If you were anything like me, you spent most of the early to mid 2000s jamming out to some exceptionally dorky (yet undeniable catchy) tunes. You had your calendar marked for Hilary Duff’s next album release and would proudly sing along to anything by the Click Five. Your most prized possession was your Jonas Brothers tote bag and watching High School Musical when it came on Disney Channel was not merely an option, but a necessity.
As spring break approaches, I am beginning to come to terms with the fact that my freshman year of college is almost over, bringing me one step closer to being a real live adult. To fuel my nostalgia, I decided to take myself on a little stroll down memory lane, reliving the glory days and rediscovering some of the classics. And, well, the treasures that I found were simply too good to keep to myself. Lucky for you, I compiled the top five into a list, including some of my own commentary and links to the music videos for your listening pleasure. Enjoy, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself bopping along.
1. “Come Clean” by Hilary Duff (http://vimeo.com/30120412)
Of course, I had to kick things off with my longtime idol, Hilary Duff. She was everything I aspire to be and more on Lizzie McGuire (she got to be an Italian pop star for crying out loud), and her music had me dancing around my bedroom and singing into my hairbrush. Debatably her most known hit, “Come Clean” does not disappoint. Here’s to you, Hil.
2. “Pop” by *NSYNC (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWZKw_MgUPI)
Though it wasn’t necessarily their most popular song, “Pop” by *NSYNC is truly a delight. This upbeat tune was dropping the beat long before the world had discovered EDM, and Justin Timberlake’s irresistible vocals can only be described as groovy. It’s true, *NSYNC has got the gift of melody, and they will indeed bring it ‘til the end.
3. “Just the Girl” by the Click Five (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQBu5whSgC4)
Man, talk about underrated. The Click Five only briefly captured the spotlight in the pop world, but it was a glorious fifteen minutes. “Just the Girl” is a hit worth revisiting.
4. “Stacy’s Mom” by Fountains of Wayne (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZLfasMPOU4)
I have my older brother to thank for introducing me to this gem. With lyrics that practically beg to be sung at the top of your lungs, Fountains of Wayne’s “Stacy’s Mom” really hit the nail on the head. I firmly believe that any mother who had her daughter after 2003 and named her Stacy was influenced, at least a little, by this masterpiece.
5. Beautiful Soul by Jesse McCartney (http://vimeo.com/62562372)
I too was crushed when Jesse McCartney’s boy band Dream Street broke up in 2002. However, he thankfully released this triumph not long after to ease our broken hearts. With a positive message and that unforgettable chorus, “Beautiful Soul” is everything you could want in a pop song. Plus, let’s not forget that it was performed on one of the greatest Disney Channel shows of all time, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. It pretty much doesn’t get any better than that.
So there you have it, five of the most praiseworthy songs of my childhood. I can’t claim that they’re all innovations to the world of music, but they sure will get you on your feet.
Now, if you need me, I’ll be listening to the High School Musical soundtrack and avoiding responsibility.