The 40 Best Songs of 2005

The 40 Best Songs of 2005

Author: Samuel Spencer January 14, 2026 Duration: 2:08:55

(Head over to our Patreon now to hear our episodes counting down my full 100 favourite songs of 2005)One year, 52 weeks and 500 songs that made it onto the UK top 40. We have crunched the numbers, made some tough decisions and listened to Verbalicious’ Don’t Play Nice on repeat A LOT to whittle it down to the best 40 songs that made it onto the chart 20 years ago.

Expect some songs you’ll love, some songs you probably love to hate and the ultimate celebration for the weird year of pop music that was 2005.

Including songs from Kelly Clarkson, Gwen Stefani, Madonna, Arctic Monkeys, Björk, Franz Ferdinand, Sugababes, The White Stripes, Gorillaz and many many more.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit the2000schartshow.substack.com

Samuel Spencer hosts The 2000s Chart Show, a weekly dive into the sonic landscape of a defining decade. This isn't just a nostalgia trip; it's a detailed, often witty archaeological dig through the UK Top 40, chart by chart. Each episode focuses on a specific week's hits, unpacking the stories behind the songs, the artists who made them, and the cultural moment they soundtracked. You'll hear the undeniable anthems alongside the curious novelties and forgotten gems, all framed with a blend of genuine affection and sharp critical commentary. The podcast treats pop music with the seriousness it deserves as a historical record, examining production trends, lyrical themes, and the sheer randomness of what captured the public's ear. It’s for anyone who lived through the era or is simply fascinated by its musical legacy, offering a structured, engaging way to revisit the sounds that shaped the 2000s. Expect a mix of analysis, personal recollection, and a clear-eyed look at what made these charts so compelling, for better or worse. Tune in to relive the highs, the lows, and everything in between, one chart position at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 43

The 2000s Chart Show
Podcast Episodes
Snow Patrol, Spanish icons and gummy candy brains (23-29 Apr 2006) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:35
This week on the pop music history podcast reliving the 40 biggest selling songs from every week of the 2000s…As Rihanna, Infernal and Fall Out Boy head up the top 40 to challenge Gnarls Barkley for number one, we got a…
Rihanna's SOS and 39 other less good songs from 2006 (16-22 April 2006) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:51
“SOS please someone help me. It’s not healthy for me to feel this way” about a pop song. But that’s just how I feel about Rihanna’s SOS, one of the true starmaking tracks of the decade. Which of course means it’s probabl…