Ahh, 2007. I was 12, and didn’t know much about anything, but thought I knew everything about everything. I’ve noticed some articles here on Odyssey that have begun to get nostalgic about the 2000s the way that most people get nostalgic about the ‘90s, even if, like me, you were born in the second half of the decade. It’s undeniable that in the past ten years, things have changed. One big source of nostalgia for the ‘90s comes from the music, so I thought I’d compare the music that’s popular today (according to Billboard’s most recent chart) with what was popular ten years ago (according to Billboard’s data about the end of 2007).
10. “Glamorous”- Fergie feat Ludacris VS “Paris”- The Chainsmokers.
Winner: Both are easy to sing along to, and completely not relatable for the average person, but in a choice that even surprises me, I’m going with 2017.
9. “Portland”- Drake feat Quavo & Travis Scott VS “Say It Right”- Nelly Furtado
Winner: Full disclosure: this is my first time hearing this Drake song. But I do have to give this one to 2007, just because I’ve always really loved this song, even though it took me years to figure out what it was called.
8. “Passionfruit”- Drake VS “I Wanna Love You”- Akon feat Snoop Dogg
Winner: 2017.
7. “Something Just Like This”- The Chainsmokers & Coldplay VS “Hey There Delilah”- Plain White T’s
Winner: I’m torn here. The Chainsmokers track has more variation in it, but “Hey There Delilah” is charming because of its simplicity. It’s apples and oranges, really. But then again, most of these are. 2007 gets this one. I swear I’m not trying to make it end in a tie.
6. “Tunnel Vision”- Kodak Black VS “Before He Cheats”- Carrie Underwood
Winner: 2007. “Before He Cheats” has been in the center of many car sing alongs where my whole family gets involved. If you knew my family, you’d know that’s a hard thing to make happen.
5. “I Feel It Coming”- The Weeknd feat Daft Punk VS “Buy U A Drank (Shawty Snappin)”- T-Pain feat Yung Joc
Winner: 2017.
4. “Bad And Boujee”- Migos feat Lil Uzi Vert VS “Big Girls Don’t Cry”- Fergie
Winner: 2007. “Big Girls Don’t Cry” is a song that I wasn’t embarrassed about liking then and I’m not embarrassed about it now, either.
3. “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever”- Zayn & Taylor Swift VS “The Sweet Escape”- Gwen Stefani feat Akon
Winner: 2017. As many issues as I have with “50 Shades of Grey” (which is a whole separate article), I genuinely like this song.
2. “That’s What I Like”- Bruno Mars VS “Umbrella”- Rihanna feat Jay Z
Winner: And here is where I realize that I’ve set myself up for failure with this idea. I’m giving this to 2017 because when given the choice to play either of these songs, I went for Bruno without another thought.
1. “Shape Of You”- Ed Sheeran VS “Irreplaceable”- Beyoncé
Winner: Beyoncé. I mean, 2007. Because Beyoncé. (Sorry, Ed.)
Overall: Somehow, they tied, proving that there’s just as much interesting music now as there was then.
