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31 Best 2000s Rock Songs

2000 was the ultimate anticipated year in recent memory because of Y2K and, in the first decade of the millennium, so much happened in the world that shocked and brought the world to its knees. It was a great time for rock music though, as it brought everyone together through the times.

Here are 31 of the best 2000s rock songs by bands or artists that we loved:

1. “Loser” – 3 Doors Down

3 Doors Down - Loser (Official Video)

3 Doors Down is an American rock band from Escatawpa, Mississippi, that formed in 1996. The song “Loser” was released in 2000 and it was the second single from their album, Better Life. The song peaked at number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Rock Video in 2001.

Next: The best songs of the 2000s (our list of ’00s picks)

2. “Rest In Pieces” – Saliva

Saliva - Rest In Pieces

Saliva is an American rock band formed in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1996. The song “Rest In Pieces” was released in 2002 and it was the third single from their album Back Into Your System. The song peaked at number 18 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.

Next: The best bands of the 2000s (top ’00s rock bands list)

3. “Someday” – Nickelback

Nickelback is a Canadian rock band formed in 1995 in Hanna, Alberta. The song “Someday” was released in 2001 and it was the fourth single from their album Silver Side Up. The song peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance in 2002.

Next: The best rock bands of the 1990s (top 90s bands)

4. “Crawling” – Linkin Park

Crawling [Official HD Music Video] - Linkin Park

Linkin Park is an American rock band from Agoura Hills, California, that formed in 1996. The song “Crawling” was released in 2000 and it was the second single from their album Hybrid Theory. The song peaked at number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and won the Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance in 2002.

Next: The best rock songs of all time (top picks list)

5. “Blurry” – Puddle of Mudd

Puddle Of Mudd - Blurry (Official Music Video)

Puddle of Mudd is an American rock band formed in 1991 in Kansas City, Missouri. The song “Blurry” was released in 2001 and it was the second single from their album Come Clean. The song peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Next: The best bands ever formed (top rock bands ever)

6. “It’s Been Awhile” – Staind

Staind - It's Been Awhile (Official Video)

Staind is an American rock band from Springfield, Massachusetts, that formed in 1995. The song “It’s Been A While” was released in 2001 and it was the first single from their album Break the Cycle. The song peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified platinum by the RIAA. There is still talk of Staind touring again. 

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7. “How You Remind Me” – Nickelback

Nickelback - How You Remind Me [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

The song “How You Remind Me” was released in 2001 and it was the first single from their album Silver Side Up. The song peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified diamond by the RIAA. Although Nickelback has become a meme in music culture over the years, they still had some amazing chart success throughout the 2000s, and this song certainly proves that.

Next: The best alternative rock bands of all time

8. “In The End” – Linkin Park

In The End [Official HD Music Video] - Linkin Park

The song “In The End” was released in 2001 and it was the third single from their album Hybrid Theory. The song peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified double platinum by the RIAA.

Next: Greatest songs of all time (top recorded songs ever)

9. “The Middle” – Jimmy Eat World

Jimmy Eat World - The Middle (Official Music Video)

Jimmy Eat World is an American rock band from Mesa, Arizona, that formed in 1993. The song “The Middle” was released in 2002 and it was the second single from their album Bleed American. The song peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified platinum by the RIAA.

Next: Greatest 2000s dance songs

10. “Bad Day” – Fuel

Fuel - Bad Day (Official HD Video)

Fuel is an American rock band formed in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in 1994. The song “Bad Day” was released in 2003 and it was the fourth single from their album Natural Selection. The song peaked at number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified gold by the RIAA.

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11. “Bring Me To Life” – Evanescence

Evanescence - Bring Me To Life (Official HD Music Video)

Evanescence is an American rock band from Little Rock, Arkansas, that formed in 1995. The song “Bring Me To Life” was released in 2003 and it was the first single from their album Fallen. The song peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and won the Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance in 2004.

Next: Best love songs of the 2000s

12. “Faint” – Linkin Park

Faint (Official Music Video) [4K UPGRADE] – Linkin Park

The song “Faint” was released in 2003 and it was the fifth single from their album Meteora. The song peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified platinum by the RIAA.

Next: The best rock albums of all time

13. “Somebody Told Me” – The Killers

The Killers - Somebody Told Me (Official Music Video)

The Killers are an American rock band from Las Vegas, Nevada, that formed in 2001. The song “Somebody Told Me” was released in 2004 and it was the second single from their album Hot Fuss. The song peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified gold by the RIAA.

Next: The best indie rock love songs ever recorded

14. “Dirty Little Secret” – All-American Rejects

The All-American Rejects - Dirty Little Secret (Official Music Video)

The All-American Rejects is an American rock band from Stillwater, Oklahoma, that formed in 1999. The song “Dirty Little Secret” was released in 2005 and it was the first single from their album Move Along. The song peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified double platinum by the RIAA.

Next: The top bands of the 2010s (best 2010s rock bands list)

15. “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” – Green Day

Green Day - Boulevard Of Broken Dreams [Official Music Video]

Green Day is an American rock band from East Bay, California, that formed in 1986. The song “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” was released in 2004 and it was the second single from their album American Idiot. The song peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 2005.

16. “Speed of Sound” – Coldplay

Coldplay - Speed Of Sound (Official Video)

Coldplay is a British rock band formed in 1996 in London, England. The song “Speed of Sound” was released in 2005 and it was the first single from their album X&Y. The song peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 2006.

Next: The top Coldplay songs of all time

17. “You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid” – The Offspring

The Offspring - You're Gonna Go Far, Kid (Official Music Video)

The Offspring is an American rock band from Garden Grove, California, that formed in 1984. The song “You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid” was released in 2008 and it was the second single from their album Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace. The song peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified platinum by the RIAA.

Next: The greatest rock bands of the 80s (1980s bands list)

18. “Sex on Fire” – Kings of Leon

Kings Of Leon - Sex on Fire (Official Video)

Kings of Leon is an American rock band that formed in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1999. The song “Sex on Fire” was released in 2008 and it was the first single from their album Only by the Night. The song peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified double platinum by the RIAA.

19. “I Kissed a Girl” – Katy Perry

Katy Perry - I Kissed A Girl (Official Music Video)

Katy Perry sure has come a long way both as an artist and as a person since this 2008 smash hit. The song “I Kissed a Girl” was released in 2008 and it was the first single from her album One of the Boys. The song peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified 4x platinum by the RIAA. 

20. “Use Somebody” – Kings of Leon

Kings Of Leon - Use Somebody (Official Video)

The song “Use Somebody” was released in 2008 and it was the second single from their album Only by the Night. The song peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 2010.

21. “Viva La Vida” – Coldplay

Coldplay - Viva La Vida (Official Video)

The song “Viva La Vida” was released in 2008 and it was a smash hit from the jump. The song peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 2009. Coldplay sure dominated the charts in the 2000s, and this is one of their biggest hits from the decade.

Next: The meaning behind “Viva La Vida” song lyrics

22. “Down With The Sickness” – Disturbed

Disturbed - Down With The Sickness (Official Music Video) [HD UPGRADE]

Metal music transformed and evolved in the 90s and 2000s, and one of the most prominent bands of this era was Disturbed. This track is just that, disturbing… However, any music lover who’s listened to popular tracks from the 2000s will instantly recognize this track, signifying the staying power of the band and their music. Really, this song defines a generation of music for many listeners.

23. “I Gotta Feeling” – The Black Eyed Peas

The Black Eyed Peas - I Gotta Feeling (Official Music Video)

The Black Eyed Peas is an American hip hop group from Los Angeles, California, that formed in 1995. The song “I Gotta Feeling” was released in 2009 and it was the first single from their album The E.N.D. The song peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified 4x platinum by the RIAA.

24. “Kryptonite” – 3 Doors Down

3 Doors Down - Kryptonite (Official Video)

3 Doors Down really dominated the early 2000s and we’re sure you’ve heard this smash hit before. With their second appearance on this list, this is definitely their most widely recognized song. Undeniably, this is one of the best 2000s rock songs.

25. “Californication” – Red Hot Chili Peppers

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication (Official Music Video) [HD UPGRADE]

One of the most popular alternative rock bands of all time, Red Hot Chili Peppers have been making music for many decades now. This hit from 1999/2000 featured one of the best and most creative music videos ever created, and it’s staying power is evident due to its popularity on the radio waves today.

Next: The best R&B songs of the 2000s (our picks)

26. “Like A Stone” – Audioslave

Audioslave - Like a Stone (Official Video)

Chris Cornell tragically took his own life in 2017, but his music will always live on. This track was everywhere in 2003 and Cornell’s crooning vocals on the track will be etched in rock lore for decades to come.

27. “It’s My Life” – Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi - It's My Life (Official Music Video)

While most of Bon Jovi’s success had occurred in previous decades, the band still was able to rock the world with this 2003 hit. The technology and style of this music video oozes early 2000s nostalgia, and we simply can’t get enough of it!

Next: The best nostalgic songs of all time (most nostalgia inducing tracks)

28. “She Will Be Loved” – Maroon 5

Maroon 5 - She Will Be Loved (Official Music Video)

Before he was a constant member of the show “The Voice”, Adam Levine was a highly successful artist of the 2000s in his band Maroon 5. This track, released in 2004, was one of their most popular songs of the decade. While the band has had success after the 2000s, they were certainly a staple on the charts at the start of the millennium, and they make a fine addition to this list.

Next: Greatest rock love songs of all time (ever recorded)

29. “I Disappear” – Metallica

Metallica - I Disappear (Official Music Video)

Metallica is an American heavy metal band from San Francisco, California, that formed in 1981. These rock gods have been around the block for over forty years and are still performing, recording, and making the headlines by selling out stadiums. Metallica has touched four decades of all genres while maintaining its image in the Heavy Metal scene. The song “I Disappear” was released in 2000 and it was one of the first singles from the Mission Impossible 2 soundtrack. It was also the last song featuring bassist Jason Newsted, who moved on to other projects. The song peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified platinum by the RIAA.

Next: The best 90s rock songs (top rock hits of the 1990s)

30. “No Leaf Clover” – Metallica

Metallica - No Leaf Clover (Official Music Video)

Metallica with Michael Kamen Conducting The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra shocked the world when they came out with “No Leaf Clover” and an entire recorded concert with the Orchestra. It was released in March of 2000 and topped the Rock Billboard charts at number one and number 18 on the Alternative Billboard charts. Recently they played with the symphony again to record another concert and CD which aired on PBS.

31. “With Arms Wide Open” – Creed

Creed - With Arms Wide Open

“With Arms Wide Open” was released in April of 2000 and was the first and only number one song for the band Creed, which found its spot on the US Hot Billboard Charts. It is a sincere song, as though a father is showing his son all that he knows in this life, but to beware not to follow the same path as he did.

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