After using Spotify for the entirety of my late high school and college career, my curiosity (and nostalgia) recently led me to embark on a mission to unearth my earliest iTunes purchases. Here are my reactions to five of the most significant songs I unearthed from my very first playlists. Enjoy!
1. “Stolen” -- Dashboard Confessional
I’d go down the middle school halls in my little plaid uniform skirt, bobbed hair, and braces, and blast “Stolen” through my headphones, pretending I was in a music video. Ugh. “Stolen” is a song that was my #1 most played song on iTunes in 2007. I'm ashamed to say I still know all of the lyrics. This song is the definition of closeted middle school angst and emotion. It brings up vivid memories of breaking up with my very first boyfriend in eighth grade. One of my AIM away messages probably contained the lyrics to this song.
2. “He’s A Pirate (Pete N’ Red’s Jolly Roger Trance Remix)” -- Klaus Badelt
I became insanely obsessed with "Pirates Of The Caribbean" after seeing the first movie in 2003. I think Orlando Bloom’s character was a pretty big factor in my obsession, because I printed out pictures of him as William Turner and snuck them in one of my glittery photo albums. My mom found the album and busted me... I was so embarrassed. Nonetheless, I would freak out upon hearing Hans Zimmer’s epic theme song to the series (I admit, it still gives me chills to this day), but at the time I was determined to purchase every version of the anthem. I have no idea how my fifth-grade self managed to find this remix, but I did. And I played it every day on the pink iPod Mini that my dad got for me on Ebay.
3. “Dear Maria, Count Me In” -- All Time Low
When this song started playing, I immediately cringed. High-pitched (whiny) male vocals paired with intense pop-punk accompaniment... how could I ever have listened to this and enjoyed it? Anyhow, this was another middle school anthem of mine. The fact that the kiddos these days are actually listening to good bands instead of this very iconic variety of mid-2000s emo-pop-punk makes me a little sad. Listening to All Time Low should be an experience everyone should have in middle school. While I was writing this, I had to turn the volume down to nearly mute in order to soften the gratingly sharp vocals.
4. “Everything’s Just Wonderful” -- Lily Allen
What a pleasant surprise. I hadn’t hear the upbeat-yet-abrasive Lily Allen in quite some time. 21-year-old me would definitely approve of 13-year-old-me’s music selection on this one even though in retrospect it was a little inappropriate for my young ears. I feel like I can now relate more to the line, “I want to be able to eat spaghetti bolognese/ And not feel bad about it for days and days and days,” than I did back I was in middle school and had an unfailing metabolism.
5. “Rainbow Veins” -- Owl City
I know Owl City is (or was) wildly successful and is good buds with Taylor Swift, but oh my God... how was I able to listen to these sickeningly cotton-candy songs at one point in my life?! Not only does “I’ll blend up that rainbow above you/ And shoot it through your veins” sound like a blatant heroin reference, the high-pitched vocals and whimsically sparkly electronic tune make it straight up creepy. I admit, I went to an Owl City concert in middle school, but I’m glad this artist is a part of my past. *Note: When I was editing this article, I let Owl City keep playing... and ended up jamming along to all the songs…*
