Dry your eyes, mate.
We’re now over a week into 2024, we’re cold, we’re miserable. What better time to look back at songs from 2004 turning 20 years old this year and collectively say “Good lord above, I feel old.”
For some of us (over the age of 30), a trigger warning should be stuck here before reading the following list as it does indeed make us feel very old.
On a more positive note, it’s worth saying that after looking back at 2004‘s musical offering, the year was full of bangers, just like its predecessor. Here are 20 of the best songs turning 20 years old in 2024, and of course let us know if we missed any!
20 huge songs that turn 20 years old in 2024.
‘Boulevard of Broken Dreams’ – Green Day.
It was a big year for the mainstream punk rockers as they released their hit album American Idiot, featuring the title track and rather more downbeat Boulevard of Broken Dreams. What a year for power chords and black eyeliner
‘Hollaback Girl’ – Gwen Stefani.
Peak post-No Doubt Gwen Stefani. Marmite of the highest order – you either love it or hate it.
‘Leave (Get Out)’ – JoJo
After the release of this banger, JoJo became the youngest ever artist to top the US charts at THIRTEEN YEARS OLD.
‘Since U Been Gone’ – Kelly Clarkson
We yearn for the days when the biggest pop songs were full of electric guitars and crashing symbols. Fun fact, this was apparently inspired by Maps by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs (Yeah, we’re not sure either).
‘Somebody Told Me’ – The Killers
The first single was released after Mr. Brightside from the Vegas rockers and it didn’t disappoint. One of the best songs about grafting for a shift in a nightclub.
‘Let Me Love You’ – Mario
A song so good that Ne-Yo said he regretted writing this song for Mario instead of keeping it for himself.
‘Drop It Like It’s Hot’ – Snoop Dogg feat. Pharrell Williams
Looking back on 2004, it’s hard to find a song that Pharrell Williams was not involved. This is one where he’s actually a featured artist rather than just a writer/producer.
‘Vertigo’ – U2
Hello hellooooo. A great song that highlighted the need for Bono to take up Spanish lessons.
‘Yeah!’ – Usher featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris
20 years on and we’re all still screaming “OKAY” in a Lil Jon voice.
‘Accidentally in Love’ – Counting Crows
That song from Shrek 2.
‘Gasolina’ – Daddy Yankee
The Puerto Rican reggaeton rapper really liked gasolina.
‘Lose My Breath’ – Destiny’s Child
Bring back music videos with random dance battles on the street.
‘This Love’ – Maroon 5
Say what you want about Maroon 5 (And there’s a lot to say..) This Love is one of the all-time great songs of the noughties.
‘Take Me Out’ – Franz Ferdinand
One of the best guitar riffs of the decade, an indie dance-floor banger.
‘These Words’ – Natasha Bedingfield
A brilliant song with some absolutely unhinged instrumental decisions.
‘Call on Me’ – Eric Prydz
Sorry… What was that? I wasn’t listening.
‘Left Outside Alone’ – Anastacia
I’m gonna say it – out of all the songs on this list, this is the one which ages the best. A genuine, underrated absolute classic.
‘Dry Your Eyes’ by The Streets
God bless Mike Skinner.
‘American Idiot’ – Green Day
A politically charged, bombastic title track from the band’s seventh studio album, which is, depressingly, still rather relevant 20 years later.
‘The Langer’ – Tim O’Riordan
Spending four weeks at the top of the Irish charts in 2004, The Langer song is one of the best things to ever come out of Cork.
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