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Last updated on Mar 4,2025, updated monthly. |
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 1 . The White Stripes - I Just Don't Know What To Do With MyselfA cover of a song originally by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, first performed by Dionne Warwick in 1966, "I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself" by The White Stripes was released in September 2003. The music video features model Kate Moss pole dancing in black lingerie. The lyrics depict the confusion and despair of a person after a breakup. This rendition brought the classic song to a new generation with the duo's distinct style. The music video is directed by Sofia Coppola. Writer(s) : Burt Bacharach, Hal David Publisher(s) : New Hidden Valley Music Company, Bmg Rights Management (Uk) Ltd (Hal David) Featured on the 2003 album Elephant
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 2 . Yeah Yeah Yeahs - MapsYeah Yeah Yeahs' 2003 song "Maps" represents a pivotal moment in their career, with its plaintive message, "My Angus Please Stay," referencing Karen O’s relationship with Liars’ Angus Andrew. Produced by TV on the Radio’s David Andrew Sitek, this track achieves a raw emotional sincerity through minimalist guitar riffs and Karen O’s vulnerable vocals. Its influence is widespread, inspiring Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone" and even a Beyoncé interpolation in "Hold Up." "Maps" resurfaces in pop culture periodically, with a notable dance trend on TikTok in 2024, securing its lasting resonance in the indie and alternative rock scenes. Writer(s) : Nicholas Zinner, Brian Chase, Karen Orzolek Publisher(s) : Chrysalis Music Ltd Featured on the 2003 album Fever To Tell
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 3 . Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Heads Will Roll"Heads Will Roll" by American band Yeah Yeah Yeahs, released in 2009, is an electro-rock track mixing synth-pop and post-punk elements. Known for dynamic performances and eclectic musical style, the band, comprising Karen O, Nick Zinner, and Brian Chase, sees this song used in films like "Project X" (2012) and TV series such as "Glee." Writer(s) : Deborah Conway, Stephen Philip, Helen June Carter, Dorland Bray, Tyler Lee Bates Publisher(s) : Domestic Harmony Music Pty Ltd Featured on the 2009 album It’s Blitz!
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 4 . Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Love BurnsLove Burns opens Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's debut album "B.R.M.C.," released on April 3, 2001 via Virgin Records. Written by Peter Hayes, Robert Levon Been, and Nick Jago, the track emerges as the lead single in February 2002, peaking at number 37 on the UK Singles Chart. Marked by its garage-psychedelic rock fusion, distorted guitars, and driving rhythms, the song weaves a narrative of heartbreak. Dean Karr directs the dimly lit, surreal music video accompanying it. The band, formed in 1998 in San Francisco and named after Marlon Brando's gang in "The Wild One," tours major festivals, including Reading and Leeds, following the album's release. Though chart performance is modest, its release signals the groundwork for their long-standing cult recognition. Writer(s) : Robert Been, Peter B Hayes, Nicholas Jago Publisher(s) : Wc Music Corp, Brmc Music Featured on the 2001 album B.R.M.C.
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 5 . The White Stripes - Seven Nation ArmyKnown for its iconic guitar riff, "Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes was released on February 17, 2003. Jack White created the riff using a pitch shifter to mimic a bass, initially intending it for a James Bond theme. The song, lacking a traditional chorus and featuring vocal distortion and simple drumming, won the Grammy for Best Rock Song in 2004. It became a global sports anthem, with fans first adopting it in Club Brugge in 2006. The video won Best Editing at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2003. The music video is directed by Alexandre Courtès. Writer(s) : Jack White Publisher(s) : Songs Of Universal Inc, Peppermint Stripe Music
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 6 . The Raconteurs - Steady As She Goes"Steady As She Goes" by The Raconteurs, released in 2006, is the debut single from the supergroup formed by Jack White (The White Stripes) and Brendan Benson. With garage rock influences, the song features a catchy riff and lyrics about stability and change. The music video, directed by indie filmmaker Jim Jarmusch, shows the band playing in a minimalist setting. The music video is directed by Associates in Science. Writer(s) : Brendan Benson, Jack White Publisher(s) : Third String Tunes, Gladsad Music, Songs Of Universal Inc Featured on the 2006 album Broken Boy Soldiers
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 7 . Babyshambles - AlbionReleased on November 28, 2005, "Albion" by Babyshambles explores the mythical concept of Albion, symbolizing an idyllic England or Great Britain. Written by Pete Doherty at age 16 and produced by Mick Jones, the lyrics are celebrated for their poetic quality. The promotional video combines live performances, behind-the-scenes footage, and everyday moments of the band, with some scenes digitally altered due to personal disputes. The music video is directed by Roger Pomphrey. Writer(s) : Peter Doherty Publisher(s) : Emi Music Publishing Ltd, Rough Trade Music Ltd Featured on the 2005 album Down in Albion
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 8 . The White Stripes - The Hardest Button To ButtonDescribing a child trying to find their place in a dysfunctional family after the arrival of a new baby, "The Hardest Button to Button" by The White Stripes was produced by Jack White. The video, directed by Michel Gondry, features the duo moving through a cityscape with musical instruments appearing and disappearing in time with the music. Beck makes a guest appearance with a red box. The single cover references Saul Bass's film posters and Jack White's broken finger at the time. The lyrics include surreal imagery, such as a crying baby whose cries sound like an earthquake and a garden with a stick, a dog, and a box with something inside. The music video is directed by Michel Gondry. Writer(s) : Jack White Publisher(s) : Peppermint Stripe Music, Songs Of Universal Inc Featured on the 2003 album Elephant
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 9 . Electric Six - Danger! High VoltageElectric Six’s “Danger! High Voltage,” released on December 23, 2002, as the lead single from their debut album *Fire* via XL Recordings, melds rock with humor-laden theatrics. Produced by Damien Mendis and Stuart Bradbury, it features enigmatic secondary vocals by Jack White, initially credited to “John S. O’Leary” to confuse critics. Tom Kuntz and Mike Maguire’s video—complete with glowing codpieces—amplifies its eccentricity. The track peaked at #2 on the UK Singles Chart and topped the Official Independent Singles Chart. *NME* praised it as Single of the Week, while *Pitchfork* ranked it 234th among 2000s' best songs. Its cultural footprint includes an appearance in *The Simpsons* and acclaim for stitching together rock, disco, and punk. The music video is directed by Tom Kuntz & Mike Maguire. Writer(s) : Anthony Selph, Joseph Frezza, Tyler Spencer, Cory Benjamin Martin, Stephen Nawara Publisher(s) : Sony Atv Music Publishing Limited (Uk) Featured on the 2003 album Fire
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 10 . Jet - Are You Gonna Be My GirlReleased on August 18, 2003, "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" by Jet achieved significant success, reaching number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. Often compared to Iggy Pop's "Lust for Life" for its rhythmic and guitar riff similarities, the song's idea came to Nic Cester while living in a small bungalow and playing guitar. The lyrics talk about romantic attraction and hope for a connection with a captivating girl. The black-and-white video shows the band playing in an empty studio with black ink visuals reminiscent of their album cover "Get Born." The song won Best Rock Video at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2004. The music video is directed by Robert Hales. Writer(s) : Cameron Thane Muncey, Nicholas John Cester Publisher(s) : Bmg Rights Management (Australia) Pty Ltd Featured on the 2003 album Get Born
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 11 . Arctic Monkeys - Why'd You Only Call Me When You're HighDetailing a man's late-night calls to an ex while intoxicated, "Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?" by Arctic Monkeys reflects his confusion and desire. The video shows Alex Turner wandering London streets at night, hallucinating. The music video is directed by Nabil Elderkin. Writer(s) : Alexander David Turner Publisher(s) : Emi Music Publishing Ltdfalse Featured on the 2013 album Am
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 12 . The Subways - Rock & Roll QueenReleased on June 20, 2005, "Rock & Roll Queen" by The Subways peaked at number 22 on the UK Singles Chart. Written by Billy Lunn, Charlotte Cooper, and Josh Morgan, it combines alternative rock and garage punk. The song has been featured in various media, including TV series "The OC," UK adverts for Rimmel, movies like "Live Free or Die Hard" and "RocknRolla," and video games such as "Rugby 06," "FIFA Street 2," "Saints Row 2," "Pure," and "Forza Horizon." Writer(s) : William John Morgan, Charlotte Louise Cooper, Joshua Thomas Morgan Publisher(s) : Stage Three Music Limited Featured on the 2005 album Young for Eternity
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 13 . The Hives - Main OffenderReleased as a single in 2001, "Main Offender" by The Hives is a garage punk track written by Randy Fitzsimmons, the mysterious sixth member and songwriter for the band, and produced by Pelle Gunderfelt. The black-and-white video has a distinct visual style, depicting the band in "Punkrock city" facing their evil doubles, "The Negatives," with a comic book animation aesthetic. Writer(s) : Niklas Almquist Publisher(s) : Songs And Stories Publishing Featured on the 2001 album Veni Vidi Vicious
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 14 . The White Stripes - Icky ThumpReleased on April 26, 2007, "Icky Thump" by The White Stripes features a title derived from the Northern English expression "ecky thump," meaning "What the heck!" The song incorporates a synthesizer and deviates from the band's usual garage rock style. The lyrics address political themes, including American immigration policies, and narrate the surreal story of an American who goes to Mexico and gets robbed. It was certified platinum in the US and silver in the UK, winning the Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 2008. The video, filmed in Nashville but set in Mexico, includes Spanish subtitles translating the lyrics. The music video is directed by Jack White & the Malloy Brothers. Writer(s) : Jack White Publisher(s) : Peppermint Stripe Music, Songs Of Universal Inc Featured on the 2007 album Icky Thump
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 15 . The 5.6.7.8's - I'm BlueReleased on their 1996 album *Bomb the Twist*, The 5.6.7.8's "I'm Blue" delivers a raucous blend of surf rock and rockabilly grit. A reimagining of Ike Turner's 1959 composition, the track brims with raw energy and infectious rhythm. While absent from *Kill Bill Vol. 1*, the band's presence in the film rekindled interest in their catalog, amplifying the charm of their unpolished retro aesthetic. Writer(s) : Danyel Gerard, Ike Turner Publisher(s) : Progressive Music Featured on the 2002 album Teenage Mojo Workout
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 16 . The Hives - Hate To Say I Told You SoProduced by Pelle Gunderfelt, "Hate To Say I Told You So" by The Hives, released in 2000, is a garage rock track known for its raw energy and punk attitude. Led by charismatic Pelle Almqvist, the Swedish band gains fame with this rebellious rock'n'roll anthem. Writer(s) : Randy Fitzsimmons Featured on the 2000 album Veni Vidi Vicious
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 17 . The White Stripes - Fell In Love With A GirlThis short, energetic garage rock track, "Fell In Love With A Girl" by The White Stripes, was released on February 25, 2002. The lyrics describe infatuation and the resulting confused emotions. The stop-motion animated video, made with Lego, became one of the first widely successful "brickfilms." It was covered by several artists, including Joss Stone as "Fell in Love with a Boy." The music video is directed by Michel Gondry. Writer(s) : Jack White Publisher(s) : Peppermint Stripe Music, Songs Of Universal Inc Featured on the 2001 album White Blood Cells
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 18 . Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Spread Your LoveFeatured in the movie "A Man Apart" (2003), TV series "Skins," and ads for Ketel One vodka and The Cosmopolitan hotel in Las Vegas, "Spread Your Love" by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (BRMC) was released in 2001. It was well-received by critics and helped establish BRMC in the indie rock scene, with NME ranking it the 27th best song of 2002. Writer(s) : Robert Been, Peter Lind Hayes, Nicholas Jago Publisher(s) : Wc Music Corp, Brmc Music Featured on the 2001 album B.R.M.C.
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 19 . Death From Above 1979 - Romantic RightsRomantic Rights, the audacious lead single from Death From Above 1979's 2004 debut album "You're a Woman, I'm a Machine," melds seismic basslines, relentless drums, and Sebastien Grainger’s visceral vocals. Charting at number 57 on the UK Singles Chart and number 4 on the UK Rock & Metal Singles Chart, it roared through soundtracks like SSX On Tour and NBA 2K15, curated by Pharrell Williams. A performance on Late Night with Conan O'Brien featured Max Weinberg sharing the drum kit. The music video is directed by Chris Grismer. Writer(s) : Sebastien Alexandre Grainger, Jesse Frederick Keeler Publisher(s) : Nehrusita Inc, Iggy Softrock Publishing Inc Featured on the 2004 album I'm a Machine
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 20 . Kasabian - Goodbye KissWritten by guitarist and main songwriter Sergio Pizzorno, "Goodbye Kiss" by Kasabian was released on February 20, 2012. The black-and-white video shows the band performing live at the O2 Arena in London. The song was particularly successful in Italy, reaching number 9 on the charts and earning a platinum certification. It gained further recognition when Lana Del Rey covered it acoustically for BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge in April 2012. The lyrics discuss the end of a romantic relationship with a melancholic tone, contrasting with the band's typically energetic style. The music video is directed by Charlie Lightening. Writer(s) : Sergio Lorenz Pizzorno Publisher(s) : Sony Atv Music Publishing Limited (Uk) Featured on the 2011 album Velociraptor!
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ABOUT 2000s GARAGE ROCKWhat is Garage RockGarage Rock is a musical genre that emerge in the 1960s, characterized by its raw and energetic sound. The term “garage” refers to the young bands that often practice in the garages of their family homes, far from professional recording studios and the more polished, sophisticated productions of the time. This genre captures the spirit of DIY (Do It Yourself), emphasizing energy and attitude over technical perfection. The 1990s and 2000s sees a revival of Garage Rock, reigniting interest in the minimalist sound and DIY aesthetic of the 1960s. This revival brings a fresh wave of enthusiasm for the genre’s raw and unrefined qualities. Garage Rock: Instrumentation & ProductionGarage Rock is defined by its straightforward and direct instrumentation. Typical instruments include: Lo-fi (low fidelity) production is a key characteristic of Garage Rock. Recordings are often made with basic equipment, sometimes even in home studios, resulting in a raw, unrefined sound. This approach captures the energy and authenticity of live performances, encouraging free creativity, self-production, and independence from major record labels. With DIY aesthetics central to Garage Rock, musicians often handle the distribution of their music themselves, using the Internet to distribute directly to fans and maintain communication with them. Garage Rock: The SongsGarage Rock songs generally follow a classic verse-chorus structure, frequently featuring guitar solos. This structure maintains a constant energy while offering moments of instrumental virtuosity. Vocals in Garage Rock are often characterized by a raw, unpolished style. Singers frequently use screams, yells, and unconventional vocal techniques to convey raw emotional intensity. In the 1960s, Garage Rock lyrics often dealt with themes of rebellion, adolescence, and love. They reflected the concerns and emotions of youth, capturing feelings of alienation, desire, and frustration. Contrasting with the lighter insouciance of the 1960s, the lyrics of 1990s/2000s Garage Rock are often more introspective, exploring themes of self-analysis, doubt, and personal confusion. Influenced by grunge and other alternative movements of the 1990s, artists delved deeper into their own experiences and feelings, often addressing themes of alienation, disillusionment, and frustration with modern society. Romantic relationships are frequently depicted with greater ambiguity and realism, reflecting adult dynamics, internal conflicts, and vulnerability, with a tendency to openly express feelings of pain and sadness. |
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