It’s been said a time or two that my music library is like getting in a Delorean and traveling back to the early 2000’s. Let’s be honest – for all us 90’s babies, there will never be another period of musical history to bring on the feeling of nostalgia. Also, there’s nothing like a good throwback to get the party really started. With the help of some of my peers, I have assembled a list of 25 songs that were my everything and may also be yours.
“All Star” (1999) – This genius and inspirational Smash Mouth track is an ultimate crowd pleaser. Keep those L’s on your forehead and don’t forget your hit clips at home.
“It Wasn’t Me” (2000) – If you’re asking if my six-year-old self knew all the lyrics to this song, I cannot deny it. But of course, when I say that I knew all the words, I mean I mumbled really well to Shaggy’s lines.
“Aaron’s Party (Come Get It)” (2000) – No party would be complete without this throwback. We can all connect to kids breaking lamps from France and putting those Nikes to the test. (Fun Fact: I got to meet Aaron in his prime and it was life changing.)
“Absolutely (Story of a Girl)” (2000) – If you need a good song for karaoke or a song to get the whole crowd singing, this is it. This infectious song by Nine Days (“Who?” you ask) is very important. DO NOT MISS THE PAUSE.
“Ride Wit Me” (2000) – Take a ride down memory lane with this Nelly jam. **cue the feels**
“Pop” (2001) – It’s not a secret that I’m obsessed with boy bands, and *NSYNC is obviously at the top of the list. “Pop” inspired much of my childhood including embarrassing stints trying to scat like the one and only JT.
“The Call” (2001) – A list of songs from the early 2000’s would be “Incomplete” without some Backstreet Boys. This song was especially contagious.
“Sk8er Boi” (2002) – This Avril Lavigne song single-handedly inspired my phase of transition from preppy ballerina to punk princess.
“Señorita” (2002) – When “Pop” was released, who knew that the break-up of *NSYNC was right around the corner… RIP. However, thanks to JT’s solo career, we have this hit and many others. #blessed The glass is half-full, you know?
“Leave (Get Out)” (2003) – JoJo spoke to the broken hearts of all teenage girls with this track. Sing your heart out.
“Toxic” (2003) – Britney Spears, through all her ups and downs, is a figure of everyone’s childhood and adolescence. “Toxic” is just one hit from the pop superstar. I respect all Britney hits from this era.
“Ignition (Remix)” (2003) – When I chose a song to be my personal birthday song, this was my first choice. Get those bodies rolling and get to the dance floor quick for R. Kelly’s monumental track for college students across the country.
“Why Not” (2003) – Hillary Duff will forever be imbedded in my memory for her songs and her role in this critical period of development. SHE SANG THE THEME SONG FOR LAGUNA BEACH FOR GOODNESS SAKES. “Why Not” came long before YOLO.
“Ocean Avenue” (2003) – It didn’t seem right not to include Yellowcard. Get those air instruments ready to be played.
“1985” (2004) – “Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, way before Nirvana”; you know you know the words.
“There It Go (The Whistle Song)” (2005) – This may be a wildcard for some people, but trust me: once you listen to this song, it will have you swinging those hips like it’s 2005.
Speaking of hips… “Hips Don’t Lie” (2005) – I’m still not sure what Shakira meant when she sang that her “hips don’t lie,” but I’ve been working on making sure my hips are extremely honest ever since this song was released.
“Temperature” (2005) – Three words: middle school dances. Sean Paul is a staple.
“Dirty Little Secret” (2005) – All American Rejects will still have you jumping up and down to this song, probably until you simply can’t anymore.
“Sugar We’re Goin’ Down” (2005) – Fall Out Boy blasted onto the mainstream with this head banger and it brings back fond memories of sharing headphones with friends on school buses.
“Don’t Matter“ (2006) – This was the first song I downloaded on iTunes…
“The Great Escape” (2006) – Boys Like Girls was a catchy band name and this was an even catchier song.
“Crank Dat (Soulja Boy)” (2007) – Before the wobble, before gangnam style, there was the “Crank Dat (Soulja Boy)” dance. You may have suppressed your knowledge of every single move, but that choreography can be tapped again.
“Leavin’” (2008) – Jesse McCartney is one of the most underrated artists of our childhood. This song is a bonafide jam.
“Tipsy” (2009) – This song was about a man, of a certain age, just trying to get “tipsy” at the club with all his friends. Totally kosher. This just also happened to be one of my first ringtones on my prepaid cell phone. Needless to say, my dad wasn’t pleased.
DISCLAIMER: This is not a complete or exclusive list.