The early 2000s were a different time: no iPhones with 23 cameras on the back, no constant checking of how many likes your recent Instagram post got. Although, one thing has stayed the same: music. Here are a few of my favourite “throwback” songs.
“Me Against the Music” by Britney Spears and Madonna (2003)
Britney Spears was 22 when she released In the Zone and she was in her prime. She had already released her first three albums, which included hits such as “...Baby One More Time” and “Oops!... I Did It Again.” I contemplated putting those songs on this list, but I ended up choosing “Me Against the Music” with the legendary Madonna. Why? The song is upbeat and fun and makes me want to dance “everytime” (haha, get it?) it comes on. Plus, Madonna’s feature actually adds to the song. I miss when features were actually memorable... now most of them are just random verses on tracks that don't really need them. *Sigh.* Check out In the Zone by Britney Spears on Spotify and Apple Music.
“Hot n Cold” by Katy Perry (2008)
I don’t know if I could name more than 5 songs on Katy Perry's debut album One of the Boys, but I do know that I could recite the chorus of “Hot n Cold” forwards and backwards. The song was a single off One of the Boys, which also featured the viral yet controversial (at the time) song “I Kissed a Girl.” "Hot n Cold" talks about indecisiveness in a relationship, which is described using several juxtapositions such as hot and cold, in and out and up and down. The song is also upbeat and its live performance on the California Dreams Tour was iconic with its many quick changes. Check out One of the Boys by Katy Perry on Spotify and Apple Music.
“Emotions” by Mariah Carey (1991)
Sorry, did you say something? I couldn’t hear you over Mariah Carey’s whistle notes in “Emotions.” The song was on her album of the same name and it topped the Billboard Hot 100. Carey, 21 at the time, was known for her insane whistle notes not only in her songs but also in her live performances. This led to "Emotions" being nominated for “Best Female Pop Vocal Performance” at the 1992 Grammy’s. It’s 2020 and I’m still shocked when I hear those whistle notes! Check out Emotions by Mariah Carey on Spotify and Apple Music.
“Hollaback Girl” by Gwen Stefani (2004)
Give me a G! Give me a W! Give me an E! Give me a… oh, wait. Gwen Stefani ain’t no hollaback girl! Stefani, 35 at the time, released “Hollaback Girl” as the third single off her album Love Angel Music Baby. The song is a response to when Courtney Love called her out in a magazine, calling her a “cheerleader.” So, the only logical thing to do after that would be to make a marching band-inspired diss track! The production is fun and makes you feel like you’re standing right in the drumline. Check out Love Angel Music Baby on Spotify and Apple Music.
“Treasure” by Bruno Mars (2012)
I’ve been trying to find a good way to start off this paragraph, but this song does not need an introduction. It’s “Treasure” by Bruno Mars! I already know that some of you might not consider this a “throwback song” because it was only released in 2012, but the song has such a retro feel that I find it hard to believe that it wasn’t released more than a decade or two ago. This song is quintessential Bruno Mars: stacks of backing vocals, retro synths, fun drums and lyrics about him professing his love to a girl. Check out Unorthodox Jukebox by Bruno Mars on Spotify and Apple Music.
Thank you for reading! Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to my time machine...
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