3 Early 2000s Hits That Have Become Staples of the Grocery Store

Many millennials will remember when these songs were among the biggest hits in their heyday. These hits defined early 2000s pop culture, dominating radio airwaves.

Now, as millennials are in their 30s and older, these hits dominate the grocery store overhead PA. Somehow, these 2000s hits have become staples of the grocery store.

“unwell” by matchbox twenty

Released as the second single from Matchbox Twenty‘s sophomore album, More Than You Think You Are, “Unwell” hit No. 1 on the Adult Pop Airplay and Adult Contemporary charts. Additionally, it peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2003. Somewhere along the way, the hit turned into a grocery store staple. Guaranteed, this song is playing in countless grocery stores as I type this. “I’m not crazy / I’m just a little unwell,” and also, we need some milk.

“i’m like a bird” by nelly furtado

Another 2000s hit that became a grocery-store staple along the way is “I’m Like A Bird”. Released in September 2000, Nelly Furtado penned this hit early on in the decade. It peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, but feels like it was a much bigger hit than that. It won Furtado a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and the Juno Award for Single of the Year.

Though Furtado’s debut album, Whoa, Nelly!, was widely successful, she struggled commercially on her sophomore album, Folklore. In 2006, she leaned heavily into pop on her third album, Loose. She redeemed herself as the album went to No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

“this love” by Maroon 5

Initially, Maroon 5’s 2002 debut album, Songs About Jane, was a sleeper hit. Their label re-released the album in October 2003, after which it became a massive success. “This Love” was the second single released and peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. It went to No. 1 on the US Pop Airplay chart and No. 3 on the Adult Contemporary chart.

“This Love” and their follow-up single, “She Will Be Loved”, have both become grocery store staples. They were the band’s original signature tracks, long before their massive pop hits “Payphone”, “Moves Like Jagger”, and “Animals”. Their debut infused more rock into their original sound, later abandoning these elements to tap more into their pop side.

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