Remember those songs that played at your junior high dances? The ones that made you dance awkwardly four feet away from each other? The ones that made you jump up and down off beat in a large group. From Nickelback and Daughtry to Hilary Duff and Avril Lavigne, here are just a few of the classics.
1. "The Reason" - Hoobastank
The dramatic yet heartfelt song that made everyone have twin feelings of heartbreak and contentment. It was the time when you were upset over a relationship you never had, but at the same time the thought of being in one was gross anyway. Man, 2009 was fun.
2. "Mr. Brightside" - The Killers
Cue the fake drums, the air guitar, and let the dramatic meltdown begin. The chorus was the best part because that was when everyone jumped up and down in unison. It was a classic jam at your middle school dance (and it still is).
3. "Girlfriend" - Avril Lavigne
Here's the anthem for that one boy you liked in 6th grade who didn't even have a girlfriend. Better yet, this music video also proved that Avril Lavigne could pull off any hair color.
4. "How to Save a Life" - The Fray
A song that had a sad tune, but still had everyone singing along. This heartfelt song got our junior high selves to tear up. Please play this once on your walk to class or on the car ride home. It's so great.
5. "Pocketful of Sunshine" - Natasha Bedingfield
Throwback to that scene in Easy A when she kept opening the card that played this song. Emma Stone is all of us. Are musical cards still being sent around? If so, I want one that blares Natasha Bedingfield.
6. "So Yesterday" - Hilary Duff
I know this song was overplayed on your portable CD player. In fact, she was the role model for every 13-year-old girl and is still killing it today.
7. "Hey There Delilah" - Plain White T's
"I'm a thousand miles away. But, girl, tonight you look so pretty. Yes, you do. Times Square can't shine as bright as you."
An acoustic song that made everyone dream about going to New York City - long distance relationship or not. In fact, these lyrics were used in every girl's Facebook status' in 2006. I think mine hit about 5 likes. I know, I'm embarrassing, but it was fantastic.
8. "Crank Dat" - Soulja Boy
Every middle school teacher's reaction in 2009 when this song played. It only got progressively worse when we all decided to dance terribly together. If you have time, please go watch the music video; I promise you, your 2009 self would be happy.
9. "Shake It - Metro Station"
Kim was us when we heard this song. We were amazed to realize that Miley Cyrus's brother was in this band. It was a strange time to say the least.
10. "Hey Ya" - Outkast
Counting to 3 was never so exciting until Outkast started to count off in this classic. I know this song was overplayed at your middle school pep rally; the pep rallies that made you feel like a superstar because you were able to miss class.
11. "All Star" - Smash Mouth
This was the song that had so many versions. We were all so immature back then and it was great. 6th grade you probably sang the lyrics "Somebody once told me, the world is gonna roll me" as "Somebody once told me the world was macaroni."
12. "Sugar, We're Goin Down" - Fall Out Boy
There was nothing more stressful than trying to figure out who to put as your top friends on Myspace and what songs to include on your profile. Yes, this is where this song comes in. Remember when you angrily sang along as you changed your blinking Myspace wallpaper? I do.
13. "Stacy's Mom" - Fountains of Wayne
A song that felt wrong to sing when you were 13, but it was too catchy not to recite all of the words. I bet this is how everyone danced back then, even Stacy's mom.
14. "Beautiful Soul" - Jesse McCartney
Jesse McCartney was every 12 year old's celebrity crush in the early 2000's. Better yet, this was the song that every girl sang when she wanted to be famous and marry him. He also pulled off that jean jacket very well.
15. "Umbrella" - Rihanna
This song came out in 2007 and was overplayed when Dance Dance Revolution was a hit. In fact, it was a way to procrastinate after school 9 years ago. What a major throwback.
16. "1985" - Bowling for Soup
The truth came out in this song: MTV was the best when they still played music videos and reality TV came out of nowhere. I guess the better question is where's the mini skirt made of snake skin?
17. "Live your life" - T.I. feat. Rihanna
I don't think anyone knew how to properly dance to T.I. and yet we still did it anyway. This was the song people recorded on their phones just to have it set as their ringtones. *Hey! Ay ay ay
18. "All The Small Things" - Blink 182
This song belongs in the same playlist as Green Day's Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life) and Wake Me Up When September Ends. This song was an everyday anthem because Mark Hoppus understood how we felt about work.
19. "Gold Digger: - Kanye West
Yes, this song featured Jamie Foxx and was one of those songs we jammed out to on the walk back home after school. Picture this: middle school kids jumping up and down to this song. Terrifying right? Yep, that was us.
20. "Everything" - Michael Bublé
His voice is beautiful. This album was beautiful. Yes, these are still all true today.
21. "Photograph" - Nickelback
This song was overplayed at the gym, the radio, and it still had us singing along. With this in mind, it looks like it's time to create the playlist that includes these songs and more; don't forget to bring back those old dance moves, you know you want to. Happy reminiscing, guys.
