The Best Psychedelic Rock Songs of the 2000s
Contents
- The Psychedelic Furs- “Love My Way”
- The Dandy Warhols- “We Used to Be Friends”
- The Brian Jonestown Massacre- “Anemone”
- The Black Keys- “Strange Times”
- Tame Impala- “Half Full Glass of Wine”
- The Raconteurs- “Steady, As She Goes”
- The White Stripes- “Seven Nation Army”
- The Vines- “Get Free”
- The Strokes- “You Only Live Once”
- The Hives- “Hate to Say I Told You So”
Looking for the best psychedelic rock songs of the 2000s? We’ve got you covered with this list of 10 mind-bending tunes.
The Psychedelic Furs- “Love My Way”
The Psychedelic Furs were one of the most innovative and influential post-punk bands of the early ’80s, creating a dark, atmospheric sound that was influenced by both punk and art rock. “Love My Way” is a perfect example of their unique style, blending elements of new wave, goth rock, and classic pop to create a truly original sound. The song became a surprise hit in the US, reaching #32 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The Dandy Warhols- “We Used to Be Friends”
From their 2003 album Welcome to the Monkey House, “We Used to Be Friends” is a song about the betrayal of a close friend. It’s a perfect example of the Dandy Warhols’ ability to craft catchy, hook-laden pop songs with a dark edge.
The Brian Jonestown Massacre- “Anemone”
“Anemone” is the lead single from The Brian Jonestown Massacre’s album My Bloody Underground. The song was released on May 5, 2008, and is one of the band’s most popular songs.
The song is a psychedelic rock song that features a heavy use of reverb and guitar effects. The lyrics are written in a cryptic style, and are difficult to interpret. The song has been described as “an ode to drugs and hedonism.”
The Brian Jonestown Massacre is an American psychedelic rock band formed in San Francisco in 1990. The band has released seventeen albums, three compilation albums, five live albums, thirteen singles, and five EPs. “Anemone” is one of the band’s most popular songs, and is considered to be one of the best psychedelic rock songs of the 2000s.
The Black Keys- “Strange Times”
One of the best psychedelic rock songs of the 2000s, “Strange Times” by The Black Keys has a driving and catchy bassline that will get your head nodding along. The guitars are distorted and fuzzy, giving the song an otherworldly feel. The lyrics are about feeling out of place in the world, which is a feeling that many of us can relate to.
Tame Impala- “Half Full Glass of Wine”
from the album Innerspeaker, released in 2010
One of the most archetypal psychedelic rock songs of the 2000s, “Half Full Glass of Wine” is six minutes of tightly wound bliss. The slowly undulating bassline and ethereal guitar-work are anchored by Kevin Parker’s reverb-drenched vocals, as he sings about trying to make the most of a less than ideal situation. All of these elements come together to create a song that feels simultaneously huge and intimate, like a late night conversation with a close friend.
The Raconteurs- “Steady, As She Goes”
The Raconteurs’ 2006 track “Steady, As She Goes” is a perfect example of the band’s ability to craft an infectious classic rock tune. The song features a heavy dose of psychedelic guitar work and catchy vocal hooks, making it one of the best psychedelic rock songs of the 2000s.
The White Stripes- “Seven Nation Army”
When Jack White released “Seven Nation Army” as the first single from The White Stripes’ fourth album, Elephant, in March 2003, it was already clear that the song was destined for greatness. The stripped-down garage rock anthem, with its signature heavy bass line and driving drumbeat, was an instant classic, and it has since been used as the soundtrack to everything from sports events to political protests.
In the 15 years since its release, “Seven Nation Army” has become one of the most enduring rock songs of the 21st century, and it shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. Here’s a look back at how this modern classic came to be.
The Vines- “Get Free”
The Vines- “Get Free”
The Australian band The Vines released their debut album Highly Evolved in 2002. The album was a surprise hit, reaching number 3 on the UK Albums Chart and number 4 on the US Billboard 200. “Get Free” was the second single from the album and became a top 10 hit in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. The song’s catchy hook and infectious energy made it a favorite of alternative rock radio stations and helped Highly Evolved go platinum in Australia.
The Strokes- “You Only Live Once”
The best psychedelic rock song of the 2000s, “You Only Live Once” by The Strokes, is a track that truly lives up to its name. A perfect blend of catchy hooks, head-nodding rhythms, and ethereal guitars, the song is a clattering ode to living life to the fullest and taking risks while you still can. It’s a song that feels both immediate and timeless, and it’s sure to be a classic for years to come.
The Hives- “Hate to Say I Told You So”
The Swedish garage rockers’ breakthrough hit is a perfect distillation of their anthemic sound – and it arrives with a fist-pumping, call-and-response chorus tailor-made for live sets. “Hate to Say I Told You So” also helped cement the band’s reputation for impeccable style, with every member sporting identical black-and-white suits in the song’s video.