You walk through the hallway wearing your favorite Aeropostale t-shirts, leggings, and Ugg boots after dissecting a frog in science class (gross!). You should be focused on studying for that upcoming pre-algebra test, but all you can do is think about is the latest episode of Pretty Little Liars, daydream about your favorite member of One Direction, and look forward to your BFF’s bat mitzvah coming up in a few weeks. You look down at your brand new iPod Nano, plug your in headphones to drown out the booming noise of fellow middle schoolers running through the hallway, and press play…
A Playlist by Middle-School-You
1. “Want U Back” by Cher Lloyd
This was, by far, my most played song of my middle school years (and probably currently, too, because I still listen to it way too often). The catchy chorus, Cher’s distinguishable voice and attitude, and the overall upbeat mood make the perfect song to sing with your best friends.
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2. “Super Bass” by Nicki Minaj
Did you even live through your middle school years if you don’t know the entire rap to this song?
3. “Teenagers” by My Chemical Romance
Ah, your middle school emo phase. Good times. Note to my middle school self: self-cut side bangs were never a good idea, but definitely matched the angsty sound of this song.
4. “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepson
I know, I know. This song played on a loop in every public place for the entirety of 2012, and now everyone hates it. However, you have to admit that it is an essential on anyone’s middle school throwback playlist.
5. “The Way” by Ariana Grande ft. Mac Miller
An instant hit, and for many, the start of their obsession with Ariana Grande.
6. “Cups (When I’m Gone” by Anna Kendrick (Pitch Perfect Version)
Maybe it was just my middle school, but I remember the entire lunchroom performing the cup-song almost every day after Pitch Perfect came out. We were that obsessed.
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7. “Hollaback Girl” by Gwen Stefani
I have great memories of blasting this song while running the mile in middle school gym class. P.s: Thank you, Gwen Stefani, for teaching us all how to spell “bananas”.
8. “Thrift Shop” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
All it took was one person to say “Hey Macklemore, can we go thrift shopping?” for the whole class to break out in song.
9. “Live While We’re Young” by One Direction
Of course I had to include One Direction on this list. Whether your One Direction phase never happened, peaked in middle school, or is still going strong (I fall into this category), I think it is safe to say that this boy-band had a big influence on our tween years.
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10. “Don’t Stop Believing” (Glee Cast Version)
What would this playlist even be without a Glee cover? I bet every middle school had at least one performance of this song in their talent show. I know that my middle school’s orchestra even did a cover of it. It’s iconic and will forever remind me of being 12 years old and obsessing over Glee.
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