There’s a lot of pressure to sound original as an artist. Some music fans praise originality, while others appreciate artists who sound like other artists they’re familiar with. Oftentimes, an artist can either carry influence into their own craft or coincidentally sound similar to another artist unintentionally. Whatever the case may be, sometimes an artist is mistaken for another artist upon hearing their debut release.

ben kweller

Previously, Ben Kweller was known as the singer and guitarist of the young 90s alternative rock band Radish. They were slated to be America’s answer to Silverchair. In 1999, Kweller embarked on a solo career. His 2000 debut solo release, Sha Sha, sounded strangely similar to another 90s alternative rock band. When Kweller’s single “Wasted and Ready” became a radio hit, many thought it was the return of Weezer. By this point, Weezer had released their iconic debut album and their fan-favorite Pinkerton before a four-year hiatus, returning in 2001.

the fray

In 2005, The Fray released their debut album, How To Save A Life. The band’s debut single, “Over My Head (Cable Car)” was a huge hit for the band, peaking at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. A follow-up single, “How To Save A Life”, was an even bigger hit for the band, peaking at No, 3 on the Hot 100. These singles took their debut album to No. 14 on the Billboard 200 and No. 4 on the Top Rock Albums chart.

Initially, fans mistook these songs for new Coldplay tracks. Not only do the groups sound similar, but this also had to do with timing. Coldplay had previously released their third studio album, X&Y, in June 2005. Only a few short months later, The Fray released their debut album, and “Over My Head (Cable Car)” became a radio hit in October.

owl city

In 2007, synth-pop artist Adam Young launched his project Owl City. In 2009, he released the massively successful debut single, “Fireflies”. Upon release, it topped the Billboard Hot 100 for two non-consecutive weeks. Subsequently, Owl City’s sophomore album, Ocean Eyes, peaked at No. 1 on the Top Alternative Albums, Top Dance Albums, and Top Rock Albums charts. This was an incredible feat for a synth-pop artist. Additionally, the album peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Initially, many assumed this was the return of Ben Gibbard’s project, The Postal Service. The Death Cab For Cutie singer launched the side project in 2003 with their only studio album, Give Up. It spawned the indie pop hit “Such Great Heights”, which peaked at No. 21 on the Hot 100. Throughout the years, fans have anxiously awaited a sophomore release. Though the group has reunited and toured, they’ve still released only one album.

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On September 14, 1998, MTV’s Total Request Live premiered. It was an afternoon music video countdown show that had millions of millennials glued to television after school. Before social media took over, TRL was the best way to keep up with current music videos. Additionally, TRL host Carson Daly would conduct exclusive interviews with the top artists of the era. These 4 TRL interviews are among the most memorable from the late 90s and early 2000s.

eminem

In 1999, Eminem was promoting his second studio release, The Slim Shady EP. Actor Mark Wahlberg was also on TRL that same day. Previously known as Marky Mark, Wahlberg was fully dedicated to his acting career by the end of the decade. He made it clear to TRL that he intended to distance himself from his music career and requested to avoid the topic during the interview.

Eminem caught wind of this and, live on air, referred to Mark’s former group, The Funky Bunch, stating, “We’ll all just stand around together like a ‘happy fun bunch’. Clearly catching this sly reference, Mark Wahlberg appears annoyed throughout the rest of the interview. The tension was addressed in interviews and even songs throughout the years. The feud was squashed in 2017 when Mark Wahlberg admitted he was jealous of Eminem for being a much better rapper.

mariah carey

By 2001, Mariah Carey had penned 15 No. 1 hits throughout the previous decade. In July 2001, Carey experienced exhaustion from being overworked and sleep deprivation. This was combined with filming a movie that was set to be released, along with its soundtrack. Also, she had previously ended her high-profile relationship with Latin singer Luis Miguel.

When she appeared on TRL on July 19, 2001, Carey surprised host Carson Daly by pushing an ice cream cart onto the set. She ripped off her oversized shirt to reveal a tight tank top underneath. She claimed, “You’re my therapy session right now, Carson,” to which the host repeatedly asked, “What’s wrong? What is happening?” At the time, the media speculated about a mental breakdown. Years later, Mariah Carey claimed this was all a stunt that was poorly misinterpreted.

prince

A rather awkward interview with Prince occurred on December 9, 1999. Host Carson Daly struggled to conduct the interview as Prince unenthusiastically mumbled words under his breath. At one point, Daly attempted to win Prince over by stating, “Congratulations on the record; it was just a lot of fun to listen to in an age of disposable music”.

Prince questioned what he meant by “disposable music.” Daly elaborated, “Well, music that seems to come and go. Must that seems to last a couple of weeks sometimes. Your music seems to stay with us for a long time, which is refreshing.”

Prince fired back, “You don’t promote any of that disposable music, do you?” to which Daly was suddenly offended. “I got to pay rent. It’s like if I were a bartender, and I didn’t like Jack and Coke, I’d still serve it to anybody if that’s what they wanted. How’s that for an analogy?” To this, Prince awkwardly responds with a simple “Oh, alright.”

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There was a lot of angst and pent-up anger featured in the music of the late 90s and early 2000s. Fans and artists vented through genres such as emo, nu-metal, and hard rock. These four rock songs from the 2000s have probably caused at least one hole in a rental property during that time.

“down with the sickness” by disturbed

One of the most recognizable nu-metal hits of the early 2000s is “Down With The Sickness”. Disturbed vocalist David Draiman had recently undergone vocal cord surgery for acid reflux. One day during a vocal warm-up, Draiman belted out the signature “ooh-wah-ah-ah-ah” that was then attached to the song. Overall, it’s about a struggle with individuality in an oppressive, conformist society. The intensity of this nu-metal track is sure to have lit a fire in many fans, resulting in holes in multiple rental properties’ drywall.

“break stuff” by limp bizkit

It’s just one of those days. Limp Bizkit penned this nu-metal anthem in 2000, leading to countless acts of violence. Notably, their Woodstock ’99 crowd committed various violent acts and is among the most chaotic live performances in history. Basically, vocalist Fred Durst incited a riot with this track. With lyrics such as “Don’t you know I pack a chainsaw / I’ll skin your a** raw / And if things keep going this way I just might / Break your f**king face tonight / Give me something to break.” Fans of the band looking for something to break most likely focused their anger on nearby drywall.

“the kill” by thirty seconds to mars

Initially known for his successful acting career, Jared Leto is also the vocalist of the emo-pioneering group Thirty Seconds to Mars. Their signature track, “The Kill”, is about a broken relationship. The desperation in the chorus: “Come, break me down / bury me, bury me / I am finished with you” is sure to bring out the emotion in anyone suffering heartbreak. Additionally, the song is an anthem about finding yourself. “The Kill” was a massive emo hit, peaking at No. 3 on the US Alternative Airplay chart in 2006. Subsequently, their follow-up single “From Yesterday” reached No. 1 on the chart.

Photo by Martin Philbey/Redferns

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Everyone, get your crochet beanie and chunky owl necklace out of the donate pile. We’re talking about late-2000s indie pop, whether you like it or not. Are these the best indie pop albums of the late 2000s? I wouldn’t say so. But are they still pretty good considering all the other stuff that was coming out at that time? Yeah, they’re not bad.

‘Aim and Ignite’ by Fun.

A lot of us like to dunk on Fun. for being the quintessential Millennial indie pop guys. But they did give us “Some Nights” and “We Are Young”, which have aged into their cloying sentimentality pretty well. Before that, however, they debuted in August 2009 with Aim and Ignite. This album featured “Be Calm” as the opening track, which was sort of like a precursor to “We Are Young”.

The final chorus of “Be Calm” is the real heavy hitter. “Oh be calm, be calm / I know you feel like you are breaking down / I know it gets so hard sometimes / Be calm / Take it from me, I’ve been there a thousand times / You hate your pulse because it still thinks you’re alive and everything’s wrong / It just gets so hard sometimes / Be calm, be calm.”

‘Volume One’ by She & Him

Nothing says Spring 2008 like Volume One by She & Him. Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward’s indie-twee-pop project didn’t make the most involved music. But its retro simplicity was what drew people in. Plus, the obvious flaws in Zooey Deschanel’s singing voice just added to the strange charm. I admit, I had both Volume One and Volume Two on CD and listened to them a lot. I was going through a twee pop phase, whatever.

The standout track on Volume One has to be “Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?”. It’s a bubbly, cutesy little tune about liking someone a lot and wanting to hang out with them, but not wanting to make the first move. “Why do you let me stay here / All by myself / Why don’t you come and play here / I’m just sitting on the shelf”. As if saying, “Hey, why don’t you ask me out? I’m just sitting here with nothing to do!”

‘Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future’ by The Bird and the Bee

Indie pop duo The Bird and the Bee released their second album Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future in January 2009. This album is one of the better ones that came out of late-2000s indie pop with a hint of twee, and it holds up surprisingly well today.

That longevity has a lot to do with the layered styles on the album. For example, “My Love” is a quintessential 2009 romantic pop song, while “Witch” is a luxurious swirl of vintage style. By utilizing a range of stylistic elements, the duo created a timeless collection of indie pop delights.

Photo by Michael Tran/FilmMagic

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Millennials are now at least 30 years old; therefore, we’re not running the dance floor anymore. That being said, certain hits of our era are still irresistible. These 2000s club hits are guaranteed to bring all the millennials to the dance floor.

“hotel room service” by pitbull

Released in June 2009, this iconic club hit can bring out the dance moves. Together, millennials all over the club will chant along with “We at the hotel, motel, Holiday Inn!” To this day, I can’t see a Holiday Inn without these lines running through my mind. Whether it’s at the club, at a wedding, or any social event, millennials are sure to swarm the dance floor upon hearing this Pitbull classic.

“in da club” by 50 cent

I mean, the name says it all. Released in 2003 from 50 Cent’s debut album, Get Rich Or Die Tryin’, “In Da Club” was a massively successful single. It was 50 Cent’s first No. 1 hit, topping the Billboard Hot 100, the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, Hot Rap Songs, Pop Airplay, and Rhythmic Airplay charts. Ultimately, this track is a staple of early-2000s culture, transporting a generation back to their era of flip phones and baggy pants.

“yeah!” by usher ft. lil jon & ludacris

All three of these artists were huge stars in the 2000s. The combination was effective, generating a global chart-topping club hit in 2004. Much like “In Da Club” one year earlier, it topped the Hot 100, the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, the Pop Airplay chart, and the Rhythmic chart. Subsequently, “Yeah!” won a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. It ranked second on the Billboard Hot 100 2000-2009 Decade-end chart.

“i gotta feeling” by The black eyed peas

The Black Eyed Peas generated multiple hits throughout the 2000s. In 2009, “I Gotta Feeling” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Pop Airplay chart. It debuted at No. 2 on the Hot 100, positioned behind their previous single “Boom Boom Pow”. With this, they joined a short list of 11 artists who have occupied the top two positions on the chart. Additionally, “I Gotta Feeling” topped the charts in over 20 countries in 2009.

Photo by Stephanie Keith /ABC via Getty Images

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