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 songs of 2000s Western rock (11–20)
PressureParamore
Not only a band that represents the 2000s pop-punk scene, Paramore—whose immense influence on female artists in the 2020s is undeniable—made their debut with this track.
Included on their 2005 debut album “All We Know Is Falling,” it captures feelings of youthful impatience and the urge to resist pressure from those around us.
The driving guitar riffs and urgent beats, paired with then-16-year-old Hayley Williams’s emotional vocals, create a sound that truly stirs the listener.
The track is also known for its Simlish version featured in the game The Sims 2.
The raw momentum of an album made in just three weeks seems to function as an energy that breaks through an inescapable sense of stagnation.
It’s an emotionally charged pop-punk number that distills the spark of their early impulses.
Take Me OutFranz Ferdinand
Even among the many bands of the 2000s that updated past music into their own sound, the arrival of Franz Ferdinand—who centered their style on the crisp, choppy guitar work associated with so-called post-punk while deftly incorporating elements of traditional rock ’n’ roll and the cutting-edge dance music of the time—was truly shocking.
With a clear concept of “music girls can dance to,” they sent one catchy hit after another up the charts, with guitar riffs that practically functioned as sing-along melodies.
Their signature track, Take Me Out, is a quintessential masterpiece that epitomizes their strengths.
Its structure—almost as if two different types of songs coexist between the first half and everything that follows—is nothing short of brilliant, making it one of the finest danceable indie rock songs the 2000s produced.
Incidentally, most members had endured long years of struggle before their breakthrough, and the exceptionally high level of polish and airtight songwriting they displayed from their debut was clearly underpinned by those hard-earned careers.
MachineYeah Yeah Yeahs
In the rock scene of the 2000s, New York served as a hub for musical trends, radiating an excitement that evoked the atmosphere of the 1970s.
Emerging from that scene, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs—fronted by the sole female member, Karen O—were a pivotal band that dominated indie rock in the 2000s.
Preceding their acclaimed 2003 album Fever to Tell, this track, released as an EP in November 2002, distills their raw, early impulses.
The piece’s racing, drone-like guitar noise and tight rhythm generate a mechanical yet sensual tension.
Coupled with Karen O’s provocative vocals, the band’s dangerous allure explodes to full effect.
Peaking at No.
37 on the UK charts, this is a killer tune that perfectly delivers the unfiltered cool of garage punk when you want to feel it without overthinking.
KidsMGMT
In the 2000s, as the internet developed and timelines in music genres lost their meaning, MGMT debuted as the quintessential children of the era, creating a new generation of sound that channeled both past legacies and contemporary sensibilities.
Hailing from Brooklyn, New York—one of the most important hubs when discussing the music scene of the time—their 2007 full-length debut album, Oracular Spectacular, was a major success.
While they’re well known among those who listen to Western indie rock, one of their signature tracks, Kids, is an anthem with broad appeal that balances a psychedelic, niche musicality with an accessible pop sensibility.
It was a massive hit in clubs back then, frequently played by prominent DJs.
Beyond the melody itself, the main synth phrase is both exquisitely wistful and catchy—so much so that once you hear it, you’ll want to keep listening to it over and over.
Incidentally, the music video for the song is shocking in its own way and clearly shows that their sensibilities are anything but straightforward.
If you dislike grotesque imagery, consider yourself warned!
Mansard RoofAnimal Collective
Vampire Weekend burst onto the late-2000s indie rock scene with the unusual pedigree of being Ivy League graduates from New York.
Their style—folding Afro-pop elements into sleek pop songs—felt remarkably fresh at the time.
This time, we’re focusing on the track that marked the beginning of their brilliant career, released in October 2007.
In just two short minutes, it distills buoyant keyboards and a sprightly beat into something that feels like the pure sound of summertime bliss.
The lyrics by frontman Ezra Koenig—who crowns the title with an architectural style and captures everyday scenes with intellectual flair—are wonderful as well.
This piece opens the landmark debut album Vampire Weekend, a bona fide classic that eloquently encapsulates the band’s musical identity.
It’s a superb song I’d highly recommend when you’re in the mood for intelligent, refreshing rock.
How You Remind MeNickelback
Nickelback is a popular rock band from Canada, known for their powerful vocals and catchy melodies.
This track is one of their signature songs and is extremely popular among fans.
Its lyrics, centered on heartbreak and struggles with self-worth, are striking and resonate with listeners.
Released in 2001, it became a massive hit, reaching No.
1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The punchy guitar sound and dramatic drums are highly appealing, making it a great recommendation even for those who aren’t typically into rock.
Now’s the time to listen! Classic and hit Western rock songs from the 2000s (21–30)
Kryptonite3 Doors Down
As a quintessential anthem of 2000s Western rock, 3 Doors Down’s early signature track “Kryptonite” is indispensable.
Featured on their debut album The Better Life, it was the song that put them on the map.
As pioneers of the emerging pop rock genre, they garnered support not only from rock fans but from a broad audience.
Their approach—delivering themes of human vulnerability and the importance of friendship through catchy melodies—embodies the very essence of 2000s rock.
Listening to this song will surely bring back the passionate feelings of that era.