2006: The year Amy said “no, no, no”, Twitter said hello, and the world sang along

At the movies, it was a massive year for franchises and future classics. Casino Royale introduced Daniel Craig as a new, tougher James Bond, The Devil Wears Prada turned Miranda Priestly into a pop culture icon, Cars raced onto the big screen, and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest dominated the global box office.

On TV, audiences were hooked on shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Lost, Prison Break and American Idol, while reality television continued changing the entertainment landscape.

And through all of it, there was the music.

Shakira teamed up with Wyclef Jean for “Hips Don’t Lie”, a global hit that became almost impossible to escape. Justin Timberlake launched a bold new chapter of his career with “SexyBack”, bringing a futuristic sound that helped define the pop landscape of the mid-2000s.

It was also a year of unforgettable voices and emotional anthems. Snow Patrol gave the world “Chasing Cars”, a song that became one of the decade’s most loved ballads, while Amy Winehouse released her landmark album Back to Black featuring “Rehab” — introducing many listeners to her unmistakable voice, style and honesty.

Meanwhile, “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley blurred the lines between soul, alternative and pop, becoming one of the most distinctive tracks of the era.

2006 also delivered some huge albums. Beyoncé celebrated her birthday by releasing B’Day, Red Hot Chili Peppers returned with Stadium Arcadium, Christina Aguilera reinvented herself with Back to Basics, and a 16-year-old Taylor Swift released her self-titled debut album — the first chapter in a career that would eventually make her one of the biggest artists on the planet.

South African music was enjoying its own golden moment in 2006, with local artists finding a place alongside international stars on radio playlists. Freshlyground were riding a wave of success following the release of their breakthrough album Nomvula, with “Doo Be Doo” becoming one of the feel-good South African songs of the era.

Danny K continued cementing his place as one of the country’s biggest pop stars with hits like “Hurts So Bad”, while Jamali — who first captured attention on Coca-Cola Popstars — proved their staying power with their powerful harmonies and homegrown R&B sound. It was also a time when South African music was confidently crossing genres, from the soulful voice of Loyiso to the electronic energy of Flash Republic, as local acts carved out a unique identity in a changing music landscape.

Did You Know?
In 2006, Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy” made history in the UK by becoming the first song ever to reach number one based on downloads alone — before a physical single was even available. At a time when many people were still buying CDs, it was a glimpse into the digital music future that would completely transform the industry.

From MySpace profiles and iPods to movie blockbusters and songs we still sing along to today, 2006 was a year caught between two worlds — and the Classic Countdown brings back the soundtrack with 30 classics from an unforgettable moment in time.