While growing up in Philadephia, her father played Bob Dylan and Don McLean songs on the guitar, which served as inspiration to Pink's pursuit of a musical career. Pink is actually a childhood nickname, she allegedly had her pants pulled down as a schoolchild making her blush bright pink, although there are a number of other suggestions as to the name. Moore made her singing debut at the age of 13 with a local rap crew. She was subsequently recruited by MCA Records to complete the line-up of vocal group Basic Instinct. After a short spell in this trio, Moore moved on to another R&B outfit, Choice, who were signed by LaFace Records. Her writing contributions came to the attention of L.A. Reid, who signed her as a solo artist and put her in the studio with the label's leading writer/producers, including Darryl Simmons and the label's co-founder, Babyface. Can't Take Me Home, released in April 2000, included several lame attempts to recapture the spirit of "There You Go", alongside the obligatory R&B diva ballad, "Let Me Let You Know". Nevertheless, "Most Girls" proved another enduringly popular hit single, breaking into the US Top 5 in October.

She enjoyed a transatlantic Top 10 hit in early 2000 with "There You Go", a sassy kiss-off to an ex-boyfriend that gave Pink an important foothold in the older teenage market alongside acts such as TLC and Kelis. Pink moved away from her urban roots on the more successful M!ssundaztood, a harder-edged album which featured several tracks written and produced by her longtime idol, ex-4 Non Blondes leader Linda Perry. The album repeated the commercial success of her debut, and featured the US Top 5 singles, "Get The Party Started" and "Just Like A Pill". The latter provided Pink with her first UK chart-topper. By the end of 2002, she was established as the new face of US pop with her tales of teen angst reflecting a cultural shift away from the wholesome image promoted by singers such as Britney Spears and Mandy Moore. Her 2003 hit with William Orbit "Feel Good Time" heavily sampled "Fresh Garbage", a lost 60s classic from Spirit. The second single, "Most Girls", is seeing the same success as its predecessor, if not more, by shedding light on the money-grubbing tendencies of "most girls." As opposed to most female artists, Pink, prefers to sing about real moments in life and personal experiences, rather than sing romantic ballads.