Entertainment
These Uplifting '00s Songs Should Be Popular Again
If you ask me, one of the best ways to work through your feelings is to play some great music really loud. That's exactly what I've been doing lately, looking to music of the recent past to vent some of my personal frustrations. While doing so, I decided that there are some '00s songs that should be popular again today, especially considering we live in fraught political times. These are songs that provide some much needed pep, and that are all, in their own way, some of the most uplifting pop songs of the decade.
To be fair, that's because a lot of them are actually feminist songs, too, making them perfect anthems for days when you want to celebrate the value and power of all women. Other ones, however, provide motivational sentiments or the kind of sweet reminders about life that we all crave after an especially tough day. And then many of them are included just because I'm a strong believer in the therapeutic qualities of having a good dance, which is something that they definitely inspire you to do.
So, yeah, let's make these songs popular again, eh? Because feeling good about life should be popular again, too.
1"Try Again" By Aaliyah
Whenever you feel as though you're on a losing streak and need someone to cheer you through it, just listen to this on repeat.
2"Mono" By Courtney Love
Taken from Love's solo album, America's Sweetheart, "Mono" is a deeply underappreciated anthem of snarling self-belief.
3"Hip Hop" By Dead Prez
Delivering catchy, intelligent songs with a political conscience, Dead Prez are easily one of the greatest hip hop groups of all time.
4"Don't Let Me Get Me" By Pink
By talking about the relatable feeling of being your own worst enemy, "Don't Let Me Get Me" is a self-love anthem sung from the other side of the mirror.
5"Float On" By Modest Mouse
Possibly one of the most motivational, uplifting indie songs ever written. If you're wondering how you're going to get out of a tough time, then blast this song as a starting point.
6"No Scrubs" By TLC
Still one of the finest, most positive, and timeless anthems against wasting time on the sort of dudebros who will only drag you down.
7"Get Ur Freak On" By Missy Elliott
Because who better than Missy Elliott to provide you with musical permission slip to let loose and be as nasty as you want to be?
8"Hips Don't Lie" By Shakira
Look, I have no other justification for including this song other than it makes me really, inexplicably happy. So there.
9"The Middle" By Jimmy Eat World
Containing sentiments about being patient with life and not writing yourself off, "The Middle" is the song that we all need as our backup.
10"Ice Cream" By New Young Pony Club
One of the sweetest slices of early '00s electro-indie that you're likely to find. It's full of sex positive sentiments, which makes it deliciously fun.
11"Hung Up" By Madonna
Featuring a savvily used sample of Abba's "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)," Madonna's "Hung Up" was an unwitting anthem about, basically, being ghosted by a crush.
12"Trick Me" By Kelis
Featuring a perky beat and powerful lyrics about not allowing a lover to get the better of you, "Trick Me" was made for dancing to.
13"Do You Realize??" By The Flaming Lips
"Do You Realize" provides a swooning reminder about the simple beauty of life that we could all do with hearing from time to time.
14"Lose My Breath" By Destiny's Child
I think we all need a fight song right about now. While "Survivor" is a little too on the nose, "Lose My Breath" has the sparring momentum we all need to feel ready to stand our ground.
15"The Great Escape" By We Are Scientists
Having recently rediscovered With Love And Squalor by We Are Scientists, I can officially confirm that this song deserves to be popular again.
16"What You Waiting For?" By Gwen Stefani
Because giving in to your insecurities is the absolute worst, you guys.
17"LoveGame" By Lady Gaga
"Love Game" is just so brazen with its sexuality that I want it to make a comeback right now, at a time when women definitely need to be loud and proud about such things.
18"Let Me Blow Ya Mind" By Eve
"Let Me Blow Ya Mind" is the perfect pick-me-up for anyone doubting their abilities or careers.
Let it out, ladies. You got this.
