Growing up in the early 2000s was one of the best times to be a kid. From the Backstreet Boys to Britney Spears, these artists shaped me and what I listen to today! Many songs from the early 2000s were considered major points in a musicians career or they were one hit wonders. Regardless of what happened to the musician, their music remains forever in the 2000s era. This era has influenced so many artists nowadays in their music and upcoming artists. Here's a list of songs that need to once again reign on the radio stations!
10. "Complicated" by Avril Lavigne
This song was about someone changing who they are to impress other people, only said in Avril's words. This song along with "Sk8er Boi" made her career. This song needs to be on the radio again to remind us of the original Avril before she went all techno pop on us. Not only is this song one of my favorites, but nowadays people are so quick to change who they are and need tough love. The video for this song shows Avril with her guitar playing in a skate park with people skating around her. My favorite part of the video was her attire: jeans, converse, a tank top and a tie; typical Avril. Maybe one day we can be graced with the O.G. queen of the skate park on the radio once more.
9. "Beautiful Soul" by Jesse McCartney
The song that every girl hoped a boy would sing to her. Every now and then this song can be heard in a store. This song put the talented Jesse on the map. He sang this song on the "Suite Life of Zack and Cody." This song was off of his debut album along with "She's No You" and "Because You Live," all songs have been featured on other Disney albums and in other shows. In this song, Jesse confesses his undying love to a girl and saying that all he wants is to be with her and no one other girl. Jesse was of the original heartthrobs that every fan wanted to meet. This song needs to make a triumphant comeback to remind people who have insecurities that someone out there will love you for you and that you're beautiful in every way. Jesse why did you have to give young girls such high hopes?
8. "Independent Women" by Destiny's Child
Although this song is a popular song, in comparison to "Survivor" this song is highly underrated and reduced to small stores in the mall. I didn't actually hear this song until I saw the Charlie's Angels movie. This song is a battle cry for women all over the world to show their independence and to not be afraid of it. This is one of the songs I would consider a pick me up. Whenever me and my friends hangout or decide to go out, this is always a song I love listening to. Not only is the message powerful but there's three women singing it. All the independent women raise your hands up!
7. "I Miss You" by Blink-182
Nowadays, Blink-182 has made a comeback and are currently touring but before all of this they were three punk rock guys. "I Miss You" tells the story of someone missing another person who was important to them in their life. In comparison to "All the Small Things," this is more on the dark side. The video definitely depicts this darkness. It shows Tom, Mark and Travis playing in a room while wearing suits with inter-cuts of random scenes. The video itself is weird and strange, but the song is much more heartbreaking when listening to it. The lyrics "Where are you/ And I'm so sorry/ I can not sleep/ I can not dream tonight" resonates with complete and utter heartbreak. This classic song of love and loss will always remain as one of the saddest break up punk songs. Plus Tom's voice is absolutely haunting in this song and really pulls at the heart strings.
6. "You Found Me" by Kelly Clarkson
This is a personal favorite of mine. The song tells a story of someone being lost and another person who stays with them through tough times and help them gain confidence. Although this song was rarely played, I'm including it on this list because it's song that would gain success and is powerful in it's own right. It's one of the rare jewels that is found on the "Breakaway" album but is overlooked by songs including "Since U Been Gone," "Breakaway" and "Because of You" which are still playing on the radio today. Although the tone of the song is dark, it has a beautiful message behind it. The lyrics "You found me/ When no one else was looking/ How did you know just where I would be?" begin the chorus with a hopeful meaning that no one is ever alone. This song also resonates the impact a singular person can make on someone's life. This was also during the time period when Kelly herself was trying to get out of being an American Idol winner and becoming an actual musician to be taken seriously. This un-found gem needs to be somehow introduced into the mainstream radio and be truly found.
5. "Letterbomb" by Green Day
During the Bush presidency, Green Day released an album entitled "American Idiot" in response to what was going on in the world. Although many great songs including "American Idiot," "Holiday" and "Wake Me Up When September Ends" have come off of the album a personal favorite is "Letterbomb." "Letterbomb" is a break up song that discusses how much a person can take before they decide to leave. The lyrics to this song are creative and ask the listener many questions. For example, the first question Green Day asks is, " Where have all the bastards gone?" The questions asked throughout the song are vague but are something to think about. This song also shows Green Day's musical abilities and Billie Joe's vocals. The radio should definitely drop this bomb into the mainstream media and listeners.
4. "Still Dirrty" by Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera has had a lot of hits and singles over the years. She started as a Disney kid and has grown to (and beyond) her infamous "Dirrty" song and risqué video. The album "Back to Basics" has had hits such as "Ain't No Other Man" and "Candyman." The song "Still Dirrty" is on the album and on Disc 2. This song is a continuation of her single "Dirrty." This song is telling listeners that although I'm a high powered woman, I'm still going to do what I want regardless of what others think. There's so much to love about this song other than the message of being empowered. This song also talks about how there's so much scrutiny in regards to how women dress and how they act. In the lyrics, "Why is a women's sexuality/ Always under so much scrutiny?/Why can't she do exactly what she please/ Without being called a million things?" challenges the negativity around how women behave. Not only was judging a woman based on her clothes and sex life talked about in early 2000s, but it is seen a lot in today's world. Although Christina has had many songs that talk about freeing yourself from judgement, this one is certainly underrated. The radio needs to have a little more "dirty" on the radio once more.
3. "There You Go" by P!nk
Throughout Pink's career, she has undergone many changes not only personally but musically. From "Lady Marmalade" to "Just Like Fire," P!nk has become a household name. "There You Go" was off of her first album, "Can't Take Me Home." Even though this was a single, P!nk finally made it with her album "Mizzundaztood" that included singles such as "Get the Party Started" and "Don't Let Me Get Me." "There You Go" talks about no longer being involved with a person who treats them badly. The song also gives the person who is being abusive ultimatums. An example of this is in the pre-chorus when P!nk says, "So you wanna talk, let's talk/ If you won't talk, I'll walk, yeah it's like that." Throughout the song, it also talks about the freedom of being without a toxic person and in a way mocks the toxic person's behavior. This song needs to come back on radio rotation not only because it's one of Pink's first singles, but because of the fun post-breakup theme it has.
2. "Get Another Boyfriend" by Backstreet Boys
The Backstreet Boys are one of the top boy-bands to ever exist. The music they have made throughout the years has been amazing. As a Backstreet Boys fan since the beginning, I have every album they have made. One of the most underrated albums "Black & Blue" includes songs such as "The Call" and "Shape of My Heart" which are more R&B styled. Another song on this album that has been overlooked is "Get Another Boyfriend." This song talks about telling a girl to leave the guy she is with because he isn't good for her. The song "Treat You Better" by Shawn Mendes has this same meaning. The difference between the two songs, is that in "Get Another Boyfriend" they are encouraging her to leave a bad guy. In the final chorus the last three lines state, "That he's just a player in love (love)/ This must come to an end/ Get another boyfriend." The Backstreet Boys warning a girl about a player should return to the radio stations because their telling her to find someone better. Honestly, the Backstreet Boys need to have more airtime in general because their the Backstreet Boys, but who wouldn't want to hear the Backstreet Boys reign on the radio once more.
1. "Leave (Get Out)" by JoJo
The OG breakup song of 2004. This song not only made JoJo's career, but is a catchy song that everyone knows. Although it is popular, it isn't as popular as it once was. This song made JoJo the youngest person to be nominated at the 2004 MTV Music Video Awards. The music video takes place in a high school in various locations and JoJo is seen wearing cute outfits and singing about an ex leaving. In the lyrics, "Get out, leave right now/ It's the end of you and me/ It's too late now and I can't wait/ For you to be gone." JoJo tells her ex that it's over and I'm happy it is. JoJo basically disappeared for a couple of years because of contract issues, but now she's on tour again. She released three songs and is on the way to making it in the music industry. We'll never forget the young JoJo and the success this song has created for her.
