I am shocked it took me this long to make a throwback playlist. I was feeling ~inspired~ this weekend by my friend Megan’s “if britney survived 2007…” playlist, which I will link at the end of this post, because it is iconic and I think everyone needs it in their lives. Basically all these songs remind me of middle school which is slightly terrifying and slightly fun. I hope you enjoy taking a trip down memory lane!!
22 songs, 1 hour and 21 minutes
Song: Low
Artist: Flo Rida
Genre: Rap
Why I Picked This Song: When this song plays I am suddenly transported back to my middle school’s gym, dropping it low with my friends. Suddenly I am mortified, we are like 11, why are we dancing like this? Who do we think we are? Why are we all wearing Abercombie & Fitch t-shirts?
Favorite Lyric: Shawty was hot like a toaster
Song: Whatcha Say
Artist: Jason Derulo
Genre: Pop
Why I Picked This Song: My roommate said she used to cry to this song in middle school and I thought that was the funniest thing I have ever heard.
Favorite Lyric: Mmh whatcha say (Jason Derulo)
Song: BedRock
Artist: Young Money
Genre: Rap
Why I Picked This Song: If you don’t know all the words to this song I don’t want to be your friend. This song is so iconic. If 11 year old me knew what this song was about she would be shook. But this song is a staple from 2009.
Favorite Lyric: She Michael Jackson bad
Song: Beautiful Soul
Artist: Jesse McCartney
Genre: Pop
Why I Picked This Song: I have had the world’s biggest crush on Jesse McCartney since I was in the first grade. I remember the first time I ever slept over my best friend’s house we listened to his version of “I’ll Be” from the Cinderella Story soundtrack all night. He really defines the early 2000’s for me.
Favorite Lyric: I don’t want another pretty face
I don’t want just anyone to hold
I don’t want my love to go to waste
I want you and your beautiful soul
Song: Bottoms Up
Artist: Trey Songz (feat. Nicki Minaj)
Genre: R&B
Why I Picked This Song: I’m pretty sure this song is where my crush on Trey Songz originated from. This song is so fun.
Favorite Lyric: Now bottoms up and double my dosage
Song: 7 Things
Artist: Miley Cyrus
Genre: Pop
Why I Picked This Song: This song goes so hard. Fifth grade me was not ready for Miley Cyrus to put Nick Jonas on blast like this. I still like to sing this way to loudly in the car or shower. Miley is a queen.
Favorite Lyric: You’re vain, your games, you’re insecure
You love me, you like her
You make me laugh, you make me cry
I don’t know which side to buy
Song: He Could Be the One
Artist: Hannah Montana
Genre: Pop
Why I Picked This Song: Hannah Montana/Miley Ray Stewart and Jake Ryan forever. Hannah Montana defined my childhood. It would be wrong not to let Hannah have a spot on this playlist.
Favorite Lyric: Think I’m really falling for his smile
Get butterflies when he says my name
Song: Mr. Brightside
Artist: The Killers
Genre: Rock
Why I Picked This Song: Mr. Brightside has the ability to turn a room full of strangers into something that feels like a family reunion. This song gets people so hype. It is a forever classic and I think it should be the national anthem.
Favorite Lyric: Jealousy, turning saints into the sea
Swimming through sick lullabies
Choking on your alibis
But it’s just the price I pay
Song: My Happy Ending
Artist: Avril Lavigne
Genre: Pop
Why I Picked This Song: First, I would like to address the Avril Lavigne conspiracy theory, it is true, Avril is dead and was replaced. Look it up. Second, I loved Avril Lavigne when I was younger. For some reason I was really angsty and emo and she appealed to my Hot Topic craze. She had a lot of jams and I was a huge fan. Sk8ter Boi forever.
Favorite Lyric: We were meant to be, supposed to be, but we lost it
And all of the memories, so close to me, just fade away
All this time you were pretending
So much for my happy ending
Song: Burnin’ Up
Artist: Jonas Brothers
Genre: Pop
Why I Picked This Song: The Jonas Brothers are iconic. I remember seeing them in concert in 2008 and it was LIFE CHANGING. I am praying for a Jo Bros reunion.
Favorite Lyric: Walk in the room
All I can see is you
Song: When You Look Me in the Eyes
Artist: Jonas Brothers
Genre: Pop
Why I Picked This Song: My sister and I got into a fist fight over who gets to use this as their wedding song. This is honestly the most romantic song I have ever heard. I still want to marry Nick Jonas. Shout out to the Jonas Brothers for setting my expectations extremely high since 2007.
Favorite Lyric: When you look me in the eyes
I catch a glimpse of heaven
I find my paradise
Song: Don’t Trust Me
Artist: 3OH!3
Genre: Alternative
Why I Picked This Song: When I think of 2008 I think of this song. It is honestly so iconic that I don’t know how to explain how amazing it is. To this day it is still one of my favorite songs to jam out to in the shower. 3OH!3 has a few other classics but nothing touches this song.
Favorite Lyric: T-tell your boyfriend if he says he’s got beef
That I’m a vegetarian and I ain’t f****** scared of him
Song: Piece of Me
Artist: Britney Spears
Genre: Pop
Why I Picked This Song: I would listen to this song on a loop for the rest of my life. Not only is Britney Spears my namesake, but she is an icon. First of all, she is 36 and in better shape than most people my age. Second of all, her 2007 mental breakdown is very understandable and kind of iconic in its own right. I love Britney Spears, put it on my tombstone.
Favorite Lyric: I’m Miss American Dream since I was seventeen
Song: Shake It
Artist: Metro Station
Genre: Alternative
Why I Picked This Song: I have a very vivid memory of listening to this song on the way to my friend’s birthday party at a roller skating rink when I was 9. My roommate has a dance to this song. Everyone remembers this song. Miley Cyrus’ brother is in this band. Amazing.
Favorite Lyric: This feeling’s tearing me up
Here we go now
Song: Best I Ever Had
Artist: Drake
Genre: Rap
Why I Picked This Song: In middle school my sister was obsessed with rap music. We would listen to a lot of Drake and Kanye West. She can probably rap any Drake song from the 2000’s. I have loved Drake since he was wheelchair Jimmy in Degrassi, so I have to show him some love.
Favorite Lyric: Sweatpants, hair tied, chillin’ with no make-up on
That’s when you’re the prettiest, I hope that you don’t take it wrong
Song: She Will Be Loved
Artist: Maroon 5
Genre: Pop
Why I Picked This Song: This song is so beautiful and a timeless classic. I’m pretty sure I can listen to it all the time. Big fan of Maroon 5, even bigger fan of this song.
Favorite Lyric: It’s not always rainbows and butterflies
It’s compromise that moves us along
Song: Thnks Fr Th Mmrs
Artist: Fall Out Boy
Genre: Rock
Why I Picked This Song: Fall Out Boy is one of my favorite bands. This is the first song I ever heard by them. It has a special place in my heart and in the early 2000’s.
Favorite Lyric: Thanks for the memories even though they weren’t so great
Song: Your Body Is a Wonderland
Artist: John Mayer
Genre: Rock
Why I Picked This Song: John Mayer is perfect. This song is perfect. What else is there to say? I’m 99 percent sure this is the first John Mayer song I ever heard and it made a fan out of me.
Favorite Lyric: Swim in a deep sea
Of blankets
Take all your big plans
And break ’em
Song: 1985
Artist: Bowling for Soup
Genre: Rock
Why I Picked This Song: One time my roommate tore her meniscus in her knee dancing to this song, that is how good it is.
Favorite Lyric: Since Bruce Springsteen, Madonna
Way before Nirvana
There was U2 and Blondie
And music still on M-T-V
Her two kids in high school
They tell her that she’s uncool
‘Cause she’s still preoccupied
With 19, 19, 1985
Song: All the Small Things
Artist: blink-182
Genre: Rock
Why I Picked This Song: As I stated before, I was very angsty in middle school. I loved pop punk music and a lot of my favorite artists were influenced by blink-182. I think blink-182 is one of the best, most talented, and most influential bands in music. All the Small Things is one of the greatest songs to scream at the top of your lungs.
Favorite Lyric: Say it ain’t so, I will not go
Turn the lights off, carry me home
Song: Airplanes
Artist: B.o.B (feat. Hayley Williams of Paramore)
Genre: Hip/Hop
Why I Picked This Song: Summer 2010 this song was on the radio every other song. It was kind of crazy but I remember listen to it coming home from softball everyday in the seventh grade.
Favorite Lyric: Can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shootin’ stars
I could really use a wish right now, wish right now, wish right now
Song: Photograph
Artist: Nickelback
Genre: Garbage
Why I Picked This Song: My first ever concert was Bon Jovi and their opening act was Nickelback. I have convinced my mother that is why I need therapy. Although Nickelback is kinda garbage and sort of scares me, I feel like I had to add this song for the meme quality it produces.
Favorite Lyric: And this is where I went to school
Most of the time I had better things to do
Instead of including a playlist of the songs above, I am sharing the greatest throwbacks playlist of all time. Many of the songs on my playlist come from this one. I hope you enjoyed your trip down memory lane!!! Please let me know what music you listened to back in the day and feel free to share any embarrassing middle school memories with me!
