Essential Late '90s/Early '00s Teen Movie Songs

If it's OK by you, I'd like to pour out a bottle of Bath and Body Works Cucumber Melon lotion for a very special era of film: the teen comedies that hit movie theaters between the years of 1998 and 2001. (And if that isn't OK by you, will a bottle of Art Stuff Blazin' Blueberry glitter spray do?) Moviegoers will forever be spoiled by this era of film, for it is the era that bequeathed upon us cinematic jewels such as 10 Things I Hate About You, Drive Me Crazy, Can't Hardly Wait, and She’s All That. These great motion pictures warned audiences about sheep people, introduced us to Laney Boggs’s falafel hat, and used a pair of Skechers and a Prada backpack to illustrate the difference between "like" and "love." The teen movies of the late '90s/early '00s are all things quotable, rewatchable, and untouchable.

You know what else these movies have going for them? Super *~kewl~* tunes, my dude. Super ~*kewl~* tunes. The songs of late '90s/early '00s teen movies are not to be denied. And yes, as a matter of fact we are about to listen to some of these songs now. Go ahead and roll some glitter gel onto your eyelids, throw on a camisole and a shrug sweater, thread your very best necktie belt through your low rise bootcut jean belt loops, and fire up your Discman. It's about to get very turn-of-the-Millennium in here.

“Can’t Get Enough Of You Baby” By Smash Mouth

Smash Mouth's cover of the ? & the Mysterians' track appears in '98 flick Can't Hardly Wait.

"I Want You To Want Me” By Letters To Cleo

This version of the Cheap Trick jam is one of two Letters to Cleo covers that pops up in 10 Things I Hate About You. (The other being Letters to Cleo's rendition of "Cruel to Be Kind" by Nick Lowe.)

“Sugar” By Stretch Princess

This appears in She’s All That and Passport to Paris.

“Yoo Hoo” By Imperial Teen

You might remember this as the Jawbreaker strut song.

“(You Drive Me) Crazy (The Stop Remix!)” By Britney Spears

FOREVER LEGENDARY.

“3 Small Words” By Josie And The Pussycats

Raise your hand if your AIM S/N was "Punkrockpromqueen" plus some numbers.

“Charm Attack” By Leona Ness

Singer-songwriter Leona Ness's breakthrough single is in 2000 movie Whatever It Takes.

“Volcano Girls” By Veruca Salt

This Veruca Salt bop is the first song in Jawbreaker.

“Makes No Difference” By Sum 41

Sum 41served brought the pop-punk to the Bring It On soundtrack.

“Semi-Charmed Life” By Third Eye Blind

Third Eye Blind's beloved debut single can be heard in beloved pastry comedy American Pie.

“Stranded” By Plumb

This record is featured in Drive Me Crazy.

“Cannonball” By The Breeders

The alt band's hit single plays throughout the Sugar & Spice bank robbery scene.

“Keep On Loving You” By The Donnas

The Donnas, er, The Electrocutes' cover of the REO Speedwagon classic (aka Nicole and Chase's song) can be found on the Drive Me Crazysoundtrack.

“The Rockafeller Skank” By Fatboy Slim

It's in She’s All That AND American Pie? This very well could be The Ultimate Late '90s Teen Movie Song.

“Kiss Me” By Sixpence None The Richer

Actually, wait. This She's All Thattune might be The Ultimate Late '90s Teen Movie Song.

“Hacky Sack” By Freddie Prinze Jr.

Nope. I take it all back. THIS is The Ultimate Late '90s Teen Movie Song. Don't let it drop.

Image: Miramax Films