“What Do You Mean That Song’s Old?” Songs from 2005 to 2015 That Defined Us
Chronic back pain, increasing introversion, and a playlist full of certified hits from a decade (or two, or more) ago—Well, that’s it. We’re all getting older. And time definitely flies when you’re listening to good music.
Nostalgia, among other things, is what’s keeping this generation sane even with the pains of growing old. But here’s the ultimate sign of aging: the songs that once felt like yesterday’s hits? Officially titled as throwback tracks now. That means all the songs you danced to at parties, the emo anthems you blasted in your headphones, and the chart-toppers that filled your MP3 players (or iPod shuffle, whoops) are all hitting a certain age this year.
In 2015, we all jammed to “Hotline Bling” and started using music streaming platforms. In 2010, we witnessed Kesha’s iconic debut into the industry with “Tik Tok” and the birth of One Direction. In 2005, well, if we were old enough to remember, it’s probably us having fun with LimeWire and figuring out how YouTube worked.
So, let’s hit rewind and take a trip down memory lane. These iconic songs from 2015, 2010, and 2005 are officially turning 10, 15, and 20 years old this year. Time for us to look back at the songs that made us who we are today.
Songs Turning 10 Years Old in 2025
“Hello” – Adele
Starting off strong with Adele, we could describe "Hello" as the comeback song of the decade. The song (and the album) was a massive global success, topping record charts everywhere, and is one of the best-selling digital singles of all time.
Adele’s emotional ballad of nostalgia and regret had us in a chokehold and got us reflecting on all of our past heartbreaks.
“Can’t Feel My Face” – The Weeknd
It wasn’t a pop playlist in 2015 without this song. Ranked as the Best Song of 2015 by Rolling Stone, nominated for two Grammy Awards, a certified diamond by the Record Industry Association of America (RIAA), and described as a “pop perfection,” "Can't Feel My Face" was undeniably a big part of 2015.
This was the song that catapulted The Weeknd into the mainstream and is currently one of the most influential artists of his generation.
“Uptown Funk” – Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
Though technically released in 2014, this song was the hit that basically defined 2015. You’ve heard this song everywhere—in weddings, parties, clubs, school events, and in every commercial.
This started Bruno Mars’ foray into the funk-pop genre, and what started his current image and influence in the music industry. "Uptown Funk" defined the year and with everyone across the globe trying to emulate Bruno Mars’ soul and swagger image.
“Bang Bang Bang” – BIGBANG
Making a switch over to K-Pop, this song is a cult classic and one of the biggest K-pop anthems of all time. You didn’t have to be a K-pop fan to know this track; it was being played in clubs, parties, everywher.
"Bang Bang Bang" was ranked as the best-performing single in South Korea during the time, and it meshed well with the rising trend of the trap genre becoming mainstream. It also catapulted BIGBANG into the K-pop royalty status that we all know of today.
“Love Me Right” – EXO
You just had to be there when this song got released. EXO and SM were figuratively at each other’s throats behind the scenes at the time, but this song had character, vocals, vibes, everything.
From their dark and grungier concepts, EXO made a switch and turned into the bright, fresh, and sporty-looking boys that are still passionate about their craft. Oh, did we mention "Love Me Right" made the Billboard World Digital Songs Chart at the time?
“Dumb Dumb” – Red Velvet
Red Velvet was already on everyone’s radar since their debut in 2014, and this song solidified their position as an emerging girl group with their “red” concept. Apart from it rising through the charts, and its tribute to Michael Jackson with the rap break, the song was a hit, and no one could deny it.
Plus, "Dumb Dumb" is one of Red Velvet’s quirkiest songs to date, gaining them international recognition as a result.
“See You Again” – Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth
2013 was the year the world lost Paul Walker and in 2015, the world became emotional after “Furious 7” gave him a fitting tribute. "See You Again" was commissioned for the movie’s soundtrack, got everyone in tears, and eventually became the best-selling song of 2015 worldwide.
A certified Diamond, nominated for three Grammy awards, and is one of the most streamed songs of all time on Spotify. No one’s going to deny this song’s relevance—ever.
Songs Turning 15 Years Old in 2025
“Tik Tok” – Kesha
Surely, no one’s ever going to skip this track. If there was any song that made the year, it would be this one. "Tik Tok" was on everybody's party playlist, and even if you were too young to know what the lyrics were about, you still sang along and copied Kesha from the music video.
Fun fact: it’s one of the best-selling digital singles of all time. Iconic.
“California Gurls” and “Teenage Dream” – Katy Perry
It wouldn’t be 2010 if you weren’t singing along to any of Katy Perry’s hits, to be honest. The “Teenage Dream” album had hit after hit, and these two were the crème of the crop. On one hand, “California Gurls” was the summer anthem of that year. On the other, “Teenage Dream” gave a dreamy, nostalgia, and a romantic yearning we all loved.
Katy Perry gave sugar and spice, with a little bit of teenage angst on the side; what 2010 looked like for a lot of us who grew up with the pop star.
“Like a G6” – Far East Movement
There wasn’t any club song that hit as much as this did. If you were partying and clubbing to this song, you were lit. This cultural phenomenon of a song was infectious, climbed up the charts, and a certified hit.
And, "Like a G6" is actually a song of empowerment for the Asian-American community, giving a platform for the community to celebrate its heritage.
“Lucifer” – SHINee
“Loverholic, robotronic..” Oh, we were definitely curious with this one, and everyone saw and heard this song at some point during 2010. A powerhouse track from SHINee, "Lucifer" immediately rose up the charts and was declared by known publications as one of the best K-pop songs of the decade and in history.
Even if everyone didn’t enjoy it at the time, SHINee was definitely ahead of everyone else.
“Run Devil Run” – Girls’ Generation
This was a huge departure from Girls’ Generation’s already established bubblegum pop image, and everyone ate it up. You can even consider this as one of the earliest “girl crush” concepts in the K-pop industry, and the song was a hit in numerous Asian countries.
Why is "Run Devil Run" a part of the list? They’re Girls’ Generation; they can never release a bad song.
“Love The Way You Lie” – Eminem ft. Rihanna
Rihanna’s hook? Eminem’s intense and powerful rap? The song was dope, relatable, and was described as “Eminem’s closest approach to a love song.” The song talked about abusive relationships, which are still very relevant today.
"Love The Way You Lie" also ranked in many best-of-2010 lists and got nominated for five Grammy awards and won the People’s Choice Awards for “Favorite Music Video” and “Favorite Song.”
For those in need of additional support due to a domestic relationship, here is a list of international resources.
“Just The Way You Are” – Bruno Mars
Everyone knows this song word for word, and we heard it playing everywhere and at every event possible. This was Bruno Mars’ debut solo single, and what got him on the radar across the globe.
"Just The Way You Are" spent a total of 48 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, a certified thirteen times platinum, and won the Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance in 2011. This song was a real hit, and it helped define our 2010.
Songs Turning 20 Years Old in 2025
“Hollaback Girl” – Gwen Stefani
This song wasn’t just a hit—it was a cultural moment. A 35-year-old woman spelling bananas on the track? The earworm of the marching band beat heard all throughout? Totally iconic.
The song was certified six-times platinum, Billboard ranked it second place on their 2005 Year-End Hot 100 chart, and it was the first single to ever sell one million digital downloads in the year. Gwen Stefani cemented her solo career outside her band, No Doubt, thanks to "Hollaback Girl."
“Since U Been Gone” – Kelly Clarkson
This was the breakup anthem of the 2000s, and one of Kelly Clarkson’s best tracks to date. Originally written for Pink, Kelly Clarkson decided to make it hers with heavier guitar riffs and harder drums. She even went on to become the pop-rock queen we all know and love.
"Since U Been Gone" received positive reviews from music critics who declared it as one of the best pop songs in the last decade. The song was a commercial success, too. So, it’s a win-win for both pop culture and music.
“Breakaway” – Kelly Clarkson
Also from Kelly Clarkson, this song can be remembered as a soundtrack for “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.” The lyrics follow Kelly Clarkson’s journey to self-improvement and was relatable for everyone (especially girls).
The song was a veer away from Kelly Clarkson’s pop-rock tracks, but this one was a hit anyway. And we’ll sing along to "Breakaway" every single time it queues.
“Girls on Top” – BoA
BoA was way ahead of her time for "Girls on Top." A song about women empowerment in 2005? She really is the queen of K-pop. This track also showed a change in BoA’s image, where she originally had lighter concepts and feminine visuals.
“Rising Sun” – TVXQ
Another track that was ahead of its time, TVXQ had the fourth best-selling album in South Korea in 2005. This legendary song also helped push TVXQ into international fame, and its intense energy, cinematic MV, and powerful choreography made it into a cult classic in the industry.
“Boulevard of Broken Dreams” – Green Day
Undeniably one of the most emo songs of the 2000s, this song is still one of Green Day’s signature tracks to date. People resonated with "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" and played this track on repeat, blaring on their headphones and radios.
“Don’t Cha” – The Pussycat Dolls ft. Busta Rhymes
If you were looking for an it-girl anthem from this year, it must be this one. All the popular girls were shaking their hips to "Don't Cha," trying to embody the vibes The Pussycat Dolls were giving.
This R&B track is The Pussycat Dolls’ signature song, and they cemented themselves as one of the girl groups that started it all. They got nominated for the Top Selling Single of the Year at the 2005 Billboard Music Awards and were certified platinum in 2011.
So, Why Do These Songs Still Matter?
Three things: they defined their time, they’re still being played today, and they bring back memories. The list could go on forever, but these are just some of the biggest cultural moments in music from 2005, 2010, and 2015.
Any songs we missed out on? Tell us what you think deserves a spot on this list on The Beat Asia’s Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram pages!
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