Queen of pop-punk Avril Lavigne has been entertaining us with her rebellious music and edgy style for over two decades. As she celebrates her 40th birthday, let’s take a look back at her top 10 tracks that have made her a household name. From heart-breaking songs to energetic ballads, these songs have captured the hearts of millions of people around the world.
10. When you’re gone
Starting with this tearjerker, which was released in 2007 as the second single from the album The Best Damn Thing. The song has a serious acoustic tone and is driven by piano and synth energy. A perfect way to express the feelings of being away from the one who brings a smile to your face: “And when I’m alone the days feel like years,” Avril sings.
9. Bite me
Avril released Bite Me in November 2021, featuring renowned musician and head of her record company Travis Barker. They brought back their iconic pop-punk sound with this lead single from their seventh album, Love Sucks. The song is about self-discovery and knowing what you want and deserve. It features a beat-heavy tempo to go along with the song’s E-flat major production.
8. There is no one at home
Nobody’s Home was co-written with former Evanescence guitarist Ben Moody and was released as the third single from Lavigne’s 2004 album Under My Skin. The track has a raw and honest touch. It’s about the lasting feelings of betrayal in life and how they can leave you feeling sad and broken. The song received positive commercial and critical responses, peaking at #41 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
7. Don’t tell me
Don’t Tell Me was released in 2004 and featured on her second studio album, Under My Skin. The acoustic effect of the song is catchy and keeps you hooked. Surprisingly, it peaked at number 22 on the US Billboard charts and was somewhat of a flop. It did not gain much popularity on MTV or radio. Fortunately, both the following singles were huge hits.
6. I am with you
I’m With You was released to radio in 2002 as the third single from Avril Lavigne’s debut album, Let Go. One of his slower songs, it expresses the isolated existence of an individual. The song was nominated for a 2004 Grammy Award in both the Song of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance categories, while it peaked at #4 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
5. Girlfriend
Another track from her third studio album, Girlfriend, was Lavigne’s first song to reach the top spot on the US Billboard Hot 100, achieving worldwide commercial success. In the song, the main character declares after developing a crush on someone that she should become his girlfriend who is already in a relationship. “You’re so good, I want you mine; you’re so delicious / I think about you all the time,” Avril sings.
4. complex
Complicated is a song that feels like it came straight from Avril Lavigne’s soul with its pop influences and catchy chorus. The song’s message is about the complexities of life and identity, where Avril wished for people to see more than just one side of her. The track sold 1.1 million copies in the US and peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
3. Sk8er Boi
One of the songs that cemented Lavigne’s pop career is Sk8er Boi. The song tells the story of the singer’s rocker boyfriend and her teenage crush in high school, who rejected her because she was a ballet dancer and he rode a skateboard. “He was a boy / She was a girl / Can I make it any clearer? / He was a punk / She did ballet,” are some of the iconic lyrics of this masterpiece.
2. hold on
Shortlisted for the 79th Academy Awards, Keep Holding On charted on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart for 21 weeks, peaking at number seventeen. Lavigne’s signature rebellious singing style is present in this song, as she sings, “With you, I will fight and defend.” The soaring vocals about love and commitment, along with beautiful strings and strumming guitar harmonies, blend perfectly into a masterpiece.
1. My Happy Ending
My Happy Ending was released as the second single from their second studio album and became one of their top 10 hits in the US. The song reflects Avril’s frustration towards a relationship, and expresses her anger without being too confrontational. She flawlessly combines piano and electric guitar, boosting the hook in the chorus as she sings, “You were everything, everything / All I wanted (All I wanted) / We were meant to be, meant to be / But we lost it (we lost it).”
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