Top 10 Songs You Listened to on Repeat as a Kid

Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera wasted no time in claiming a top spot as one of the biggest new pop stars of the 1990s. For kids of that era, Aguilera and her competitors represented a youthful spirit that was changing music. This bouncy pop production helped the song become a late decade favorite. Reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100, this single from her stellar debut album was the first of many indelible hits that we couldn’t help but replay. It's hard not to be drawn into her powerful presence and amazing singing abilities. Her amazing vocals for the song still hold up to this day.

Bee Gees

Regardless of your age, “Stayin’ Alive” impresses the child in all of us. This Bee Gees single captures the disco era like no other song of its kind. With a funky groove and an upbeat message, it's hard not to fall in love with the hit the first time you hear it. Barry Gibb and his brothers manage to push their falsettos to the brink and deliver harmonic bliss in the process. The track has a tremendous shelf life thanks to the film “Saturday Night Fever.” As subsequent generations watch the movie and discover its soundtrack, “Stayin’ Alive” remains a perennial favorite for any feel good moment in life.

Spice Girls

There were only a handful of tracks that shook the world like “Wannabe.” Not only was it a huge pop sensation, but it was also a way for the group to bring girl power to the world with one single. The Spice Girls’ empowering message and fun-loving energy kept this jam in CD players throughout the late 90s. With a mix of hip-hop and pop influences, this enjoyable song put the group on the map for their inviting presentation style. It's still a highly energetic song that the entire world continues to enjoy. As soon as Mel B and Geri start their vocals, we all become kids again.

Avril Lavigne

Canadian singer/songwriter Avril Lavigne emerged with her own take on pop rock that attracted a whole new crowd to the genre. The single was off her highly successful debut album “Let Go” alongside other hits like "Sk8er Boi." Selling millions of copies, the track became a favorite for misunderstood kids and teens in the 2000s. Whether listeners consider themselves alternative or mainstream, they all find something to latch onto with the song's universal message. In a tumultuous recounting of a relationship, “Complicated” also revealed Lavigne as wise beyond her years and destined for even bigger fame down the road.

Bryan Adams

Bryan Adams’ rock tune came out in a time for both boomers and Generation X to embrace it. People who grew up in the late 60s could embrace their childhood and their kids could live vicariously through Adams’ lyrics. Becoming a staple on rock radio, "Summer of '69" continues to be in the popular consciousness decades later. It also produces a nostalgic effect with its coming of age tale that many people find relatable. Finding a young audience around the world, the hit broke down borders and continues to find more generations of music fans.

Smash Mouth

Smash Mouth gifted a truly unforgettable single to the world in 1999. If you didn’t catch it on the radio, you likely heard the song in the animated hit film “Shrek.” Kids of all ages can’t resist “All Star” and its bubblegum energy. Whether or not you associate the track with a green ogre, it still represents a perfect blend of catchiness and 2000s nostalgia. Try listening to this song without whistling the melody or at least humming along. As a meme and a force of nature, “All Star” encourages repeat listening for its endless good vibes.

Outkast

When Outkast delivered this genre mashup in the 2000s, it broke records on Itunes. The group also introduced a host of new music fans to their unique artistry. “Hey Ya!” is so insanely catchy and engaging that it demands to be heard again and again. André 3000 brought in a diverse audience with this hugely influential crossover hit. Every time we hear the line about Polaroid pictures, we can’t help but hit the dance floor. The single blends soul, pop, and hip hop influences into a fantastic concoction worthy of all its accolades. To this day, it’s clear that Outkast's song hasn't lost any of its power or replay value.

Blink-182

For anyone alive in the early 2000s, they'll likely remember this track as an inescapable pop punk hit. Tom DeLonge’s catchy lyrics and a memorable chorus made this song an incredibly huge single for the band. It’s hard to imagine any pop or rock fan of a certain age who didn’t go through a Blink-182 phase because of this piece. As one of the bands that helped usher in a new wave of pop punk, the group reached a massive audience with this undeniable jam. If for no other reason, “All the Small Things” also presents ample opportunity to sing “na na” with each replay.

Eminem

Eminem entered the hip hop scene in the 2000s with all the confidence of a complete veteran. “Without Me” has all the swagger and lyrical sophistication of his best work. For the loyal Eminem supporters that grew up alongside his career, songs like this were a breath of fresh air. Marshall Mathers is subversive, slick, and lightning fast with his words. He operates at such a high level that he requires several listens just to catch up to his brilliance. In the case of “Without Me,” the artist’s humor is also on clear display with the track. It’s no wonder that it became one of his biggest early singles.

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

“I Want It That Way” (1999), Backstreet Boys
The Ultimate Boy Band Ballad Was a Favorite for Late 90s Kids


“The Boy Is Mine” (1998), Brandy & Monica
The R&B Rivals Teamed Up for the Single of Their Respective Careers


“Call Me Maybe” (2011), Carly Rae Jepsen
This Summer Bop Became a Viral Sensation & a Ubiquitous Pop Track in the 2010s


“Take On Me” (1984), A-ha
The Norwegian Band Turned This Track into an International Phenomenon


“Bring Me to Life” (2003), Evanescence
A Gothic Masterpiece with Metal Influences That Spoke to Many Young Fans

Britney Spears

Who can argue with Britney Spears? We’re betting most pop fans put on “...Baby One More Time” any chance they got in the late 90s. With the help of an infectious hook, Spears created an army of devoted listeners. The opening piano notes and bouncy backing track gets everyone excited no matter what. Just as their parents did years ago, younger fans can dance and sing along like the song was written yesterday. She clearly defined the peak of teen pop stardom with this track. Even in this new musical landscape, the single stands out as a timeless hit that hasn’t lost any of its greatness.