11 Indie Pop Songs That Dazzled the 2000s

After the grunge and nihilism of the 90s, the 2000s brought a wave of hopefulness with an edgy twist. People wanted bright colors, snarky humor and dance-pop anthems, and the music industry responded with catchy indie tunes that made people feel unique without diving too far into the counterculture. If you feel nostalgic for this time, these 11 tracks will take you back to the time when "'Rawr' means 'I love you' in dinosaur" was peak hilarity among junior high students.

1. I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You by Black Kids

This is it: the indie pop anthem. Black Kids swooped in with their debut album and made a huge splash with "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You," which charmed listeners in 2008 with bombastic vocals and an explosive chorus. Despite their success, Black Kids went silent after 2009 and didn't release their follow-up album, Rookie, until 2017.

2. Let's Dance to Joy Division by The Wombats

Bright and electric, "Let's Dance to Joy Division" has everything you need for an indie pop hit: bold instrumentals, enthusiastic vocals and humorous lyrics that walk the line between optimism and melancholy. While other bands would have hung it up after the movement faded, The Wombats have remained prolific, dropping albums and singles well into the 2020s.

3. Here (In Your Arms) by Hellogoodbye

Hellogoodbye caught the wave early with "Here (In Your Arms)," a 2006 single that blends minimalist lyrics with an irresistibly catchy chorus. The track comes from their debut album, Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs!, which is the most mid-2000s name for a record I've ever heard. After conquering the indie scene, they continued releasing albums and singles until 2018.

4. The Comeback by Shout Out Louds

In 2005, Shout Out Louds released "The Comeback" as a single from their debut album, Howl Howl Gaff Gaff. While they weren't as huge as some of their contemporaries, they enjoyed some buzz in the indie scene and kept releasing albums as late as 2022. Like the narrator in this song, Shout Out Louds was the underdog, and the faint optimism, poppy chorus and quirky instrumentals are the essence of 2000s indie.

5. Dawn of the Dead by Does It Offend You, Yeah?

The 2000s were a time of colorful band names, and Does It Offend You, Yeah? gets right in your face with a name so complex that it requires its own punctuation. Their 2008 single, "Dawn of the Dead," isn't exactly shy, either. From the beginning, this track burns with blistering neon energy, heavily accented vocals and a glittering pre-chorus that make you want to hit the roller rink.

6. Sheila Put The Knife Down by Junior Prom

Junior Prom came later than other bands on this list, and they also have a much smaller discography, but "Sheila Put The Knife Down" is brimming with dance-pop energy. This track comes from their sole EP: 2013's Junior Prom EP. With wry humor, colorful lyrics and a peppy beat, this song could've easily found a place in a mid-2000s indie comedy.

7. Monster by The Automatic

"Monster," a 2006 single from The Automatic's debut album, has dark lyrics and an edgier tone that make it grittier than the other tracks on this list. Still, the chorus that repeatedly states, "What's that coming over the hill? Is it a monster? Is it a monster?" takes a decidedly 2000s approach to the song's disturbing tale of drug abuse. After a string of singles, the band's final record arrived in 2010.

8. Hooplas Involving Circus Tricks by Say Hi

Formerly known as Say Hi To Your Mom--another name that you'd only find in 2000s indie pop--Say Hi dropped "Hooplas Involving Circus Tricks" to promote their 2004 record, Numbers and Mumbles. The lyrics are loaded with vibrant imagery, such as "The pixies in tight green little skirts say it's so much better now that it hurts," plus a math reference for the indie nerd crowd.

9. Ice Cream by New Young Pony Club

New Young Pony Club had their moment in 2005, when "Ice Cream" hit the airwaves. The bold sound, eclectic instrumentals and blunt, charismatic vocals were a treat for people who wanted a fresh take on club music. After releasing two albums under their original name, the group rebranded as NYPC and dropped their last record in 2013.

10. Wine Red by The Hush Sound

Warm melodies, a strong interplay between male and female vocalists, and a resounding chorus made "Wine Red" one of the most exquisite tracks of the era. This track came from The Hush Sound's 2006 album, Like Vines. While the band quickly found an audience, they disappeared in 2008 and haven't made waves aside from a two-song EP in 2013.

11. Energy by The Apples In Stereo

Unlike most indie pop bands, The Apples In Stereo got their start in the 90s. After a string of singles and records, they had a minor hit with "Energy" from their 2007 album, New Magnetic Wonder. Cheerful vocals and sunny, hopeful lyrics turned this track into an anthem for anyone who embraced the mid-2000s' bubbling optimism.

Do these songs make you nostalgic? Which tracks would you add to this list? Let me know in the comments.