Here are 10 songs from the 90’s and early 2000’s that have completed my music taste and made me into the being that I am today. Well, maybe not that far – but, they have had an impact on me and my childhood, that is for sure.
1. "Semi-Charmed Life: by Third Eye Blind.
This album was introduced in 1997, this is one of the songs that you will never forget. Once you hear the “doo-doo-doo” in the beginning of the song, you know you are about to embarrass yourself and start jamming out. I recently went to a karaoke night and immediately when this song started the whole place got up and rocked out. We will file this under the coolest song from the 90’s. That may be why I put it as number one unintentionally.
2. "All-Star" by Smashmouth.
Released in 1999 – and I mean let’s be real here, this song really got a huge crowd from “Shrek,” but this song pretty much jams either way. Every time you're watching “Shrek” and this song comes on, do not tell me you do not start belting your heart out as hard as you can to the opening credits?! Because I sure do! That and I know every single word in the song, so maybe next karaoke night I will know what jam to sing. All and all, hey there you're an all-star!
3. "Absolutely" (Story of a Girl) by Nine Days.
“This is a story of a girl, who cried a river and drowned the whole world!" I can just see everyone screaming this jam in 2000 when it was released. First time I heard this song was on a Now that’s What I Call Music compilation album and how cool was Now that’s What I Call Music? This girl cried a river and drowned the whole world and so do I every time I hear how great this song is and how great it always will be to me.
4. "One Week" by Barenaked Ladies.
In 1998 this was the summer song, I was five-years-old; but, I can only imagine how cool this song was when it was first heard. It was released on my birthday, so maybe the song and I were meant to be? Or, maybe not – but, the 90’s and I are close friends, so it's a maybe as of right now. It’s been one week since she looked at me too, Barenaked Ladies.
5. "What’s My Age Again?" by Blink-182.
When MTV Jams was coming out in 1999 when I was six years old, but by the time I was in my teens MTV Jams was still a thing you’d be surprised. B182 started a pop-punk epidemic and in a good way, they were raunchy and cool. Not only were they raunchy and cool, they also had songs you could jam to at any moment of the day. Especially on that drive to your boyfriend’s house when you’re feeling good and in love and just wanna be happy all day long in your 90's attire.
6. "Ocean Avenue" by Yellowcard.
This song was made in 2004 that counts as early 2000’s right? I would say so. This was another band who was famous for MTV Jams, I used to watch it before I went to school and I would catch this song every time and ever since that moment I knew it was meant to be. Yellowcard and I are one and whenever this song comes on, I am more than likely 100 percent singing it from the soul. It always made me want a 90's / 2000's song written about me.
7. "The Middle" by Jimmy Eat World.
This is a slower song from 2001, but that does not discourage the fact that it is a pretty darn good song. It’s a summer song and it’s one of those ‘jamming with the windows down with your friends going to get some In-N-Out’ type of feels. If anything, it deserves a spot on this list. It is one of those songs you hear after a decade of not listening to it and you look up and start singing with it. That is, not knowing you actually know every single word – or close to it.
8. "Fat Lip" by Sum 41.
I used to and still do scream this song at the top of my lungs. There's no singing this song, it is either yelling or screaming and they are both the same thing at the end of the day. This is one of those “F-you society!” songs that just makes you feel so good and empowered about yourself and life. The lyrics are why this song is so rad “I don’t want to waste my time / become another causality of society,” 2001 to 2016 and this is still relevant. That is probably why I still scream it.
9. "Say It Ain’t So" by Weezer.
Any Weezer song is a good song, but this one – this one is pretty good on its own. 1995 Weezer will always have a special place in my heart and this song especially. It is a slower Weezer song, but do not let that discourage you like Jimmy Eat World it is just as good as any other Weezer song. As Weezer says, Say it Ain't so.
10. "Fell on Black Days" by Soundgarden.
1995, I was two years old and I did not realize this gem of a song until I watched an episode of Supernatural. We can all agree that “better late than never” because this song is all that grunge rock instills. It's dark and rock. It is something you play when you really just wanna rock out in your room in your underwear with a lint roller as a microphone.
Songs have an impact on who you are and how you first hear a song is something special. When you can remember the 90’s even though you might have been between two and ten-years-old, it’s quite an experience. All of these songs I remember from MTV or the radio and it is pretty cool that I can remember where I first heard these songs. I know some of them might be universal, but for me they are a part of who I am.
