A while back, I made a list of the biggest hits in Australia throughout the 00’s. Unlike what I did for the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, I used someone else’s ranking which means I didn’t specify how well a song did on each respective chart. My reasoning was because the AMR have been unofficial since 1999 given that’s when David Kent stopped publishing them, however I then reminded myself that my rankings throughout this side of my site have been based on those charts rather than the ARIA charts as I feel the former is more reliable than the latter. And so, I present to you the biggest hits of the decade with both charts combined.
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#3 for 2005
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#6 for 2000
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#2 for 2001
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#5 for 2003
#1 for 2004
Just a fair warning that you won't be seeing "Thank you" from Dido on this list, this is because that song wasn't released as a single here in Australia to avoid it stealing success from this haunting track from Eminem about an obsessed fan of his which has since become the term used for these types of people in fandoms. For what it's worth, this song underperformed in NZ where Dido's track was released as a single.
#4 for 2001
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#2 for 2004
#4 for 2005
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#15 for 2006
Following the success he had with "Love generation," Bob Sinclar released this track which heavily samples "Gonna make you sweat" from C+C Music factory which became a hit here in Australia. I will say that it was a slow rise to its success given how it lingered in and out of the top twenty at first before finally reaching the upper echelons of the charts several months after its initial release.
#10 for 2006
#12 for 2007
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#3 for 2004
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#7 for 2000
#3 for 2001
If this feels like a victory single to anyone, rest assured that it isn't as it's in fact the debut single from Delta Goodrem who took a circuitous route in becoming a successful musician as she first appeared on Neighbors as Nina Tucker before translating the popularity she had on the show into her music career. I guess you can argue this is a victory single in that regard, although the rest of the album has more personality to it.
#5 for 2002
#5 for 2003
Although these guys had earlier singles and even albums in their native Canada, this was the song which introduced the world to what many regard as one of the worst bands to come from the new millennium. I personally feel these guys get too much hate as there's certainly worse bands and artists out there, although I can't help but notice how much quicker we Aussies were into making this a hit than the rest of the world.
#5 for 2001
#6 for 2002
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#4 for 2001
#4 for 2002
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#13 for 2007
This was the debut single for the Pussycat dolls, a former burlesque troupe turned girl band who scored massive success with this track where even upon its initial release I remembered being widely mocked for how overconfident the lyrics are. I'm not that familiar with the Busta Rhymes feature as they never played it on the radio back in the day, I'm guessing to promote the song as a sexual fantasy for those attracted to the band members would have.
#4 for 2005
This is a song I want to like but don't because of Akon's chanting throughout the track, I'm obviously in the minority here as this remains Gwen's biggest solo hit and arguably her biggest hit overall given that its popularity rivals that of "Don't speak" from a decade prior down under. She would have one more hit after this before fading into obscurity as a solo artist, although she did reform No doubt in 2012.
#13 for 2007
This is one of those songs that people mistake the meaning of what appears to be a song about lying to cover up getting caught cheating turns out to be a song denouncing these types of tracks in the third verse. The complaint people have about this track nowadays is that they consider it false advertising, after all, the featured artist Rikrok has far more presence on here than Shaggy does.
#6 for 2001
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#14 for 2007
This was the other big hit that Kings of Leon had from their album Only by the night, it was also their one and only hit in their native America albeit months after it was a success internationally for the alternative band. I'm not sure why they weren't able to retain their popularity going into the new decade even in places like Australia where rock music still has its place in the mainstream.
#15 for 2008
#13 for 2009
This was technically a hit twice in Australia, the first time was upon its initial release which was inevitable as this was during the height of Katy Perry's worldwide popularity. The second time was when the reality show MasterChef premiered early in 2009 which chose this as its theme song and thus kept it on the charts longer than it otherwise would've been.
#16 for 2008
#14 for 2009
This was the theme to Eminem's autobiographical film about his rise to the height of his popularity, it was released during the album cycle of his biggest and (in my opinion) best album the Eminem show where it dominated the charts worldwide due to how big it became in the rap scene. It was also the first hip hop number to win an academy award due to how it resonated with audiences back in the day.
#7 for 2002
#6 for 2003
It's funny how Joel Turner failed to make it onto Australian idol during its first season (something to do with him being "unsuitable" for the series) and yet he would have massive success with this track he released about the youth of the day being lost with what the mainstream is pushing onto them. It was a massive hit for the rapper and beatboxer, but unfortunately it was the peak of his success.
#2 for 2004
#5 for 2005
This is the one and only hit from the RNB duo Gnarls Barkley, a duo best known for its member Cee Lo Green who had a huge solo hit with "F U" in 2010 and for appearing as the Mummy in the Hotel Transylvania franchise (and a bunch of social media posts I won't get into here.) This feels like a throwback to the 70's which how rich the soul sound is even compared to the songs that inspired it.
#11 for 2006
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#5 for 2002
#6 for 2003
Much like "How you remind me" two years prior, this song was also a hit here in Australia much sooner than it was over in America given how it managed to be one of the biggest hits of the year down under before it even touched the upper echelons of the Billboard charts. I maintain that these guys were very over hated throughout the decade as while their songs did sound similar to each other, there were far worse songs floating around.
#7 for 2003
#3 for 2004
Coyote ugly gets a bit of a bad rep these days, mainly because people don't find it campy enough to be a so bad it's good film whilst also finding it to be too tired and cliched to be a genuinely good film. I personally like it mainly for its uplifting story about a songwriter finding success in the music industry, this theme song from the film being one of the songs she wrote in universe and what transitioned Leann Rimes from country to pop music.
#7 for 2001
This was one of only two hits that Atomic Kitten had here in Australia, I'm guessing because we Aussies weren't that interested in the UK pop scene as you've likely noticed a lack of British artists on these lists so far compared to our local scene and American artists. Still, they were quite big in NZ and their native UK given how they managed to score multiple hits in those countries with this type of ballad.
#8 for 2001
This was the first of three big hits that Mika was able to achieve from his debut album worldwide, not bad for an artist who was widely criticised at the time for being a childish caricature of a teen idol by those who didn't realise that was the appeal of his music (not that I blame his naysayers if I'm being honest.) This was a song about how showbusiness tends to screw up celebrities no matter how well adored they are.
#14 for 2007
It does amuse me that this guy is a one hit wonder in America given how inescapably popular he was for the remainder of the 00's internationally, this was his second hit from his debut album which proved to be as successful as hit one and only Billboard hit here in Australia. People have made jokes about how much of a wimp he is on record, however it's worth noting that he's a former Captain in the British army.
#13 for 2006
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#15 for 2007
#14 for 2008
Right around the time Miley Cyrus was making it big in the music industry through her connections with Disney, her older brother Trace was the lead singer of this short-lived pop rock band who scored their one and only hit with this number. I'm guessing this was as big as it was due to the connection he had with Miley and their father and how this was considered edgy compared to the music his family was making.
#17 for 2008
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#5 for 2001
Rihanna certainly had success prior to this lead single to her third album, however it was the theme of friendship in the lyrics that allowed audiences to make this an inescapable hit and that she was in it for the long haul which wasn't a certainty prior to the song's release. Apparently, people have misinterpreted the song to be about sex, I guess I can see that although I won't burden my readers with that thought process.
#15 for 2007
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#6 for 2001
#6 for 2002
Although these guys did have minor success earlier in the decade with their debut album, it was this lead single to their second album which made them an international household name likely due to the endorsement of De la soul who provide a guest verse on certain versions of this track (that admittedly I'm unfamiliar with to this day.) It even allowed the band to crossover to America due to how funky it is.
#6 for 2005
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#16 for 2006
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#15 for 2008
#13 for 2009
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#7 for 2002
#7 for 2003
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#17 for 2006
This was the final hit that Madonna has had in her career, maybe she can make a comeback given how stranger things have happened in the music industry since this song came out, but I very much doubt it given how she's been pandering to meme culture in recent years. Indeed, I get the feeling this is more of a JT track who foolishly took a one-off payment from the song in exchange for Madonna keeping all of its royalties.
#18 for 2008
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#16 for 2008
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#8 for 2002
#8 for 2003
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#5 for 2005
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#6 for 2005
Although it wasn't their highest charting single in Australia (that honour goes to "Hook me up") this was indeed the biggest hit that the Veronicas had here which allowed it to become a massive international hit for the duo worldwide by the end of the decade. They remain a one hit wonder in the northern hemisphere with this track, I'm guessing due to audiences not getting the gimmick of them singing in unison on their songs.
#16 for 2007
#19 for 2008
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#7 for 2001
There were a lot of post grunge songs to become hits this year, one of the more prominent tracks comes to us from Lifehouse who managed to have the biggest hit of the year in their native America despite this failing to reach number one on Billboard. This is the second time this has happened as the previous year had "Breathe" by Faith Hill claim the top spot despite that also failing to reach number one.
#9 for 2001
In keeping with tradition of having a theme song to the FIFA world cup, French producer Bob Sinclar released this track which was sung in the persona of the mascot of the games Goleo IV (even though the cartoon lion is nowhere to be found in the video.) It was a massive worldwide success for him and led to his earlier entry on this list being an even bigger success here in Australia.
#14 for 2006
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#8 for 2001
Well, this might've been the duet to sink the reputation of both artists involved, bear in mind that the original from Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush was a huge hit in Australia exactly twenty years prior to when Shannon Noll and Rogue trader's frontwoman Natalie Bassingthwaighte took their stab at the ballad to massive commercial success. I bring this up because fans of the original were not thrilled with this remake.
#15 for 2006
#17 for 2007
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#16 for 2007
#17 for 2008
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#7 for 2005
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#17 for 2007
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#9 for 2002
This was the second single from Good charlotte's third album Good morning revival, it also remains as their biggest hit in Australia likely due to it being released at the height of emo rock as well as benefitting from strong digital sales which is something that could've boosted the success of their material from earlier in the decade. The band would release one more album in 2010 before going on hiatus while Joel Madden became a judge on the Voice Australia.
#18 for 2007
This was not only the second single from Nelly's sophomore album Nellyville, but also confusingly the lead single to Kelly Rowland's solo debut Simply deep which is weird because she doesn't contribute much to the song as it's mainly from Nelly's perspective. The dilemma in question is that Nelly is in love with Kelly, but Kelly is currently in a relationship even though she also has feelings for him.
#8 for 2002
#8 for 2003
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#4 for 2004
Well, this is certainly a surprise, mainly because this was the first single that Westlife released without the presence of Brian McFadden and yet it remains their biggest hit here in Australia. Considering that Brian would go on to have more success on his own than what the band ever achieved, I would've thought his absence would sink the group.
#16 for 2006
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#10 for 2002
This was originally released simply as "Mascara" where it managed to climb the charts following the success of the band's debut single "Weir," then their label decided to bundle it with "Leave me alone" which allowed both songs to top the Australian charts early on in the 00's and just in time for their debut album Reflector to be released.
#8 for 2000
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#9 for 2001
It may surprise you to learn that Beyonce had quite a few love ballads in her career prior to becoming the feminist icon that she's been since her third solo album I am Sasha fierce, this was one of them and arguably her biggest hit where she's not putting down a member of the male population as she teams up with Sean Paul of all people on this ballad about how much they're in love with each other.
#9 for 2003
#4 for 2004
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#9 for 2003
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#10 for 2001
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#18 for 2007
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#19 for 2007
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#10 for 2003
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#14 for 2009
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#18 for 2008
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#11 for 2001
#11 for 2002
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#15 for 2009
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#16 for 2009
Following the massive success she had from the start of the decade with Italian DJ Spiller, Sophie Ellis Bextor released her debut album which was off to a slow start given how she chose her cover of Cher's "Take me home" as its lead single which unfortunately flopped for her everywhere except her native UK. This was the second single from the album which did much better due to its hilarious video to bring these lyrics to life.
#9 for 2002
Well, this is certainly a surprise entry from Spiderbait for a number of reasons, first off, we have their take on a track made popular in the 70's by the one hit wonder band Ram Jam which goes to show that 70's nostalgia was still very much a thing in Australia this far into the new millennium. The other big surprise was that it features vocals from the drummer Kram (Mark spelt backwards) as opposed to Janet English.
#5 for 2004
Well, I guess this wasn't a huge departure from her earlier work as the production does make it fit with the likes of "I'm like a bird" even if the subject matter is about her moving on from a toxic relationship rather than finding her spirituality. Depending on where in the world you're from, this was either the third single from her album or the fourth and final single as the album cycle was different in each country.
#19 for 2007
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#20 for 2007
This was the lead single to Eminem's album the Eminem show, an album that's meant to be a display for all of the rapper's thought process given how his previous two albums had been criticised for the way it influenced the youth of the day. This is far more light-hearted compared to the rest of the album (complete with a wacky music video) however it does fit in the theme of him making art and not propaganda on the album.
#10 for 2002
This is one of those songs I personally find to be irritating, namely because there's only so many times I can hear the phrase shut up before I personally go insane. With that said, this was a massive follow up to "Where is the love" worldwide for the Black-eyed peas as it depicts Fergie telling the other three members to shut up in the chorus as they spit bars about how they treat her and her not putting up with it.
#10 for 2003
#6 for 2004
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#19 for 2008
Well, we've certainly come a long way from when this type of RNB was shunned by the Australian public haven't we? Here we have the one and only hit that Mario had outside of his native America as we have this tender ballad he made to the love of his life which touched the hearts of many a listener upon its initial release. Unfortunately for him, none of his other Billboard hits managed to connect with an international audience.
#7 for 2005
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#21 for 2007
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#20 for 2008
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#22 for 2007
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#23 for 2007
This was the world's introduction to Kesha, I bring this up because by the end of the year, Kesha reportedly begged her label to remove her credit on this track which tells you how embarrassed she was to be on here in the first place. I guess she didn't like how she helped Flo Rida interpolate the Dead or alive track from the 80's that this song is named after, although audiences this year certainly did.
#15 for 2009
Like many people over the years, I always found Macy Grey to be a rather odd vocalist as her dry vocals never sat very well with me. Of course, that puts me and her critics in the minority as this debut single of hers managed to be a huge success worldwide because of these vocals connecting with her fanbase. This was her only hit here in Australia, although the album it came from was a huge success.
#9 for 2000
This is a song that had a bit of minor controversy upon its initial release as it sampled "Wanna be starting something" from MJ, the problem is that song originally sampled "Soul Makossa" meaning that Rihanna had no legal right to sample the Thriller track for this song even though MJ gave her his blessing to do so. I'm guessing it was due to this legal dispute that this song was a massive hit for her here in Australia and indeed throughout the rest of the world.
#20 for 2008
This came from an album that was released two years prior from Crazy town, it's the black sheep of the album given how it was more of a rap rock track similar to what RHCP were doing (it even has a riff from one of their songs) as opposed to the rest of the album which was in the nu metal category. It was a surprise hit for the band likely due to the novelty of it being a love ballad from such a rough looking band.
#10 for 2001
While this was a decently big hit for Jamelia in her native UK the previous year, it was a massive success here in Australia likely due to us Aussies finding more love for this empowerment anthem that she made likely for her significant other. It allowed her to have a second hit down under (which we'll get to in a bit) before she sadly faded into obscurity here and the rest of the world.
#7 for 2004
This was a bit of a comeback for Guy Sebastian given how he hadn't bothered the charts in three years prior to scoring a massive number one hit with this track, indeed this was such a comeback that he would stick around for most of the following decade albeit only in Australia and NZ.
#16 for 2009
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#11 for 2003
#5 for 2004
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#21 for 2008
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#24 for 2007
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#12 for 2003
#6 for 2004
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#7 for 2004
I don't think I can say anything positive about this lead single to the Pussycat dolls second and final album, I guess it was a massive hit for the girl group but one I'm sure many people regret due to its lyrics promoting unrealistic expectations for girls to achieve. At least the rest of their catalogue wasn't particularly harmful towards their target audience even if many people (me included) aren't a fan of it.
#21 for 2008
There are multiple reasons why this cover of the Bruce Channel classic was a hit in Australia this year, firstly it was due to it being selected as the theme for this year's FIFA world cup which kept up the tradition that Ricky Martin began four years prior with "The cup of life." The second reason was that it had multiple music videos including a cartoon video with the Austrian DJ performing the song live, the final was that this was a good year for remixes of older songs on our charts.
#11 for 2002
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#22 for 2008
Technically this was the big hit off of I am Sasha Fierce here in Australia as "Single ladies" and "If I were a boy" were bundled together which allowed them to both be bigger on our charts, I can see how this was the standout track down under given how it's a song about Beyonce finding the inner beauty of the person she's singing to which admittedly is a nice change of pace from her other material.
#17 for 2009
Oh, Bloodhound gang, you were a bunch of very naughty boys indeed as you made this track which came complete with a music video that was clearly meant to shock and horrify audiences from back in the day. Of course, this was going to be a huge success for the band given how this was back in the day where people were rewarded with being provocative in the mainstream rather than shunned.
#10 for 2000
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