17 Songs From The Early 2000s You Need To Revisit

The 2000s were a time to be alive. Scratch that — the 2000s were the time to be alive. We were ever so slightly growing out of the grunge mess that was the '90s (#NeverForget) and somehow, we thought that to remedy this, the solution would be to make all of our media, style and #slang as trashy glam as possible. (Disclaimer: trashy = cheap-looking.) And if I've already offended you by saying that the early 2000s were kind of a mess in this regard, I am very sorry but you were blinded by the rhinestone-belted light.

Now, I'm not also saying that the early 2000s weren't magical. They were. And in terms of music? It does not get better. Producers had discovered what a CGI is (see below) people were wearing tank tops, jean skirts, multiple thick bead necklaces, sunglasses and oversized bags (remember when boho chic was first a thing?) and all was as it should be. The following songs will not only transport you back to this magical, terrifying time of our lives, but it will give you every single #feel you ever had when you listened to them the first time. The artists that were popular back in the day (I can't believe I just said that) were very different (everybody from Gwen Stefani to Hoobastank) but they were uniquely flawless (and very emotional) all in their own right.

And just remember: there were boy bands before 1D, and there's an Ashlee to every Jessica. That's really what music in the early 2000s was about. So kick back, press play, and get nostalgic for the life you were ready to breakaway from way back when.

"A Thousand Miles" by Vanessa Carlton

If this wasn't your relationship song at some point (or a quote on your AIM profile) who even were you?

"In The End" by Linkin Park

A homage to the #dark youth.

"Complicated" by Avril Lavigne

Do you remember when this song encapsulated your entire struggle in a few brief lines? (Doesn't it kind of still?)

"I'm Like A Bird" by Nelly Furtado

This was indie pop before indie pop was ever a thing.

"It's My Life" by No Doubt

No doubt about it, this is the most significant song they ever released.

"Breakaway" by Kelly Clarkson

Remember playing this as you'd dream up how you were going to escape your hum drum town and become somebody who walks the Princess Diaries red carpet like Kelly? Bet you do.

"Don't Phunk With My Heart" by The Black Eyed Peas

Everyone was about "Where Is The Love" but in all honesty, "Don't Phunk With My Heart" was the real MVP.

"Incomplete" by Backstreet Boys

The Backstreet Boys were Emotional Men before Tumblr was even a thing.

"Pop" by *Nsync

When JT and his ramen hair was officially over. #NeverForget.

"Genie In A Bottle" by Christina Aguilera

In the years just before Xtina emerged, a slightly more innocent Christina sang "rub me the right way."

"Stupid Girls" by P!nk

While thankfully people are much more sensitive to what we deem "stupid" particularly when the media all but forces women to adhere to a certain standard, 10 years later, the dream of a female president is as alive and well as P!nk once hoped. #Blessed.

"Let Me Blow Ya Mind" by Eve

Don't even pretend that little "do do do do do do do" wasn't stuck in your head for years. YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.

"Pieces Of Me" by Ashlee Simpson

A homage to Ashlee's angst.

"We Belong Together" by Mariah Carey

The Official Aim Lyric Song Of 2005.

"The Reason" by Hoobastank

Still pretty much the definition of romance.

"Rich Girl" by Gwen Stefani

Everything she and Eve collaborated on was iconic.

"Hey Ya" by Outkast

If you don't remember the summer this came out, you were not really living. (Heeeyyyy yaaaa!)

Image: YouTube