Whether you were mourning the breakup of your middle school crush, getting in touch with your teenage angst, or experiencing the beginnings of your desire to be a famous rapper, 2006 was a year where there was music for everyone. Here are ten songs that you probably listened to on your portable CD player that you really wanted to fit in your pocket, but you actually just had to carry around everywhere.
1. “Bad Day” by Daniel Powter
After providing the top song of the year and the song that dramatically played whenever your favorite contestant got voted off American Idol season five, Daniel Powter last released an album, “Turn on the Lights," in 2012, and in 2013 was said to be working on material for the future.
2. “SexyBack” by Justin Timberlake ft. Timbaland
Where are they now?
Ten years later, Justin Timberlake continues being better than everyone at everything, is best friends with Jimmy Fallon, and is married to Jessica Biel. You might have heard some of his recent work, such as “Mirrors” or “Suit and Tie," every time you turned on the radio in 2013 and 2014.
Meanwhile, Timbaland continues to be a producer for many of the top names in music, producing albums in recent years for artists such as Demi Lovato, Missy Elliott, T.I., and, once again, Justin Timberlake.
3. “Smack That” by Akon ft. Eminem
Where are they now?
After Akon essentially took over the radio in the mid-2000s, he didn’t release any new music between 2011 and late 2014. In January 2015, Akon began releasing singles for his new album Stadium, which is slated to be released in four parts starting in 2016. Eminem has had continued success throughout the past decade, with albums such as “Recovery” and “The Marshall Mathers LP 2,” both reaching multi-platinum level certifications.
4. “You’re Beautiful” by James Blunt
Where are they now?
James Blunt, although less commercially successful in the United States than a decade ago, has remained popular in the UK, Australia, and many other countries worldwide. His 2013 album “Moon Landing” fared well on several international charts, and as of 2015 he serves as a judge on “The X Factor Australia."
5. “Everytime We Touch” by Cascada
Where are they now?
Cascada is set to release a new album in 2016. You probably remember their popular 2010 single, “Evacuate the Dancefloor," which surprisingly debuted at #1 despite expectations that it would fall behind several Michael Jackson hits resurfacing following his death just before the single’s release.
6. “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” by Panic! at the Disco
Where are they now?
Besides temporarily dropping the “!” from their name, Panic! has been pretty busy keeping our angsty pop-punk phase alive with multiple albums since releasing “A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out” in 2005. Following the fluctuation of many key members of the band, Panic! technically operates today as one lead member, lead singer Brenden Urie. Their fifth studio album is set for release January 15, 2016.
7. “So Sick” by Ne-Yo
Where are they now?
Ne-Yo, whose real name is Shaffer Chimere Smith, continues to occasionally release music and is working to release a new album. He has helped to produce singles for female powerhouses such as Rihanna and Beyoncé, along with many others. Multiple outlets report that he has been working to build his own record label in recent years.
8. “Over My Head (Cable Car)” by The Fray
Where are they now?
After releasing several hits that made you get over your grade school crush in the mid-2000s, The Fray continued to make music and found success with multiple singles, such as their 2010 songs “You Found Me” and “Never Say Never." The band is forever immortalized in episodes of medical shows where their hits play in the background of emotionally distressing scenes.
9. "Ridin'" by Chamillionaire ft. Krayzie Bone
Where are they now?
Despite a lack of success like what he saw with “Ridin’” in 2006, Chamillionaire continues to create and release music. He has become heavily involved in several business ventures, such as opening his own record label and a modeling agency, among other endeavors.
10. “Gold Digger” by Kanye West ft. Jamie Foxx
Where are they now?
Kanye hasn’t been up to much these days, besides marrying a Kardashian, announcing a 2020 presidential bid, entering the fashion world as a designer, and regularly embarrassing himself at high-profile award shows. He also makes music sometimes, and since 2006 has released four consecutive number one albums, with his next album set for release in 2016.
