Twee music is loosely defined as whimsical, quirky, and sugary sweet, and few decades mastered the art of twee songs quite like the 2000s. Whether strict twee or somewhere in the opaque, cardigan-clad realm of early 2000s indie pop, these tunes were often youthfully romantic, addictingly catchy, and ripe for use as someone’s Myspace headline.
Here are some of the catchiest, most nostalgia-inducing twee songs from the 2000s. And yes, they will be stuck in your head for the rest of the week after reading this.
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“You and I” by Ingrid Michaelson
Singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson is arguably most known for her 2006 track “The Way I Am.” But we’d argue that her 2008 track “You and I” from her third album, Be OK, is a prime example of early 2000s twee. The song begins with an ode to young, maybe naive, definitely financially unstable romance: Don’t you worry there, my honey. We might not have any money, but we’ve got our love to pay the bills.
The song’s refrain gets even more saccharine as Michaelson daydreams, Let’s get rich and buy our parents homes in the south of France. Let’s get rich and give everybody nice sweaters and teach them how to dance.
“Big City Dreams” by Nevershoutnever!
Few artists captured the sickly sweet, ukulele-powered twee attitude of the early 2000s quite like Nevershoutnever!, an indie rock band fronted by Christofer Drew. His 2008 track “Big City Dreams” was his first breakthrough hit, peaking at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Singles chart. The song encapsulated the longing, nostalgia, and discomfort so familiar when growing up in a small town that you simultaneously love and despise.
It’s bound to get hot in the summer. But the summer is a bummer if you can’t leave this pathetic excuse for a town that holds all your memories, a lifetime of crushes, and your broken dreams.
“Banana Pancakes” by Jack Johnson
Jack Johnson’s 2005 album In Between Dreams offers some of his most career-defining tracks, including “Better Together,” “Sitting, Waiting, Wishing,” and the equal parts cozy and cute “Banana Pancakes.” Johnson infuses reggae style into the escapist love song, inviting the listener to pretend like there’s no world outside, we could pretend it all the time.
In Between Dreams was a career high point for Johnson. The album peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the UK Albums chart. It also received a 2x Platinum certification in the States and an even more impressive 5x Platinum certification in the UK.
“Here (In Your Arms)” by Hellogoodbye
Hellogoodbye’s full-length debut, Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs!, did exceptionally well for a breakthrough record, peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart and No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Here (In Your Arms)” was the lead single off the album and is a perfect example of great twee songs from the 2000s. Wistful romantic lines begging to be on someone’s Myspace profile? Check. Saccharinely sweet vocal and synth delivery? Check.
I like where we are when we drive in your car; I like where we are here. ‘Cause our lips can touch, and our cheeks can brush. Our lips can touch here.
“I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz
Escaping Jason Mraz’s monster hit, “I’m Yours,” in the late 2000s was virtually impossible. Spending a staggering 76 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, the song became ubiquitous with the ukulele-wielding, fedora-wearing, easy-going twee attitude of the end of the decade. Mraz’s unique vocal affectation and goofy, lovesick lyrics made the song an instant classic.
Well, you done done me in, you bet I felt it. I tried to be chill, but you’re so hot that I melted. I fell right through the cracks, and now I’m trying to get back before the cool done run out.
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