By Natalie Gadeikis, Staff Writer
The top hits of the 2000s shaped the entire generation that grew up listening to them.
“Up All Night”,by One Direction, was the ultimate party song for directioners when the five piece boy band released its first debut album in 2011. The song depicts vivid scenes of the “best party ever” including mentions of finding your true love, blasting Katy Perry tunes, and not caring about breaking the table while dancing.
“California Gurls,” by Katy Perry, was every teenage girl’s anthem of summer 2010. Even if we weren’t born and raised in the Golden State, that didn’t stop us girls from jamming along and embracing the beauty of our femininity.
When Taylor Swift released the iconic music video for “You Belong With Me,” a movie-like story of a geeky girl madly in love with a boy who is in a toxic relationship, it left every girl yelling the lyrics “if you can see I’m the one who understands you, been here all along so why can’t you see you belong with me” into her hairbrush “microphone” while bouncing on top of her bed.
“This Is Me,” by Demi Lovato and Joe Jonas, was a classic song from the movie Camp Rock (2008) that made all of us jump off our couches and onto our feet in front of the TV, singing “this is real, this is me, I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be now,” as Mitchie (played by Lovato) proclaimed her true identity to not only her lover but to all of the camp members at Camp Rock.
“Thrift Shop,”by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, broke social norms and changed the definition of what was “cool” when it came to modern street fashion. The song’s swagger and blunt statements that criticized overpriced designer clothing helped millions of listeners embrace wearing affordable yet stylish thrifted clothing.
“But I also have a bunch of clothes from thrift shops and it’s about, you know, just saving money. And I think that that’s something that’s rare in hip-hop culture. It’s usually about spending money,” said Macklemore, in a 2013 NPR interview .
In the song “Thrift Shop,” Macklemore and Ryan Lewis wrote, “I wear your granddad’s clothes, I look incredible, I’m in this big coat from that thrift shop down the road.” .
Kesha broke records in 2009 after releasing “Tik Tok”, which had the highest number of digital downloads for a female artist in one week, and was one of the most downloaded songs in digital history at the time (Rolling Stone, 2009). The carefree song not only provided us with a tune to blast at our birthday parties, but also introduced a new pop star that we would grow up with and adore for the rest of our adolescence.
“Sk8r Boi,” by Avril Lavigne, was the ultimate jam for all of the young punks of the early 2000s. Introducing the tune with an unforgettable upbeat guitar riff, Lavigne tells the story of the formation of an unlikely couple: An alternative skater kid, and a pretty and posh ballerina. “He was a punk, she did ballet, what more can I say?”
“The Climb,” by Miley Cyrus, was the go-to heartwarming song to lift your spirits in time of self-doubt and depression. The tune encourages its listeners to understand that our difficulties in life are a crucial part in developing us into stronger people, and that our obstacles are essential for us to reach our desired destinations in life.
The Shrek soundtrack (2001) was responsible for making “All-Star” by Smash Mouth our favorite song from our early childhood. The first lyrics, “Somebody once told me the world is gonna roll me, I ain’t the sharpest tool in the shed,” brought every Gen Z kid on their feet instantly, ready to rock out.
“Fireflies,” by Owl City, was either the song you blasted in your skullcandy earbuds while you sat in the backseat of your mom’s car on a long drive, or while you were home alone, and the entire house transformed into your dance floor.
Honorable mentions: “Dynamite” by Taio Cruz, “Hollaback Girl” by Gwen Stefani, “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen, “Last Friday Night” by Katy Perry, and “We Are Young” by Fun.