Oh middle school, the highlight of our awkward years. We cringe every time we come across our overedited Picnik pictures, our old Facebook statuses (thanks time-hop) or when we even think about our short-lived “scene” or overly preppy phase. Though our middle school years are some of the most cringe-inducing years of our lives, there is one good thing that came out of it. The music. Anytime we hear our favorite throwback song we can’t help but turn up the radio and sing our hearts out and remember how you and your brace-faced friends danced to “Every Time We Touch” by Cascada. Here are some of the best throwback songs that will bring you back to your middle school days.
1. "Leavin'" by Jesse McCartney.
If you didn’t have a crush on Jesse McCartney you’re lying. He won us over with his 2004 hit “Beautiful Soul,” but "Leavin" made us want to ditch our “boyfriends” and be with him forever.
2. "Right Now," "Smack That," and "I Wanna Love You" by Akon.
2006 to 2008 was Akon’s prime time. Anywhere there was music, you were going to end up listening to Akon. If these three songs don’t say middle school dances I don't know what does.
3. "When I Grow Up" by The Pussycat Dolls.
At one point or another we all wanted to be famous. This song let us live out our dream by pretending that we were in an awesome girl group while describing our lifelong dream.
4. "Too Little Too Late" by JoJo.
We would sing our little hearts out to this like we really knew what heartbreak was like. I can specifically remember listening to this with a friend and talking about how we could relate.
5. "Crank That" by Soulja Boy
If that song comes on right now, I can guarantee that 87 percent of Millennials will be able to do the dance.
6. "Beautiful Girls" by Sean Kingston.
Like Akon, Kingston's prime was during our middle school years. He is one of the best things that came out of 2007.
7. "Party Like a Rock Star" by Shop Boyz.
This song turned the party up. If this song was playing you knew the party was about to get 30 times better.
8. "Misery Business" by Paramore.
"Misery Business" is one of those songs that if you hear it, you don’t turn it off. You roll down the windows and sing like you’re Hayley Williams and you’re performing a sold-out show.
9. "Dear Maria, Count Me In" by All-Time Low.
When you hear lead singer Alex Gaskarth clear his throat on your iPod you got ready to sing along.
10. "Check Yes Juliet" by We The Kings.
Don't lie and say you didn't want to be the girl in the music video.
11. "Shake It" by Metro Station.
When you found out that Miley Cyrus's brother and Mitchel Musso's (Oliver in "Hannah Montana") brother were in a band together it made Metro Station even cooler.
12. "If U Seek Amy" by Britney Spears.
The year after Britney's infamous breakdown she came out with some great bangers including "If U Seek Amy."
13. "Gives You Hell" by The All-American Rejects.
Every once in a while it comes on the radio and you have to sing it with the same passion you did back in eighth grade and you were thinking about a special someone.
14. "Low" by Flo Rida featuring T-Pain.
If you could pick one song that described middle school, it would be "Low." It captures the fashion of 2007 and becoming that year's anthem.
