As we step into 2026, it’s time to dust off our playlists and reflect on the tracks that helped shape our younger years. From the infectious hits of 2016 now hitting their 10-year milestone, to the anthems of 2006 turning 20 in 2026 — these songs still hold a special place in our hearts. Whether they remind you of parties, friendships, learning odd choreographies, or just belting out the chorus in your room, they prove that good music lives on.
10 songs turning 10 in 2026
Let’s start with the slightly less shocking, as these songs are only a decade old (compared to two decades in the list below).
1. One Dance – Drake (feat. Wizkid & Kyla)
When Drake released One Dance in 2016, it became an instant global obsession. Blending dancehall and Afrobeats influences, the track spent weeks at number one and became one of the first songs to cross the billion-stream mark on Spotify. It defined the summer for countless students, soundtracking late-night parties and hazy festival afternoons. Even now, that soft beat drop still feels like the start of something special every time it plays.
2. 7 Years – Lukas Graham
Few songs captured the feeling of growing up quite like 7 Years. The Danish band struck a deep emotional chord with students and twenty-somethings reflecting on childhood and the future. Its reflective lyrics – “once I was seven years old” – turned it into one of 2016’s most meaningful pop hits. It’s the perfect mix of nostalgia and motivation, still appearing in countless graduation videos and TikTok throwbacks today.
3. Cheap Thrills – Sia (feat. Sean Paul)
With its tropical beats and carefree energy, Cheap Thrills became the anthem of nights out that didn’t need to be expensive to be memorable. Sia’s powerful vocals paired with Sean Paul’s unmistakable verses made it a chart-topper and a pre-drink essential. Ten years later, it still embodies that feeling of being young, broke and ready to dance – something every student can relate to.
4. Closer – The Chainsmokers (feat. Halsey)
No 2016 list would be complete without Closer. It’s one of those songs that instantly takes you back to long summer nights and messy student flats. The lyrics about rekindling a romance felt universal, and Halsey’s distinctive tone made the duet unforgettable. It’s been memed, remixed, and parodied countless times – but play it at any student event and people still know every word.
5. Work – Rihanna (feat. Drake)
Rihanna and Drake reunited for Work, delivering one of the most addictive hooks of the decade. The track mixed Caribbean rhythms with mainstream pop, marking a moment when dancehall sounds finally went global. It was everywhere in 2016 – clubs, cars, headphones – and its minimalist repetition made it impossible to forget. Even a decade later, the song feels fresh and effortlessly cool.
6. I Took a Pill in Ibiza – Mike Posner (Seeb Remix)
Originally a slow acoustic song, I Took a Pill in Ibiza was transformed by Seeb into a bittersweet electronic anthem. It’s both catchy and reflective – a reminder that fame and fun don’t always bring happiness. For students navigating identity, ambition, and the ups and downs of growing up, the lyrics hit hard. The remix became a festival staple and a modern classic in its own right.
7. Stressed Out – Twenty One Pilots
Twenty One Pilots captured millennial angst perfectly with Stressed Out. The track’s themes of nostalgia, pressure, and adulthood resonated deeply with a generation facing student debt and uncertain futures. It became an anthem for young people juggling expectations with the desire to stay young forever. Its simple production and raw lyrics still make it one of the most honest hits of the 2010s.
8. Rockabye – Clean Bandit (feat. Sean Paul & Anne-Marie)
Rockabye stood out in 2016 as both a dance anthem and an emotional story. Behind its tropical beats lay lyrics about single motherhood and resilience, giving it unusual depth for a chart hit. Clean Bandit’s knack for blending classical and electronic sounds made it impossible to ignore, and Anne-Marie’s vocals helped launch her into stardom. It’s one of those rare pop songs that’s both moving and danceable.
9. Lush Life – Zara Larsson
Few tracks captured the carefree, confident vibe of mid-2010s pop like Lush Life. It’s bright, energetic, and utterly unbothered – a perfect soundtrack for getting ready to go out or celebrating a sunny afternoon. Zara Larsson’s charisma and vocals gave it lasting power, and it remains one of her signature songs. A decade later, it still brings instant serotonin to any playlist.
10. Let Me Love You – DJ Snake (feat. Justin Bieber)
Let Me Love You closed out 2016 as one of the biggest EDM-pop hits of the decade. DJ Snake’s slick production and Justin Bieber’s smooth vocals created a track that could fit both club nights and late-night bus rides home. Its melody was irresistible, and its message of perseverance struck the perfect note between romantic and hopeful. Ten years later, it still sounds like pure nostalgia.
20 songs turning 20 in 2026
And now, can you believe these songs are 20 years old? That’s a fifth of a century. I don’t know if it’s depressing, joyful or just crazy. Speaking of crazy…take a look at the first song released in 2016 that is now turning 26 in 2026.
1. Crazy – Gnarls Barkley
When Crazy hit the airwaves in 2006, it redefined what a pop hit could be. CeeLo Green’s soulful vocals and Danger Mouse’s retro production created something timeless. It dominated charts worldwide and still feels effortlessly cool. Two decades later, it’s the kind of song that sounds as good in a vintage shop as it does in a student bar.
2. Hips Don’t Lie – Shakira (feat. Wyclef Jean)
Few songs have the power to make everyone move like Hips Don’t Lie. Shakira’s energetic performance, paired with Wyclef Jean’s verses, created a global hit that made her a true pop icon. Even twenty years later, it’s a guaranteed dance-floor filler at student nights. That trumpet intro alone can bring any party back to life.
3. Chasing Cars – Snow Patrol
Anyone else immediately see Grey’s Anatomy scenes when they hear this song? Arguably one of the most emotional songs of the 2000s, Chasing Cars became a soundtrack for countless TV shows, weddings, and late-night reflections. Its simplicity is what makes it so powerful – a slow build that captures love in its purest form. For students, it’s the kind of song that makes you pause everything and just listen.
4. Rehab – Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse’s Rehab was more than just a hit – it was a statement. With her soulful voice and brutally honest lyrics, Amy broke every rule in pop music. The song won Grammys, sparked conversations, and remains one of her most iconic moments. Hearing it now, 20 years later, is a reminder of her unmatched talent and the authenticity that defined her short but brilliant career.
5. Promiscuous – Nelly Furtado (feat. Timbaland)
2006 was the year Nelly Furtado reinvented herself, and Promiscuous was the ultimate example. Produced by Timbaland, it mixed futuristic beats with playful lyrics, turning Nelly into a global superstar. The chemistry between the two artists made the song unforgettable, and its sleek, flirty vibe still holds up two decades later.
6. Unfaithful – Rihanna
Before she became the pop powerhouse we know today, Rihanna released Unfaithful – a dramatic ballad that showcased her emotional range. The song explored guilt and heartbreak in a way that felt mature beyond her years. Looking back, it was one of the first glimpses of the storytelling power that would define her career.
7. SexyBack – Justin Timberlake
When Justin Timberlake declared he was “bringing sexy back,” he wasn’t kidding. The song’s distorted vocals and futuristic production made it one of the boldest pop reinventions of the 2000s. It marked the start of Timberlake’s collaboration with Timbaland and a whole new sound for mainstream music. Twenty years later, it’s still impossible to resist dancing to.
8. Irreplaceable – Beyoncé
“To the left, to the left” – everyone knows the line. Irreplaceable became one of Beyoncé’s biggest hits and a cultural catchphrase. It’s empowering, confident, and effortlessly smooth. The track helped solidify her status as a solo superstar and remains a go-to breakup anthem two decades on.
9. Crazy – Alanis Morissette
You may remember this song from The Devil Wears Prada featuring Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep. If you don’t, immediately go and rewatch. Not to be confused with Gnarls Barkley’s song of the same name, Alanis’s Crazy (a cover of Seal’s hit) was a 2006 highlight that reminded everyone of her versatility. It’s introspective yet powerful, carrying that signature Alanis edge that still resonates today.
10. Buttons – The Pussycat Dolls (feat. Snoop Dogg)
Few pop acts dominated mid-2000s charts like The Pussycat Dolls, and Buttons was one of their standout hits. The sultry tone, slick choreography, and Snoop Dogg feature made it impossible to ignore. It’s the definition of 2006 pop – bold, confident, and endlessly replayable.
11. Gold Digger – Kanye West (feat. Jamie Foxx)
Although released in late 2005, Gold Digger owned the charts well into 2006. Its mix of humour, swagger, and Ray Charles sampling made it a defining track of the decade. Whether you loved or hated it, you couldn’t escape it. Even twenty years later, it’s one of Kanye’s most recognisable songs.
12. Temperature – Sean Paul
Sean Paul delivered hit after hit in the 2000s, but Temperature might be his most enduring. Its infectious rhythm and high-energy flow made it a dancefloor staple. It’s pure 2006 nostalgia – the kind of track that still gets everyone moving at student club nights.
13. SOS – Rihanna
Another 2006 gem from Rihanna, SOS brought club energy and confidence to the charts. Built around a sample of Tainted Love, it showed off her versatility and set the tone for her rise as a global icon. It’s loud, vibrant, and undeniably early-2000s in the best way.
14. When You Were Young – The Killers
Aptly named for this article – following the success of Mr Brightside, The Killers returned with When You Were Young, an anthem filled with nostalgia and religious imagery. Its soaring guitar riffs and emotional vocals made it a favourite among indie fans and festival crowds alike. Two decades later, it still brings that euphoric, sunset-at-Glastonbury feeling.
15. Smack That – Akon (feat. Eminem)
Akon dominated radio in 2006, and Smack That was his biggest crossover hit. The collaboration with Eminem created a club anthem that blended hip-hop and R&B seamlessly. Whether you were a fan or not, you couldn’t escape hearing it – and even now, it’s a guaranteed throwback tune.
16. Bad Day – Daniel Powter
Remember when every reality show played Bad Day over emotional montages? The song became a comfort track for anyone feeling low, with lyrics that hit just right after a tough day. Its message of resilience made it timeless, and it remains one of the most recognisable pop ballads of the 2000s.
17. Lips of an Angel – Hinder
This power ballad became an unlikely hit in 2006, offering a dose of raw emotion amid the pop and R&B charts. With its raspy vocals and sentimental lyrics, it was every emo teen’s guilty pleasure. Listening now, it’s pure mid-2000s melodrama – and that’s exactly why it still works.
18. Unwritten – Natasha Bedingfield
If any song deserves the title “feel-good anthem of the 2000s,” it’s Unwritten. Its empowering lyrics and bright melody captured a generation’s optimism. It’s still used in TV shows, adverts, and TikToks – proof that some messages never age. Every student who’s ever faced a blank page can relate to it. In fact, it was back in the charts just recently.
19. Over My Head (Cable Car) – The Fray
Over My Head introduced The Fray’s heartfelt storytelling to the world. Its piano-driven melody and introspective lyrics made it a soft-rock favourite. The song captures that sense of trying to stay afloat in life – something students know all too well.
20. How to Save a Life – The Fray
Released the same year and another one to feature in Grey’s Anatomy, How to Save a Life cemented The Fray’s place in 2000s music history. It’s emotional, haunting, and deeply human. Used in Grey’s Anatomy, it became synonymous with heartfelt TV moments. Two decades on, its message still resonates.
Looking back at 2016 and 2006, it’s amazing how quickly these eras have aged – yet how timeless their music remains. The songs turning 10 are pure nostalgia for today’s students, while those turning 20 remind us of the sounds we grew up with (or that our older siblings never stopped playing). Whether it’s One Dance or Hips Don’t Lie, these tracks prove that good music doesn’t fade – it just gets better with time.
Want more of the same? Don’t forget to check out the songs that already passed these milestones in 2025.