We've all been there. You're driving home, shuffling a playlist, or just out shopping and suddenly you hear that song. The song that you loved in middle school. The song that takes you back to dimly-lit dances in the gym and backseat sing-a-longs. Suddenly you remember exactly how you were and what you were thinking the last time you loved that song: gum in your braces, texting on your pink Razor phone, and being head over heals in love with one of the Jonas Brothers.
It's kind of amazing how quickly a series of chords and lyrics can transport you somewhere completely different. These songs have an incredible power over anyone growing up in the 2000s. And now that all of us are rather grown-up, we definitely have come to appreciate these songs for what they are and what they did for us. As soon as you remember them, you'll think of the great times you had in middle school, jokes you had with your best friends, and maybe why you liked your first crush so much.
1. "Get the Party Started": P!nk
Did anyone really understand why P!nk had an exclamation point instead of an i? It didn't matter, though, because you loved it and tried to copy it with the i's in your name. This song was a particular party starter for you and your friends, always pretending you knew the words to the whole song, but really you only know the chorus.
2. "Hot in Herre": Nelly
Admit it: even today when someone says "it's hot in here," your immediate reaction is "so take off all your clothes." Do you realize what year this song came out? 2002. You're still actively quoting a song from 2002.
3. "This Love": Maroon 5
This one you actually do know all of the words to, and you could name at least three other songs on the "Songs about Jane" album that you could belt out at any moment. This is the kind of song you think of when you say "I prefer Maroon 5's early stuff."
4. "Pocket Full of Sunshine": Natasha Bedingfield
So maybe now you just think of "Easy A." But even when you see that scene form "Easy A" you think, "oh my gosh that was me." And if you don't say that, you're lying.
5. "Complicated": Avril Lavine
You didn't even have a bae but you were constantly questioning why they were acting like someone else and making you frustrated.
6. "Live Your Life": T.I. and Rhianna
Even though it was a rather heavy song, with lyrics that you may not have understood until you were older, you knew even then that this song was your jam. You and all of your friends had Rhianna's part down pat.
7. "Get Low": Ying Yang Twins, Lil John, The East Side Boyz
Are you a little embarrassed that you knew this song so well so young? Probably. Were you embarrassed then? Absolutely not. This song works its magic by getting you up and dancing, both then and now.
8. "Stacy's Mom": Fountains of Wayne
This is the throwback song you ask for by name. Everyone has heard it, and everyone loves it. It's the number one way to pump up a crowd or start off a road trip. Truthfully, you feel bad for all the future Stacy's of the world who won't understand why everyone keeps talking to their moms.
9. "Hey There Delilah": Plain White Tee's
Your first slow dance was to this beautiful ballad. Every time you hear it you sway and remember thinking how lucky Delilah was.
10. "Hips Don't Lie": Shakira, Wyclef Jean
Before you were even in Spanish classes you knew how to say "What's your name, beautiful?" thanks to this song. Shakira and her truthful hips have kept you dancing for 10 years. And they're probably not going to stop any time soon.
What is it about particular songs that make us so happy, jumpy, reminiscent and nostalgic? What songs today are going to give you these feelings? In 10 years will you hear "Hotline Bling" and do a lame dance? I don't know! But I'm certainly excited to see!
