Pop Rock Favorites Songbook Series

Are you a fellow lover of Pop Rock hits from the 1990s and 2000s? Come join the party and explore the Pop Rock Favorites Songbook Series featuring piano solo arrangements by Jennifer Eklund.

This post is part one of the Pop Rock Favorites Songbook Series.
Pop Rock Favorites Songbook Series

Pop Rock Favorites Songbook Series:

I love Pop Rock music from the 1990s, 2000s, and some 2010s sprinkled in. This series features songs that highlight hits from the genre.


What is the Pop Rock genre?

In the 1990s, pop rock reached new heights of popularity with the emergence of bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Foo Fighters, who infused elements of punk, alternative rock, and grunge into their music. These bands dominated the airwaves with their raw energy, angst-filled lyrics, and distorted guitar-driven sound. Meanwhile, artists like Alanis Morissette and No Doubt brought a more melodic and commercially accessible approach to pop rock, blending catchy hooks with confessional songwriting.

As the decade progressed, pop rock continued to evolve, incorporating influences from electronic music, hip-hop, and R&B. Bands like Matchbox Twenty, Third Eye Blind, and Goo Goo Dolls emerged with radio-friendly hits characterized by polished production, catchy melodies, and relatable lyrics.

In the 2000s, pop rock underwent further transformation with the advent of emo and pop punk, genres that emphasized emotional vulnerability and energetic performances. Bands like Green Day, Blink-182, and Fall Out Boy gained mainstream success with their anthemic choruses, catchy riffs, and introspective lyrics, attracting a dedicated following of fans drawn to their rebellious spirit and DIY ethos.

Additionally, female artists like Avril Lavigne and Kelly Clarkson emerged as prominent figures in the pop rock landscape, blending punk attitude with pop polish to create empowering anthems that resonated with a generation of listeners. Meanwhile, bands like Maroon 5 and The Killers infused pop rock with funk, soul, and dance influences, expanding the genre’s sonic palette and appeal.

Overall, the pop rock genre in the 1990s and 2000s was characterized by its diversity, ranging from grunge-inspired angst to infectious pop hooks, and from introspective emo ballads to high-energy punk anthems. This period witnessed the convergence of various musical styles and cultural influences, resulting in a rich tapestry of sounds that continues to shape contemporary pop music.


This series of articles will include:

  1. An overview of each songbook in the series including links to each individual song and a video playlist of all the songs in each volume.

  2. Featured Favorites: this is where I highlight some of my personal favorites from each volume. Roll down memory lane and watch original music videos of my favorites and learn more about these hits.

Hopefully this series will help you discover some new tunes along the way!


👋 Do you have a Pop Rock favorite? Drop us a comment and let us know!



Jennifer Eklund
Written by Jennifer Eklund
Jennifer Eklund holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in music from California State University, Long Beach. She is an avid arranger, composer, and author of the Piano Pronto® method books series as well as a wide variety of supplemental songbooks. She is also a Signature Artist with Musicnotes.com with a large catalog of popular music titles for musicians of all levels.

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