Masterpiece and hit songs by recommended Western bands from the 2000s
Bands have always energized the global music scene.
Among them, the bands of the 2000s were special, with many genres emerging that hadn’t existed before.
New styles from that era—like rap rock, which adds hip-hop elements to rock, and pop punk, which blends punk with pop—remain popular today as major genres.
In this article, we’ve picked out some of the key bands from the 2000s.
Please enjoy reading to the end at your leisure!
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Masterpieces and hit songs by recommended Western bands from the 2000s (1–10)
The PretenderFoo Fighters
A song by Foo Fighters, a band formed around Dave Grohl, the former drummer of Nirvana who helped ignite the grunge boom worldwide.
It’s the lead single from their sixth album, Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace, and it won the Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance.
Starting with arpeggiated guitar and shifting into a tight rock sound, the arrangement feels like a modern evolution of hard rock’s standard.
With its driving beat and catchy melody, it’s a 2000s hard rock track that’s sure to raise your energy.
House of CardsRadiohead
A song by the British rock band Radiohead, whose experimental sound—rooted in post-rock and blended with electronic music, jazz, classical, and contemporary influences—draws attention with every new release.
It’s the third single from their seventh album, In Rainbows, and the unique, floating sensation of the opening immediately builds anticipation.
Despite its simple song structure, the arrangement introduces a variety of timbres, creating a resonance only Radiohead could achieve.
It’s a track that stands out even within the increasingly diverse rock scene of the 2000s and beyond, evoking a complex background that embodies the album’s theme.
Mr. BrightsideThe Killers
The Killers, hailing from Las Vegas, USA, are a four-piece rock band formed in 2001.
Influenced by 1980s British rock, their music boasts a wide appeal ranging from pop rock to emotional ballads.
They burst onto the scene with their 2004 debut album Hot Fuss and have continued to release compelling works ever since.
Having sold over 28 million records worldwide, they’ve headlined iconic venues such as Madison Square Garden and Wembley Stadium.
Reflecting the glitz and boldness of Las Vegas, their songs captivate many fans with a unique and timeless charm.
While drawing on British rock influences, their sound also embodies the spirit of American rock—highly recommended for rock enthusiasts.
Great Songs and Hit Tracks by Recommended Western Bands of the 2000s (11–20)
I Write Sins Not TragediesPanic! At The Disco
A story that begins with a shocking conversation overheard at a wedding delivers a profound message alongside its dramatic developments.
Its circus-like, distinctive worldview and richly textured baroque-pop sound brilliantly capture Panic! At The Disco’s unique character.
Released in February 2006, this work became a signature track from their debut album, A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out, and was a major hit, reaching No.
7 on the Billboard charts.
It also won at the MTV Video Music Awards and is widely known as an anthem representing the American emo scene.
The lyrics, which deftly portray a mind maintaining calm and reason while harboring intense emotions, are sure to resonate when you stand at a crossroads in life or face a crucial decision.
First Dateblink-182
A song by Blink-182, a three-piece rock band known as a quintessential pop-punk act whose activities have even drawn in street culture as a whole.
Included on their fourth album, Take Off Your Pants and Jacket, this track also became a hit in Japan, so many of you may have heard it.
Kicking off with a driving drum fill and moving into a bright guitar riff, the intro perfectly embodies the exhilarating feel of pop punk.
It’s a signature song that can be considered a pop-punk standard, which surged in popularity around the year 2000, and it remains a staple in their live shows.
So ColdBreaking Benjamin
The band that created this memorable classic, marked by a heavy guitar riff that sings of longing and loneliness, is Breaking Benjamin from the United States.
Their distinctive sound, fusing alternative metal and post-grunge, came to full fruition on the June 2004 album We Are Not Alone.
Centered on themes of coldness and betrayal in human relationships and inspired by the film 28 Days Later, the work enjoyed a 62-week run on the Mainstream Rock chart.
It was certified platinum in September 2015, cementing its place as one of the band’s signature songs.
With lyrics that touch the subtleties of the heart and a powerful melody, it’s sure to resonate with anyone standing at a crossroads in life.
Sex on FireKings Of Leon
A signature work by Kings of Leon that portrays a moment of passionate love—raw yet beautiful.
This track from the four-piece band hailing from Tennessee swept the globe as the lead single from their September 2008 album Only by the Night.
Feverish, intense vocals intertwine with a visceral, desire-fueled guitar sound, vividly capturing the passion of a night made beautiful precisely because it isn’t eternal.
The song won Best Rock Performance at the 51st Grammy Awards and became their first number-one single in the UK and Australia.
It masterfully expresses the essence of love where ache and intensity coexist.
A soul-stirring piece to play on lonely nights or when you’re caught up in a blazing romance.