Kayleigh Phillips
•June 12, 2025•3 min read
Feeling old yet? It’s hard to believe, but these iconic tracks first hit the airwaves two whole decades ago. From dancefloor fillers to indie anthems, 2005 was a year of eclectic releases that still pack a punch today. Whether you were singing along on a battered iPod or just discovering these tracks now, join us for a trip back in time with eight songs turning 20 in 2025.
Sampling ABBA’s ‘Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)’, Madonna’s comeback single was a masterclass in dance-pop. ‘Hung Up’ dominated global charts and lit up dancefloors from London to LA.
On Air: Madonna 'Rebel Heart Tour'
With its rousing chorus and communal spirit, ‘Wake Up’ became an indie-rock anthem. The track helped cement Arcade Fire as festival favourites and soundtracked countless movie trailers.
On Air: Arcade Fire 'Live at Earl’s Court: The Reflektor Tapes'
One of the standout singles from Don’t Believe the Truth, ‘The Importance of Being Idle’ saw Noel Gallagher take on lead vocals, delivering a playful, Kinks-inspired ode to laziness that topped the UK charts.
On Air: Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds 'Live at Wythenshawe Park, Manchester'
Proof that metal could be both ferocious and melodic, ‘Before I Forget’ won Slipknot a Grammy and remains one of their defining tracks. Its thunderous riff and raw vocals still hit hard two decades later.
On Air: Slipknot 'Day of the Gusano'
Opening the Dream Theater Octavarium album, ‘The Root of All Evil’ is prog-metal at its finest. Complex time signatures, virtuosic musicianship, and lyrical depth made this a fan favourite and a live staple.
Although ‘Sound of the Underground’ was their breakout hit, Chemistry era single ‘Biology’ remains one of Girls Aloud’s most inventive moments. With its genre-hopping structure, it’s often cited as one of the best British pop singles of the 2000s.
On Air: Girls Aloud 'Tangled Up: Live from The O2' and 'The Greatest Hits Live from Wembley Arena 2006'
Pop-punk perfection. Fall Out Boy’s breakthrough hit delivered singalong hooks and emo energy in spades. Two decades on, ‘Sugar, We’re Goin Down’ still soundtracks everything from teen drama montages to club nights.
Porcupine Tree’s frontman Steven Wilson delivered a haunting, beautiful ballad with ‘Lazarus’. Blending progressive rock with poignant lyricism, the track showcased Wilson’s knack for atmosphere and emotional depth.
On Air: Steven Wilson 'Home Invasion'
And if this blog has you hitting replay, good news, you can relive all of these artists’ iconic performances right now on demand.
Explore the catalogue and take yourself back to 2005 (no time machine required)!
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How a Simpsons gag became a sold-out night at the Royal Albert Hall. Cypress Hill x London Symphony Orchestra: a crossover three decades in the making.
