The 2000s were prime years for music, and sometimes we take that for granted. This is, by far, the most difficult list to compose because the music of our childhood rocked.
1. "Oops! I Did it Again," Britney Spears (2000).
I definitely remember making up dance routines to this song at my neighbor's house because my mom didn't allow me to listen to Britney Spears.
2. "Bye Bye Bye," 'N'SYNC (2000).
We just don't see dance moves like this anymore.
3. "A Thousand Miles," Vanessa Carlton (2002).
You probably belted this song out many times at the top of your lungs (and probably still do).
4. "Complicated," Avril Lavigne (2002).
Somehow, we related so much to Avril because first grade sure was complicated and we had so much angst.
5. "Beautiful," Christina Aguilera (2003).
She inspired us.
6. "She Will Be Loved," Maroon Five (2004).
7. "Hollaback Girl," Gwen Stefani (2005).
8. "Since U Been Gone," Kelly Clarkson (2005).
I for sure remember listening to Radio Disney in my bedroom, and calling them to request this song.
9. "Hips Don't Lie," Shakira (2006).
Neither did ours, Shakira, neither did ours.
10. "Sexyback," Justin Timberlake (2006).
Justin Timberlake definitely brought sexy back with this song. Classic.
11. "Fergalicious," Fergie (2007).
I don't think I understood 75 percent of this song in fifth grade, but I sure loved listening to it on the school bus. "Big Girls Don't Cry" and "Glamorous" were also big hits in 2007, so I'd say Fergie had a good year.
12. "Hey There Delilah," Plain White Ts (2007).
It's kind of a shame that he and Delilah broke up, but at least we still have the song.
13. "Crank That (Soulja Boy)," Soulja Boy Tell 'Em (2007).
14. "I Kissed a Girl," Katy Perry (2008).
"Hot 'n Cold" also came out in 2008, so Katy basically killed it in 2008.
15. "Disturbia," Rihanna (2008).
Now I remember why I was freaked out by this music video! Nevertheless, I totally knew every word to this song and used an iTunes gift card to buy it for my nano.
16. "I'm Yours," Jason Mraz (2008).
I heard this for the first time when I was shopping in Aeropostale. That pretty much sums up middle school.
17. "Burnin' Up," The Jonas Brothers (2008).
This was just about when my Jo Bro obsession started. It has not gone away yet. I saw them in concert in 2013.
18. "Boom Boom Pow," The Black Eyed Peas (2009).
"Let's Get it Started" also came out in 2009, so I listened to a lot of Black Eyed Peas that year.
19. "Just Dance," Lady Gaga (2009).
"Just Dance" goes pretty much hand in hand with "Just Dance" -- the video game that took away all of Dance Dance Revolution's glory.
20. "You Belong With Me," Taylor Swift (2009).
Taylor Swift, you read my seventh grade diary!
21. "The Climb," Miley Cyrus (2009).
This was pretty monumental because this was Miley as Miley, and not Hannah Montana, and she sang it in the Hannah Montana movie as Miley when she told only that one town in Tennessee her true identity, but no one else ever found out. Not sure how you pulled that off, Miley Stewart.
22. "Single Ladies," Beyonce (2009).
This last song that takes us back to our childhood also came with a lot of people other than Beyonce dancing like Beyonce. Joe Jonas is a notable example.
Altogether, I'd say we listened to some pretty great tunes throughout our childhood. If you're feeling nostalgic, I strongly recommend revisiting them.
