(KFDX/KJTL) — The year 2004 was a significant one in American culture. Mark Zuckerberg launched Facebook. Microsoft released “Halo 2.” The show “Friends” came to an end after 10 seasons on the air. The Boston Red Sox broke an 86-year-old curse and won the World Series.
2004 was also a significant year for music.
Wanting to go in a new direction after winning the debut season of “American Idol,” Kelly Clarkson released her second studio album, “Breakaway,” in 2004, which sold over 12 million copies and eventually earned the artist her first two Grammys.
Gwen Stefani, the face of the popular rock group “No Doubt,” released her first solo album, diving deeper into the pop genre.
After making a name for himself as a ground-breaking producer, Kanye West (who now goes by just Ye) proved himself to be an equally capable rapper, releasing his first album, “The College Dropout,” which launched him into stardom.
Pop punk and emo were at the peak of their popularity, spawning singles that would make an impact on the radio charts.
Add a few one-hit wonders and some all-star collaborations, and it’s easy to see why 2004 is a year in music that arguably defined a generation.
Below are just a few of the songs released in 2004, making 2024 the year they turn 20 years old:
- “1985” — Bowling for Soup
- “Accidentally In Love” — Counting Crows
- “All Falls Down” — Kanye West feat. Shyleena Johnson
- “American Idiot” — Green Day
- “Confessions, Pt. 2” — Usher
- “Drop It Like It’s Hot” — Snoop Dogg feat. Pharrell
- “Float On” — Modest Mouse
- “Gasolina” — Daddy Yankee
- “Goodies” — Ciara feat. Petey Pablo
- “Heaven” — Los Lonely Boys
- “Hollaback Girl” — Gwen Stefani
- “Leave (Get Out)” — JoJo
- “Let Me Love You” — Mario
- “Live Like You Were Dying” — Tim McGraw
- “I’m Not Okay (I Promise)” — My Chemical Romance
- “Mr. Brightside” — The Killers
- “My Happy Ending” — Avril Lavigne
- “On The Way Down” — Ryan Cabrera
- “Over And Over” — Nelly feat. Tim McGraw
- “Pieces of Me” — Ashlee Simpson
- “Redneck Woman” — Gretchen Wilson
- “Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy)” — Big & Rich
- “Since U Been Gone” — Kelly Clarkson
- “The Reason” — Hoobastank
- “Vertigo” — U2
- “Yeah” — Usher feat. Lil Jon and Ludacris