Matchbox Twenty is an American rock band originally formed in 1995. They started life as a post-grunge/alt rock group but have transitioned into a more pop-rock sound. As of writing, they have released just five studio albums in the 28 years since they formed.
Fronted by vocalist Rob Thomas, the group have sold over 22 million albums worldwide, with each of their first 3 albums being certified platinum in the US. Like many bands, they’ve had their tough times with a 3-year hiatus in 2004, spurred on by the departure of rhythm guitarist Adam Gaynor.
Since reuniting in ‘07, only two studio albums have been released and prior to the unprecedented events of 2020 they had all but sworn off releasing anything new.
Of course, the music industry makes hypocrites of everyone and they released their fifth album in 2023. The question is, did they peak early or have they aged like a fine wine? Let’s take a look with a deep dive into the best Matchbox Twenty songs.
Best Matchbox 20 Songs – Top 10
10. She’s So Mean
I’m not one to ruin anybody’s guessing game, but this is the only song released since 2010 to make this list. That’s not to say their newer stuff isn’t good, it just hasn’t hit the mainstream like earlier releases. Subsequently, songs from those records have struggled to make a real dent in the memories of casual fans. Except for “She’s So Mean”.
The first single from the bands 2012 album North, this song has a much more uptempo, pop beat to what fans had gotten used to in the early noughties. The natural venomous tone of Rob’s voice helps ease that transition though.
Plus, the nature of the song being about a quote “The wrong kind of girls we’ve probably all dated.” Strangely, despite the majority of the band being married for at least a decade prior to this song’s conception, they pretty much nailed it.
It’s fun and grasps a hold of you, not letting go until it wants to and when it finally does you just want to go back for more . . . the song’s quite good too.
9. Long Day
“Long Day” was the band’s first ever single, so they started strongly for it to make the list. Its jam packed with that classic post-grunge, radio rock feel that was all over the scene at the time, but this song managed to make it out alive.
Personally, I absolutely love this song and upon first listening it’s easy to see why. The near spoken-word, acoustic intro manages to be interesting but memorable after just one go around. The chorus is much the same, albeit laced with heavier riffing and Rob’s iconic gravelled, whiney voice.
The heavily distorted guitar solo towards the two-minute mark is just fantastic too, reminiscent of the RHCP “Dani California” solo which came nearly a decade later.
8. Bright Lights
The third single of the bands third album, the third entry in this list is “Bright Lights”. A song that starts life as a poignant piano ballad about a woman leaving everything behind to pursue a glittering, Hollywood career.
Then, as the narrator assures her she can always come back home, the rest of the band kicks in. Building slowly to a gorgeous early 2000s soft rock chorus, before we feel the real anguish of the narrator who’s been left behind.
Rob and the gang really flex their conceptual muscles in this track, both musically and lyrically.
7. Real World
“Real World” is another example of the band straying from the norm when it comes to the story of their songs.
With more of an escapist theme, we explore the mind of someone who will imagine any situation to keep the real world away. The underlying meaning is a simple one: when you break it down, be yourself and it’ll be alright.
Away from the existential nature of the lyrics, it’s exactly what you’d expect from MB20. An alt rock hit with a nice repetitive droning riff and a deep, throbbing bassline. Not to mention a wonderfully semi-distorted solo in the middle as a nice cherry on top.
6. How Far We’ve Come
“How Far We’ve Come” isn’t actually from a studio album. It was the lead single and opening track of the bands ‘07 greatest hits/new EP album Exile on Mainstream.
Right from the top you’re hit with a jumping, joyous drum beat which contrasts massively with the lyrical content. Whilst we’re on a lovely, happy adventure with the instruments, Rob is talking us through what seems to be doomsday.
Sounds dramatic, but it works. We’ve seen it many times before, the happy song with sad lyrics, and whilst they’re not overly sad these words certainly do point you in the direction of self-reflection. Or maybe I’m reading too far into it.
5. If You’re Gone
“If You’re Gone” is definitely one of the most emotionally charged songs in MB20’s arsenal. Though it may at first appear cynical or bitter, Rob revealed that he wrote it soon after he met his future wife.
He said it “exemplified the vulnerability” he felt at the time, “being in love but not knowing what the future holds.” It turns out the future was bright in every single way it could’ve been when it came to this song.
Now four times platinum in the US, this calming acoustic ballad has been a mainstay on setlists, playlists and radio shows since its September 2000 release.
It always helps to write from a perspective that is universally experienced, but it’s never as easy as the most successful bands make it seem.
4. Bent
Another single from the band’s 2000 sophomore album, Mad Season, “Bent” charted in almost every country it could.
More of a classic rock song, it features all you could ever desire from a song of this era. The riffing is stellar throughout and partners perfectly with the tight drum sound. With a quick, repetitive bassline and Rob’s classic raspy yet clean vocals layered inbetween too.
But they take it further with this song, a whirring guitar sound in the pre-chorus and plenty of 80s style synth in the chorus truly makes this song a time capsule for the new millennia.
Honourable Mentions
Part of me wanted to give in and make this a 20-song list but I persevered. That means there’s LOTS of honourable mentions though.
- Rest Stop (Mad Season – 2000)
- Back 2 Good (Yourself or Someone Like You – 1996)
- Disease (More Than You Think You Are – 2002)
- Mad Season (Mad Season – 2000)
- You Won’t Be Mine (Mad Season – 2000)
- Busted (Yourself or Someone Like You – 1996)
- Soul (More Than You Think You Are – 2002)
3. Unwell
“Unwell” is a song that gets more and more relevant by the minute. Preaching the idea that it’s ok to be not ok sometimes, the song talks of countless scenarios. Situations where the outside world wouldn’t understand. In today’s mental health centric world, these words can and likely will resonate with almost everyone.
Musically the group have parcelled their positive, progressive message in a lovely soft/alt rock ballad style sound. A mixture of distorted riffing, distant organ playing and an enticing banjo lead role really pulls everything together.
It can be tough to make a powerful message like that palatable for the mainstream but MB20 have shown time and time again they can.
2. 3AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUVWzvFYk0k
A few entries ago I called “If You’re Gone” one of the most emotional songs the band has ever written, but “3AM”. takes the flowers in that battle. It is a deeply personal song written about Rob’s experiences as a young teen living with his mother who was suffering from cancer.
Though he has commented on the theme of the song, he also said he was glad nobody had picked up on that meaning previously, saying it helped keep the universal feel and appeal to the wider world.
The studio version of the song is a fantastic soft rock/acoustic ballad. It’s easy to sing along with and is almost fun, despite the deeper meaning to it.
Live is where it really comes into its own however, predominantly played by just Rob and his trusty piano. You can really lose yourself to the poignant melody and heavy lyrics. I’ll make sure to attach the exact version I’m thinking of so you can see for yourself.
1. Push
I’m certain that in all previous top 10 artist lists I’ve done, it’s got to this point, and we’ve all known what was coming next, but I think MB20 are a little different in that respect.
Unlike The Darkness or Nickelback or Bon Jovi, they don’t have one stand-out, marquee song. You could ask five different fans their favourite and you’d likely get five different answers, but for me “Push” has taken the crown.
Another single from the band’s debut album, Yourself or Someone Like You, “Push” reached the top 7 in six different US charts, not to mention its success across Europe and Canada. Like many of the band’s singles from this period, it was certified platinum three times in the US and has nearly 400 million streams worldwide.
Away from the numbers, “Push” is about the turmoil of being in an emotionally abusive relationship. Rob drew from his own experiences of love on the rocks when writing this track and because of that, his vocals have a real raw feel to them.
Best MB20 Songs – Final Thoughts
Whether you agree or disagree with this list, we hope you enjoyed this look over some of the best songs from this brilliant band. If you enjoyed this list, why not check out some of our other top 10’s such as the 10 best Nickelback songs. Have a great day!