Hilary Duff’s 10 best songs ranked: A Pop Princess who defined a generation
Hilary Duff is preparing to return with her first new music since 2015's Breathe In. Breathe Out. Take a look back at her biggest tracks to date...
As a teen icon who seamlessly balanced acting, singing, and shaping the sound of early-2000s pop, Duff carved out a lane that was entirely her own. From her star-making turn as Lizzie McGuire to a string of platinum albums and radio-dominating singles, her music captured the emotional rollercoaster of adolescence - heartbreak, self-discovery, and growing up in the public eye.
Now, with a fresh record deal inked with Atlantic Records and a documentary on the way, Duff is officially stepping back into the spotlight. To celebrate her return, ContactMusic.com revisits the 10 Hilary Duff songs that continue to resonate - timeless tracks that defined a generation and still hit just as hard today.
1. Come Clean
Arguably her most iconic single, Come Clean blends introspective lyrics with moody production. It became the theme for Laguna Beach and remains a fan-favourite for its raw vulnerability and rainy-day aesthetic.
2. So Yesterday
A breakup anthem with bite, So Yesterday marked Duff’s transition from Disney darling to pop powerhouse. Its breezy defiance and catchy chorus made it a staple of early-2000s radio.
3. Stranger
From her Dignity era, Stranger is a sleek, dance-pop track that channels Duff’s more mature sound. With its hypnotic beat and cryptic lyrics, it showed she could hold her own in the club-pop landscape.
4. Fly
An empowering ballad that encourages listeners to embrace their fears and take chances, Fly showcased Duff’s vocal growth and emotional depth. It’s one of her most uplifting tracks.
5. With Love
This electro-pop banger doubled as a perfume campaign and a musical reinvention. With Love was Duff at her most stylish and sonically adventurous, proving she could evolve with the times.
6. Wake Up
A call to arms for restless youth, Wake Up is pure pop adrenaline. Its infectious energy and globe-trotting music video made it a defining moment in Duff’s mid-2000s catalogue.
7. What Dreams Are Made Of
Straight from The Lizzie McGuire Movie, this track is pure Disney magic. It’s theatrical, joyful, and forever etched in the memory of fans who grew up with Duff’s onscreen alter ego.
8. Someone’s Watching Over Me
Featured in Raise Your Voice, this emotional ballad is a tribute to resilience and hope. Duff’s performance is heartfelt and cinematic, making it one of her most underrated gems.
9. Beat of My Heart
A synth-driven celebration of love and rhythm, Beat of My Heart is playful and infectious. It’s a reminder of Duff’s ability to craft feel-good pop with a touch of sophistication.
10. Why Not
The ultimate carefree anthem, Why Not encourages listeners to take risks and embrace spontaneity. It’s classic Duff—fun, fearless, and full of charm.
