7 Greatest Songs From When Indie Rock Went Mainstream in the Early 2000s

In the years immediately following the grunge and alt-rock movement of the 1990s, a new genre experienced a historical surge in mainstream commercial appeal: indie rock. Not quite heavy but not full-blown pop, either, this rock ‘n’ roll subgenre began dominating even the most mainstream charts.

Just as what we perceive as “classic rock” today once dominated the Hot 100 charts of the 1970s, indie rock became the defining sound of the early 2000s. A natural combo of 1990s grunge and radio-sensible pop groups, indie rock appealed to so many for its alternative—but still palatable—flavor. 

Indeed, indie was no longer independent in the first decade of the 21st century. With countless bands in the genre making the top of the charts, indie rock was about as mainstream as it could get. We explore some of the best cuts from this era—prepare to feel old, er, we mean nostalgic.

“Last Nite” by The Strokes (2001)

In an alternate universe, The Strokes’ fuzzy, grimy garage rock sound might never have seen the light of mainstream radio. But in 2001, that all changed with their multi-platinum track “Last Nite.” The song had guitar-heavy remnants of the past decade’s grunge movement. But this felt lighter, more tongue-in-cheek, and flirtier than grunge.

The Strokes managed to distill the best parts of rock and pop into their debut album, Is This It, ushering in a new wave of mainstream indie rock that would permeate the next decade.

“Mr. Brightside” by The Killers (2004)

Las Vegas indie rock band The Killers certainly made quite the splash into the mainstream music scene with “Mr. Brightside,” the first single off their 2004 album Hot Fuss. Including keys and synth into their rock arrangements gave the Killers an infectious, new-wave-adjacent sound that proved incredibly popular throughout the 2000s.

“Mr. Brightside” was one of the first songs that Brandon Flowers and Dave Keuning ever wrote—a testament to their lightning-in-a-bottle success that captured just the right musical and lyrical feel at just the right time.

“Float On” by Modest Mouse (2004)

Despite how influential Modest Mouse has become, it’s hard to imagine vocalist Isaac Brock taking a front-row seat in the mainstream radio of the 2020s. A bit off-kilter and tremendously lyric-forward, “Float On” seemed to encapsulate a post-9/11 and post-Dot Com Recession discontentment that clearly spoke to the masses.

The eccentricity of Modest Mouse’s “Float On” proved to be commercially successful in the early 2000s. In 2005, the Recording Academy nominated it for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Song.

“Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes (2003)

Few songs have permeated mainstream culture around the globe quite like The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army.” Following its initial release in 2003, the song has only grown in notoriety. It has become a mainstay on radio stations, at sporting events, and elsewhere.

At face value, the song seems simple enough. A steady bass riff, stomping drums, and Jack White’s signature distorted guitar combine to create one of the most mainstream indie rock tracks of the 2000s.

“Take Me Out” by Franz Ferdinand (2004)

One year after the White Stripes released “Seven Nation Army,” Scottish rock band Franz Ferdinand offered their version of a clunky beat that practically begs you to stomp or clap along. Even after topping out at No. 66 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, “Take Me Out” remained a mainstay in the mainstream indie rock movement.

In addition to radio play, “Take Me Out” also found its way into commercials, video games, and movie trailers. This helped further intensify its ubiquity and reach across the States.

“New Slang” by The Shins (2001)

For a song that James Mercer originally wrote while feeling alienated from his local music scene in Albuquerque, New Mexico, The Shins’ “New Slang” certainly skyrocketed Mercer and his rock band to mainstream stardom following its 2001 release. The song was just the right amount of melancholy and playful, thanks to the lyrics and melody, respectively.

As “New Slang” began appearing in movies, television shows, video games, and commercials, some fans and critics denounced the Shins’ apparent move to the mainstream. Nevertheless, the royalties Mercer earned from having his song in a McDonald’s commercial helped pay for a new house. So, all’s well that ends well.

“Clocks” by Coldplay (2002)

We couldn’t make a round-up of mainstream indie rock songs without including Coldplay. This British rock band helped popularize a piano-forward, softer side to the subgenre. The band released what would become one of their most iconic hits, “Clocks,” in 2002 as the second single off their album A Rush of Blood to the Head.

“Clocks” helped solidify the idea that indie rock was officially in the mainstream when it won the Record of the Year Grammy Award in 2004. Decades later, the track is still a favorite among Coldplay fans, old and new. (Remember when we said you’d feel old?)

Photo by J. Vespa/WireImage