Vote: Which Iconic 2006 Song Is Still Your Favorite 20 Years Later?

Two decades have passed since “sexy” made its grand return, hips remained famously truthful, and the airwaves were dominated by the gritty rhythms of the mid-2000s. As we hit the 2026 milestone, the legendary tracks of 2006 are officially celebrating their 20th anniversary.

To honor this cultural shift, Billboard has curated a definitive ranking of the 100 most impactful songs released during the dawn of the late aughts. The list highlights career-defining masterpieces from icons like Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, Beyoncé, and Shakira, while also paying homage to the era-defining sounds of Fergie, Gnarls Barkley, My Chemical Romance, and The Killers. From Nelly Furtado’s pop reinvention to the hip-hop dominance of T.I. and Timbaland, the class of 2006 remains unmatched in its diversity.

Beyond the established hits, 2006 served as the professional launchpad for some of the most influential figures in modern music. This was the year the world was introduced to a promising young singer-songwriter named Taylor Swift. Long before she became a 14-time Grammy powerhouse, she released her debut single, joining a wave of new arrivals that included Aly & AJ, Danity Kane, and even a foray into pop from Paris Hilton.

While our staff has weighed in with their professional picks, the ultimate decision rests with the listeners. Whether your nostalgia is fueled by floor-filling dance-pop, quintessential hip-hop, or the anthemic angst of punk rock, we want to know which track stands as your definitive 2006 anthem. If you need a refresher on the year’s commercial juggernauts, look no further than the 2006 year-end charts, which featured Rihanna’s “SOS,” Daniel Powter’s “Bad Day,” and Chamillionaire’s “Ridin’” at the very peak of global popularity.

Cast your vote for the best song of 2006 in our commemorative poll below.

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