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 from the 2000s (21–30)
C’mon C’monThe Von Bondies
Blending raw guitars with powerful riffs, Detroit’s The Von Bondies deliver a signature track that channels fiery passion and the complexities of human relationships into an energetic anthem.
Featured on the March 2004 album Pawn Shoppe Heart, it boasts a polished sound thanks to production by former Talking Heads member Jerry Harrison.
The song was used as the opening theme for the hit TV series Rescue Me and included in the video game Burnout 3: Takedown.
Peaking at No.
25 on Billboard’s Alternative Songs chart, it’s a must-hear for fans who love the grit of garage rock and the pull of straight-ahead rock sounds.
NaiveThe Kooks
This song, where nostalgic guitar riffs intersect with a powerful rhythm, is emblematic of 2000s British indie rock.
Released as a single by the Kooks in March 2006, it shines with a youthful glow in which the anxieties and expectations of romance intertwine.
With its catchy melody and lyrics that capture the sensibilities of young people, it reached No.
5 on the UK Singles Chart and became the 19th best-selling single of the year in the UK.
Chosen as the fourth single from the album Inside In/Inside Out, it has been widely featured in film and TV soundtracks and has earned broad support, especially among younger listeners.
It’s the perfect track to color a page of youth—whether for conversations with friends or heart-fluttering moments of love.
Must-Listen Now! Classic and Hit Western Rock Songs of the 2000s (31–40)
Rock & Roll QueenThe Subways
An anthem of youth released in June 2005 by The Subways, who burst out of the UK indie rock scene.
It’s a track defined by energetic guitar riffs overflowing with youth and passion, and powerful vocals.
As a signature song from their debut album “Young for Eternity,” it reached No.
22 on the UK chart.
In addition to being featured on the soundtracks of the Hollywood films “Live Free or Die Hard” and “RocknRolla,” the band themselves appeared to perform it in a notable scene on the hit TV series The O.
C.
In 2020, they created versions in 20 languages to mark the song’s 15th anniversary.
A staple at major festivals like Glastonbury and Reading & Leeds, this track is perfect for moments when you want to go all out with energy.
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.
MinorityGreen Day
Vividly etched as an anthem of self-expression, this track was released in August 2000 as the lead single from Green Day’s sixth album, Warning.
It spent five consecutive weeks at No.
1 on Billboard’s Modern Rock chart, becoming one of Green Day’s signature songs of the 2000s.
The lyrics, which champion individuality and refuse to pander to the mainstream, resonate with many listeners.
Energetic guitars and driving drums inspire the courage to stay true to oneself.
In the 2000s, as music spread widely via the internet, this song also became a highly recommended pick for a new generation of listeners.
ButterflyCrazy Town
This is a track released in October 2000 by Crazy Town, a band formed in Los Angeles, that samples an instrumental piece by Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Its stirring, melodic guitar phrases blend seamlessly with rap verses expressing love for a partner likened to a butterfly, opening up a new frontier in nu metal.
The song spent two consecutive weeks at No.
1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and sparked such a reaction that it boosted sales of their debut album, The Gift of Game, from 100,000 to 1.
5 million copies.
With a sound that hides tenderness within its intensity, it’s the perfect song when you want to feel romantic or convey your feelings to someone special.
Hate to Say I Told You SoThe Hives
The Hives, a cutting-edge band from Sweden, struck the 2000s garage rock scene with a stunning blow through overwhelming power and an aggressive sound.
Featured on the album Veni Vidi Vicious, this track erupts with Howlin’ Pelle’s gruff vocals riding atop a raw groove forged by explosive guitar riffs and a razor-sharp rhythm section.
In 2002, it reached No.
23 on the UK singles chart and was featured on the soundtrack of the film Spider-Man as well as in the video game Forza Horizon.
It became a symbol of the band’s meteoric rise, culminating in a $10 million deal with Universal Music.
Carrying the primal impulse of early punk into the present, this track grips rock fans seeking a return to their roots and never lets go.