You listened to them on a constant loop. You belted them at the top of your lungs while cruising with your best friends. You cried to them after breakups. You did the music-video-rainy-window-pane act with them playing in the background. When gauchos and oversized white tees were in, these were the songs that defined our generation one personalized mixtape at a time.

1. 'Get Low' - Lil Jon& the East Side Boyz (2002)

This was the song that got you banned from school dances! To the windows, to the wall, everyone was letting out their inner crunk. Even when the DJ muted the curse words, the whole crowd was sure to fill in the pause with everyone's favorite line. You know the one.

2. 'Kryptonite' - 3 Doors Down (2000)

This song made you question the true meaning of friendship and love. It's easy to love someone when they're good, but what happens when their bad side is revealed? Will you still call them Super Man? Will you still be their kryptonite?

3. 'Ignition Remix' - R. Kelly (2003)

First thing's first, you weren't trying to be rude. Maybe you knew what "toot toot" and "beep beep" actually meant, maybe you didn't. What is certain is that the beat was funky, hot and fresh out the kitchen.

4. 'Ms. Jackson' - Outkast (2000)

You never really knew what he did to make her daughter cry, but you knew he was fo' real. Did anyone else sing, "ooo," like an owl?

5. 'Hollaback Girl' - Gwen Stefani (2006)

Not only did it get you fired up, it was educational. All thanks are owed to this song for actually teaching kids how to spell bananas. Just like Gwen and the Harajuku girls, you and your gal pals were always ready for a turf war whenever this song was played. You probably made up several dances to it or had it in a cheer routine.

6. 'Ridin'' - Chamillionaire (2005)

They saw you rollin', and they were surely hating! This was the song that you finessed to in your first car with the volume on blast.

7. 'Chasing Cars' - Snow Patrol (2006)

When your world was falling apart, this was the song that found all of the words that you could not. In a time when clarity and space was needed, this was the perfect choice for you to run away from your problems.

8. 'We Belong Together' - Mariah Carey (2005)

You were tossing and turning all over your bed in a fit of despair. Nine times out of 10, you did not have a significant other while listening to this song, but those high notes made you believe that you did!

9. 'Lose Yourself' - Eminem (2002)

This was the track that prepared you for any obstacle. Whether it was before a recital, a soccer match or a jog, the daunting beat combined with Slim Shady's raw voice instantly pumped you up.

10. 'Hot in Herre' - Nelly (2002)

This was the song that defined teen rebellion. It involved heat, sensuality and the removal of clothes, but that only made it more appealing to you. It was sure to take any party to the next level, and it made you want to rock an unnecessary band-aid on your face, too.

8. 'Rockstar' - Nickelback (2005)

This was the only Nickelback song that was acceptable to listen to. It talked about big dreams featuring mansions, babes and mega-bucks! Because of this, it was probably your MySpace song at some point.

9. 'I Write Sins Not Tragedies' - Panic! At the Disco (2006)

You felt like you were in the know about all of the juicy happenings at a wedding of an uncertain groom and his not-so-faithful wife. This song taught you that it's better to pretend that some things are better left unsaid. Gossip could be dangerous, and if you're going to do it, you better close the Goddamn door!

10. 'Bring Me to Life' - Evanescence (2003)

Cue the theatrics. You saved this song for late nights in your bedroom when you performed to an imaginary audience with all of the melodrama and intensity to last you a lifetime. You were going through a stage where you felt like no one could understand you and your complex soul.

11. 'Mr. Brightside' - The Killers (2004)

Jealousy and betrayal come to mind when you think of this 2000s classic. You just couldn't look, for the situation at hand was killing you. The only way to escape it was to come out of your cage.

12. 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams' - Green Day (2004)

The loneliness. The feels. No one could fathom your personal walk through life, and you learned that sometimes the only person you could count on was yourself.

13. 'Oops!... I Did It Again' - Britney Spears (2000)

There were many Britney songs that brought out your inner diva, but this was the one that turned you into a heart breaker. From the "mmm yeah" at the beginning to the latex outfits, Britney led you to renounce your innocence and interest in relationships. Love? Ain't nobody got time for that!

14. 'Where is the Love?' - The Black Eyed Peas (2003)

Perhaps, this was your first push into the realm of politics. The Black Eyed Peas were there to tell you that violence and discrimination were absolutely unacceptable. You learned that love was the answer. Whenever two of your friends got into a fight, this was the song that you'd force them to listen to in order to put things into perspective. It was the soundtrack for any kumbaya moment.

15. 'It Wasn't Me' - Shaggy (2000)

From the counter to the sofa to the bathroom floor, Shaggy took us on a very detailed tour of his infidelity. Though the whole thing was on camera, somehow his titular response ended the whole argument. You convinced us, Shaggy!

16. 'Hips Don't Lie' - Shakira (2005)

Your hips kept no secrets, and it was evident by the way you shook them with Latin flare. This song was always sure to make you dance, but you could never quite replicate Shakira's unique vocals.

17. 'Low' - Flo Rida (2008)

You purchased your first pair of Apple Bottoms, and you had to show everyone at the school dance just how low you could get.

18. 'Crazy In Love' - Beyoncé (2001)

If you didn't know who Beyoncé was before (that's almost impossible), you surely did when she stepped onto the scene as a solo artist with this club banger! You krumped to this with all of your girls to show everyone else who ran things.

19. 'Unwritten' - Natasha Bedingfield (2004)

This song told you that your life could be anything that you made it! It was perfect for dancing in a storm or prancing through a field on a sunny day. You just wanted to embrace the world when this song was playing. On the plus side, it was the theme song for "The Hills!"

20. 'Gold Digger' - Kanye West (2005)

It chronicled sugar baby/sugar daddy relationships, and it was the first time that you were aware of such a situation. You learned real quickly that you ain't messing with no broke, broke.

22. 'Big Girls Don't Cry (Personal)' - Fergie (2006)

You shouted this song to the rooftops! The Dutchess made you feel okay to cry, big girls and big boys alike. Sometimes, you have to leave what you love behind to better yourself, and she couldn't have said it any better.

23. 'A Thousand Miles' - Vanessa Carlton (2001)

This was the quintessential anthem of the 2000s. You were making your way down town, and you proclaimed your love all over the place. You probably weren't doing it whilst riding a piano through the streets. Most likely, you were screaming it at the top of your lungs with your best friends in the car a' la "White Chicks." You were even using finger percussion. What could be better than that?

Honorable Mentions:

"Because of You" - Kelly Clarkson (2004)

"Sk8er Boi" - Avril Lavigne (2002)

"She Will Be Loved" - Maroon 5 (2002)

"Lady Marmalade" - Pink, Mia, Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Missy Elliot (2001)

"Candy Shop" - 50 Cent (2005)

"Yeah!" - Usher, Lil Jon, Ludacris (2004)