Every college-aged person knows that there are many songs that embody their childhood, from rap to pop and everything in between. Now just between you and me, they are still on my Spotify playlist and I totally jam out to them in the car all the time. Here are just a few that come to mind when I think about my childhood:
1. Britney Spears – "Oops I Did It Again"
Now you had to know that this one would be on the list, because not only is it probably one of the best Britney songs that has ever been shared with the world, but also because you cannot help but sing the title in your head as you think about the song (don’t lie to yourself, because I know that I’m right).
2. "Survivor" – Destiny’s Child
Because girl, who doesn’t love a little pre-Beyoncé Beyoncé and some feel good music for when you go through a bad break up?
3. "Sk8er Boi" – Avril Lavigne
I seriously hope that it’s not just me that blasts that song as loud as possible and sings like my life depends on it when this song comes on, because, dang it, I sure as hell still know all the words to this song by heart.
4. "Hot In Herre" – Nelly
Seriously? It’s a no-brainer. Even your younger siblings know this song, and they probably weren’t alive when it came out, or if they were, they didn’t know what “tak[ing] off all your clothes” meant, besides getting in the bathtub.
5. "Crazy In Love" – Beyoncé ft. Jay-Z
The start to the love story that is still going strong more than 10 years later. Ladies and gentlemen, this was obviously a match made in heaven.
6. "Hey Ya!" – Outkast
If you don’t know this song, stop what you are doing, open a new tab in your browser and listen to it. It will not only get your feet moving, but I guarantee it will put a smile on your face.
7. "Yeah!" – Usher feat. Lil Jon and Ludacris
This was probably the best song of the 2000’s and no one can refute that. I will fight you about it.
8. "Drop It Like It’s Hot" – Snoop Dogg feat. Pharrell Williams
This was the original get down song for me, and maybe you too, but Snoop Dogg and Pharrell not only reached #1 on the charts, but our hearts as well.
9. "Gold Digger" – Kanye West feat. Jamie Foxx
Is this ironic to anyone yet? But you have to admit, the song was great.
10. "Every time We Touch" – Cascada
The beginning to my love of techno and electronic music, thank you very much. Can’t help but move my head a little to this one.
11. "My Humps" – The Black Eyed Peas
If this song doesn’t come on at every karaoke party you go to, you’re doing something seriously wrong. I was singing this with gusto before I knew what it was referring to, and then when I found out, with even more gusto.
12. "Umbrella" – Rihanna
I can’t think about the word umbrella without also thinking “ella, ella, ella, eh!” so that obviously means that our girl Ri Ri did something right.
13. "I Kissed A Girl" – Katy Perry
The start to the reign of the weirdness that is Katy Perry, and it’s hard to think that this was her because everything else is so different, but we have to admit that we loved that she kissed a girl (and liked it).
14. "Party In The USA" – Miley Cyrus
The last of the sweet Miley that we all loved as Hannah Montana. What happened to her, we may never know, but can I say that I don’t mind it as much anymore?
15. "Sexyback" – Justin Timbelake
The original song to end all songs. And it helped us to get over the fact that N'SYNC had broken up.
Maybe this list isn’t every song that you think of that embodies your childhood, but if you can relate to any of these songs on here, you’re doing better than your kid sister still a sophomore in high school, asking who Destiny’s Child was. Remember friends, use your age to educate on the good things from the 2000’s and try not to hold it over their heads, because I promise they won’t look up from their smart device long enough to care anyway.
