Top 10 Nostalgic Songs that Blew Up on MySpace

#10: “Fireflies”

Owl City

This song went crazy in 2009, topping the charts in multiple countries and brightening listeners’ moods all over the place. But the story wouldn’t be complete without MySpace. That’s the platform where Adam Young, a.k.a. Owl City, developed a significant following and was discovered by major record labels. While he was somewhat known before the release of “Fireflies,” particularly thanks to his MySpace following, Owl City’s “Fireflies” took things to a whole other level. It blew up on MySpace, attracting countless new listeners. The song continued to fly to mainstream pop culture greatness. Now, it’s a throwback that many of us can fondly recall the buzz around.

#9: “Smile”

Lily Allen

The buzz kept growing with Lily Allen’s demos posted on MySpace in the mid-2000s. But it was the British singer’s 2006 reggae-pop song “Smile” that cemented itself as a MySpace-era-defining tune. That was her debut single. And after tons of listens on MySpace, it catapulted to a surprising amount of mainstream success. We’re talking a number 1 hit on the U.K. charts. “Smile” also did quite well in other European nations and Australia. But the traction was initially gained online. It took a few months to thrive on radio airwaves.

#8: “Lollipop Luxury”

Jeffree Star

This electropop tune from a polarizing singer was sure to attract a bunch of clicks and comments. Jeffree Star was a very present figure on MySpace in 2007 and 2008. He wasn’t just gaining a large following for his music; in fact, much of the initial interest in him was based on content about his personal life and fashion. But it was his debut single “Lollipop Luxury” that became the most impactful and memorable part of his MySpace legacy. The explicit, edgy tune came out in November of 2008, causing quite the stir on a still uber-popular MySpace at the time.

#7: “I Write Sins Not Tragedies”

Panic! at the Disco

This song peaked at number 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100. But before that, MySpace was a necessary launchpad to get there. Digital sharing was crucial for Panic! at the Disco to become as well-known as it did through their song “I Write Sins Not Tragedies.” The music video won an award for Video of the Year at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards. Fast forward to 2022, and a “Variety” article listed “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” as one of the best emo songs ever. Though many also classify it as pop-punk, alternative rock, baroque pop, and pop rock. Whatever you wanna call it, it proves MySpace-driven music can live on.

#6: “Love Me or Hate Me”

Lady Sovereign

Many people saw this go from their MySpace page to their television screen. In 2006, Lady Sovereign’s “Love Me or Hate Me” picked up so much steam, thanks in large part to the online platform, that it ended up on MTV’s “Total Request Live.” Not only that, but it was the first song by a British artist to ever reach number one on the show. She even performed it on the “Late Show with David Letterman.” Lady Sovereign once said every artist should have a MySpace page, as it could really foster growth in the industry. Oh, how the times have changed!

#5: “The Curse of Curves”

Cute Is What We Aim For

This song took a pop-punk band from MySpace fave to MySpace icon. “The Curse of Curves” by Cute Is What We Aim For came out in April of 2007 as one of three singles on the band’s debut album. It lit up MySpace, becoming one of the most popular emo-pop-punk anthems on the platform. Sure, the band had already posted multiple different demos that initially got users and labels interested in them; but “The Curse of Curves” was the tipping point of full-fledged MySpace superstardom. You could say the song reached the heights they were aiming for.

#4: “I Love U”

Tila Tequila

She’s perhaps one of the most quintessential MySpace artists, considering she joined the year it started and proceeded to gain an unparalleled amount of popularity on the platform. Tila Tequila’s song “I Love U,” produced by Lil Jon, was released without the help of a record label in 2007. But that didn’t stop it from taking off online. It was after Tequila had amassed one and a half million MySpace friends that she really honed in on her solo career, starting with this debut single. With that many people already interested in her content on the site, the song had a legit chance to blow up—and that it did.

#3: “Sugar, We’re Goin Down”

Fall Out Boy

This tune was exemplary of MySpace emo vibes. During the 2000s, Fall Out Boy used MySpace to market their music. And it was the 2005 tune “Sugar, We’re Goin Down” that catapulted them from a growing online presence to the mainstream. The song eventually found its way inside the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. The band’s “Thanks for the Memories” is another example of a song that blew up on MySpace and became a commercial success. But that was two years after “Sugar, We’re Goin Down,” so MySpace wasn’t as crucial to its success as it was for their breakout hit. That’s why “Sugar, We’re Goin Down” gets the spot here.

#2: “Here (In Your Arms)”

Hellogoodbye

Few capture the essence of the heyday of MySpace quite like this song. There’s a reason the British music publication “Kerrang!” characterized Hellogoodbye as a “MySpace” band. The platform was instrumental to their beginnings. “Here (In Your Arms)” was the MySpace anthem that really encapsulated their popularity on the platform. “Dear Jamie... Sincerely Me” could also make a case, given how popular it became in its own right. But we’re giving the edge to “Here (In Your Arms),” as it clearly became the most successful song the band ever made, becoming certified platinum in the U.S. Oh yeah, and Hellogoodbye even performed it live across the US on the MySpace Music Tour in 2007.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Alcohol,” Millionaires

The Defining Breakthrough Tune for the Online-Famous Electropop Girl Group

“I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor,” Arctic Monkeys

The Band’s Debut Single Cemented Their MySpace Legacy & Mainstream Potential

“Beautiful Girls,” Sean Kingston

This Song Became an Instant Sensation on MySpace & Elsewhere in 2007

“Feel Good Inc.,” Gorillaz

This Grammy-Winning Tune Helped Gorillaz Later Become the Most Popular Band on MySpace

“Such Great Heights,” The Postal Service

One of the Popular MySpace Tracks Covered During the Site’s First Ever Live Webcast

#1: “Crank That (Soulja Boy)”

Soulja Boy Tell'em

If this isn’t MySpace-era nostalgia, we don’t know what is. Soulja Boy’s “Crank That” was played everywhere in the late 2000s. It’s one of the most archetypal, memorable throwback songs particularly for young people at the time. It stood atop U.S. charts for seven weeks in the fall of 2007. Not only was it a smash hit song; it was an incredibly popular dance trend too. And MySpace had a lot to do with that. That’s where Soulja Boy first posted the song with dance instructions, inviting people to post videos of themselves dancing along to the tune. Boy, did that catch on. If you still remember the lyrics, dance, or both, you’re not alone.

Which of these MySpace-era songs hits you with the most nostalgia? Let us know in the comments!