You think you know the Avril Lavigne story by heart. The tie, the skateboard, the "motherf---ing princess" line from 2007. It's a classic 2000s vibe that never really went away. But if you're still looking at a song list Avril Lavigne created two decades ago as the definitive one, you’re missing about half the picture.
Honestly, her discography is a lot weirder and deeper than just "Complicated" or "Sk8er Boi." Most people stop at the hits. They ignore the mid-career shifts, the battle with Lyme disease that changed her sound, and the recent pop-punk revival that actually saw her teaming up with Travis Barker and Machine Gun Kelly.
What’s Actually on the Setlist in 2026?
If you’ve been to a show lately, specifically on the Greatest Hits Tour, the energy is wild. It’s not just a nostalgia trip for 30-somethings. You’ve got teenagers screaming lyrics to songs that came out before they were born.
The current song list Avril Lavigne performs live is a curated blend of seven different eras. Usually, she kicks things off with "Girlfriend." It's high energy. It's loud. It sets the tone. But then she’ll pivot into "What The Hell" or "Complicated" early on just to get the massive singalongs out of the way.
Here is what the heavy hitters look like on her current rotation:
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- Complicated (The 2002 debut that still pulls the biggest crowd reaction)
- Sk8er Boi (Usually saved for the end of the main set)
- My Happy Ending (The definitive angst anthem from Under My Skin)
- I'm With You (The ballad everyone tries to hit the high notes on and fails)
- Bite Me (The 2021 comeback single that proved she still had that bite)
- Head Above Water (A massive, sweeping piano ballad about her health struggles)
She’s also been known to throw in "Breakaway"—which, if you didn’t know, she actually co-wrote for Kelly Clarkson. Hearing her sing it herself sort of reclaims that piece of pop history. It’s a moment.
The Evolution of the Song List Avril Lavigne Fans Obsess Over
The early 2000s were basically the "Let Go" era. It was all about being "anti-Britney." Her song list back then was raw, slightly under-produced, and filled with tracks like "Losing Grip" and "Unwanted."
Then 2004 hit. Under My Skin moved the needle toward something much darker. "Nobody's Home" is probably one of the saddest songs from that decade. It's about a girl losing her way, and it’s become a cult favorite for fans who prefer her moody side over the "Hey Mickey" style cheerleader chants of her later work.
Fast forward to 2007’s The Best Damn Thing. This is where the pink hair and the "Girlfriend" era took over. It was polarizing. Some fans hated the pivot to bubblegum pop-punk, but you can’t argue with the numbers. "Keep Holding On" from the Eragon soundtrack also dropped around this time, becoming a staple for graduation slideshows for the next ten years.
The Experimental Years
Between 2011 and 2019, things got a bit messy—in a good way. Goodbye Lullaby was mostly acoustic and vulnerable. "Smile" and "What The Hell" were the radio hits, but "Push" and "Goodbye" showed a maturity that caught critics off guard.
Then came the self-titled album in 2013. That's the one with "Hello Kitty." Look, we can be honest: that song was a choice. It was weird, J-pop influenced, and confused a lot of people. But it also has "Give You What You Like," which is arguably one of the best-written songs in her entire catalog. It’s dark, sultry, and sounds nothing like the girl who sang about a skater boy.
The Songs You Probably Forgot Existed
Every artist has those deep cuts that only the "Little Black Stars" (her hardcore fanbase) remember. If you’re building a comprehensive song list Avril Lavigne would be proud of, you have to include the rarities.
- Mobile: A frantic, travel-weary track from her debut.
- Fall to Pieces: The mid-tempo gem from Under My Skin that should have been a much bigger hit.
- Innocence: A beautiful piano piece from her third album that often gets overshadowed by the louder tracks.
- 17: A nostalgia-heavy track from 2013 that feels like a precursor to the current 2000s revival.
- Love It When You Hate Me: Featuring blackbear, this one is a masterclass in modern pop-punk production.
Why the "Love Sux" Era Changed Everything
By 2022, the world was ready for pop-punk again. When Avril signed with Travis Barker's DTA Records, she didn't just return to her roots; she supercharged them.
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The song list Avril Lavigne put together for the Love Sux album is relentless. It’s fast. It’s petty. It’s fun. Songs like "Cannonball" and "Bois Lie" (with MGK) brought a new generation of fans into the fold. It proved she wasn't just a legacy act. She was still a competitor in a genre she helped define.
Critics from Rolling Stone and NME noted that this era felt the most "Avril" she’s been in years. It wasn’t trying to be a radio ballad, and it wasn’t trying to be a dance-pop crossover. It was just loud guitars and catchy hooks.
Essential Next Steps for Fans
If you're looking to dive deeper into the music, don't just stick to the "This Is Avril Lavigne" playlists on streaming services. They usually cycle the same twelve songs.
Start by listening to the 20th Anniversary Edition of Let Go. It includes "Get Over It," which was originally a B-side and captures that 2002 snark perfectly. After that, check out the Greatest Hits album released in 2024. It’s the most efficient way to see how her voice has changed—and how it hasn't—over the last twenty-plus years.
Finally, if you can catch a live date in 2026, do it. The current touring band is tight, the production is massive, and hearing "I'm With You" with ten thousand other people is still one of the most therapeutic experiences in live pop music.
To get the most out of your listening, try organizing her tracks by mood rather than year. Put "Losing Grip," "Bite Me," and "He Wasn't" on a high-energy gym playlist. Keep "Head Above Water," "Nobody's Home," and "When You're Gone" for those rainy days when you just need to feel something.
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Whatever your vibe, there’s plenty of material beyond the radio singles to keep you busy.