10 Greatest Pop-Punk Songs of the 2000s, Ranked

The 10 Greatest Pop-Punk Songs of the 2000s, Ranked The band Paramore in 2007Image via The Photo Access/Cover Images By  Dyah Ayu Larasati Published 47 minutes ago Dyah (pronounced Dee-yah) is a Senior Author at Collider, responsible for both writing and transcription duties. She joined the website in 2022 as a Resource Writer before stepping into her current role in April 2023. As a Senior Author, she writes Features and Lists covering TV, music, and movies, making her a true Jill of all trades. In addition to her writing, Dyah also serves as an interview transcriber, primarily for events such as San Diego Comic-Con, the Toronto International Film Festival, and the Sundance Film Festival. Dyah graduated from Satya Wacana Christian University in October 2019 with a Bachelor's degree in English Literature, concentrating on Creative Writing. She is currently completing her Master's degree in English Literature Studies, with a thesis on intersectionality in postcolonial-feminist studies in Asian literary works, and is expected to graduate in 2026. Born and raised between Indonesia and Singapore, Dyah is no stranger to different cultures. She now resides in the small town of Kendal with her husband and four cats, where she spends her free time cooking or cycling. Sign in to your Collider account follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

"It's not a phase, mom! It's a lifestyle!" Pop-punk might've thrived in the 2000s, but it's never completely gone. Even after all these years, the genre still finds its way into playlists, sneaking up with a song or two. Pop-punk's timelessness is very much rooted in its nostalgia — it reminds folks of simpler, pre-social-media times, when having fun meant sneaking out with friends or hanging out in someone's basement.

Although pop-punk continues to thrive with new generations of bands like Neck Deep and State Champs, the pop-punk bands of yesteryear remain irreplaceable. It's not because they're better, it's because they existed during a precious time when pop-punk was the celebrated mainstream before pop took over the charts in the 2010s. Without further ado, here are the greatest pop-punk songs of the 2000s, ranked.

10 "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" (2005)

Panic! At The Disco

Based on Panic! At The Disco's debut album, A Fever You Can't Sweat Out, it seems odd to classify the Las Vegas unit as pop-punk. Much of the overall tone of the project takes a baroque-rock sound — far from the three chords and frenetic fast tempos. Yet, the album's most famous hit, "I Write Sins Not Tragedies," has been considered a long-time staple in the genre.

Perhaps the reason why the song's associated with pop-punk is because the band blew up alongside fellow groups of the genre (e.g. Fall Out Boy). Starting with an orchestra arrangement in the beginning, the chorus immediately blasts full on into power chords. With a vaudeville-inspired music video to match, it has a kitschy aesthetic paired with unapologetic lyricism.

9 "Misery Business" (2007)

Paramore

In a scene dominated by men, one orange-haired young woman is about to belt one of the loudest "whoas" known to pop-punk. Paramore is unmissable thanks to frontwoman Hayley Williams. Having grown up listening, and singing, to gospel and Motown, she's brought her soulful growls to the angsty "Misery Business" — a song that captures the anger of having your crush stolen by someone else.

While "Misery Business" skyrocketed Paramore to MTV royalty, it is also unmistakably misogynistic. The lyrics, "Once a w–e, you're nothing more / I'm sorry that'll never change," don't bode well as future generations began to question anti-feminist language (the same goes for "I Write Sings Not Tragedies"). Williams ultimately took the song off the setlist in 2018 — only bringing it back in 2022.

8 "High School Never Ends" (2006)

Bowling for Soup

If there's anything more horrendous than high school, it's the people in it. "High School Never Ends" by Bowling for Soup is an ode to the best (or worst) four years of our lives. The clique that you were part of determines your social hierarchy in the hallways. Cheerleaders and jocks are on top of the food chain, while the nerds are thrown to the bottom.

Forget about graduation. The truth is, real life is pretty similar to high school, which is why it never ends — "The whole d–n world's just as obsessed / With who's the best dressed and who's having sex." The only difference is that people will change over the years. The "obnoxious" cheerleaders are no longer popular, and the nerds have achieved peak coolness.

7 "Dear Maria, Count Me In" (2007)

All Time Low

All Time Low was the pop-punk band that blew up on Tumblr, fueling the original fandom culture and inspiring many Wattpad fanfiction. Compared to the ruggedness of their previous demo and EP, it's their brighter, summer-inspired So Wrong, It's Right that brought them commercial success. Even after all these years, "Dear Maria, Count Me In" has been a favorite among fans old and new.

There's not much depth to "Dear Maria, Count Me In," — which is sometimes the case in pop-punk. It's got driving guitar riffs, an upbeat tempo, and catchy hooks. It's one of those songs that has more to do with feeling than meaning. A song about a stripper friend, there's a sense of whimsy escapism in the first two lines, "Cause I got your picture / I'm coming with you."

6 "Dirty Little Secret" (2005)

The All-American Rejects

No other song has been more overused in teen movies than "Dirty Little Secret" by The All-American Rejects. Coincidentally enough, these films involve the act of keeping secrets (e.g. John Tucker Must Die and She's the Man). It's always amusing to know juicy confidential information, but when it's dirty, the secret just got a lot more interesting.

"Dirty Little Secret" is one guilty pleasure of a song, simply because it indulges in something considered taboo. This will make sense when viewers watch the music video. Featuring several people, most of them hiding their identities, each of them reveals a "dirty little secret" on a card, ranging from the grossly inappropriate ("I make fun of fat people") to just plain sad ("I fake empathy to get people to like me.")

5 "Fat Lip" (2001)

Sum 41

In the wise words of "Fat Lip," "I don’t give a s–t about nothing." Sum 41 broke all the rules with their hip-hop/pop-punk fusion. Despite the long, collaborative nature of rap and rock, it was considered a faux pas to mix two "opposing" genres together. But if there's one thing the two share, it's that they're both musical styles rooted in rebelliousness.

That "me against society" spirit is carried throughout "Fat Lip" — a song that celebrates unabashed freedom from expectations. It's a homage to those who live on the edge, unwilling to "become a victim of conformity." Whether it's their music or their attitude, Sum 41 is too big a band to be boxed into what is considered appropriate in the industry.

4 "Thnks fr th Mmrs" (2007)

Fall Out Boy

Fall Out Boy is known for two things: Patrick Stump's soul voice and their extremely long song titles. But unlike "Our Lawyer Made Us Change The Name Of This Song So We Wouldn't Get Sued," their more popular hit, "Thnks fr the Mmrs" is tamer in comparison. Released during a time the band was on the cusp of pop-punk popularity, the song is a reflection of broken relationships and criticizes the idea of fame.

Because of its chorus — "One night, yeah, one more time / Thanks for the memories / Even if they weren't so great." — the song is commonly associated with New Year's Eve. Although "Thnks fr the Mmrs" might not build on that intention, it still makes a timeless song to bid farewell to the old year. The music video’' just as eccentric as Fall Out Boy's lyricism (bassist Pete Wentz locked lips with a famous Kardashian sister).

3 "My Friends Over You" (2002)

New Found Glory

"Though you swear that you are true / I still pick my friends over you." As New Found Glory proclaims in "My Friends Over You," no short-lived fling is worth the time and energy. Some romantic pursuits only end in regrets. Over the tune of punchy guitars and sharp snares, there's no point in "pretending that we still talk," — especially when it's just to prove to people that you're together (when you're not.)

Pop-punk is rooted in a sense of solidarity, especially with your friends. They're the people you watch live shows with, spend the night mindlessly slacking off, and turn to when things get tough. Although it sounds corny, "My Friends Over You" reminds you of who your day ones are when your love life fails.

2 "Perfect" (2002)

Simple Plan

Not everyone has a happy family. Simple Plan's "Perfect" is the ultimate emotional catharsis for teens. Growing up is never easy. In between puberty, academic expectations, and the pressure to fit in with your fellow peers, there's already so much on a teenager's plate. But it's even more difficult when teens are raised by parents who hate each other.

Parents should always love their children, flaws and all. After all, they're still learning about themselves. Yet, it always feels like the disappointment they've caused is the reason why their parents are fighting ("I'm sorry, I can't be perfect.) It's hard enough for adults to fulfill society's expectations and not screw up. It's only unfair that teens aren't given the same grace to be imperfect.

1 "Stay Together for the Kids" (2001)

blink-182

2000s pop-punk wouldn’t be complete without Blink-182. Although they're more well-known for cheekier anthems like "All The Small Things," and "First Date," the three-piece unit knows when to get deep and serious. "Stay Together for the Kids" is unlike the band's usual immature, frenetic flair. There's no silly ad libs, no kooky lyricism — just a straight-up message on the effects of divorce on kids.

"Stay Together for the Kids" proves that while pop-punk can be all fun and reckless, it can also be an introspective genre. It's a medium that allows listeners to let go of the pain for a while and cry their heart out. Sadness is not a weakness. If guys like typically raucous and inappropriate Blink-182 can sing a song about the pains of living in a broken home, so can anybody else.

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