The 2000s were a decade of outstanding music, with several iconic musical groups from various genres rising to prominence. The 2000s produced some of the most memorable and enduring singles of all time, ranging from rock to hip-hop, pop to alternative. The music of the 2000s made a lasting impression on our hearts and thoughts, whether you were a teenager dancing to pop beats or a rock fan yelling along with your favorite band. In this post, we’ll go back in time to look at the greatest musical groups of the 2000s and the classic songs that made them famous. Prepare to relive music’s golden period with us.
1. Linkin Park
Hybrid Theory, Linkin Park’s debut album, was a major hit, selling over 10 million copies in the United States alone. The debut single from the album, “One Step Closer,” became an instant hit and prepared the way for their chart-topping hit “In the End,” which cemented the band’s spot in the music business. They continued to record chart-topping hits throughout the decade, including “Numb,” “What I’ve Done,” and “New Divide,” cementing their place as one of the most successful rock bands of the 2000s.
Their popularity was not overlooked, as they received multiple awards for their music, including six American Music Awards, two Grammy Awards, and two Billboard Awards. Linkin Park’s influence on the music industry was unmistakable, and their distinct sound affected a generation of musicians.
However, the band’s triumph was not without its setbacks. In 2017, the music industry was rocked by the terrible death of one of the band’s lead singers, Chester Bennington, who committed suicide. The news shocked fans and the music industry at large, and the band has not toured or released new songs since.
2. Paramore
The story of Paramore’s achievement is one of perseverance, talent, and hard work. The band’s debut album, All We Know Is Falling, was not as successful as they had hoped. This quickly changed when Atlantic Records became interested in the band’s lead singer, Hayley Williams.
Williams drew the attention of Atlantic Records early in her career, but she refused to abandon her bandmates to pursue a solo career. The record label eventually signed on with the band, and together they created certified-Platinum singles that catapulted them to success.
The band’s chart-topping singles, including “Misery Business,” “Crushcrushcrush,” “That’s What You Get,” and “Decode,” were huge successes, propelling them to the top of the rock music charts in the 2000s. Their distinctive pop-punk style, combined with powerful vocals and relatable lyrics from Williams, made them a fan favorite.
3. Maroon 5
Maroon 5, led by Adam Levine, is one of the most recognizable pop-rock bands of the 2000s. With legendary successes like “This Love,” “She Will Be Loved,” and “Makes Me Wonder,” they’ve become a household name in the music industry.
These songs, along with many others, propelled Maroon 5 to the Top 200 charts and earned them a Grammy for Best New Artist. By 2005, their debut album, Songs About Jane, had gone triple platinum, and their 2007 album It Won’t Be Soon Before Long featured the breakthrough song “Makes Me Wonder,” which peaked at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
The band lost their drummer, Ryan Dusick, in 2006 due to wrist and shoulder problems, but they did not give up. The band continues to tour and develop new music after the addition of Matt Flynn as Dusick’s successor.
Maroon 5 had a brief break in 2013, but they returned with even more successes like “Sugar,” “Animals,” and “Girls Like You.” They have subsequently proceeded to create new music and perform throughout the world, firmly establishing themselves as one of the most successful pop-rock bands of the 2000s and beyond. The guitarist of the band, James Valentine, is also considered one of The 10 Best Guitarists of the 2010s.
4. Blink-182
Blink-182 is an American rock band that became prominent in the 1992 skate-punk scene for its high-energy shows and irreverent humor. Despite not being a cohesive unit at the start of their career, the band members worked on solo projects and toured until reuniting and negotiating a contract with MCA Records in the late 1990s.
They launched their first chart-topping album, Take Off Your Pants and Jacket, in 2001, and made a number-one debut on the Billboard 200 chart. This album catapulted them to the forefront of the punk-pop trend, earning them international acclaim for their catchy, guitar-driven sound and clever lyrics.
Blink-182 made their strongest impact in the 2000s with songs like “I Miss You” and “Feeling This,” which demonstrated their continuing progress as musicians and ability to stay current in an ever-changing musical world. Despite multiple hiatuses and member changes over the years, Blink-182 remains a popular and influential band in the alternative rock scene.
5. Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers rose to prominence in the 1990s with their platinum-certified track “Give It Away,” which became their first #1 on the Alternative Airplay chart. As the decade progressed, they maintained their popularity with two number-one singles, “Otherside” and “Californication.” The band went on to create several other popular songs throughout the 2000s, establishing itself as a music business force to be reckoned with.
In addition to chart-topping singles, the band’s albums were also a huge hit. By the Way and Stadium Arcadium were both multi-Platinum albums, with the latter becoming the band’s first to top the Billboard 200 chart.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers hold a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, have won six Grammy Awards, and have had over 100 million copies of their albums sold around the world. The four-piece band is often recognized for their contributions to the music industry and is widely considered a turning point in alternative rock’s history.
6. 3 Doors Down
The American rock band 3 Doors Down is from Escatawpa, Mississippi. Brad Arnold, Matt Roberts, and Todd Harrell comprised the group. The band’s name was inspired by a sign they spotted in Foley, Alabama, that said “doors down.”
3 Doors Down’s post-grunge and alternative rock sounds swiftly grew in popularity, especially after the publication of their smash song “Kryptonite.” The album that included this song, The Better Life, went on to be certified six times platinum in the United States. They also had another chart-topping song in 2003, “Here Without You.”
Despite a few lineup changes throughout the years, 3 Doors Down remained successful in the decades that followed. They have since revealed that they are working on new music.
7. Green Day
The American punk rock band Green Day was founded in 1986 in California by Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tré Cool. They had a devoted fan base in the punk scene and released numerous albums in the early 1990s. However, it wasn’t until the mid to late 2000s that they fully broke through in the mainstream music market.
Their 2004 rock opera album American Idiot was a huge success, both critically and commercially. The album was an enormous hit, topping the charts in several different countries and helping the band win the Grammy for Best Rock Album. The title track of the album became the band’s hallmark song as well as an anthem for a new generation of rock fans.
Throughout the 2000s, Green Day produced chart-topping hits such as “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” and “21 Guns.” These tracks helped cement the band’s status as a pioneer of the punk rock genre.
8. Evanescence
Amy Lee and Ben Moody founded the American rock band Evanescence in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1995. The band is noted for their distinct musical style, which incorporates elements of alt-metal, goth rock, and symphonic rock. In the beginning, the band performed for absolutely little money in tiny venues such as coffee shops and neighborhood clubs.
Despite their humble origins, the band soon came to prominence with their first two albums in the early 2000s. They had a lot of commercial success, and their albums topped the charts. “Bring Me to Life” and “My Immortal” were two of their most successful songs from their 2003 album Fallen, which sold 17 million copies worldwide. Their second studio album, The Door Open, was released in 2006 and sold over 5 million copies.
Although the band’s fame waned in the 2010s, they continued to release songs, with Amy Lee being the only original member still alive. Regardless of the changes, Evanescence remains a respected and important rock band in the music industry.
9. The All-American Rejects
The All-American Rejects are a rock band from Stillwater, Oklahoma, formed in 1999 by vocalist and bassist Tyson Ritter and guitarist Nick Wheeler. They began writing and creating songs for their band after enlisting three additional members, and they quickly achieved popular recognition.
Their self-titled debut album, released in 2003, became popular thanks to the singles “Swing, Swing” and “The Last Song.” However, their best-selling work was their second studio album, Move Along, which sold over two million copies worldwide in 2005. The album had their first top-five song, “Dirty Little Secret,” which was a big commercial success and got many radio plays.
10. Radiohead
Radiohead is an English rock band founded in 1985 in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. Thom Yorke (vocals, guitar, piano), Jonny Greenwood (guitar, keyboards, other instruments), Ed O’Brien (guitar, backing vocals), Colin Greenwood (bass), and Phil Selway (drums, percussion) are the members of the band. With their first four albums, Pablo Honey, The Bends, OK Computer, and Kid A, they achieved immense popularity during the 1990s.
However, in 2000, they radically altered their musical approach by incorporating electronic music, jazz, and classical influences into their compositions. Their fifth album, Kid A, reflected this transformation, eliciting mixed reactions from fans and critics. Their sixth album, Amnesiac, won back their admirers the following year.
The 2000s were a decade of musical diversity and innovation, with a wide range of bands and musicians pushing the boundaries of their respective genres and releasing some of the most memorable songs and albums of all time. The musical environment of the 2000s was tremendously broad and vibrant, ranging from alternative rock to pop-punk and from goth rock to electronic and jazz fusion. Their legacy continues to inspire and amuse audiences worldwide, and their music is as relevant and powerful today as it was a decade ago.
In the 2000s, music underwent a digital revolution, changing how people accessed and listened to their favorite songs. Our post, How Did People Listen to Music in the 2000s? gives insight into this transformational period and how music became more portable and accessible than ever before.