Lifehouse, Janet Jackson, Alicia Keys, And Jennifer Lopez Had Top Hits Of 2001

The most memorable event in 2001 will always be the September 11 attacks, which overshadowed just about everything else that year. If you lived in California during the winter and spring of 2001, chances are that you became a victim of the rolling blackouts. There was also some very memorable music in 2001. Let’s take a look at the top five hits of 2001, as compiled by Billboard and reported on by Music Outfitters.

5. Jennifer Lopez, “I’m Real”

Th year 2001 was, perhaps, Jennifer Lopez’s peak year of popularity. “I’m Real,” which features Ja-Rule, was No. 1 for five weeks and was the No. 1 song on the historic day of September 11, 2001. It was taken from Lopez’s second album J.Lo.

Unfortunately, “I’m Real” may not really be as big of a hit as it’s reported to be. According to MTV, Sony was forced into apologizing for payola (paying radio stations for spins) and “I’m Real” was one of the songs to benefit from this illegal practice.

4. Train, “Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)”

When one thinks of the spring of 2001, “Drops of Jupiter” is one song that will pop up the most. Even though it never hit No. 1 (it peaked at No. 6), its longevity on the charts propelled it to the No. 4 position of the year. It’s the title track from Train’s second album.

According to Songfacts, lead singer Pat Monahan revealed that he wrote this song about the death of his mother. Before that, people thought it was about a woman who leaves her man to find out if they really belong together.

3. Janet Jackson, “All for You”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFnPBiAk5JA

In 2001, “All for You” would become Janet Jackson’s last big hit. It hit No. 1 and spent seven weeks in the position. It was the title track from Janet Jackson’s 2001 album, which would become the last hit album of her career. Many people blame Janet’s downfall on her exposed breast during the Super Bowl Halftime Show in 2004. However, Janet still has a huge fan base, and she is still releasing new music.

“All for You” won a Grammy for Best Dance Recording at the Grammy Awards in 2002. It was also the longest-running No. 1 hit of 2001.

2. Alicia Keys, “Fallin”

“Fallin”’ spent three weeks at No. 1 in the summer of 2001, and for many of us, it was the first time we’d heard of Alicia Keys. This top hit was taken from her 2001 album Songs in a Minor. “Fallin'” won several Grammys in 2002, including one for Song of the Year.

As Sonfacts notes, Alicia Keys was only 20-years-old when the song hit No. 1, and she was only 17 when the song was written. The song was inspired by a turbulent relationship Keys was experiencing and covers the emotions that occur when you care very deeply for a person.

1. Lifehouse, “Hanging by a Moment”

Lifehouse’s only huge hit actually didn’t hit No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot 100. It did spend several weeks at No. 2. Because of its longevity as a top five and top 20 single, the song ended up as the No. 1 song of the year when all points were added. “Hanging by a Moment” is taken from their album No Name Face.

In July of 2001, frontman Jason Wade told USA Today that they were trying to make room for another hit.

“We’re trying to make room for another single, but the first one won’t get out of the way.”

As USA Today noted, it’s a problem that just about every musician wishes they had. Unfortunately, by the time there was room for another hit, Lifehouse couldn’t produce one.

All of these songs are the biggest of 2001, but what’s best is subjective. What are some of your favorite hits from 2001? Let us know in the comments section.

[Featured Image by Jemal Countess/Getty Images]