DISCLAIMER: In the following list I will be exposing my true passion for late '90s and early 2000s pop culture, paying homage to some sadly forgotten tunes from that era, and giving you the bare bones of a fantastic throwback playlist on Spotify.
For my inexplicable and obsessive passion, I’m sorry; for everyone else, you’re welcome.
“I’m with You,” Avril Lavigne: Do you wanna reminisce on your nine-year-old angst? Then give this an obligatory listen. You will not regret it.
“Beep,” The Pussycat Dolls: As a seven-year-old, this was the first ever song I downloaded on iTunes, along with Fergie’s “London Bridge.” Needless to say, I was jamming out until my mom got home and put major parental controls on my account. Take a listen for all the seven-year-olds who couldn't.
“London Bridge,” Fergie: See above.
“Too Little, Too Late,” JoJo: WHAT HAPPENED TO JOJO??? SHE GAVE AN OSCAR-WORTHY PERFORMANCE IN AQUAMARINE, RELEASED HIGH-QUALITY TUNES, AND THEN ALTOGETHER DISAPPEARED? HER CAMEO IN G.B.F. DOESN’T COUNT, FYI. If you miss JoJo and relate to my all-caps anger over her disappearance, listen to her music—it’s actually really good.
“C’est la Vie,” B*Witched: Don’t know how I know this song. But it was in some movie. Let me break down their sound: Spice Girls + Teletubbies = B*Witched. But funnily enough, they’re pretty good.
“Independent Women Pt. I,”Destiny’s Child: The OG feminists, Destiny’s Child, muse on important topics to a catchy beat with Queen Bey at the helm. Do you need any other reasons to listen?
The entire "Freaky Friday"(2003) soundtrack: I’m not kidding. Do you wanna hear Chad Michael Murray (ALSO WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM POST-"ONE TREE HILL." SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME) belt out “Hit Me Baby One More Time?” Did you forget about classic bangers like “Ultimate” and “Take Me Away?” Don’t let yourself forget. Listen to pre-coked out LiLo belt it out and admit she was probably more talented than Hilary Duff.
“Jump to The Rhythm,” Jordan Pruitt: WHAT HAPPENED TO JORDAN PRUIT??? This is not a case nearly as big as JoJo’s or CMM’s, but important to touch on nonetheless. For those of you who don’t remember Ms. Pruitt, she had approximately four random music videos that would play in between shows on Disney. This particular song was crafted for the often-forgotten Disney D-COM smash that was Jump In! with Corbin Bleu and Keke Palmer.
“No Diggity,” Blackstreet: Did I learn this song because of the riff-off in "Pitch Perfect?" Yes. Does that make me a basic white girl? Definitely. Does that give you a reason to not listen? NO.
“Juliet,” LMNT: This song is the early 2000s. It is the complete summation of music you heard from ages five to 10. It is glorious. It is perfection.
You should have approximately eight different YouTube tabs opened right now. If so, I have done my job. If not, at least have a solo dance party to “London Bridge.” You won’t regret it.
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