Debut songs by Western rock bands from the 2000s
The 2000s Western rock scene was a tumultuous era that gave rise to new musical movements, including the revival of indie rock and garage rock and the rise of emo and post-hardcore.
Centered in the UK and the US, bands with distinctive sounds and styles emerged one after another, bringing a fresh breeze to the music landscape.
So, with what debut tracks did the rock bands active in the 2000s make their entrance onto the scene? Here, we introduce a selection of their foundational songs—tracks that remain as vivid today as ever.
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Debut songs by Western rock bands from the 2000s (11–20)
Another NumberThe Cribs
The Cribs are a trio made up of twin German brothers and their younger brother, a band that helped lead the UK indie scene in the 2000s.
Their sound, rooted in a DIY ethos, continues to captivate many listeners today.
Here is their debut track, where it all began.
Despite its lo-fi, rough-edged garage rock sound, the bittersweet, catchy melody is sure to linger in your mind.
Sung in a gritty vocal style, the lyrics convey a sense of urgency about being just another face in the crowd, as well as a heartfelt longing for connection with someone.
The song’s signature seven-note guitar riff has become an anthem at live shows, with fans breaking into a mass singalong—an unforgettable sight.
Released as a 7-inch single in November 2003, it also appears on their debut album “The Cribs,” which was recorded in just seven days—a track brimming with raw, early-days energy.
Dead on ArrivalFall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy, a band that enjoyed immense popularity in the 2000s pop-punk scene.
Featured on their debut album Take This to Your Grave, released in May 2003, this track channels the band’s early impulses with its breakneck guitar from the intro and urgent beats.
While it deals with themes like breakups and the restless anxiety of youth, its exhilarating melody feels like it blows those feelings away.
It’s also included in the music game Rock Band, letting you fully experience their rough-edged yet catchy appeal.
When you’re weighed down by inescapable anxiety, listening to it might make your heart feel a little lighter.
UnoMuse
Despite being a simple three-piece, Muse won popularity with an epic, singular sound that paid no mind to passing trends.
Released in June 1999, this track was their momentous debut single, heralding the beginning of their legend.
The dynamic shift from a softly plucked, Spanish-tinged guitar riff to an explosion of fierce band energy showcases the budding originality that is quintessentially Muse.
Its defiant theme—pressing forward on one’s own path without yielding to outside pressure—shakes the listener to the core.
It reached a peak of No.
73 on the UK Singles Chart and was also included on their acclaimed debut album, Showbiz.
If you’re looking to resist a powerful force or stay true to your convictions, this song will undoubtedly give you a strong push forward.
Darts Of PleasureFranz Ferdinand
Included on the 2004 album “Franz Ferdinand.” A five-piece rock band from Scotland formed in 2002.
Their sound, brimming with art-school sensibilities and pop-savvy editing, has been described as “breaking down the barriers between dance and pop.” This is their debut single.
You can really sense the flair in the slightly unconventional melodic flow.
One Step CloserLinkin Park
Among genres that fused rap and metal—like rap metal and nu metal—Linkin Park were the ones who defined an era with a hybrid sound that emphasized melody, anchored by the late Chester Bennington’s overwhelming vocals.
With over 100 million records sold worldwide, they were the most successful rock band of the 2000s, and their debut single was “One Step Closer,” which also appears as the second track on the masterpiece Hybrid Theory.
In the music video, they’re unmistakably young and dressed in the quintessential nu-metal fashion of the time—an endearing touch—but the excitement that “this is where a new era begins” still hasn’t faded even now!
Vampires Will Never Hurt YouMy Chemical Romance
While often cited as emblematic of the 2000s emo boom, My Chemical Romance—aka My Chem—revived the brilliance of classic, conceptual rock and became a globally popular band.
This track is essentially their debut single from their indie days, and it’s also included on their 2002 first album, “I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love.” At that time, they were positioned as protégés of Thursday, who were leading the scene then, and their sound fused goth with screamo.
It’s been a fan favorite for years, so be sure to check it out.
Debut songs by Western rock bands from the 2000s (21–30)
Mr. BrightsideThe Killers
Included on the 2004 album Hot Fuss.
A four-piece rock band from Las Vegas formed in 2001.
Their signature is a catchy new wave sound featuring extensive use of keyboards and synthesizers.
They became popular in the UK before their home country, the United States.
Listening to the style, it certainly does have a British feel.