It’s been an exciting time for early noughties pop fans with the news that the rough-and-ready, brilliant boyband Five are reuniting as a full five-piece for the first time since their 2001 split. While the band have had various line-ups over the years, this marks the first time all five members are back together.

I liked Five as a child, but as an adult, I’ve come to appreciate them even more. I’ve always loved their singles, but over the past few days, I’ve delved into their full discography, listening to and thoroughly enjoying all three of their albums—far more than I expected!

To celebrate their reunion, I’ve ranked some of their best songs. It’s a mix of singles and album tracks, with a few notable omissions—no ‘We Will Rock You’ here!—and some personal favourites that just missed the cut. But here are my Top 15 Five songs.

Enjoy!

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15. Human
Five take on this classic 80s track by The Human League, transforming it into a sultry R&B number with a pulsating bassline and an almost J Dilla-like swing—with surprisingly good results. The harmonies are tight, Abs’ rap of “If Five boys in the house, say it loud / If Five boys in the house, check it out” is peak 90s, and the record scratch samples cement that nostalgic feel.

14. Until the Time Is Through
Another ballad, this time penned by regular Swedish pop maestros Max Martin and Andreas Carlsson. The influence of Backstreet Boys and early Britney Spears is unmistakable, from the classic acoustic guitar strums to Max Martin’s signature percussion. Particularly endearing is the overly Americanised pronunciation in the chorus. Still, a lovely song.

13. Invincible
Oh, 90s pop ballads were on another level, weren’t they? Five always did them well, and there were plenty to choose from, but I settled on this title track from 1999’s Invincible. Featuring gorgeous piano chord progressions, emotive vocals, reverberating beats, classy orchestral flourishes, and dreamy wah-wah effects, this track—like many of Five’s songs—was written and produced by Julian Gallagher and Richard ‘Biff’ Stannard, the masterminds behind hits for the Spice Girls, Westlife, and Boyzone.

12. Hear Me Now
Five’s success lay in their energetic, slickly produced pop, underpinned by rock and funk influences. This album track from 2001’s Kingsize follows in the footsteps of We Will Rock You and If Ya Gettin’ Down, with its laddish, chant-like choruses and grunge-tinged guitars layered over polished dance beats. It’s produced with an almost underwater effect, but it works beautifully. Great energy.

11. It’s the Things You Do

Another Max Martin co-write blending pop and R&B influences. This midtempo track features an irresistible melody, smooth R&B vocals, tight harmonies, and a standout chorus.

10. Satisfied
A breezy midtempo pop number from their self-titled debut album. Five always struck the perfect balance between singing and rapping, and here, Sean and Scott deliver earnest vocals while J’s signature rap injects freshness, preventing it from sinking into boyband balladry. There’s a key change in the middle, of course. A great track!

9. Rock the Party
Another thing Five did brilliantly was sampling classic tracks—combinations that seemed unlikely on paper but always worked in practice. This track samples Frankie Valli’s Grease (yes, the opening of the film!) and doesn’t miss a beat. J and Abs carry it with slick raps, while the anthemic chorus makes it unmistakably Five.

8. Battlestar
From Grease to Battlestar Galactica! This track samples the theme composed by the legendary John Williams (better known for Star Wars). With a bouncy bassline, slick beats, and unrestrained raps from J and Abs, it’s an undeniable banger.

7. Everyday
An album track from 1999’s Invincible, this upbeat, feel-good pop tune boasts springy, Mr. Blue Sky-esque piano chords and R&B-infused beats. It’s gloriously 90s in its carefree nature and just a great listen.

6. Slam Dunk (Da Funk)
Where it all began. Funk influences ran through Five’s debut album, and journalist Michael Cragg notes in his brilliant book Reach for the Stars that the word ‘funk’ appears approximately 678 times on the album! This funky dance-pop track launched Five onto the scene with a grooving bassline, an anthemic chorus, and what would become J’s trademark rapping.

5. Got the Feelin’
The third single from their debut album (what a run of singles!), this breezy, carefree, sun-soaked bop features an irresistible na-na-na-na-na-na-na hook, J’s hypeman-style raps, sunny piano chords, and hip-hop beats. Pure fun!

4. When the Lights Go Out
Co-written by pop songwriting genius Eliot Kennedy (behind countless 90s and early 00s hits), When the Lights Go Out features a brilliant chorus over slick pop production. Less rap-heavy than later singles, it’s polished, infectious, and quintessentially 90s.

3. If Ya Gettin’ Down
The unexpected sampling continues with this disco-pop banger, built around Indeep’s 1982 hit Last Night a DJ Saved My Life. Abs and J take charge with their raps in the verses, setting the perfect tone for this lead single from Invincible.

2. Keep On Movin’
Co-written by Richard ‘Biff’ Stannard, who, despite his extensive pop songwriting career, still cites Keep On Movin’ as one of his favourites. This summery, uplifting anthem about perseverance has a universal message that remains timeless. Softer than some of Five’s other singles, it leans more into pure pop, with lovely vocals from Sean and Abs, an impossibly fast-rapped bridge from J, and a soaring anthemic chorus. Oh, and according to journalist Paul Flynn (as noted in Reach for the Stars), it apparently sounds “amazing on ecstasy.”

1. Let’s Dance
A controversial choice? Maybe. But this has always been my favourite Five track, and it remains unbeaten. It stands apart from their other songs yet retains classic Five elements—funk influences, rapid-fire raps from Abs and J, and a production style that still feels fresh. This pop-dance gem, infused with autotune for an irresistible effect, blends hazy electronic synths, thumping beats, and a slick bassline. A number one hit back in the day, yet curiously absent from radio playlists—a hidden gem.