Be prepared to get your “one, two, step” on as we reflect on how Ciara dominated the charts in the 2000s. The Atlanta artist stormed the industry with “Goodies,” a track that fused Pop & R&B to perfection. The track arrived on her debut album of the same name—a record that spawned several fan favorites. Undoubtedly, CiCi’s contributions to the 2000s shaped her into a formidable R&B-Pop-Hip Hop force, and we’re looking back at those jams we still can’t get enough of.
From her chart-topping debut “Goodies” to the sultry collaboration “Love, Sex, Magic” with Justin Timberlake, Ciara has consistently demonstrated her versatility and talent throughout the decade. Not only will we delve into the success of hits like “1, 2, Step” and “Oh,” but we’ll also discuss the empowering messages behind songs such as “Like a Boy.” Additionally, we’ll celebrate Ciara’s growth as an artist, from her first album Goodies to her later work on Fantasy Ride. These memorable tracks cement why Ciara remains an undeniable hitmaker.
“Goodies” ft. Petey Pablo (2004)
“Goodies” featuring Petey Pablo, one of Ciara’s massive 2000 hits, skyrocketed the singer to fame in 2004. This catchy debut single topped charts and became an instant fan favorite. Released in June, “Goodies” dominated summer airwaves and earned a spot on Ciara’s debut album, Goodies, released later in September. Fans and critics praised Ciara’s fusion of R&B and Hip Hop, catapulting the song to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart for seven consecutive weeks. The track has gone down in music history as a quintessential 2000s hit and a defining moment in Ciara’s career.
“1, 2 Step” ft. Missy Elliott (2004)
“1, 2, Step” featuring Missy Elliott also took the music world by storm in 2004. Following the massive success of “Goodies,” Ciara released this irresistible dance anthem in October, featuring Elliott’s iconic verse. Fans helped the record quickly climb the charts to peak at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. As the second single from Goodies, “1, 2, Step” continued to map out Ciara’s superstardom.
“Oh” ft. Ludacris (2005)
Ciara continued to impress with “Oh” featuring Ludacris, a chart-topper released in March 2005. This collaboration showcased Ciara’s sultry R&B stylings paired with Luda’s dynamic bars. This was the third single from Goodies, confirming that Ciara and her team were off to a meteoric climb. The song peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. The collaboration won over listeners, further solidifying Ciara’s place in the music industry.
“Like a Boy” (2006)
“Like a Boy” resonated with fans after its 2007 release. This thought-provoking single challenged gender stereotypes and offered a fresh perspective. As a standout track from Ciara’s sophomore album The Evolution, “Like a Boy” was also a fast favorite, peaking at No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song’s empowering message and unforgettable music video earned Ciara rave reviews.
“Promise” (2006)
“Promise,” a sultry slow jam, earned critical acclaim upon its 2006 release. As the lead single from The Evolution, “Promise” showed Ciara’s maturation as a performer. The song made its way to No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its seductive melody resonated with listeners. This also confirmed Ciara’s adaptable talent exceeded her signature dance anthems.
“Get Up” ft. Chamillionaire (2006)
“Get Up,” an energetic collaboration between Ciara and Chamillionaire, arrived in 2006. This dance anthem was featured on both the Step Up movie soundtrack and Ciara’s The Evolution. Ciara’s dynamic performance, alongside Chamillionaire’s verse, drove the song to success, peaking at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. Ciara’s career is also known for the singer’s effortless ability to collaborate with notable rappers who aren’t often known for Pop-adjacent releases.
“Can’t Leave ‘Em Alone” ft. 50 Cent (2007)
“Can’t Leave ‘Em Alone” stormed the industry in 2007. 50 Cent joined Ciara on the single—another from The Evolution. Fans embraced the chemistry between the two artists, propelling the song to chart success, where it peaked at No. 40 on the Billboard Hot 100. In more recent years, TikTok users revisited the collaboration, which had a brief and small viral moment online. Additionally, Fif and CiCi were rumored to have dated around the time that this song came out.
“Go Girl” ft. T-Pain (2008)
They’re two hitmakers at the top of their games in the 2000s, so it is no surprise that Ciara and T-Pain collided on a track. “Go Girl” added to Ciara’s 2000 hits with its 2008 release. This high-energy dance track, featured on Ciara’s third studio album Fantasy Ride, got bodies moving. This one wasn’t as successful on the charts, peaking at No. 78 on the Billboard Hot 100. However, the charts can’t predict which songs will go down as a fan favorite in history.
“Love, Sex, Magic” ft. Justin Timberlake (2009)
“Love, Sex, Magic,” a sizzling collaboration between Ciara and Justin Timberlake, was released in 2009. This seductive track, also from Fantasy Ride, enthralled fans with its contagious rhythm. The chemistry between Ciara and Timberlake’s vocals created a charting hit, which peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. Seeing Ciara and the N’SYNC frontman come together made perfect sense as two Pop icons.
