The Cobrasnake

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Read more: 15 best punk albums of 2004, from Green Day to My Chemical Romance

“Complicated” – Avril Lavigne

We’re kicking things off with the breakup song that was the go-to anthem for every teen who got their heart broken. To be fair, this is one of Avril Lavigne’s greatest hits for a good reason, with a killer hook and a vocal that makes you want to scream at the top of your lungs. It might not be as, well, complicated as the title implies, but the emotional scars here are bulletproof.

“California” – Phantom Planet

Any kid who dreamed of leaving their small town can probably read the lyrics to this song like the back of their hand. While the band first started to catch fire in the late ‘90s, it wasn’t until the next few years that they released an anthem for this next generation. Even though most of us can only dream of California, the journey is always the first step, and this song gives you hope that it’s going to be a blast.

“Stacy’s Mom” – Fountains of Wayne

It’s a damn shame that Fountains of Wayne never broke out like most of their pop-rock peers. If they had to be known for just a handful of songs, though, “Stacy’s Mom” is still perfect for the tween age crowd, toeing the line between being a kid’s fantasy and ‘60s pop rock. Sure, it might not be the most enlightening song in the world, but there’s enough sweetness in this song to give you a sugar rush.

“Without Me” – Eminem

Granted, not everything in the 2000s had to be happy-go-lucky all the time. There were more than a few smartasses in the room, and we all knew every single line in this song, like Em taking a shot at the FCC and calling himself one of the unsung heroes of hip-hop. The public was ready to call him the villain of music, but wouldn’t we be missing something if Slim wasn’t on the charts?

“Get Ur Freak On” – Missy Elliott

In the grand tradition of women rappers, Missy Elliott still seems to get overlooked at the turn of the century. Things are looking up now. Artists such as Lizzo and Cardi B are building off the template that Elliott set with this song, complete with a sticky hook that will never leave your head. Along with some amazing production from Timbaland (whose hands are all over our musical memories), this was when bangers started to get more artsy.

“I Gotta Feeling” – Black Eyed Peas

The career trajectory of Black Eyed Peas has been odd. From Fergie collaborating with rock stars to Will.i.am to turning to acting toward the end of the decade, music has seemed to be a back seat for the past few years. For a brief moment, though, they captured lightning in a bottle on “I Gotta Feeling,” having nonstop energy in the chorus and keeping the party going all night long. After getting to the end of the decade, this was one of the last big parties before we fell into the 2010s.

“Feel Good Inc.” – Gorillaz

The 2000s was a bizarre time to be on MTV. In between the different pop-punk and nü-metal videos, you also had Eminem becoming the biggest star in the world and acts that felt like cartoon characters. So why not groove to actual cartoons in the meantime, especially with a bassline that slaps this hard? Most of this shouldn’t go together as well as it does, from 2-D’s verses to the floating chorus and De La Soul’s guest verse. ConsideringMurdoc is known to be a demon, there’s got to be some dark magic behind this tune’s catchiness.

“Dirty Little Secret” – The All-American Rejects

In between pop punk’s revival, can we also bring back the amazing soundtrack songs? Without fail in the 2000s, there would always be teen dramedies coming out with unstoppable songs on the soundtrack. This was one of the best, especially with the great guitar line and Tyson Ritter’s chorus hammering it into your chest. Even as the credits roll, you’ll still be screaming this song at the top of your lungs. 

“Find Your Love” – Drake

You forgot that Drake had been around for this long, didn’t you? Thanks to his classic period on Degrassi, Mr. Graham was already coming up with some amazing bars on his mixtapes, but his R&B side was always the best look. With production from Kanye West, this is the kind of smooth lover man we needed a lot more of around this time. Usher can’t hold that mantle alone, so we might as well get it from this artist out of Toronto. 

“Hey Ya!” – OutKast

For most of the songs on this list, you can really tell which decade they came from. “Hey Ya!” isn’t one of them. Even though Big Boi and Andre 3000 were drifting apart, OutKast came together for one of the single greatest pop songs of the decade, with infectious energy and dark lyrics once you read further into it. We’ve been shaking it like a Polaroid picture ever since.

“Crazy In Love” (feat. JAY-Z) – Beyoncé

Remember that time when people were worried about Beyoncé being in the shadow of Destiny’s Child? Such innocent times back then. This song turned her into a star, with those sampled horns blasting out of the speakers and JAY-Z delivering one of his greatest guest verses at the time. Hell, the whole thing sounds like an announcement of royalty, as it should. Queen Bey had officially arrived. 

“The Anthem” – Good Charlotte

During the TRL era of rock, Good Charlotte were just the kind of band that most of us wanted to hear, singing about not growing up to be your parents and doing whatever the hell you want. The feeling that this song conjures is one that we’ll remember forever.

“The Middle” – Jimmy Eat World

The 2000s weren’t always the most comfortable years of our lives. Growing up is scary, and sometimes you need someone like Jimmy Eat World to make you come to your senses. Aside from the kickass guitar solo, this is the ultimate example of pop-punk bands nailing the chorus, taking three chords and telling us all the words we needed to hear at the time. Things might not look good now, but we’ll be OK. 

“Drive” – Incubus

In the wake of 9/11, things became serious fast, with no real end in sight. Then we get this quiet acoustic jam that gives us a bit of optimism in between all the dread. The Iraq War was about to kick into high gear, and this wasn’t going to soothe the wound, but it at least gave us comfort. Tomorrow’s going to bring a lot of baggage, but we at least have friends beside us.

“That’s What You Get” – Paramore

“Misery Business” may have been the soundtrack to the fantasy that most teens wanted at the time, but this is by far the most grown-up scenario, with Hayley Williams showing this guy what happens when he lets his heart make the decision instead of his head. Sure, pop punk was called whiny, but this was an example of its maturity.

“Sugar, We’re Goin Down” – Fall Out Boy

This is where the emo pop-punk scene started to kick into high gear. Back when we all had fringe haircuts and song titles were obnoxiously long. In between the fashion, though, Fall Out Boy captured every single emotion we had in this song and stole our hearts anyway. No matter what kind of mood you’re in at the time, the minute you throw this on at emo night, the singalong is going to be deafening. 

“Helena” – My Chemical Romance

It’s not like the naysayers were wrong about emo being melodramatic. The melodrama was part of the genre’s charm from day one. Though a couple of years shy of The Black Parade, Gerard Way was already one hell of a frontman and aimed straight for our hearts on this song, being an ode to his late grandmother. This isn’t just a banger, though; this is the song for the grand finale because you know that nothing is going to top it. 

“Check Yes Juliet” – We The Kings

There seem to be conflicting arguments from the scene community about when everything started to fade. While there are people claiming that things were over by 2006, allow us to raise you this song, with one of the most unstoppable choruses about young love. This was the kind of music that had Bruce Springsteen-level ambitions, arriving right as most of us were venturing out into the real world. 

“The Great Escape” – Boys Like Girls

You have to remember that pop punk was not always about being whiny and sad all the time. Pop isn’t a dirty word in this genre, and Boys Like Girls knew the appeal of going for something more catchy on their first handful of breakout singles. Though a song such as “Thunder” was a more straightforward love song, “The Great Escape” is the kind of track that puts you right back in the late 2000s and getting a little bit too rowdy. Emo had its place at the time, but punk was still about having fun too.

“Bring Me To Life” – Evanescence 

Before you say it, yes, this song has been meme-ed to death. Yes, it can be melodramatic to look back on. But this song gave us all of the anger we needed at the time, from Amy Lee’s breathtaking voice to the hip-hop verses that you still likely know all the words to. Of all the other songs on this list, this is the kind of tune that takes all of the teenage angst we felt at the time and puts it into one neat package.

What started as a label that guaranteed to bring listeners incredible ska records transformed with the addition of alternative bands such as Fall Out Boy, the Academy Is… and Cobra Starship. From 1996 to the present, Fueled By Ramen has continued to build on its discography with the latest and greatest alternative music has to offer. Most recently, the label signed up-and-comers Meet Me @ The Altar, whose anthems of empowerment have carved out a path for women in pop punk, punk and emo. For 25 years, Fueled By Ramen has highlighted the most important, influential and inspirational voices in the industry and has no intentions of stopping. Here are the best albums Fueled By Ramen has released over the past 25 years.

Read more: Here are the top 50 ‘Punk Goes Pop’ covers of all time

The Hippos – Forget The World 

The Hippos’ debut album, Forget The World, is filled with clean vocals, classic punk instrumentation and the horns familiar to ska music. They were the perfect addition to Fueled By Ramen’s growing list of artists and musicians. The Hippos situated the label as one started by two people who embraced alternative music, with an incredible amount of devotion in uplifting them. Forget The World opened up various avenues for the label as well as the band that offered nothing but forward momentum.

The Stereo – Three Hundred

The ’90s was one of the greatest decades for alternative music, as bands such as the Stereo blended various subgenres under the alternative umbrella to create a sound all their own. It’s most evident on their 1999 record, Three Hundred, which includes emo-leaning lyrics in songs such as the title track and a mixture of raw as well as clean vocals familiar to pop-rock.

Less Than Jake – Pezcore 

Being that Fiorello co-founded Fueled By Ramen, it’s no surprise that Less Than Jake released a totally remixed and remastered version of their highly influential album Pezcore in 2002. The ska-punk band have been recognized for their longstanding commitment to their unique sound. Pezcore in particular features classic ska-punk instrumentation, with songs that have even become synonymous with the genre such as “Liquor Store” and “Throw The Brick.”

Fall Out Boy – Take This To Your Grave

Before Fall Out Boy grew into the alternative superstars they are today, the band released their first record through Fueled By Ramen, Take This To Your Grave, in 2003. With the addition of Fall Out Boy to the label’s lineup came a new wave of alternative music that would become one of the most iconic for emo and pop punk. Take This To Your Grave includes hits such as “Saturday” and “Dead On Arrival.” 

The Academy Is… – Almost Here

When the Academy Is… released their debut album, Almost Here, under Fueled By Ramen in 2005, it was entirely different from anything the label had previously released. William Beckett’s vocality alongside clean instrumentation mixed with emotionally driven lyrics made the Academy Is… one of the most recognizable voices in the mid-2000s emo scene. It’s perhaps their greatest album to date and one that’s consistently featured at emo nights.

Panic! At The Disco – A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out (2005)

A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out has stood the test of time since Panic! At The Disco debuted the record under Fueled By Ramen in 2005. They single-handedly produced one of the most quoted emo songs of all time, “I Write Sins Not Tragedies.” Panic! At The Disco provided an entirely new sound to the alternative music genre. The band’s theatrics mixed with the literary and cinematic significance of their lyrics opened up an entirely new world for both the label and the scene. With so many successes such as Panic! At The Disco, the Academy Is…, Less Than Jake and Fall Out Boy, Fueled By Ramen swiftly grew into a recognizable label.

Gym Class Heroes – As Cruel As School Children (2006)

Gym Class Heroes’ rap-rock sound shined through on As Cruel As School Children. They completely embraced the culture with tracks such as “New Friend Request” and “7 Weeks.” As Cruel As School Children explores the cruelty of adulthood with funk and soul elements, which earned it the rightful certified gold status it has received since its 2006 release.

The Hush Sound – Like Vines

The Hush Sound’s Like Vines is a classic indie album that showcases how alternative music was changing from an early-to-mid-2000s sound. They embraced sadness while blending it with hopeful instrumentals. While the Hush Sound question life in “We Intertwined,” the seriousness of their lyrics is featured alongside uplifting riffs and even a brass section. It’s a remarkable album that highlights the importance of variety and exploration of genres for the Fueled By Ramen lineup.

Cute Is What We Aim For – The Same Old Blood Rush With A New Touch

Cute Is What We Aim For initially gained fame for their presence on Myspace, which led them to Fueled By Ramen. While critical reception of The Same Old Blood Rush With A New Touch was less than ideal, songs such as “The Curse Of Curves” have become essential tracks on emo throwback playlists and are enjoyed by elder emos everywhere.

Cobra Starship – ¡Viva La Cobra!

Cobra Starship’s second studio album, ¡Viva La Cobra!, has an electropop-driven sound, with alternative and punk qualities that uplift the devil-may-care attitude of their lyrics. In “Guilty Pleasure,” they recognize that the world could end at any time, but they’ll be the ones “throwing the party.” The 2007 album is a total exploration of genres that blends typical electro-pop with hip-hop and punk sensibilities. In a sense, ¡Viva La Cobra! serves as an example of how alternative music can span every major genre and subgenre.

Paramore – Riot! 

Paramore’s Riot! took the band, and especially lead vocalist Hayley Williams, to the top of the alternative music charts. It’s widely listened to by fans to this day and remains one of the greatest albums they’ve ever released. With tracks such as “That’s What You Get” featuring gut-wrenching lyrics of heartbreak and “crushcrushcrush” offering a much heavier and independent tone, Riot! showcases Paramore’s exploration of various sounds as well as their ability to master them.

Phantom Planet – Raise The Dead 

Phantom Planet’s fourth studio album, Raise The Dead, features one of their most popular songs, “Do The Panic.” On that record, the band possess a classic alternative-rock sound that carries on from track to track. While other bands were experimenting with new sounds, Phantom Planet were refining theirs and with impeccable results on Raise The Dead.

The Cab – Whisper War 

Produced by Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump, the Cab’s Whisper War was a highly anticipated release for Fueled By Ramen. Considering the support from alums who are known as alternative music elders (Stump and Brendon Urie), Whisper War was destined for success. Both the pop-punk and power-pop sounds of the album were incredibly unique to the label at the time.

This Providence – Who Are You Now? 

This Providence’s Who Are You Now? is an alternative-rock album that highlights their talents wholeheartedly. Its release was so highly anticipated that Travie McCoy and Hayley Williams (among many others) hyped its arrival to their fans. Who Are You Now? afforded them the opportunity to tour with bands such as the Bigger Lights and Anarbor, who were incredibly popular at the time. Its emotional roller coaster of lyrics mixed with hopefulness as they near their dissolution makes This Providence’s 2009 effort a well-rounded work of art despite being their final studio LP.

VersaEmerge – Fixed At Zero 

VersaEmerge signed with Fueled By Ramen in 2008 and released their first, as well as their only, studio album under the label two years later. Fixed At Zero featured a new style of familiar sounds that explored alternative rock and imagery found in the lyricism of scene music. While its contents are dark, it has a remarkably upbeat tempo supported by Sierra Kusterbeck’s incredible vocals. Despite the fact that fans never received a follow-up studio album, Fixed At Zero remains one of the greatest released under the label.

fun. – Some Nights

In 2012, fun.’s title track from their album Some Nights as well as the single “We Are Young” became two of the songs that defined the summer. They played on several radio stations and catapulted the band toward astounding success. It may have been their second studio album, but it was their first under Fueled By Ramen. While the band were apprehensive at first, it proved to be a fruitful partnership, as both fun. and Some Nights became fixtures of summer celebrations and, now, fond memories.

twenty one pilots – Vessel 

twenty one pilots’ third album, Vessel, was released in 2013 and became their first major-label effort. Across the album, the duo blend alternative rock with hip-hop, electropop and indie. Vessel offers such a diverse tracklist that it comes as no surprise that every song has received gold, platinum or multi-platinum certifications by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Vessel is the epitome of what makes Fueled By Ramen so great—an array of genres in the alternative living under one umbrella.

Young The Giant – Mind Over Matter

Young The Giant’s 2014 album, Mind Over Matter, has a classic indie-rock sound with smooth vocals and punchy instrumentation. While the band started as a predominantly indie ensemble, Mind Over Matter showcases that they still have room to grow and explore as musicians. Each track is incredibly emotional and has the capability of affecting every listener in a unique, powerful way.

The Front Bottoms – Back On Top 

As the Front Bottoms continue to grow as a band, as does their sound. On their 2015 album, Back On Top, the group prove that they’ve matured a lot since the days of Talon Of The Hawk. The album features tighter instrumentation, a fuller sound and fully realized concepts of heartbreak, frustration and more. While “West Virginia” is an upbeat anthem of finding oneself after devastation, “Summer Shandy” celebrates friendship and all its joys.

Against The Current – In Our Bones 

Against The Current’s debut album, In Our Bones, possesses an unforgettable pop-rock sound, with captivating vocals by Chrissy Costanza alongside the talents of fellow band members Will Ferri and Dan Gow. Their incredible online presence and the support of Fueled By Ramen ushered in a wealth of fans for the growing band and assisted in making In Our Bones one of the most exciting releases of the 2010s.

All Time Low – Last Young Renegade 

For over a decade, All Time Low’s pop-punk sound has dominated the scene. Surprisingly, their seventh album, Last Young Renegade, is the first to be released under Fueled By Ramen. In true All Time Low fashion, put out an album that proves that they’re a tour de force of pop-punk musicality, and it grows even more refined with every listen.

nothing,nowhere. – ruiner 

Released in 2018, nothing,nowhere. (aka Joe Mulherin) released his heartfelt album ruiner. It features the pressures of the music industry mixed with personal stressors and emotional distress. Fueled By Ramen’s roots in the alternative genre, especially emo, shine through on the title track, as Mulherin sings, “I know what it’s like when you never leave your home” alongside soft instrumentals.

flor – ley lines 

The alternative/indie sound of flor’s ley lines is reminiscent of the days when Death Cab For Cutie tracks ruled the iPod Shuffle. Their vocals are soft and subtle while the instrumentation is methodical and captivating. As flor have grown as musicians, they’ve fully transformed on ley lines with a much more grown-up sound. It certainly seems like they’ve found their footing with Fueled By Ramen supporting them.

E^ST – I’M DOING IT 

The debut album from E^ST, I’M DOING IT, comes from the mind of Melisa Bester. The Australian singer draws from indie pop to create a sense of naivety in navigating situations as one grows older. The uniqueness of her voice as well as the heart behind her lyrics makes I’M DOING IT one of the greatest albums to be released under Fueled By Ramen in the past 25 years.

MisterWives – SUPERBLOOM 

In 2020, Fueled By Ramen’s lineup is far more diverse than ever before. With MisterWives’ impeccable indie-pop lyricism and sound on SUPERBLOOM, they’ve expanded into nearly every genre imaginable. It contains incredibly cheery instrumentation that shines through in cuts such as the title track and “decide to be happy.” With an uplifting message, MisterWives’ SUPERBLOOM perfectly captures the bright future that Fueled By Ramen has right in front of them.

There was something so anticlimactic about that, and that’s because TV fans aren’t accustomed to this kind of rip-off. When an episode of a series is described along the lines of “the gang goes to see (insert band here) in concert and chaos ensues,” we expect said band to not only be in the episode but to perform, too. No Peach Pit After Dark required. Here are 15 times they did.

Read more: These 10 SST Records releases defined ’80s punk and beyond

Anthrax – Married… With Children 

The earliest entry on the list, this episode of the groundbreaking Fox comedy aired all the way back in 1992, and, admittedly, the thrash-metal pioneers barely performed. But in “My Dinner With Anthrax,” said performance was never promised. It’s right there in the title: dinner with Anthrax. And any fan of the show knows a hot meal is hard to come by at the Bundy residence, so they just wind up trashing the place, right along with Christina Applegate’s Kelly, who won the titular contest. Interestingly, the episode took place only a few years after MTV held a contest where the winner would get just that: No, not dinner; Anthrax trashing their home. Art imitating life at its finest. 

Boyz II Men – The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air 

On this standout episode of Will Smith sitcom The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, being the big shot from Philly he never stopped claiming to be—for six seasons—Will promises he can get Philadelphia’s a cappella princes to perform at a Christmas Eve christening. And does! Hey, they did have a Christmas record out at the time, 1993’s Christmas Interpretations. They had to promote it, right? Curiously, the Christmas record came out hot on the heels of their debut. While fans eagerly awaited their sophomore release, they opted for a Christmas compilation instead. But the wait for that next record would prove worth it, as II scored Boyz II Men two Grammys. 

En Vogue – A Different World 

The catch with the sultry R&B group’s appearance on NBC’s A Different World was that the quartet didn’t appear as En Vogue. Sure, they brought down the house with one of their biggest hits (“Free Your Mind”), but they did it as the nerdy grandnieces of first-time club owner Vernon Gaines (Lou Myers). He bought it at the behest of series regular Ron Johnson (Darryl M. Bell), also a newbie in the nightclub biz. The big, bulky glasses and other nebbish accouterments did little to hide the knockout factor, but that was part of the gag: giving these hymn-singing grandnieces tips on how to sling your hips, only for them to catch on real fast, was ’90s high jinks at its best. The only thing missing from the 1993 episode was one of them breaking the fourth wall and just winking at the audience.

Digable Planets – In Living Color 

That same year, Digable Planets lit the In Living Color stage up; no small feat considering the Fly Girls did it on the regular. Plus, the riotous Fox comedy rotated some seriously notable live acts such as Queen Latifah, Public Enemy with Ice Cube, Mary J. Blige, Naughty By Nature and more. Digable served up “Rebirth Of Slick (Cool Like Dat)” just right, earning themselves a slot on many a best-of special regarding the series and lists highlighting the show’s live performances. What’s really noteworthy is that Digable performed the tune prior to their debut record even being released, and the song went on to score them a Grammy. 

Juliana Hatfield – My So-Called Life 

Juliana Hatfield was all the rage circa 1994, and so was the will they or won’t they as it pertained to Angela Chase and Jordan Catalano in My So-Called Life. The latter, played by eventual Oscar-winner Jared Leto, would prove much more than teen magazine cover boy in record time (pun intended, as his fronting of Thirty Seconds To Mars was just a few years off), even if this fantastic show was somehow canceled after only one season. Star Claire Danes would be on the silver screen opposite Leo DiCaprio (in Romeo + Juliet of all things) in just a couple of years, but for a minute, in ’94, this small screen Romeo & Juliet stopped down from Catalano’s songwriting long enough for Hatfield to play a homeless teen who can really play. 

The Flaming Lips – Beverly Hills, 90210 

Like we said, the Peach Pit After Dark was the place to perform if you were coming up in the ’90s. Booker Steve Sanders could spot talent a mile away. You just had to steer clear of the nights that Ray Pruit was owning the stage with songs such as “How Do You Talk To An Angel.” The Flaming Lips might just go down as the band that gave 90210 its proper street cred, even if this writer is partial to the lilting performance the Corrs gave in another episode. The Oklahoma rockers were actually booked by Valerie Malone (Tiffani Thiessen) and later commented about their performing the hit “She Don’t Use Jelly” on the show as being a bucket list type of thing to do because it was “absurd and funny.” Despite the episode this took place on, 1995’s “Love Hurts,” it was.   

Powerman 5000 – Beverly Hills, 90210 

Another excellent 90210 artist cameo is Powerman 5000’s the following year, on 1996’s “The Big Hurt.” 5000 don’t perform at the Peach Pit After Dark and are a secondary storyline to Tara kidnapping Kelly for a “bestie murder-suicide.” The rockers were just coming off a successful stint on the second stage for Ozzfest when approached to be part of a storyline, where fledgling video director Donna Martin (who almost didn’t graduate high school) shoots the video for their hit single “Strike The Match.”

10,000 Maniacs – Sabrina The Teenage Witch 

In season 2 of Sabrina The Teenage Witch, 10,000 Maniacs performed their hit “Rainy Day.” This TV appearance is interesting in many ways, especially as the Maniacs brought legit street cred to a decidedly different Sabrina than the one we got on Netflix. The catch is, this was after Natalie Merchant left the band, with replacement Mary Ramsey out front. From Love Among The Ruins, “Rainy Day” was one of two well-received singles, with the other being a cover of Roxy Music’s classic “More Than This.” It’s an underrated album in the band’s catalog, but Maniacs’ presence on the soundtrack to the lighthearted sitcom really lends credence to it. 

The Cranberries – Charmed 

Man, wouldn’t “Zombie” have not only been fitting on Charmed but also simply rocked? Even “Linger” would have worked on so many levels. But in 1999, fans of the series—or of the band who tuned in to the episode—got the Irish rockers performing “Just My Imagination” on the episode “She’s A Man, Baby, A Man!” Yes, that was actually the name of the episode, and the storyline completely reflects it. Middle witch sister Piper buying a San Francisco nightclub, the P3, ultimately only invited more danger into the coven. Aaron Spelling’s Charmed had its truly dark, even frightening episodes, and then others that were complete camp. This was a unique outing where it was somewhere between the two, with the Cranberries playing, the glorious Dolores O’Riordan out front, promptly stealing the show from a dancing Alyssa Milano.  

Bif Naked – Buffy The Vampire Slayer 

Bif with Buff! Rarely ever less than 100% entertaining, Buffy The Vampire Slayer brought on Bif Naked to perform at a UC Sunnydale party in a season 4 episode in 1999. What’s more, they didn’t do the age-old less than half the song before returning to the story arch thing. The Canadian singer-songwriter performed a staggering three songs on the episode: “Moment Of Weakness,” “Anything” and “Lucky.” All three songs off I Bificus, she taped the episode smack dab in the middle of her biggest tour to date, across Canada. But only one track, “Lucky,” made it onto the hit series’ official soundtrack. 

Avril Lavigne – Sabrina The Teenage Witch 

Melissa Joan Hart’s Sabrina had a table right up front (and lethargically mouthed the lyrics) as Avril Lavigne rocked out to her anthem “Sk8er Boi” to a room full of curiously seated young people in season 7 of the WB mega-hit. It was a hit-meeting-hit moment, wherein the ascending Canadian rocker deemed TV’s most popular witch worthy of her awesomeness. In “Bada-Ping!,” the rock star is being blackmailed by gangsters, and Sabrina winds up in both the same predicament and at the concert where Lavigne performs. Fortunately, it’s all sewn up in a record 22 minutes, witchcraft notwithstanding. 

Smash Mouth – Charmed 

Performing at KQSF’s raucous (by Spelling standards) Beach Bash in the season 6 premiere of the series, Smash Mouth served up their latest single, “You Are My Number One,” off the 2003 release, Get The Picture?, to a group of oiled-up beach bums. No, technically they didn’t perform at P3 (like, say, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo), but they did have to sign on the dotted line with Piper just the same. The Halliwell sisters didn’t get to have fun dancing the night away like they did when the Cranberries played either, but it was still obtained ratings. “Valhalley Of The Dolls: Part 1” did what Charmed did best: kicked off a new season with a cliffhanger. 

Death Cab For Cutie – The O.C. 

The Fox smash hit had a thing for existential alt-rockers Death Cab For Cutie, and why wouldn’t they? They had their own Holden Caulfield in the existential Seth Cohen (played impeccably by Adam Brody). Surely he’d gravitate more to the band behind “We Have The Facts And We’re Voting Yes” and “Transatlanticism” than the more straight-forward Phantom Planet, who offered up that infectious theme song, “California.” Cohen has a death grip on Death Cab, constantly referencing them and quoting lyrics, many times while sitting beneath the poster of them that graced his bedroom wall. The Seattle band’s music made its way onto the show many a time before the band physically did when they performed “Title And Registration” and “The Sound Of Settling” at The Bait Shop toward the end of the second season.   

Sonic Youth – Gossip Girl 

Thurston Moore let it be known that he was down with Gossip Girl (presently in the throes of its own reboot) when he recorded a Ramones cover (“Sheena Is A Punk Rocker”) specifically for the show. That’s all it took for all of Sonic Youth to be invited onto the show during its third season. It was heavily promoted, and in all the right places, largely due to it being so not Sonic Youth. They did an acoustic cover of their hit “Starpower,” which added to the already considerable gravitas. Sure, they’d already lent their voices to an episode of The Simpsons, but everyone says yes to The Simpsons, and there was even a curious Gilmore Girls appearance, but this was a big deal. They may not be Chuck Bass, but they are Sonic Youth. 

No Doubt – Gossip Girl 

What makes Orange County ska/rock royalty No Doubt’s performance on Gossip Girl easily one of the most memorable “bands performing on a TV series” moments on this list is that they’re performing at a funky club on the outskirts of their usual Manhattan stomping grounds, and it’s an ’80s-themed night. What’s more, they trot out a killer rendition of the Adam & The Ants ’80s opus “Stand And Deliver,” a staple on MTV during its formative years. That fact was probably lost on many of those watching at home, as is the fact that the song title inspired a hit ’80s flick of the same name. Still, it was 2009. Gwen Stefani was back with the boys, prepping for their reunion record of sorts, Push And Shove, and we haven’t gotten any new No Doubt since. Hey baby, we’re ready.

Read more: 20 underrated punk albums that should be considered classics

Here are 10 artists who traded in their musical glory to try something new or switch directions to go down a brand-new career path.

Patrick Foley

As It Is drummer Patrick Foley has had a fantastic run with the band but recently shared that he’s leaving to become a firefighter. “If I was ever gonna step away from something as special as playing drums in a band, it would have to be something as equally special in my head which is putting myself on the line for other people,” he shared in a statement. His bandmates are supportive of his decision and tweeted: “We could not be more proud of him (and are keeping him on speed dial for when we next use pyro in a live show).”

Greg Graffin

Bad Religion‘s Dr. Greg Graffin, while not officially quitting the music world, did get heavily into the world of academics and writing. He has a Ph.D. in zoology from Cornell and wrote his dissertation on evolution and its relationship with religion. As an evolutionary biologist, he has written books, given lectures and even received a Rushdie Award for Cultural Humanism in 2008 from the Harvard Humanist Chaplaincy.

Jason Schwartzman

Yes, we’re referring to Hollywood movie star Jason Schwartzman. If you’re not a superfan of Phantom Planet, you may have not known that Schwartzman co-founded and played drums with the band in 1994 and stayed until 2003. He left to pursue acting, and you can now see him in many Wes Anderson films, including Fantastic Mr. Fox, Rushmore and more. He’s also in the cult classic comedy Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World.

David Lee Roth

David Lee Roth parted ways with Van Halen for only a short time when he pursued work as a paramedic in 2004. In an interview with The Guardian, Roth shared, “I probably have over 200 911 calls on my ticket in the last six years alone. I live a very different life away from music.” Even though he reunited with the band in 2007, he’s a state-licensed EMT in New York.

Terry Chimes

Terry Chimes, former drummer for the Clash, Black Sabbath, Hanoi Rocks and more, found his new calling in 1994 when he became a chiropractor with his own Essex-based office, Chimes Chiropractic. In 2013, he returned to the music scene when he joined the English/Swedish supergroup the Crunch.

Dave Rowntree

Blur‘s hit record and title track for Parklife was a major release for the world of Britpop and rock. Now, you can find former drummer Dave Rowntree in the world of politics serving in the Norfolk County Council, where he’s a representative for the Labour Party. Undoubtedly, this English rocker is fighting for progressive values.

Dan Spitz

Anthrax guitarist and co-founder Dan Spitz isn’t just a guitar virtuoso—he’s now a master watchmaker. After devoting years of his life on the road, he was ready to settle down and spend time with family. Spitz is also a third-generation watchmaker, and his watches cost anywhere from $50,000 to more than $2 million.

Alan Donohoe

In 2015, NME interviewed several indie stars from 2005 to see what they were doing a decade later. They caught up with indie-rock frontman for the Rakes Alan Donohoe, who decided that tech was his calling. According to the interview, he’s now a software developer in Brighton and shared, “I’d enjoyed writing music that people connected with, but this work provides an intellectual challenge that music lacked.”

Dee Snider

Dee Snider is best known for his eccentric and energetic performances fronting Twisted Sister. As Snider aged, he didn’t entirely leave music behind. Instead, he went on to become a successful radio DJ, podcaster and narrator for shows such as Breaking The Band. He even did voice-over work on SpongeBob SquarePants and as video game villain Gol Acheron for Jak And Daxter: The Precursor Legacy. Needless to say, Snider has kept busy outside of live touring.

Now, an unlikely contestant is joining the ranks as Sesame Street’s Big Bird will somehow be competing in the upcoming season.

Read more: ‘Sesame Street’ puppeteer settles Grover F-bomb debate

The series is entering its fifth season, and they just announced the contenders for the upcoming shows.

In the teaser, series commentator Chrissy Teigen daydreams a music video-like scene where host LL Cool J and more lip sync to Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock’s “It Takes Two.”

The lineup reveal is peppered in between the choreography. The announcements include: Darren Criss vs. Jermaine Dupri, Andy Roddick vs. Brooklyn Decker, social media star Lele Pons (who appeared on blink-182’s “She’s Out Of Her Mind” video) vs Prince Royce and finally, the cast of Queer Eye.

However, one of the most interesting lineups include actor/musician Jason Schwartzman, who is Rooney’s Robert Schwartzman’s brother and formerly Phantom Planet’s drummer.

Schwartzman was part of Phantom Planet’s lineup during the release of one of the band’s most iconic tracks, “California,” which doubled as The O.C.’s theme song. The track is taken from their 2002 full-length The Guest.

He has also appeared in several iconic films such as Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Moonrise Kingdom, Rushmore and more.

Schwartzman, who also appeared on a 2011 episode of Sesame Street, is slated to battle with Big Bird. It’s sure to be quite an interesting matchup as the Sesame Street mainstay will be the show’s first costumed character.

Lip Sync Battle returns Jan. 17 at p.m. EST. Check out the full trailer below.

What do you think of Lip Sync Battle’s upcoming lineup? Sound off in the comments below!

See more: The 11 most punk films of all time

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Read more: 12 musicians pick their favorite TV show of all time

Phantom Planet – “California”

When: Every season
Why it’s iconic: There is only one way to kick off a list talking about music on The O.C., and that’s with the track that began each show.

The All-American Rejects – “Swing, Swing”

When: Season 1, episode 1
Why it’s iconic: It was a peak mid-2000s move to have the Rejects be the soundtrack to Seth and Ryan jumping in the back of a jeep to go to a classmate’s party.

Fountains Of Wayne – “All Kinds Of Time”

When: Season 1, episode 5
Why it’s iconic: After being dragged to a party and missing his date with Marissa, Ryan makes it up to her with a poolside makeup date. The hang sesh delves into deep conversation and the eventual end up in the pool with all of your clothes on scenario, making this somber Fountains Of Wayne track the perfect choice.

Yellowcard – “Way Away”

When: Season 1, episode 5
Why it’s iconic: This one was a treat for those who caught the episode live in 2003 as Yellowcard premiered their video for “Way Away” on a commercial break. While you won’t be able to relive the moment while binge watching the series on Hulu, it totally counts as a memorable moment as this was Yellowcard’s first single from Ocean Avenue.

OK Go – “You’re So Damn Hot”

When: Season 1, episode 6
Why it’s iconic: Seth’s grandfather has a new girlfriend, and as if viewers couldn’t already read everyone’s mind, this OK Go track comes in with the assist as the woman in question exits a pool in slow motion.

Something Corporate – “Space”

When: Season 1, episode 7
Why it’s iconic: Like Yellowcard, Something Corporate premiered their video during a commercial break. The debut landed a month ahead of SoCo’s third LP North, which would also end up being their last.

Alkaline Trio – “We’ve Had Enough”

When: Season 1, episode 14
Why it’s iconic: With Seth’s parents out for a New Year’s Eve dinner, his aunt, Hailey, decides to throw a party. As it quickly grows out of control and with the desire to head to a party of their own, Seth and Ryan search the rager for Hailey to shut it down as the super appropriate “We’ve Had Enough” blares over the speakers.

Rooney performance

When: Season 1, episode 15
Why it’s iconic: Rooney were a token indie band for mid-2000s teen entertainment having also appeared as Fly Paper in 2001’s The Princess Diaries. Fast-forward three years where the group became the first of many bands to perform on The O.C., tackling originals such as “I’m Shakin’” and “Popstars.”

Beastie Boys – “Ch-Check It Out”

When: Season 1, episode 26
Why it’s iconic: Seth’s grandfather is getting married to Marissa’s mother (only in The O.C.), which means there have to be epic bachelor and bachelorette parties respectively. The guys choose Vegas, and the Beastie Boys blaring in the background is truly the only way to roll up to a hotel in a limo. The track plays again later as Ryan successfully wins a game of cards.

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Fall Out Boy, “Grand Theft Autumn/Where Is Your Boy”
Fall Out Boy’s most popular video while on Fueled By Ramen, the clip actually became more popular—just like Take This To Your Grave did—after the release of the band’s major-label debut, From Under The Cork Tree.

Panic! At The Disco, “I Write Sins, Not Tragedies”
Panic! At The Disco’s first music video showed how unique the band was, while showcasing their theatrical aspects as well.

Cobra Starship, “Snakes On A Plane”
Long before the group specialized in dancefloor-ready tunes, Cobra Starship penned the official theme for the movie Snakes On A Plane. The video is also notable for its guest appearances from Travie McCoy of Gym Class Hereoes, Maja Ivarsson of the Sounds and William Beckett of the Academy Is…

Gym Class Heroes, “Cupid’s Chokehold”
The video and song that broke Gym Class Heroes into the mainstream, the song (and clip) feature Patrick Stump, while McCoy’s former girlfriend, Katy Perry, also makes an appearance in the video.

This Providence, “My Beautiful Rescue”

A beautiful-looking video and concept, this This Providence clip is as memorable as the song.

The Academy Is…, “The Phrase That Pays”
Featuring actress Brittany Snow, the clip for “The Phrase That Pays” still keeps people guessing: To this day, a lot of people still wonder what Beckett says to the nurse after the first chorus.

Phantom Planet, “Lonely Day”
The video for one of Phantom Planet’s earlier songs has a futuristic, cartoon vibe: Frontman Alex Greenwald comes down from space in a nice car and arrives to perform with the rest of his band.

The Cab, “Take My Hand (Remix)”
This video is for the remix of the song, and not the original album version, which is why it features Hey Monday’s Cassadee Pope.

Make sure to check out the band this spring supporting Dear and the Headlights, dates for which can be found on the band’s myspace. You can also check them on a short California tour with Lenka, with dates as follows:

Miniature Tigers / Lenka Tour Dates:

1/15/09: San Francisco CA – The Independent

1/16/09: Modesto CA – Modesto Virtual

1/17/09: Sat Santa Barbara CA – SoHo