You’re at prom and the slow song comes on. You’re driving around when the radio suddenly tells you they’re “taking us back”. At a party, every song they play you recognize as iconic and classic.
When I gave you these scenarios, what songs did you think of? Chances are the first songs that came up to your mind were ones from the 2000s. No matter the time of the year, I will always be ready to listen to heartfelt songs of Bruno Mars and the iconic melodies of Ed Sheeran.
There is something drastically different between music created in present time and music produced back then. Even in the span of only a few years, the industry has seemed to shift. Not to say music right now isn’t good, believe me, it is. But nothing will seem as classic as the hit song from MKTO or love songs from One Direction.
It could very much be due to many different factors. During that time, music was constantly evolving with different styles and forms, technology was taking off, and artists like Taylor Swift drew in audiences at a young age. However, there is an obvious reason as to why so many people in 2021 (myself included), still consider this the prime of music. It’s all about human connection and what it meant to be a teen in the 2000s. With a lack of impressive technology, kids spent most of their time having social gatherings with their friends. Back then, kids grew up scraping knees on sidewalks. It was a different world. To put it into perspective, the term “selfie” was created in 2002, followed by the song “#SELFIE” from the Chainsmokers in 2014.
I feel that many of us miss our childhoods and feel intense nostalgia when we hear these songs. It was a more personal and real way to grow up, and it is reflected in the music that people listened to. Now, let’s increase those feelings of nostalgia by revisiting the top artists and hits of the 2000s. Oh, but by this I mean more near the 2010 era, as these are the artists and songs that I grew up with.
Katy Perry
Top Songs:
“Last Friday Night” -2010
“California Girls” -2010
“The One That Got Away” -2010
“Firework”-2010
Taylor Swift
Top Songs:
“Love Story” -2008
“You Belong With Me” -2010
“Back to December” -2010
“Blank Space” -2014
Ed Sheeran
Top Songs:
“Photograph” -2014
“Don’t” -2014
“Thinking Out Loud” -2014
“The A Team” -2011
Lady Gaga
Top Songs:
“Poker Face” -2008
“Applause” -2013
“Bad Romance” -2008
“Telephone” -2008
Beyoncé
Top Songs:
“Single Ladies” -2008
“Halo” -2008
“Run the World (Girls)” -2011
One Direction
Top Songs:
“Best Song Ever” -2013
“What Makes You Beautiful” -2011
“Night Changes” -2014
“18” -2014
Bruno Mars
Top Songs:
“When I Was Your Man” -2012
“The Lazy Song” -2010
“Uptown Funk” -2014
“Grenade” -2010
Carrie Underwood
Best Songs:
“Before He Cheats” -2005
“Good Girl” -2012
Maroon 5
Best Songs:
“Moves Like Jagger” -2010
“Payphone” -2012
“Maps” -2014
“Animals” -2014
Pink
Best Songs:
“So What” -2008
“Just give Me a Reason” -2012
“True Love” -2012
“Just Like Fire” -2016
Lorde
Best Songs:
“Ribs” -2013
“Royals” -2013
“Buzzcut Season” -2013
Adele
Best Songs:
“Someone Like You” -2012
“Rolling in the Deep” -2011
“Skyfall”- 2012
“Hello” -2015
Kendrick Lamar
Best Songs:
“Money Trees” -2012
“Compton” -2012
Rihanna
Best Songs:
“Diamonds” -2012
“We Found Love” -2012
“Where Have You Been” -2011
“Umbrella” -2008
That is definitely not all. Trust me, there are hundreds of artists I could add to this list. I will forever remember these artists and their impact on my life for the rest of my life.
I understand that each generation has similar sentiments towards previous generations of music/teenage culture. There is no doubt that the next generation will consider the music made right now to be nostalgic and historic. But once in a while it’s great to revisit your past and remember how your childhood used to be.