Top 10 Songs That Will Take You Back to Your Teens

This song remains one of Pink’s most iconic works, and for good reason. The vibrant rhythm and chorus alone are enough to get anyone’s attention! And it’s the perfect tune to listen to when you want to remember the great times you had in high school. After all, you could get any party started if it came on back when it was first released in 2001. Thankfully, the same remains true today. So gather up your besties, blast it through your speakers at full volume, and take a trip down memory lane as you jam along! It’s a guaranteed good time.

Is there a teen in the world who wasn’t singing, spelling, and rapping along to “Fergalicious” in 2006? We’d guess they were few and far between. A perfect mix of hip hop and dance music, the song is hard to resist. It acts as an ode to confidence that’s filled with plenty of attitude and style, and a beat that’s sure to get you bobbing your head. On top of that, it’s fun and makes you feel good about yourself! Plus, the title basically became its own descriptor, and we’re definitely not mad at it. You could even say the whole thing is, well, “Fergalicious”!

The only thing better than listening to Ciara is listening to her collaborating with legend Missy Elliott. When “1,2 Step” first came into our lives, our adolescent minds absolutely lost it. The urge to stand in front of the TV and try to learn the titular dance while also mastering each lyric was simply too strong. Honestly, we still haven’t recovered. But can you blame us? The song has everything you could possibly want, from an electric melody to an unbeatable rap, to its own choreography! We’d go so far as to say it’s automatic, supersonic, hypnotic, and funky fresh. That’s a pretty epic combination!

High school is where many people experience heartbreak for the first time. And there’s no denying it can be super painful. But thankfully, teens of the 2000s had Kelly Clarkson there to help them through it, and she delivered. “Behind These Hazel Eyes,” for instance, is the perfect track to belt through your tears. But “Since U Been Gone” is THE feel-good break-up song that never stops giving. You can feel every single one of Clarkson’s emotions as she celebrates moving on to better things, and it’s amazing. A work of power pop art, it’s a timeless anthem that has helped countless teens embrace their independence while rocking out.

How can you spot someone who was a teenager in the aughts? Well, we’re sure there are many different ways. But our favorite is playing this earth-shatteringly awesome Killers song, and keeping an eye out for anyone who immediately jumps to their feet. Let’s be honest, nobody sings the “Mr. Brightside” chorus with more grit, passion, and intensity than those who grew up headbanging to it. The familiar melody and lyrics have the ability to transport us back to 2003, and what a trip it is. We don’t know how things ended up like this, but make no mistake, we’re here for it!

If anyone knows how to capture the range of complex emotions that come with adolescence, it’s Taylor Swift. Her discography is full of perfect songs for when you’re feeling nostalgic. Just look at the aptly titled “Fifteen,” which tackles the freshman experience flawlessly. And when it comes to unreciprocated teen love,“You Belong with Me” is beyond compare. The music and lyrics describe what it’s like when you fall for a friend who looks past you with stunning accuracy. If you ever felt like an outsider in high school, you know what Swift is talking about. Not only is the tune relatable, but it’s also insanely satisfying to sing along to!

Picture this: the year is 2007, and your teenage self is listening to Rihanna’s “Good Girl Gone Bad” album. You play “Don’t Stop the Music,” and completely lose yourself in all its gripping goodness. But even that can’t compare to the feeling you get when “Umbrella” comes on. Suddenly, it’s all you want to sing. We’re right there with you, because that hook is nothing if not completely infectious! An insanely invigorating song, it has acted as the theme song to many, many rainy days. It was stuck in our heads then, and it’s stuck in our heads again now. But this is one earworm we’ll never complain about.

No throwback playlist would be complete without this track from the inimitable Queen Bey herself. Energetic, bubbly, and downright hypnotizing, the funk-infused number could get even the shyest teen to break out of their shell and tear up the dance floor in 2003. What can we say? Beyoncé is just that powerful. Add in the dazzling vocal performance and, well, what you get is essentially pure perfection. Hey, the song didn’t win two Grammy awards for no reason! Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh, we’re still absolutely “Crazy in Love” with this song – and we’re not ashamed to scream it from the rooftops.

Was your high school filled with cliques? If so, we bet this iconic track really resonated with you back in the day. It’s a classic story: girl and boy like each other, but they’re from different worlds. Well, Avril Lavigne took that timeless tale and expanded upon it, adding a rocking melody, riveting narrative, and exciting lyrics. What more can we say? The result is everything angsty teen dreams are made of! And if you ever need something a little more ballad-y to wallow in? “Complicated” is always there, at your service! Avril Lavigne was the queen of ‘00s pop-punk music, and these songs are proof of that.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Poker Face” (2008), Lady Gaga
We Can’t Hide How Much We Love This Song

“Dirrty” (2002), Christina Aguilera feat. Redman
Xtina Outdid Herself

“Crank That (Soulja Boy)” (2007), Soulja Boy
The Track & Its Dance Remain Ingrained in Our Minds Forever

“Hollaback Girl” (2004), Gwen Stefani
We All Learned to Spell the Day This Classic Was Released

“Don't Cha” (2005), The Pussycat Dolls feat. Busta Rhymes
Don’t Cha Wish You Could Hear This Song for the Very First Time Again?

Starting in the late ‘90s and into the aughts, Britney Spears was the moment. A pop star in the truest sense of the word, she had us all eating out of the palm of her hand – honestly, she still does. When “Toxic” came out, it changed the lives of teens everywhere. Okay, maybe we’re hyperbolizing just a teensy bit, but it really did mark and shape our adolescence in countless ways! It’s instantly recognizable, endlessly catchy, and yes, we know all the words by heart. There’s nothing toxic about how obsessed we are with this tune all these years later. Don’t be shy, sing along!