s idea may be simple, but we couldn’t get enough!

5. “Naughty Girl” – Beyonce

After Beyonce took a break from Destiny’s Child in 2003, she jump-started her solo career with her debut album Dangerously In Love. This record showed new facets of the singer’s personality, especially her seductive side: “Naughty Girl,” the fourth and final single from the album, is one of many Beyhive fan favorites. Pre-“Partition,” this was hands down Beyonce’s sultriest song yet. It peaked at the #3 spot on Billboard‘s Hot 100 and became certified gold. The smooth, Arabic-inspired strings paired with the singer’s breathy coos and a strong disco influence (courtesy of the lovely Donna Summer) made “Naughty Girl” one of the standout tracks from Dangerously In Love.

6. “The Reason” – Hoobastank

This band may now be known for its occasional appearances on “Where Are They Now?” specials on VH1, but Hoobastank actually made a huge musical impact 10 years ago with their song “The Reason.” The radio-friendly tune was the second single off the band’s sophomore (and 2x platinum) album The Reason, and became virtually inescapable thanks to MTV’s Total Request Live and Adult Contemporary radio. “The Reason” peaked at #2 on the Hot 100 and was nominated for Song of The Year at the 47th annual Grammy Awards — but unfortunately lost to John Mayer‘s “Daughters.”

7. “Roses” – Outkast

After the chart-shattering success of Andre 3000‘s “Hey Ya!” just a year before, Outkast followed up the song with their catchy single, “Roses.” Released off the rap duo’s double album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, “Roses” was a fun, piano-heavy tune that put a refreshing twist on the hardcore rap songs dominating the airwaves back in 2004. The platinum-selling single peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at the #5 spot. Currently, Outkast has been on a country-wide festival tour, and there’s no doubt that “Roses” will still have everyone singing along.