When I think of middle school there are definitely some songs that stand out to me. Whether I heard them at a school dance or at a sleepover with my friends, there will always be certain songs that have the ability to take me back to the early 2000s. What may be surprising is some of the bands you listened to in middle school are still making music today. Here’s my list of four bands you loved in middle school and should still love today.
1. Fall Out Boy
Fall out boy has come a long way from their 2005 hits “Dance, Dance” and “Sugar We’re Goin Down.” With six studio albums under their belts Fall Out Boy has a lot more to offer than the songs you listened to in middle school. Their latest album American Beauty/American Psycho made its way to the number one spot on the Billboard Top 200 chart.
2. Simple Plan
I’m sure most of us remember this band for the angsty song “I’m Just a Kid.” With the line “I’m just a kid and life is a nightmare” nothing rang more true in 2002. In 2016 Simple Plan is still making music. In February of this year the Canadian pop-punk band released their fifth studio album, Taking One for the Team. This album still has all of the appeal as the band’s earlier songs. The first track “Opinion Overload” is about trying to live your life while others are telling you you’re not doing it right. I think this is something we can all relate to as college students.
3. All Time Low
I’m sure most of us remember the songs “Dear Maria Count Me In” and “Weightless.” These songs have been in my iTunes library since their release in 2007. I’m not sure how I came across this band but I’m glad I did. They’re still one of my favorite bands today. It seems as though this Baltimore-bred band hasn't stopped since they formed in 2003. Songs like “Runaways” and “Kicking and Screaming” from their latest album Future Hearts carry the same lighthearted tone as the songs we loved in 2007. All Time Low has only gotten better over the years.
4. The Summer Set
Formed in 2007, this band made their way onto our iPod Touches with their single “Chelsea.” The catchy tune gave the band their start and a fan base full of pre-teen girls wishing they had the same name as the song. In 2016 this band is still going strong. Earlier this month they released their fourth studio album, Stories for Monday. What was supposed to be a goodbye from The Summer Set is now a new beginning. They've had great praise from their fans and the first single from the album titled “Figure Me Out” proves these Arizona natives are still worth listening to.
There's no denying music has the ability to transport us to a different time. Sometimes It's good to revisit some old favorite songs, but it doesn't hurt to check back in with those bands and see what they've been up to recently. You never know, you could discover a new favorite song.
