2005 saw the release of some incredible songs, from contemporary hits to timeless classics. Music enthusiasts or those nostalgic for their youth will find these selections sure to get them in the mood!
This list is packed with music from some of the biggest artists, offering something for everyone – from feel-good summer jams to poignant ballads! No matter your musical taste or preference, this compilation has something here for everyone!
Mariah Carey – “We Belong Together”
Mariah Carey’s 2005 hit single “We Belong Together” reigned at the top of the charts for fourteen weeks in a row, setting several airplay records and drawing in both record-setting one-day and one-week audiences.
Musically, this track encapsulates mid-’00s R&B comfort food. It opens with a delicate piano intro, lush acoustic guitar solos, and an atmospheric 808 drum machine beat that carries throughout.
Carey’s vocal performance on this song is truly remarkable. Her phrasing is beautiful, the pitch eloquent, and her octave-jumping rendition of the final chorus truly mesmerizing.
Gwen Stefani – “Hollaback Girl”
Stefani had already achieved success as a top-selling singer before the release of “Hollaback Girl.” Besides her collaborations with No Doubt, Stefani also enjoyed solo success with hits like “Rich Girl” and “Cool.”
She co-wrote every song on her debut album Love. Angel. Music. Baby, including the third single “Hollaback Girl.”
Her brother Eric Stefani played keyboards and her bandmate John Spence sang. Formed in Orange County, California, the group quickly began touring local clubs.
Stefani eventually signed to Interscope Records and released five albums before disbanding. Despite this, she continued her involvement with music by recording several solo tracks and appearing on various television shows.
Stefani released her third solo album This Is What the Truth Feels Like in 2016, followed by You Make It Feel Like Christmas the following year in 2017. In 2017, Stefani collaborated with Blake Shelton on “Nobody But You,” which reached number 18 in the US charts.
Billie Joe Armstrong – “Stay With Me”
Billie Joe Armstrong is an acclaimed singer-songwriter and guitarist best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist for Green Day, but he has also collaborated with other artists.
He is renowned for his affectionate love of his daughter, and this song is dedicated to her. Although it contains sadness in its lyrics, its sentiments reflect his deep devotion and love for her.
In 1994, Green Day performed at a Woodstock concert that was viewed by millions through pay-per-view television. This performance cemented their place as one of the world’s most beloved bands.
Chris Brown – “Run It!”
In 2005, 16-year-old Chris Brown broke through to fame with a Scott Storch-produced version of Usher’s remix “Yeah!” called “Run It!” That debut single skyrocketed up the Billboard Hot 100 chart and launched an incredible career for herself.
The singer hails from Tappahannock, Virginia and was active in his church choir and local talent shows since childhood. In 2004, he signed with Jive Records and released his self-titled debut album the following year.
The album went platinum and reached the summit of the US Billboard 200 chart, where its first and third singles “Yo (Excuse Me Miss”) and “Say Goodbye” also reached number one. Following that success, Singer continued releasing more albums and touring worldwide – becoming one of music’s most renowned faces to this day.
Coldplay – “Fix You”
Coldplay’s iconic 2005 hit song “Fix You” has been a fan favorite for years. Written specifically to comfort Gwyneth Paltrow as she grieved the loss of her father, the song has remained a timeless favorite ever since.
Chris Martin, the band’s lead singer, wrote the lyrics to comfort Gwyneth after their father passed away. They later released it as a single and it went on to become an enormous hit.
On October 12th 2021, The band performed “Music of the Spheres” live at London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire to launch their new album. Ed Sheeran joined them for this performance as well.
Bon Jovi – “Who Says You Can’t Go Home”
Bon Jovi is renowned for their lavish music, but they haven’t always shied away from confronting serious social issues and making them sound sincere. This song serves as proof of that sentiment despite its somber lyrics and grungier guitars.
Released in 2005, this song quickly became a worldwide phenomenon. It even became an iconic anthem during the 2008 Presidential election season and was played at several large rallies.
This powerful song was inspired by a photo of Bon Jovi’s wife Dorothea washing dishes at a restaurant during the H1N1 pandemic, with the caption reading: “If you can’t do what you do / Do what you can.” It demonstrates Bon Jovi’s remarkable depth and ability to write about real-world events with clarity.
Kelly Clarkson – “Behind These Hazel Eyes”
Kelly Clarkson released her second single “Behind These Hazel Eyes” in 2005 as a track from her sophomore album Breakaway. The song became one of Clarkson’s biggest hits and reached number six on Billboard Hot 100 charts.
It remained in the top 10 for 15 weeks and reached number three on the Adult Pop Songs chart. Additionally, it was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for selling over one million digital downloads.
“Behind These Hazel Eyes” is a rock-infused pop song featuring crunchy guitars, driving beats and anthemic choruses. It narrates Clarkson’s broken relationship with her ex-boyfriend. Drummer Shawn Pelton adds extra energy and excitement to the song while Kelly Clarkson provides an impressive vocal performance.
Gorillaz – “Feel Good Inc”
Gorillaz’s debut single from Demon Days, “Feel Good Inc.”, is an upbeat number featuring impressive production values and features the talents of hip-hop duo De La Soul. Released on 9 May 2005 as the lead single from Demon Days, it charted well across most countries including a top 10 finish on US Modern Rock Tracks and Billboard Hot 100 lists as well as featuring in an iconic iPod commercial.
The song was also the subject of an impressive music video directed by Jamie Hewlett and co-directed by Pete Candeland. A team of 35 animators, designers and compositors worked for twelve weeks to bring this vision to life – becoming an undisputed benchmark in style and technique within this genre. Furthermore, it serves as proof that a band has mastered multi-platform marketing and promotion to great effect.
Weezer – “Beverly Hills”
Weezer has always produced quality music, yet their hit singles haven’t really captured the public’s imagination since 2005. It seems like they’re creating music for those who enjoy having a good time but doesn’t quite stick in your head.
“Beverly Hills” is the opening track and lead single from Weezer’s fifth album, Make Believe. The song tells a self-deprecating tale of Rivers Cuomo yearning for life in Beverly Hills but ultimately realizing he wouldn’t fit in there.
The song’s music video features Weezer and the Detroit Youth Choir in an unexpected collaboration. They filmed their America’s Got Talent performance with the choir, who did a remarkable job of rejuvenating an old hit with fresh new vocals. It was truly a memorable performance for both the band and its audience.
Foo Fighters – “Best of You”
In 2005, The Foo Fighters released their fifth studio album In Your Honour and lead single “Best of You” was an example of their skill at crafting quality music that never fails to get people moving. This song has earned itself the distinction of becoming their only platinum single (although it hasn’t been released in Australia yet) due to its catchy riffs and chorales which continue to draw crowds in.
Dave Grohl deserves a standing ovation for crafting this magnificent song, which also happens to be his favorite from their extensive catalog. It won the Grammys in 2006 and became an instant hit during their US tour that year – including a stop in the UK. The band even named it their “best track on their long North American tour,” and to this day remains one of their most popular recordings.