“Lizzie McGuire” and “Younger” star Hilary Duff turns 30 this week. She’s also starred in more than a dozen TV and theatrical films over the years but is still best known for her role on Disney Channel’s “LM”, which ran from 2001-2004.
However, aside from film and TV, Duff has had just as prolific an effect on the music industry, with several chart-topping hits that 15 years later – tweens, teens, twenty-somethings, thirty-somethings and older (guys and girls) still know all the words to. I’ve followed Duff’s career for nearly my entire life. Here now is my ranking of her 10 best songs:
1. “Why Not” (2003) – Duff’s showcase single from “The Lizzie McGuire Movie” soundtrack has been an infectious, “can’t get it out of my head” (for once for a good reason) tune for the past 14 years. Simple and to the point.
2. “What Dreams Are Made Of” (2003) – This finale song from “The Lizzie McGuire Movie” is the pop music anthem for a generation.
3. “Wake Up” (2005) – Positive messages aimed at empowerment and confidence
4. “Fly” (2004) – Many of Duff’s early songs, including this one, were co-written by former “American Idol” judge Kara DioGuardi.
5. “Come Clean” (2003) – An optimistic outlook on rain
6. “So Yesterday” (2003) – Part of Duff’s “Metamorphosis” album, which has sold more than 5 million copies worldwide to date
7. “I Can’t Wait” (2002) – Duff’s cover of this song from Australian singer Brooke McClymont was featured on the “final” episode of “Lizzie McGuire” – Lizzie and best friend Gordo’s final day of middle school.
8. “Santa Claus Lane” (2002) – Title track of Duff’s first album
9. “Tattoo”: Acoustic Version (2015) – One of Duff’s most recent songs, co-written by Ed Sheeran
10. “Little Voice” (2003) – Haven’t been able to get this one out of my head… and that’s okay
HONORABLE MENTIONS
“Beat of My Heart” (2005) – Duff’s first venture into repeating the title of the song over and over again throughout the lyrics
“The Math” (2003) – A song you can like even if you don’t like math
“Our Lips Are Sealed” (2004) – A cover of the classic performed with sister Haylie Duff; the two co-starred in 2006’s “Material Girls” (and also covered Madonna’s iconic “Material Girl” for that film)
“Someone’s Watching Over Me” (2004) – Sung in the film “Raise Your Voice”
“With Love” (2007) – Music video features Duff and pre-“Twilight” star Kellan Lutz