Whenever I think of middle school, I think of three things: braces, our ugly Lincoln Middle School reversible gym shirts that were so hot, and awkward school dances with boys on one side of the gym and girls on the other.
While I would never want to relive that uncomfortable time in my life, there was one positive came in particular that came out of it: the music. Don't get me wrong, music has evolved a lot since then (and for the better). However, that doesn't mean that if one of these songs were to play on the radio, you wouldn't find me singing (very out of tune) and dancing (uncoordinatedly). With that, maybe give these a listen next time you log into Spotify?
1. “Cyclone” – Baby Bash, T-Pain
I play this song all the time for my roommates/teammates, and every time I do, people will sing and dance with me. It's just one of those songs that the lyrics will forever be engrained in your mind no matter how much time has passed.
2. “Fall for You” – Secondhand Serenade
My middle school version of a love song (if such a thing can even exist).
3. “Take Care (feat. Rihanna)” – Drake
While Drake's recent albums have been spot on, this is still one of my favorite songs he has ever come out with.
4. “Whatever You Like” – T.I.
If there was an anthem to describe my 7th and 8th grade years, this would definitely be it.
5. “Like a G6” – Far East Movement
What even is "slizzard?"
6. “In Da Club” – 50 Cent
Go shawty, it's your birthday.
7. “You Found Me” – The Fray
To be honest, I still listen to this on a regular basis. The Fray is one of those bands that you forget about, and when you re-discover them, you realize how GREAT they are and can't believe you forgot about them to start.
8. “Kiss Kiss” – Chris Brown, T-Pain
Other than the more recent "Five More Hours," I could not tell you the last time I listened to a Chris Brown song. I could still sing every word to this song, though.
9. “Don’t Trust Me” – 3OH!3
My classic example of a song I sang religiously without ever really 1) listening to the lyrics and 2) understanding what they meant or what they could imply. Listening to it now, as I right this article, and I can't help but laugh listening to "Do the Helen Keller and talk with your hips."
10. “Shake it” – Metro Station
Unfortunately, Metro Station no longer exists. Fun fact: the band was formed by Trace Cyrus, Miley Cyrus' brother.
11. “I Kissed a Girl” – Katy Perry
What can I say, I liked the taste of her cherry chapstick.
12. “Love Story” – Taylor Swift
The ironic part of this is that this song came out and became popular right as we were reading Romeo and Juliet during 7th grade Honors Reading and Writing.
13. “Do You Remember” – Jay Sean, Sean Paul, Lil Jon
They must've played this at least once at every dance I went to during my 8th grade year. Nevertheless, still a catchy song all these years later.
14. “Get Low” – Ying Yang Twins
I played this for my college teammates one night, and they immediately shut it down. However, as soon as I changed it to a different song (a new Drake song, if I remember correctly), one of my teammates complained that I had changed the song when she liked it.
15. “I Gotta Feeling” – The Black Eyed Peas
I'm pretty sure this was the theme of our middle school graduation dance. The Black Eyed Peas had a couple of songs off The E.N.D (THE ENERY NEVER DIES) that were played many, many times by my middle school friends and myself on a regular basis.
16. “One Time” – Justin Bieber
The original song from the one and only. Always a fun one to listen to as it features the VERY high pitched voice of a young JB.
17. “TiK ToK” – Ke$ha
Another original. Don't know what Ke$ha has been up to now, but this is how I will forever remember her.
18. “Let it Rock (feat. Lil Wayne)” – Kevin Rudolf
At the time, me getting a copy of this song was very scandalous, and I wanted the explicit version and my parents were not very excited about that.
19. “Womanizer” – Britney Spears
Who doesn't love a little Britney?
20. “Fireflies” – Owl City
One of my favorite songs to this day. Great, laid-back song to listen to at the end of a long day.
Just a few songs to revive some old memories. Some good, some bad... but all jams nonetheless.
