Turn back the clock a few years to the summer of 2002, turn on the radio, and it is the party-ready bounce of Nelly’s “Hot in Herre,” return of Eminem on “Without Me,” and driving pop-rock of Jimmy Eat World’s “The Middle” that are most likely to come to mind.

This list of the top 10 pop songs of summer 2002 is based on data from record industry charts from the months of June, July, and August 2002.

01 of 10

Nelly - Hot in Herre

Courtesy Universal

Summer 2002 was the summer of Nelly. He followed his star-making album Country Grammar with this ultra-catchy party anthem. Hot on its heels was another of the summer’s top hits…see below.

Watch Video

02 of 10

Eminem - Without Me

Courtesy Aftermath/Interscope

It had only been 2 years since the release of Eminem’s Marshall Mathers LP, but when he returned it was with great fanfare as he announced the world “feels so empty without me!”

Watch Video

03 of 10

Jimmy Eat World - The Middle

Dreamworks

Jimmy Eat World had been struggling for the better half of a decade for a breakthrough when “The Middle” climbed to #1 on the Modern Rock chart in 2001 followed by top 10 pop status in the summer of 2002.

Watch Video

04 of 10

Chad Kroeger featuring Josey Scott - Hero

Courtesy Dreamworks

Alt-rock icon and lead vocalist of Nickelback Chad Kroeger was a natural to create a big ballad for the soundtrack to the summer of 2002’s top movie hit Spider-Man. Josey Scott of the group Saliva joins him in this massive pop hit.

Watch Video

05 of 10

Vanessa Carlton - A Thousand Miles

Courtesy A&M

Vanessa Carlton is a classic success story having been discovered at an open mic night in New York City. “A Thousand Miles” was her first single release.

Watch Video

06 of 10

Avril Lavigne - Complicated

Courtesy Arista

Avril Lavigne has proved to be the most enduring new artist who emerged in the summer of 2002. Her aggressive debut single “Complicated” riveted the attention of fellow 17-year-olds.

Watch Video

07 of 10

Cam’ron featuring Juelz Santana - Oh Boy

Courtesy Roc-a-Fella

Rapper Cam’ron had success with album sales in the past, but 2002 was the year of his big breakthrough into the top 10 of the pop singles chart.

Watch Video

08 of 10

P. Diddy & Ginuwine Featuring Loon, Mario Winans & Tammy Ruggeri - I Need a Girl

Courtesy Bad Boy Entertainment

Puff Daddy’s (now P. Diddy) reputation took a beating in the years following the groundbreaking album Forever. The album The Saga Continues was an effort to help rebuild his reputation as a hip hop master. Pop radio responded enthusiastically.

Watch Video

09 of 10

Nelly featuring Kelly Rowland - Dilemma

Courtesy Universal/Columbia

While everyone was still bouncing along to “Hot in Herre,” (see above) this engaging duet with Destiny’s Child’s Kelly Rowland showcased an entirely different side of Nelly that was just as appealing to pop audiences.

Watch Video

10 of 10

Jennifer Lopez featuring Nas - I’m Gonna Be Alright

Courtesy Epic

Jennifer Lopez exploded as a pop star in 2001. The hits continued to come from her J. Lo album well into 2002.

Watch Video

Turn back the clock a few years to the summer of 2002, turn on the radio, and it is the party-ready bounce of Nelly’s “Hot in Herre,” return of Eminem on “Without Me,” and driving pop-rock of Jimmy Eat World’s “The Middle” that are most likely to come to mind.

This list of the top 10 pop songs of summer 2002 is based on data from record industry charts from the months of June, July, and August 2002.

01 of 10

Nelly - Hot in Herre

Courtesy Universal

Summer 2002 was the summer of Nelly. He followed his star-making album Country Grammar with this ultra-catchy party anthem. Hot on its heels was another of the summer’s top hits…see below.

Watch Video

02 of 10

Eminem - Without Me

Courtesy Aftermath/Interscope

It had only been 2 years since the release of Eminem’s Marshall Mathers LP, but when he returned it was with great fanfare as he announced the world “feels so empty without me!”

Watch Video

03 of 10

Jimmy Eat World - The Middle

Dreamworks

Jimmy Eat World had been struggling for the better half of a decade for a breakthrough when “The Middle” climbed to #1 on the Modern Rock chart in 2001 followed by top 10 pop status in the summer of 2002.

Watch Video

04 of 10

Chad Kroeger featuring Josey Scott - Hero

Courtesy Dreamworks

Alt-rock icon and lead vocalist of Nickelback Chad Kroeger was a natural to create a big ballad for the soundtrack to the summer of 2002’s top movie hit Spider-Man. Josey Scott of the group Saliva joins him in this massive pop hit.

Watch Video

05 of 10

Vanessa Carlton - A Thousand Miles

Courtesy A&M

Vanessa Carlton is a classic success story having been discovered at an open mic night in New York City. “A Thousand Miles” was her first single release.

Watch Video

06 of 10

Avril Lavigne - Complicated

Courtesy Arista

Avril Lavigne has proved to be the most enduring new artist who emerged in the summer of 2002. Her aggressive debut single “Complicated” riveted the attention of fellow 17-year-olds.

Watch Video

07 of 10

Cam’ron featuring Juelz Santana - Oh Boy

Courtesy Roc-a-Fella

Rapper Cam’ron had success with album sales in the past, but 2002 was the year of his big breakthrough into the top 10 of the pop singles chart.

Watch Video

08 of 10

P. Diddy & Ginuwine Featuring Loon, Mario Winans & Tammy Ruggeri - I Need a Girl

Courtesy Bad Boy Entertainment

Puff Daddy’s (now P. Diddy) reputation took a beating in the years following the groundbreaking album Forever. The album The Saga Continues was an effort to help rebuild his reputation as a hip hop master. Pop radio responded enthusiastically.

Watch Video

09 of 10

Nelly featuring Kelly Rowland - Dilemma

Courtesy Universal/Columbia

While everyone was still bouncing along to “Hot in Herre,” (see above) this engaging duet with Destiny’s Child’s Kelly Rowland showcased an entirely different side of Nelly that was just as appealing to pop audiences.

Watch Video

10 of 10

Jennifer Lopez featuring Nas - I’m Gonna Be Alright

Courtesy Epic

Jennifer Lopez exploded as a pop star in 2001. The hits continued to come from her J. Lo album well into 2002.

Watch Video

Turn back the clock a few years to the summer of 2002, turn on the radio, and it is the party-ready bounce of Nelly’s “Hot in Herre,” return of Eminem on “Without Me,” and driving pop-rock of Jimmy Eat World’s “The Middle” that are most likely to come to mind.

This list of the top 10 pop songs of summer 2002 is based on data from record industry charts from the months of June, July, and August 2002.

01 of 10

Nelly - Hot in Herre

Courtesy Universal

Summer 2002 was the summer of Nelly. He followed his star-making album Country Grammar with this ultra-catchy party anthem. Hot on its heels was another of the summer’s top hits…see below.

Watch Video

02 of 10

Eminem - Without Me

Courtesy Aftermath/Interscope

It had only been 2 years since the release of Eminem’s Marshall Mathers LP, but when he returned it was with great fanfare as he announced the world “feels so empty without me!”

Watch Video

03 of 10

Jimmy Eat World - The Middle

Dreamworks

Jimmy Eat World had been struggling for the better half of a decade for a breakthrough when “The Middle” climbed to #1 on the Modern Rock chart in 2001 followed by top 10 pop status in the summer of 2002.

Watch Video

04 of 10

Chad Kroeger featuring Josey Scott - Hero

Courtesy Dreamworks

Alt-rock icon and lead vocalist of Nickelback Chad Kroeger was a natural to create a big ballad for the soundtrack to the summer of 2002’s top movie hit Spider-Man. Josey Scott of the group Saliva joins him in this massive pop hit.

Watch Video

05 of 10

Vanessa Carlton - A Thousand Miles

Courtesy A&M

Vanessa Carlton is a classic success story having been discovered at an open mic night in New York City. “A Thousand Miles” was her first single release.

Watch Video

06 of 10

Avril Lavigne - Complicated

Courtesy Arista

Avril Lavigne has proved to be the most enduring new artist who emerged in the summer of 2002. Her aggressive debut single “Complicated” riveted the attention of fellow 17-year-olds.

Watch Video

07 of 10

Cam’ron featuring Juelz Santana - Oh Boy

Courtesy Roc-a-Fella

Rapper Cam’ron had success with album sales in the past, but 2002 was the year of his big breakthrough into the top 10 of the pop singles chart.

Watch Video

08 of 10

P. Diddy & Ginuwine Featuring Loon, Mario Winans & Tammy Ruggeri - I Need a Girl

Courtesy Bad Boy Entertainment

Puff Daddy’s (now P. Diddy) reputation took a beating in the years following the groundbreaking album Forever. The album The Saga Continues was an effort to help rebuild his reputation as a hip hop master. Pop radio responded enthusiastically.

Watch Video

09 of 10

Nelly featuring Kelly Rowland - Dilemma

Courtesy Universal/Columbia

While everyone was still bouncing along to “Hot in Herre,” (see above) this engaging duet with Destiny’s Child’s Kelly Rowland showcased an entirely different side of Nelly that was just as appealing to pop audiences.

Watch Video

10 of 10

Jennifer Lopez featuring Nas - I’m Gonna Be Alright

Courtesy Epic

Jennifer Lopez exploded as a pop star in 2001. The hits continued to come from her J. Lo album well into 2002.

Watch Video

Turn back the clock a few years to the summer of 2002, turn on the radio, and it is the party-ready bounce of Nelly’s “Hot in Herre,” return of Eminem on “Without Me,” and driving pop-rock of Jimmy Eat World’s “The Middle” that are most likely to come to mind.

This list of the top 10 pop songs of summer 2002 is based on data from record industry charts from the months of June, July, and August 2002.

01 of 10

Nelly - Hot in Herre

Courtesy Universal

Summer 2002 was the summer of Nelly. He followed his star-making album Country Grammar with this ultra-catchy party anthem. Hot on its heels was another of the summer’s top hits…see below.

Watch Video

02 of 10

Eminem - Without Me

Courtesy Aftermath/Interscope

It had only been 2 years since the release of Eminem’s Marshall Mathers LP, but when he returned it was with great fanfare as he announced the world “feels so empty without me!”

Watch Video

03 of 10

Jimmy Eat World - The Middle

Dreamworks

Jimmy Eat World had been struggling for the better half of a decade for a breakthrough when “The Middle” climbed to #1 on the Modern Rock chart in 2001 followed by top 10 pop status in the summer of 2002.

Watch Video

04 of 10

Chad Kroeger featuring Josey Scott - Hero

Courtesy Dreamworks

Alt-rock icon and lead vocalist of Nickelback Chad Kroeger was a natural to create a big ballad for the soundtrack to the summer of 2002’s top movie hit Spider-Man. Josey Scott of the group Saliva joins him in this massive pop hit.

Watch Video

05 of 10

Vanessa Carlton - A Thousand Miles

Courtesy A&M

Vanessa Carlton is a classic success story having been discovered at an open mic night in New York City. “A Thousand Miles” was her first single release.

Watch Video

06 of 10

Avril Lavigne - Complicated

Courtesy Arista

Avril Lavigne has proved to be the most enduring new artist who emerged in the summer of 2002. Her aggressive debut single “Complicated” riveted the attention of fellow 17-year-olds.

Watch Video

07 of 10

Cam’ron featuring Juelz Santana - Oh Boy

Courtesy Roc-a-Fella

Rapper Cam’ron had success with album sales in the past, but 2002 was the year of his big breakthrough into the top 10 of the pop singles chart.

Watch Video

08 of 10

P. Diddy & Ginuwine Featuring Loon, Mario Winans & Tammy Ruggeri - I Need a Girl

Courtesy Bad Boy Entertainment

Puff Daddy’s (now P. Diddy) reputation took a beating in the years following the groundbreaking album Forever. The album The Saga Continues was an effort to help rebuild his reputation as a hip hop master. Pop radio responded enthusiastically.

Watch Video

09 of 10

Nelly featuring Kelly Rowland - Dilemma

Courtesy Universal/Columbia

While everyone was still bouncing along to “Hot in Herre,” (see above) this engaging duet with Destiny’s Child’s Kelly Rowland showcased an entirely different side of Nelly that was just as appealing to pop audiences.

Watch Video

10 of 10

Jennifer Lopez featuring Nas - I’m Gonna Be Alright

Courtesy Epic

Jennifer Lopez exploded as a pop star in 2001. The hits continued to come from her J. Lo album well into 2002.

Watch Video

01 of 10

Nelly - Hot in Herre

Summer 2002 was the summer of Nelly. He followed his star-making album Country Grammar with this ultra-catchy party anthem. Hot on its heels was another of the summer’s top hits…see below.

01 of 10

01

of 10

Watch Video

02 of 10

Eminem - Without Me

It had only been 2 years since the release of Eminem’s Marshall Mathers LP, but when he returned it was with great fanfare as he announced the world “feels so empty without me!”

02 of 10

02

03 of 10

Jimmy Eat World - The Middle

Jimmy Eat World had been struggling for the better half of a decade for a breakthrough when “The Middle” climbed to #1 on the Modern Rock chart in 2001 followed by top 10 pop status in the summer of 2002.

03 of 10

03

04 of 10

Chad Kroeger featuring Josey Scott - Hero

Alt-rock icon and lead vocalist of Nickelback Chad Kroeger was a natural to create a big ballad for the soundtrack to the summer of 2002’s top movie hit Spider-Man. Josey Scott of the group Saliva joins him in this massive pop hit.

04 of 10

04

05 of 10

Vanessa Carlton - A Thousand Miles

Vanessa Carlton is a classic success story having been discovered at an open mic night in New York City. “A Thousand Miles” was her first single release.

05 of 10

05

06 of 10

Avril Lavigne - Complicated

Avril Lavigne has proved to be the most enduring new artist who emerged in the summer of 2002. Her aggressive debut single “Complicated” riveted the attention of fellow 17-year-olds.

06 of 10

06

07 of 10

Cam’ron featuring Juelz Santana - Oh Boy

Rapper Cam’ron had success with album sales in the past, but 2002 was the year of his big breakthrough into the top 10 of the pop singles chart.

07 of 10

07

08 of 10

P. Diddy & Ginuwine Featuring Loon, Mario Winans & Tammy Ruggeri - I Need a Girl

Puff Daddy’s (now P. Diddy) reputation took a beating in the years following the groundbreaking album Forever. The album The Saga Continues was an effort to help rebuild his reputation as a hip hop master. Pop radio responded enthusiastically.

08 of 10

08

09 of 10

Nelly featuring Kelly Rowland - Dilemma

While everyone was still bouncing along to “Hot in Herre,” (see above) this engaging duet with Destiny’s Child’s Kelly Rowland showcased an entirely different side of Nelly that was just as appealing to pop audiences.

09 of 10

09

10 of 10

Jennifer Lopez featuring Nas - I’m Gonna Be Alright

Jennifer Lopez exploded as a pop star in 2001. The hits continued to come from her J. Lo album well into 2002.

10 of 10

10