Noughties Nostalgia: 2000s Hits That Are Back on TikTok

TikTok has proven to be much more than just a platform for dance challenges and lip-syncing. It is now a full-fledged cultural engine, bringing past and present trends into a space where creativity and nostalgia collide. One of the most fascinating phenomena in 2025 is the unexpected resurgence of 2000s music—those catchy, beat-heavy pop, R&B, and emo anthems many grew up with are finding a second life thanks to a new generation of users who were either toddlers or not even born when these songs first topped the charts.

From Avril Lavigne’s pop-punk hits to Nelly’s smooth hooks, these early-2000s tracks are more than just background music. They are reshaping TikTok’s trending pages, influencing fashion choices, and even inspiring young creators to rediscover the charm of a pre-smartphone era. Here’s a deep dive into why these throwback tracks are making a comeback and which ones you are likely to hear on your For You Page right now.

Why 2000s Music Is Trending Again

The return of 2000s hits is no accident. There are several reasons why this wave of nostalgia has swept across TikTok in 2025.

1. Gen Z and Gen Alpha Are Discovering Them for the First Time

For younger users, songs from the early 2000s offer a sense of novelty. These tracks sound different from the slick, hyper-polished pop of today. There is a raw energy in early-2000s music—an era before algorithm-driven playlists shaped how music was produced and consumed.

TikTok creators often stumble upon these songs while exploring old iPods, retro YouTube playlists, or even watching Y2K-themed movies. Once one track goes viral, it creates a domino effect that drives further exploration.

2. Millennials Are Feeling Nostalgic

For older users who were teens or young adults during the 2000s, this trend offers a trip down memory lane. These songs were the soundtrack to first crushes, school dances, burned CDs, and the rise of social media platforms like MySpace and MSN Messenger.

The TikTok revival gives millennials a chance to relive those memories, but also to connect with younger audiences through shared appreciation. This generational overlap is part of what makes the trend so widespread and engaging.

3. TikTok Loves a Good Hook

Most 2000s hits have one thing in common: an unforgettable hook. Whether it’s the dramatic chorus of a rock ballad or a punchy line from a rap verse, these moments are perfect for short-form content. They are easy to lip-sync to, dance with, and build visual skits around.

Combine that with TikTok’s looping format and it’s no surprise that 2000s music fits right in.

Top 2000s Songs Making a Comeback on TikTok

Let’s look at some of the biggest tracks from the noughties that are trending on TikTok again in 2025:

1. “Complicated” – Avril Lavigne

The ultimate anthem of early-2000s rebellion, “Complicated” has become a viral sound for skits about social awkwardness, fake friendships, and the teenage urge to scream at authority. Gen Z creators are even dressing in throwback skater skirts, tank tops, and checkered wristbands to match the aesthetic of the original music video.

2. “Hot in Herre” – Nelly

This club classic is trending with creators using it for everything from transformation videos to party-themed storytimes. Its unforgettable opening beat instantly sets a playful tone, and many are remixing it with modern beats for mashups that span two decades of style.

3. “Cry Me a River” – Justin Timberlake

With moody lighting and dramatic lip-syncs, this breakup ballad has become the go-to sound for relationship content. TikTokers are using it to recreate imagined drama, reveal breakup stories, or simply bask in the emotional chaos of the early 2000s.

4. “Sk8er Boi” – Avril Lavigne

Avril gets another mention, and deservedly so. “Sk8er Boi” taps into a punk nostalgia that is everywhere on TikTok. It is used in videos celebrating alternative fashion, rebellious attitudes, or storytelling trends that show how people from different social cliques grow up.

5. “Ms. Jackson” – OutKast

OutKast’s timeless hit has returned in the form of storytelling challenges, where users apologize dramatically for petty or hilarious things they’ve done. The chorus is catchy, easy to lip-sync, and loaded with irony—which fits perfectly into TikTok humor.

6. “Milkshake” – Kelis

This 2003 anthem has become part of a playful trend where users showcase their unique traits that make them stand out, often using the song’s iconic hook to flaunt confidence. It has also been adapted into makeup tutorials, outfit reveals, and parody skits.

7. “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” – Panic at the Disco

Pop punk is having a moment, and this song is at the center of it. Known for its theatrical flair and dramatic vocals, it has inspired everything from reenactments of emo concerts to comedic wedding scenes and parody makeup looks.

8. “Hips Don’t Lie” – Shakira

Dance challenges based on this global hit have taken over TikTok, with creators putting a spin on the original choreography or trying to match Shakira’s famous hip moves. It’s also a favorite sound for transformation reels and glow-up videos.

9. “Yeah” – Usher ft. Lil Jon and Ludacris

The ultimate club banger, “Yeah” is back and better than ever. TikTokers are using it in party edits, challenge videos, and nostalgic tributes to early-2000s dance culture. The song’s infectious energy makes it impossible to scroll past.

10. “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” – Green Day

For moodier content, this Green Day track serves as the emotional background to introspective montages, late-night thoughts, and visual storytelling about loneliness or change. Its emotional tone resonates deeply, making it a favorite among creators with a reflective style.

The Aesthetic Revival: More Than Just the Music

The return of 2000s music has sparked a wider revival of the era’s aesthetic. From low-rise jeans to butterfly clips, digital cameras to pixelated filters, TikTok is not only bringing back the sound of the 2000s but the entire vibe.

There are now entire subcommunities focused on curating the Y2K lifestyle. Some influencers exclusively post content styled like it’s 2004—complete with grainy VHS filters, velour tracksuits, and retro fonts. The return of flip phones, wired headphones, and handwritten journals is more than just quirky—it’s a pushback against the hyper-curated digital age.

Why This Matters

Trends like this are not just about revisiting the past. They reflect how people—especially young users—use nostalgia to make sense of the present. In an age of constant change and overwhelming technology, the simplicity and charm of the 2000s offer a kind of emotional comfort.

TikTok, as a platform, is unique in its ability to blend music discovery, personal storytelling, and trend evolution. As users remix the past with modern creativity, they are not just reviving old hits—they are giving them entirely new meaning.

Final Thoughts

The return of 2000s hits on TikTok is more than a trend—it’s a cultural moment. It shows that great music transcends time, and that every generation finds its own way to connect with the art of the past. Whether you’re discovering these songs for the first time or reliving them after years, the nostalgia feels real, fresh, and surprisingly powerful.

So if you hear a familiar guitar riff or a pop chorus from your childhood echoing across your For You Page, don’t scroll past. Hit play, sing along, and let the noughties nostalgia wash over you.