Undeniably, Nick Offerman’s iconic Parks and Recreation character, Ron Swanson, is already proud to be an American, though he likes reminders as to why. Famously, Ron Swanson characterized Americans with a single quote. “The whole point of this country is if you want to eat garbage, balloon up to 600 pounds, and die of a heart attack at 43, you can! You are free to do so. To me, that’s beautiful.” Here are three songs that would remind Ron Swanson of why he’s proud to be an American.

“courtesy of the red, white and blue” by Toby keith

Easily one of the most patriotic songs of the 21st century, Ron Swanson must know all the words to this song. A surprising number of Americans can recite this song’s lyrics, word for word. Toby Keith penned this catchy, easily accessible hit in 2002. It’s a karaoke night staple, an anthem known by millions. Following the 9/11 attacks in 2001, the song was released during a turbulent period in the US. “We’ll put a boot in your a** / it’s the American way” truly sounds like something Ron Swanson would say on any episode of Parks and Rec.

“god bless the u.s.a.” by lee greenwood

This is a given, but Ron Swanson would shed many tears during Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA”. It’s hard not to feel suddenly patriotic listening to this country hit from 1984. Lee Greenwood penned a timeless hit that re-charted three times across three decades. Ultimately, Greenwood wrote the song to unite Americans in the mid-80s, following a 1983 airborne conflict. Korean Air Lines Flight 007 was shot down by the Soviets on September 1, 1983. Following this, Greenwood called his producer, stating, “I have to do this. I’ve always wanted to write a song about America; we need to be more united.”

“the star spangled banner” by Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston’s rendition of the national anthem is among the greatest of all time. That’s not an opinion, as it’s been widely praised for decades. On January 27, 1991, Houston performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Super Bowl XXV. This incredibly moving performance was viewed by millions across the country. Due to increased demand, this performance was released as a charity single on February 12, 1991. Whitney Houston’s version peaked at No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1991. In 2001, following the 9/11 attacks, the single was re-released and peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.

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Thanks to legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk, millennials everywhere begged for a new skateboard in 1999. On June 27, 2026, Tony Hawk landed the historic 900 at the 1999 X Games, becoming the first skateboarder ever to do so and inspiring millions to take up skateboarding.

Months later, on September 29, 1999, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater was released. The new video game soared in popularity, with a second released in 2000, a third in 2001, and a fourth in 2002. Following this, the Tony Hawk’s Underground series launched two games, followed by Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland in 2005.

Curated by Hawk himself, the soundtrack for these games introduced many millennials to 1980s punk music. We look back at Tony Hawk’s iconic video games as the 58-year-old prepares for his only public skating appearance in 2026, happening this Friday.

“police truck” by dead kennedys

The Dead Kennedys are a massively influential punk group out of San Francisco, California. “Police Truck” was included on the first Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. It’s the B-side to their defining punk track “Holiday in Cambodia”, released in 1980. It’s the opening track on the band’s 1987 compilation album Give Me Convenience of Give Me Death. Another Dead Kennedys track was featured on American Wasteland in 2005. “California Über Alles” can be heard during the game’s opening sequence.

“wash away” by alkaline trio

T.S.O.L. (True Sounds of Liberty) formed in Huntington Beach, California, in 1978. In 1981, the band adopted elements of goth rock into their punk rock style. Alkaline Trio covered their track “Wash Away” for American Wasteland (2005). Most of the game’s soundtrack featured then-modern punk or emo bands covering 80s punk songs. Other covers include My Chemical Romance’s cover of the Misfits’ “Astro Zombies” and Fall Out Boy’s cover of Gorilla Biscuits’ “Start Today”, among many others. Ultimately, this introduced millennials to 80s punk through the bands of their own era.

“you” by bad religion

In 2000, the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 soundtrack featured a collection of hip-hop, alternative metal, and punk rock. Bad Religion’s “You” is a standout punk rock track that many associate with the video game. Initially released on Bad Religion’s fourth studio album, No Control, the song introduced young skateboarders to one of the best-selling punk rock acts of all time. In 1989, the album marked a shift in the band’s sound, leaning into fast hardcore punk mixed with melodic hardcore. They are among the most influential punk rock acts of the 1980s.

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Hey Arnold! is among many nostalgic Nickelodeon shows from the late 1990s and early 2000s. It first aired 30 years ago on October 7, 1996, and ran until June 8, 2004. In June of 2002, Hey Arnold! The Movie was released, and a TV Movie/Finale premiered in November 2017. Since the 2017 finale, fans have questioned whether there will be a revival, as many nostalgic shows from that era have been revived in recent years.

On August 8, 2026, Hey Arnold! creator Craig Bartlett and cast members reunited for a special 30th-anniversary charity panel. This panel took place at MultiCon in Los Angeles, a one-day fan charity convention and industry fundraiser. At this event, Hey Arnold! producer and writer Joe Purdy confirmed that revival discussions are “absolutely” happening among Paramount decision-makers. Purdy stated, “Absolutely. Yes, yes, yes. There is an ever-changing environment of the business and people who are making decisions. It’s a cliché story…but sure, we are having conversations.”

Additionally, the cast will reunite once again at Extravacon in Melville, New York, for a special meet-and-greet on November 14 and 15.

The music of Hey Arnold! Live tour dates

In 1996, composer Jim Lang scored the music for the Nickelodeon series, the feature film, and the made-for-TV film. On August 18, Lang and show creator Craig Bartlett announced The Music of Hey Arnold! Live Tour. Fans will hear the iconic theme song, along with other songs from the original series and films, plus stories behind the music. The composer announced the tour via Instagram, and he’s bringing along his band, the PS118 All Stars.

The 20-date tour kicks off in Pioneertown, California, on October 26. The Music Of Hey Arnold! Live Tour has announced stops in New York, Chicago, Houston, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. On December 2, the tour will wrap up in Los Angeles. Jim Lang will lead the band, with multimedia visuals integrated throughout the performance. The iconic jazz-infused music of Hey Arnold! stood out among other Nickelodeon shows at the time. Jim Lang’s scores introduced a new generation to jazz, and the tour aims to generate nostalgia for many millennials.

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As previously reported, ZZ Top cancelled their August 5 concert at the Hollywood Bowl. They were set to co-headline with Cheap Trick. This was a last-minute cancellation, and future dates were cancelled as well. Initially, it was reported that this was due to “unforeseen personnel matters”. Confused by the cancellations, fans have finally found an answer. Longtime ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard has died at the age of 77.

In an Instagram post, guitarist Billy F. Gibbons announced the passing of his longtime bandmate. “Today, Elwood and I lost a great friend and collaborator, and the world lost one of the most naturally innovative drummers and a great and true son of Texas. His signature backbeat was key to keeping ZZ on top.”

Additionally, band management announced, “Following Frank’s passing, ZZ Top has cancelled its upcoming shows in Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs. The band will resume its current The Big One! Tour this weekend with two dates at Austin City Limits, one of Frank’s favorite venues and in a city that had been something of a second home for him”.

In 2021, the band’s longtime bass player, Dusty Hill, died in his sleep. It was Beard who introduced Hill to guitarist Billy F. Gibbons, and the three formed ZZ Top.

a brief history of zz top

Initially, drummer Frank Beard and bassist Dusty Hill performed together in multiple groups during the mid-to-late 1960s. In May 1969, Frank Beard joined a band called The Moving Sidewalks, which featured blues-rock guitarist Billy F. Gibbons. Beard introduced Gibbons to Hill, who joined the band shortly after. Beard’s drums were a crucial key to the band’s signature sound. Once the trio honed in on their trademark “Texas boogie blues-rock”, they recorded the band’s debut.

Brilliantly titled, ZZ Top’s First Album was released in 1971, and their sophomore album, Rio Grande Mud, in 1972. It would be their third album, Tres Hombres, that broke the band into mainstream rock radio, peaking at No. 8 on the Billboard 200. Their single, “La Grange,” was the first of many signature blues-rock tracks the band would release throughout the 70s and 80s. They followed up with “Tush” in 1975, which peaked at No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In 1981, the band rebranded itself for the decade ahead. Ultimately, their eighth studio album, Eliminator, became the band’s most commercially successful release. Four high-charting singles, “Gimme All Your Lovin'”, “Sharp Dressed Man”, “TV Dinners”, and “Legs,” all became rock radio staples for decades to come.

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Many may not realize that emo music was actually created in the 1980s. The first wave of emo, originally dubbed emotional hardcore, derived from the hardcore punk movement of the 1980s. This first wave of emo took place from 1985 to 1991. Hardcore bands from both the East and West coasts laid the initial foundation of emo in the 80s, with bands such as Sunny Day Real Estate taking the genre into its second wave in the mid-90s.

After the turn of the century, bands such as My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy notably took the genre into the mainstream. These three 80s hardcore punk bands accidentally created the second and third waves of emo in the 90s and 2000s.

embrace

This short-lived hardcore punk band formed in Washington, D.C in 1985. It featured Minor Threat vocalist Ian MacKaye, a central figure in the decade’s hardcore movement. The vocalist is often credited with creating the straight edge movement, rejecting the use of drugs or alcohol. By the mid-80s, Minor Threat had parted ways, and MacKaye briefly joined Teen Idles as a bassist.

In the summer of 1985, MacKaye formed Embrace with three former members of The Faith. This summer has been dubbed Revolution Summer, which marks a time when many hardcore punk bands in the D.C. scene began experimenting and branching out. Other groups included in the Revolution Summer are Rites of Spring, Beefeater, Dag Nasty, and Egg Hunt. Embrace was one of the first bands the press dubbed emotional hardcore, though they despised the label. Still, it’s a fact that the group helped create the genre in 1985.

jawbreaker

On the West Coast, bands such as Jawbreaker also helped create emo with their poetic take on hardcore. Their initial run from 1986 to 1996 put them among the most influential hardcore punk groups of the 1990s. Formed in East Bay, California, in 1986, Jawbreaker released their debut album, Unfun, in 1990. Their debut is among the earliest examples of emo.

Bands that cited Jawbreaker as an influence include Saves the Day, Dashboard Confessional, Alkaline Trio, The Get Up Kids, and many more. Genre-defining bands such as Fall Out Boy and My Chemical Romance also credit Jawbreaker as a major influence, as these bands took the genre into the mainstream in the 2000s.

turning point

Formed in Moorestown, New Jersey, this straight edge hardcore band is mostly categorized as youth crew hardcore. Their initial run from 1988 to 1991 saw the band become more emo-influenced in their later releases. This helped shape the second wave of emo in the 1990s. Bands such as Thursday, Lifetime, Texas is the Reason, and Fury credit Turning Point’s emotional hardcore side as a major influence. Many hardcore punk bands of the 2000s also cite Turning Point as a major influence on the youth crew resurgence in the 21st century. Additionally, bands such as Title Fight also cite Turning Point as a crucial influence.

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On the morning of August 10, a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia. The damage left many buildings razed or severely damaged. This natural disaster struck in the heart of Colombia’s coffee-growing region, with tremors felt in neighboring Venezuela, which experienced intense earthquakes earlier this year. The earthquake was the country’s strongest since 1990, leaving over 3,000 injured with roughly 300 fatalities.

In response to this tragedy, Colombian native Shakira is offering support to her homeland. The singer comes from Barranquilla, located on the northern Caribbean coast. Her music career launched out of the country’s capital, Bogotá, the largest city in the country. The 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck 149 miles west of Bogotá, where the city experienced tremors.

On Monday, August 17, Shakira traveled to Quibdó, the capital of the province of Chocó. In this region, nearly 200 schools reported damage following the catastrophic quake. Shakira met with students and educators in the area and toured the damaged classrooms. Additionally, she met with Chocó’s governor, Nubia Carolina Córdoba, and Quibdó’s mayor, Rafael Bolaños.

ShAKIRA, gLOBAL CITIZEN, AND LIVE NATION PLEDGE TO REBUILD SCHOOLS

The “Queen of Latin Music” has pledged $1.25 million to rebuild 10 schools and a University. On her visit to her homeland, the singer was accompanied by philanthropist Howard Buffett. He has announced that his foundation would separately support the reconstruction of 10 additional schools in Chocó. To this, the philanthropist reported, “When she calls, I come.”

Shakira has stated, “What worries me the most is that schools are not rebuilt once this emergency is over. Every day that children don’t go to school is a day they miss out on their future.” The singer went on to say, “It’s a place I love, a place where I’ve seen our students grow in our classrooms. I really want to see it rebuilt again.”

In 1997, Shakira founded Fundación Pies Descalzos, expanding educational access for children in Colombia. Her foundation has operated out of Chocó for more than two decades and has run two schools in the region. Also, Shakira is dedicating her personal efforts to rebuilding a local technology university in the province of Chocó.

Shakira has partnered with Live Nation to pledge $500,000 to rebuild the schools. This coincides with a $500,000 pledge from the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund and $250,000 from CAF, the development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean. The combined $1.25 million will be processed through Shakira’s foundation, Fundación Pies Descalzos.

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Earning a hit song isn’t the hardest part; it’s actually penning a follow-up hit. Many bands and artists struggle with this, as the initial hit was a tough enough feat in itself. Replicating success doesn’t always work out, and an artist can easily be forgotten or left behind in the mainstream while continuing to work to build a following on their own. This is why, 30 years later, these one-hit wonders of the 1990s still perform to this very day.

Los Del Río

In the mid-90s, Spanish pop duo Los Del Río penned a massive dance hit called “Macarena”. Initially released in 1993, an upbeat version dubbed the “Bayside Boys Remix” spent 14 weeks at No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1996. This version features an English spoken section by the Bayside Boys, who chant “Hey Macarena!” The dance craze was created after the duo noticed a flamenco dancer in Venezuela performing similar moves. Surprisingly, the duo formed in 1962 and released 20 albums in their career. The pop duo still performs to this day.

Haddaway

Though Haddaway penned only one major hit in the US, they penned multiple in Europe. Nonetheless, he’s included among the one-hit wonders of the 1990s. His 1993 hit “What Is Love” peaked at No. 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Though three more singles off the same album charted high in Europe and other countries, none broke into the top 40 in the US. In March, Haddaway released his sixth studio album and has many upcoming performances booked for fall 2026.

TOADIES

As much as their diehard fanbase would like to say otherwise, Toadies fall into the one-hit wonder category. Their signature track “Possum Kingdom” charted significantly higher than their other singles. In 1995, it peaked at No. 4 on the Modern Rock chart and No. 9 on the Mainstream Rock chart. Their follow-up single, “Away”, peaked at No. 28 on the Modern Rock chart and No. 23 on the Mainstream Rock chart. In the 2000’s, “Push The Hand” and “No Deliverance” landed at No. 34 and No. 38, respectively. Toadies still perform with a cult following who will be jumping to debate whether they belong on this list. They’re currently on The Charmer Tour with Local H, performing across the US throughout the fall.

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On this day in 1969, Donnie Wahlberg was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He was first known as an original member of the boy band New Kids on the Block. Donnie was discovered at the age of 15. It was his rapping abilities that got him the role in the group, making him the first member to join. Record producer Maurice Starr, who had discovered New Edition, created New Kids on the Block as a counterpart. Initially, Donnie’s brother Mark also joined the group but left just a few months later.

New Kids on the Block formed in 1984 and released their debut album two years later, in 1986. Their debut was commercially ignored, and it would be their sophomore release that shot the band into stardom. In 1988, New Kids on the Block’s Hangin’ Tough was a massive commercial success, hitting No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Their breakthrough single, “You Got It (The Right Stuff)”, featured co-lead vocals by Donnie Wahlberg and bandmate Jordan Knight. It peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Following this, their next single, “I’ll Be Loving You (Forever)”, became the group’s first No. 1 hit on the Hot 100. This was followed by “Hangin’ Tough” in 1989, which would be Donnie’s first No. 1 hit as a lead vocalist. The album’s final single, “Cover Girl”, peaked at No. 2, just shy of topping the chart, and also featured lead vocals by Donnie. In 1990, the group’s cover of The Superiors’ “Step by Step” was one of the best-selling singles released that year. It peaked at No. 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the US Cashbox Top 100.

NKOTB BREAKS UP, DONNIE TRANSITIONS INTO ACTING

In 1994, New Kids on the Block called it quits for various reasons. Media scrutiny, extensive and intense touring schedules, and artistic differences led to their disbandment. Meanwhile, Donnie’s brother had launched his own group, Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. In 1996, Donnie Wahlberg landed two major breakout acting roles in Bulletproof and Ransom. In 1999, Donnie was praised for his harrowing performance in The Sixth Sense.

He went on to have a successful television career, starring in Band of Brothers (2001) and the crime drama Boomtown (2003). From 2010 to 2024, he starred as Detective Danny Reagan in the police drama Blue Bloods. In 2025, he revived the character in its spin-off, Boston Blue.

From 2015 to 2019, Donnie co-starred on the reality TV show Wahlburgers alongside his brothers Paul and Mark. Mark Wahlberg also embarked on a successful acting career, eventually becoming a high-profile Hollywood actor.

New Kids on the Block reunited in 2008 and continue to tour together to this day.

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On this day in 1991, Nirvana shot the music video for the song that broke grunge into the mainstream. In May 1991, the band recorded their hit “Smells Like Teen Spirit”. on September 24, 1991, the release of their sophomore album, Nevermind, defined the decade ahead. Ahead of the album’s release, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was released as a single on September 10, 1991. Its iconic music video was shot one month before, on August 17.

The music video was shot at GMT Studios in Culver City, California, for less than $50,000. It was a low-budget shoot that featured real Nirvana fans as the audience. Ahead of the shoot, the band released an announcement calling on fans to appear in the video. The announcement read, “You should be 18 to 25 years old and adapt to a high-school persona, i.e preppy, punk, nerd, jock…”

Director Samuel Brayer believes he was chosen for the job because his test reel was so poor that the band felt the result would be more “punk” and “not corporate.” Overall, this would be Brayer’s first music video shoot, and he went on to shoot videos for Ozzy Osbourne, Blind Melon, The Smashing Pumpkins, and many more throughout the decade.

the inspiration for the iconic music video

Kurt Cobain mentioned on various occasions that one of his favorite films was Jonathan Kaplan’s 1979 film Over the Edge. This can be heard in the 2015 documentary film, Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck. In Over the Edge, rebellious teenagers lock their parents and teachers in a school while they destroy the town. Cobain made a connection between this film and the music video concept for “Smells Like Teen Spirit”. Additionally, The Ramones 1979 film Rock ‘n’ Roll High School also served as inspiration for the video.

Nirvana is seen performing during a school pep rally in a dystopian reality. Students mosh while cheerleaders in black wear black outfits with anarchy symbols. The students destroy the set, which actually happened, as many of the extras grew frustrated during the shoot. Ultimately, this left the crew scrambling to finish safety shots, as the extras had destroyed the set by the end of shooting.

The video won Nirvana the Best New Artist and Best Alternative Group awards at the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards. In 2000, Guinness World Records named “Smells Like Teen Spirit” the most-played video on MTV Europe. Upon release, the song peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 and went to No. 1 on the Alternative Airplay chart.

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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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Legendary Four Seasons singer Frankie Valli is retiring, or so we thought. Earlier this week, Frankie’s brother Bobby posted what appeared to be a retirement announcement on Facebook. “He has millions of fans who love him dearly. He is now 92 years old. In his illustrious career, he has sold over 100 million records, R&R Hall of Fame. He will now retire. We will always have special memories of Frankie Valli. He has reached a place in his life where his family is there to love, cherish, and be there for him.”

Frankie Valli followed up with his own post on Instagram. “In spite of what you might have heard, I am not retired. – Frankie.” The iconic singer was quick to shut down any sort of retirement announcement.

Due to this, Frankie’s brother Bobby amended his original message. He replaced “he will not retire” with “In my humble opinion, there is a possibility he will stop touring.” Again, Bobby updated the message once more, replacing that line with “We are all hoping for a speedy recovery and that he can continue to tour and perform.”

In May, Frankie Valli Canceled His Remaining 2026 Performances

On August 14, Bobby Valli posted an apology. “I apologize; I was misinformed. I was under the impression my brother Frankie was retiring.” The next day, Bobby added, “If I misled or offended anyone, once again I apologize.”

In May, Frankie Valli announced he would be cancelling the remainder of his 2026 concerts. His representative confirmed, “He realized he needed to take a break and get his health in order.” Ultimately, she emphasized that the singer is expecting to perform in 2027.

Frankie’s brother continues to wish the “Sherry” singer a speedy recovery. As Valli’s health issues haven’t been publicly disclosed, it is still unclear what this entails. He has noticeably struggled to perform for years, leading many fans to be concerned for his well-being. I have to admit, his relentlessness is admirable, to say the least.

Valli’s 75-year career dates back to the early 1960s. Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons penned 29 top-40 hits, with six No. 1 hits. As a solo artist, Valli earned two No. 1 hits in the 1970s, “My Eyes Adored You” and “Grease”. Additionally, his origin story with the Four Seasons has been adapted into a Broadway musical titled Jersey Boys. This resulted in a 2014 film of the same name, directed by Clint Eastwood.

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Tribal tattoos became a fad in the late 90s and throughout the 2000s. Rock stars, professional wrestlers, and professional athletes sported tribal tattoos. Many of them became an identifiable symbol of their image. In time, tribal tattoos fell out of style. Many still have their tattoos from this era, and these three rock songs will take them back to their glory days.

“scars” by papa roach

“The scars remind us that the past is real / I tear my heart open, just to feel”.

The lines were personal for rock fans of the early 2000s. It brought together lyrical elements of emo and attached them to post-grunge. This crossover of styles was successful, as the song hit No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on the Alternative Airplay chart. They just don’t make them like they used to. You don’t have to tear your heart open just to feel; you can simply listen to the song to feel something.

“song for the dead” by queens of the stone age

In 2002, Dave Grohl took a break from his role as frontman of Foo Fighters. He returned to drums, briefly joining Queens of the Stone Age. He appeared on their critically acclaimed third album, Songs For The Deaf. Not only were their fans the type to sport tribal tattoos, but Grohl has multiple himself. A shirtless Dave Grohl opens this track with explosive drums, which ranks among his best drumming moments. Fans went wild for this one in the early 2000s. It continues to be a fan-favorite track from the band.

“blurry” by puddle of mudd

Puddle of Mudd’s “Blurry” is a defining post-grunge track from the turn of the century. This power ballad was released as the second single from their sophomore album, Come Clean, becoming the band’s signature hit in 2001. The album went to No. 9 on the Billboard 200. “Blurry” hit No. 1 on both the Mainstream Rock chart and the Alternative Airplay chart upon release. Puddle of Mudd’s music video for the track featured Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit.

Photo by Hayley Madden/Redferns

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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.

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Legendary frontman and metal pioneer Ozzy Osbourne passed away on July 22, 2025. A farewell concert, Back to the Beginning, took place on July 5 and served as Ozzy’s final performance. Many bands and artists performed in Ozzy’s honor as he reunited with Black Sabbath.

Ozzy’s family took the rock star’s passing particularly hard. Together, his daughter Kelly, his son Jack, and his wife Sharon spoke about this hard time with teary eyes on The Osbournes Podcast in 2025. This is why Kelly Osbourne is quick to defend her father’s legacy.

Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider took to social media in a string of posts about many musicians’ legacies. Snider has been known to take stabs at musicians, as he and KISS singer Paul Stanley exchanged words years ago. Snider frequently replies to fans on the social media platform X.

how the exchange began

In particular, Snider pointed to a legal dispute over songwriting credits between the late Ozzy Osbourne and bassist Bob Daisley, which led to a lawsuit in the 1980s. Despite this, Daisley continued a working relationship with Ozzy.

The dispute began with a post about Motörhead’s Lemmy Kilmister’s contributions to Osbourne’s 1991 album No More Tears. Snider stated, “I know too much about the truth behind the scenes. Let’s just say that Sharon doesn’t like to share.” A fan responded, claiming, “Bob Daisley says he’s written a load of lyrics, then was told they weren’t needed for No More Tears. Then he got sacked for the final time.”

To this, Snider replied, “A load? How about ALL the lyrics? Ozzy always had a bass player write his lyrics. Geezer Butler wrote ALL of Black Sabbath’s lyrics. Daisley wrote lyrics for the first two solo albums (I’m pretty sure he was paid to write on other records but not credited), and Lemmy wrote the lyrics.”

Kelly osbourne was quick to defend her father

Kelly took to her Instagram story, stating, “My father’s legacy as a musician, songwriter, singer, and bandleader speaks for itself. His friends, those who worked with him, those who love him, and millions of fans around the world who continue to buy his records know exactly what he meant, what he contributed, and what he leaves behind. His legacy will live on eternally.”

She elaborated in her following post. “Dee Snider, your list hit…not to age myself, was the year I was born, over 40 years ago.” Kelly went on to say Snider is “classless” and that “My father doesn’t need Dee Snider’s approval to establish his place in music history.”

To this, Snider responded, “And again. To be clear, I HAVE NOTHING BUT LOVE FOR OZZY. He was always lovely to me. Black Sabbath changed my life! As a songwriter, I can be a little touchy about credit and royalties.”

Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images

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From 2005 to 2015, Monster Energy was not only a drink but a lifestyle for some. The green “M” logo became a widely recognized symbol, helping define a specific era. Monster Energy flatbill hats, shirts, and sponsored athletes were a huge part of pop culture at the time.

During this time, many would brag about having a Monster Energy for breakfast. 15 years later, we don’t see this as the flex that it was back then. That’s even if it was one in the first place. If you ever called a Monster Energy “breakfast”, these three songs will take you back to that time.

“everywhere i go” by hollywood undead

I have to admit, I forgot about Hollywood Undead for many years. Surprisingly, their new music isn’t too shabby. Regardless, the band emerged in 2008 as a marriage of Limp Bizkit, Eminem, and Slipknot. Their debut album, Swan Songs, performed surprisingly well upon release. It peaked at No. 3 on the Top Hard Rock Albums chart and No. 22 on the Billboard 200. Rap/rock hits such as “Undead” and “Everywhere I Go” pair perfectly with Monster Energy drinkers everywhere.

“stricken” by disturbed

I don’t know if Disturbed gets enough credit for how big they were in the 2000s. By 2005, Disturbed had already penned defining hits such as “Down With The Sickness”. 2005’s Ten Thousand Fists was a chart-topping success, hitting No. 1 on the US Billboard 200. A celebratory feat for Monster Energy drinkers everywhere. The album’s second single, “Stricken”, became one of the band’s most recognizable tracks.

“afterlife” by avenged sevenfold

This hard rock band had the perfect aesthetic for the 2000s. They blended emo fashion, with a mixture of biker bandanas and sunglasses, and generated some of the best metal solos of the decade. Many praised Avenged Sevenfold as pioneering a new era of rock, blending elements of bands such as Alice in Chains and Guns N’ Roses. “Afterlife” is a fan favorite and among the band’s signature tracks. The lyrics were written by their drummer, The Rev, who would pass away just two years later. Coincidentally, the song is about a man who dies too early and goes to heaven.

Photo by David Wolff – Patrick/Redferns

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In 2001, a jam session paired together two entirely different stars for a brief moment. Thankfully, they never followed through on these potential plans to collaborate. By then, Limp Bizkit was among the most prominent nu metal bands following the success of their 1999 sophomore album and its 2000 follow-up. Shortly after, guitarist Wes Borland left the band, citing creative differences. Fred Durst and Limp Bizkit were left wondering what to do next when a record executive introduced Fred Durst to legendary rock guitarist Eddie Van Halen at a Hollywood party.

In the bizarre meeting, Durst joked about how funny it would be to have the world’s greatest guitarist in the world’s worst band. Eddie Van Halen agreed to jam with the band to feel out the situation. Author Andrew Bennett detailed the experience in his book Eruption in the Canyon: 212 Days & Nights With the Genius of Eddie Van Halen.

The jam session was to take place at Durst’s Beverly Hills home. Quickly, the jam session derailed as Eddie Van Halen wasn’t fond of the band smoking weed. Bennett noted how Eddie said the jam session was like “being a scholar among kindergarteners.” Van Halen left abruptly, leaving behind his gear in the process. The next day, he attempted to call Durst to retrieve his equipment, but there was no answer.

After days of radio silence, Eddie van halen took matters into his own hands

In the book, Bennett explains, “Eddie once bought an assault vehicle from a military auction. It has a shine gun mount on the back and is not legal. Eddie drove that assault vehicle through L.A., into Beverly Hills, then parked and left it running on the front lawn of the house Limp Bizkit were rehearsing in.” Bennett further explains in great detail, “He got out wearing no shirt, his hair in a Samurai bun on top of his head, his jeans held up with a strand of rope, and combat boots held together by duct tape. And he had a gun in his hand.”

Bennett recalls Eddie telling how “that a**hole answered the door, and I put my gun to that stupid f**king red hat of his, and I said, ‘Where’s my s**t, motherf***ker?’ That f***king guy just turned to one of his employees and starts yelling at him to grab my s**t.” Eddie Van Halen, with a cigarette in his mouth, held Durst at gunpoint while employees loaded equipment into the assault vehicle. The “Break Stuff” singer was humbled instantly by the sight of a gun pointed at him. As Eddie Van Halen was mostly happy and smiley in the 1980s, this certainly paints a different picture of the legendary guitarist.

Photo by KMazur/WireImage

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At the turn of the century, music got particularly depressing. This contrasted with bubblegum pop that was dominating the mainstream. With emo on the rise, emotions were laid out for all to hear in the late 90s and early 2000s. Truly, this era wasn’t as bad as it seems with these depressing songs. In a heartbeat, I’d travel back in time to the early 2000s.

Nevertheless, these four Y2K songs had no business being that depressing.

“how to disappear completely” by radiohead

Radiohead set out to prove they were not a 90s one-hit-wonder act. In 1997, Ok Computer marked the band’s shift into art rock. With this, they became art rock legends by the turn of the century. Still, “How To Disappear Completely” from their 2000 album Kid A has no business being that depressing. It’s a haunting slow drag of ambient noise, with no uplifting nature whatsoever.

Thom Yorke penned the track in a time of great stress. The singer spoke with BBC News in 2017, stating that he nearly walked off stage during a performance at Glastonbury in 1997. “I just needed a break. And in fact, I didn’t get one for another year and a bit, at which point I was pretty much catatonic.”

“adam’s song” by blink-182

In 1999, Blink-182’s third album, Enemy Of The State, was a massive success not only for the band but for pop-punk in general. They were leading a charge in a pop-punk invasion at the turn of the century. Following two upbeat pop-punk anthems, “What’s My Age Again?” and “All The Small Things”, their third single had a different tone.

Primarily written by bassist Mark Hoppus, “Adam’s Song” explores themes of depression, loneliness, and even suicidal thoughts. It’s a stark contrast to the band’s other hits of the time. Ultimately, this played well with fans, as they soon included more personal tracks in future releases. Still, it’s not the vibe when you’re in the mood for Blink-182’s signature sarcastic anthems.

“how to fight loneliness” by wilco

Jeff Tweedy is known for his personal and poetic songwriting style. Fans of Wilco connect to the singer-songwriter on an emotional level, and that’s understandable. Still, “How To Fight Loneliness” carries a particularly depressing tone that can kill the mood. It’s about lying through sadness, pretending to be alright, which will never work. Tweedy knows this, and it’s not meant to be sound advice. It’s mostly a recommendation, since the answer isn’t as simple as smiling through the pain.

Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage

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Oftentimes, a band performs such a jaw-dropping live version of one of your favorite songs that it stains your love for the original. From then on, whenever the track comes up, you admit, “It’s still good, but that live version was the best version.” I’ve been here plenty of times and can tell you, these 90s alt-rock songs won’t hit the same after you hear the live version.

“drain you” by nirvana

Undeniably, “Drain You” is the perfect centerpiece of Nirvana’s Nevermind. The album served to break grunge into the mainstream upon release. The low-to-high middle section of “Drain You” contains elements of a wall-of-sound shoegaze effect.

On October 30, 1992, Nirvana headlined the Reading Festival in England. At the beginning of the show, Kurt Cobain, sporting a hospital gown, was rolled onto the stage. In the gown, Cobain and Nirvana delivered the best possible version of “Drain You”. Noticeably, the band’s signature raw sound is showcased more than on Nevermind. Cobain had mentioned on various occasions his displeasure with the album’s production quality.

Officially released in November 2009, Live At Reading contains many tracks that are superior to their original album versions, including “Blew”.

“undone – the sweater song” by weezer

In 1994, Weezer’s debut single became an instant fan favorite ahead of their debut full-length release. On August 25, 1994, the band performed “Undone – The Sweater Song” on Late Night with Conan O’Brien. For many, this was their first impression of the new band. Weezer has a distinct geek rock image, and this performance connected the dots for many fans. This is more like a visual debut of the band, and it fueled album sales.

This live version is slightly different from the album version, as the opening features overlapping stories and phrases. Rivers Cuomo, bassist Matt Sharp, and guitarist Brian Bell ad-libbed stories, expressions, and phrases in the opening. This is missing in the original version, which is simply an exchange between Matt Sharp and a longtime friend of the band.

“sucked out” by superdrag

Often referred to as a one-hit wonder, Superdrag deserves much more recognition than that. They were a major influence on the next decade of emo, rock, and punk. Superdrag’s popularity waned in the late 90s due to a major-label merger. Sadly, they were dropped in the process along with countless bands and artists. The band was also ahead of its time, which played a role.

Their 1996 single “Sucked Out” peaked at No. 17 on the Modern Rock Charts. On September 3, 1996, the band performed the hit single of Late Night with Conan O’Brien. Lead singer and guitarist John Davis includes a closing guitar solo that should’ve been on the original track.

Photo by Mick Hutson/Redferns

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2026 has been Ella Langley’s year. The country star released her sophomore album, Dandelion, on April 10, 2026. With this release, Langley earned a No. 1 album along with three chart-topping hits. While singles “Be Her” and “I Can’t Love You Anymore” went to No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart, another single went to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Choosin’ Texas” has spent a staggering seventeen weeks at No. 1, the fourth-longest No. 1 run in the chart’s history. Additionally, it broke the record for the most weeks at No. 1 for a non-holiday song by a woman.

With this newfound stardom come incredible perks. For instance, Langley recently launched her own energy drink. Also, Langley is the face of American Eagle’s Spring and Summer denim campaigns. Another perk of stardom is performing renditions of your own songs on The Tonight Show, performed by none other than a high-profile Hollywood star.

During a segment on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the host refers to an audience suggestion box. A fan requested Langley’s chart-topping hit, “Choosin’ Texas”. Fallon brilliantly enlisted actor Matthew McConaughey and indie folk band The Last Bison. Together, they delivered a bluegrass cover of the No. 1 hit song.

How mCCONAUGHEY WAS THE PERFECT FIT

Matthew McConaughey is a notable Texas resident, raised in the Lone Star State and currently living in Austin. He’s a leading public figure in Texas as the owner of Austin FC, the city’s professional soccer club. The actor is also a professor at the University of Texas and is often seen at sporting events supporting the school.

Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” is about a guy from Texas. In the song, she attempts to get the guy to fall in love with Tennessee. This plan fails when he runs into an old flame from Texas. McConaughey is famously known for his Texas accent, so his rendition of the No. 1 song is a perfect pairing. Jimmy Fallon himself joins in, singing along while playing a washboard. McConaughey is strumming a mandolin, while The Last Bison provides a complete bluegrass backing band.

Langley took to social media, sharing the cover on her Instagram story with the caption “I may never recover from this”. As if Langley’s hit needs any more help holding the top position, this viral rendition gives it an extra boost to maintain its placement.

Matthew McConaughey’s upcoming rural crime thriller The Rivals of Amziah King hits theaters later this month.

Photo by: Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images

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By 1996, hardcore punk was revitalized, and pop-punk was emerging. It was a turning point in the history of punk music in the US. The late 90s and early 2000s would see many different punk styles. In 1996, the heart of punk was still echoing the bands of the 1980s. Here are 3 no-skip punk albums turning 30 this year.

‘everything sucks’ by descendents

Descendents were at the forefront of the hardcore punk movement in the late 70s, representing the California scene. These pioneers released four defining punk albums throughout the 1980s, before vocalist Milo Aukerman left the group in 1987. The rest of Descendents went on under the name All until Aukerman’s return in 1996. Their fifth album, Everything Sucks, saw the band return to their more aggressive hardcore punk side from their early years. It peaked at No. 4 on the US Heatseekers Albums chart in 1996.

‘less talk, more rock’ by propagandhi

Their second album was also the last to feature bassist John K. Samson. Notably, Samson went on to find his own success as the frontman of the indie rock band the Weakerthans. The album served as a confrontation, calling out “jocks” and “bros” disguised as punk rockers. It’s a defining skate punk album in Canadian punk. They brilliantly blended skate punk and melodic hardcore, which would be heavily influential on bands of the late 90s and early 2000s.

‘h2O’ by H2O

H2O is a punk band that is closely associated with the New York City punk scene. Vocalist Toby Morse was a roadie for Sick of It All when he got the courage to front his own band. He would often join Sick of It All on stage during encores. This lit a fire inside him, and H2O was formed soon after. Throughout 1995 and 1996, H20 toured the East Coast extensively and opened for bands such as Rancid and No Doubt. Their 1996 self-titled debut reflected the city’s hardcore punk scene. In the coming years, they would open for the Misfits and Sick of It All and also join the Vans Warped Tour. H20 is among the most influential punk bands of the next decade of music. In Paramore’s music video “That’s What You Get”, Hayley Williams is seen wearing an H2O hoodie.

Photo by Lorne Thomson/Redferns

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