Must-Listen Now! Classic and Hit Western Rock Songs from the 2000s
In today’s music scene beyond the 2020s, hit songs and classics from the 2000s are already remembered as classic numbers.
While there may not have been a massive movement that defined the era like grunge or alternative rock in the 1990s, the rapid spread of the internet gave rise to many remarkable songs and artists unique to a time when our very way of engaging with music was transforming.
So this time, we’re highlighting hit songs and timeless tracks from Western rock in the 2000s.
Centered around the keyword “rock,” we’ll deliver a diverse and exciting lineup!
- Masterpiece and hit songs by recommended Western bands from the 2000s
- [Masterpiece Selection] A Compilation of Classic Western Rock Songs
- Commercial songs from Western music that were hits in the 2000s. Popular commercial jingles.
- Debut songs by Western rock bands from the 2000s
- Dance music from Western artists that was a hit in the 2000s. World-famous classics and popular songs.
- Ballad songs from Western music that were hits in the 2000s
- Recommended Western rock bands; popular overseas bands.
- Recommendation of Western Rock: Recommended Foreign Rock Bands, Popular Bands
- Moving Western songs that were hits in the 2000s
- [Y2K] A roundup of debut songs by Western girl bands that emerged in the 2000s
- Hit Western songs from the 2010s. Recommended classics.
- [Western Music] Both Speed and Bittersweetness! Recommended Melodic Hardcore (Melodic Punk) Bands [2025]
- 2000s Western pop hits you still hear in commercials, movies, and on the streets
Now’s the Time to Listen! Classic and Hit Western Rock Songs of the 2000s (61–70)
Sex on FireKings Of Leon
This song, which belts out a hot, fierce passion, is truly worthy of being called a monument of 2000s rock.
Known as one of Kings of Leon’s signature tracks, it topped the charts in many countries, including Australia and the UK.
Its unique appeal—fusing Southern rock tradition with a modern sound—captures listeners’ hearts and doesn’t let go.
Released in September 2008, it achieved major success as the lead single from the album Only by the Night.
The lyrics, depicting intense desire and intimacy, resonate with many people and are loved by a wide audience beyond just rock fans.
The National AnthemRadiohead
An original soundscape where electronic experimentation intersects with rock’s impulse.
Featured on the classic album Kid A, released in October 2000, this track is a masterpiece that epitomizes Radiohead’s innovation.
Anchored by its bassline, a flood of sound unfolds as a chaotic brass section infused with jazz elements vividly expresses the anxieties and isolation of the digital age.
It portrays society’s sense of stagnation and paranoia in a unique musical language, leaving a deep afterglow in the listener’s mind.
I especially recommend this work to listeners who continue to explore the possibilities of music.
Dani CaliforniaRed Hot Chili Peppers
Known as a Grammy-winning classic, this song is one of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ signature works.
Melodic yet highlighted by John Frusciante’s emotionally charged guitar solo, it features lyrics that depict the life of a fictional woman named Dani, symbolizing California’s free spirit and sense of challenge.
Released in April 2006, it reached No.
6 on the Billboard charts.
In Japan, it was also used as the theme song for the film Death Note.
Its music video—which traces the history of rock—garnered attention and won Best Art Direction at the MTV Video Music Awards.
It’s a track you’ll want to hear when you need the courage to face adversity.
Brick By Boring BrickParamore
The surge of genres like emo and pop punk in the 2000s produced many rock bands that achieved global popularity.
Hailing from Tennessee, Paramore—fronted by the powerful female vocalist Hayley Williams—can be considered one of the leading acts of that movement, alongside Fall Out Boy and Panic! at the Disco.
“Brick By Boring Brick,” included on their third album Brand New Eyes, which was released in 2009 and became a major hit in both the U.
S.
and the U.
K.
, is a masterpiece that perfectly captures the band at their best: it expresses both their early musical style and their refined identity as a rock band, even as they would go on to expand their sound beyond the confines of rock and emo in the 2010s.
The solid guitars, tight beats, and Hayley’s wonderfully charming and emotional vocals are truly outstanding.
The chorus in particular is breathtakingly expansive, and the exquisitely dramatic bridge (C-melody) is especially noteworthy.
By the way, the song was also featured in Episode 18 of Season 1 of the popular TV series The Vampire Diaries.
Punk Rock Princesssomething corporate
A classic by Something Corporate, a band that rose to popularity for prominently featuring piano, was released in January 2002.
Included on the album “Leaving Through the Window,” this song is packed with admiration for a girl who loves punk rock and the fervor of youth.
The piano melodies blend seamlessly into the high-energy band sound, while the sentimental lyrics portray the carefree days we all experience and the restlessness of adolescence.
It’s a gem best enjoyed while feeling the piano’s shifting emotions.
Highly recommended for anyone navigating the complex feelings of their teenage years.
She Will Be LovedMaroon 5
One of the defining features of the 2000s rock scene, I believe, is how the mixture-oriented sensibility of the 1990s evolved further, breaking down the boundaries between rock, pop, and R&B.
In that sense, Maroon 5—who originally played pop-punk as a high school band—could be considered a band called forth by the times of the 2000s.
Even people who aren’t very familiar with Western music often know their name, and among the many great songs Maroon 5 has produced, let’s highlight She Will Be Loved, which captivates with its wistful melody and understated ensemble.
Adam Levine’s signature, enchanting falsetto is always a pleasure to hear.
In Japan, the song was also used in a commercial, which contributed to its high recognition.
Incidentally, their masterpiece debut album Songs About Jane, which includes She Will Be Loved, consists largely of songs about a woman named Jane—Adam’s girlfriend at the time—and reading the lyrics gives you a sense of the complex emotions he was experiencing then.
Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)Arcade Fire
A track from the iconic 2000s masterpiece Funeral, it tells a poignant story set in a snowbound neighborhood.
Hailing from Montreal, Canada, Arcade Fire released this debut single in June 2004.
Marked by its rich sound and emotional depth, the song highlights the importance of human relationships in difficult times.
It received high acclaim, ranking 10th on Pitchfork’s “Top 500 Tracks of the 2000s.” Its distinctive world-building and powerful performance have captivated many listeners.
It’s a must-listen not only for indie rock fans but for anyone seeking music that truly resonates.