Story by Paula Jhea Sison
All songs we hear remind us of certain memories. Some make us think of our happy memories, while others break our hearts a little. The songs in this list will make you recall those memories from 90s to early 2000s. What songs made up your childhood? Remember listening to the daily top ten from your local radio stations? Or dancing to the, then, trending dance moves not minding if you look silly? Here are some of those songs that we used to play when we were kids.
CRANK THAT - SOULJA BOY
"Crank That" video by Dale Restenghini, ColliPark Music, HHH, Interscope Records
Release Date: May 2007
Remarkable Lyrics: Soulja Boy up in it (OH!) / Watch me crank it / Watch me roll / Watch me crank dat / Soulja Boy, / That Super Man Dat (OH!) / Now watch me do
We are not sure whether this song popularized its dance step or vice versa but one thing is for sure, we all sang and dance to his hiphop song with our oversized hoodies and bandanas. This became a hit in the Philippines that almost everyone danced this during school activities, barangay fiestas, and even in streets. More than a decade after it's iconic release, we all have realized that Crank That’s Superman dance will always be remembered.
WHEN YOU LOOK ME IN THE EYES - JONAS BROTHERS
"When You Look Me in the Eyes" video by Jonas Brothers, Hollywood Records, Inc.
Release Date: January 2008
Remarkable Lyrics: When you look me in the eyes / I catch a glimpse of heaven / I find my paradise / When you look me in the eyes
When You Look Me In The Eyes is probably the “kilig” theme song of 2000s. With the then (and until now) trending Jonas Brothers, this songs swept everyone’s feet with its romantic lyrics and soulful melody. Do you remember buying Song Hits from your local bookstore or nearest convenience store to memorize the song's lyrics? This is probably one of the songs that will forever be attached to Jonas Brothers as it really made a mark to everyone, especially to fans, since its release.
MACARENA - LOS DEL RIO
"Macarena" video by Los Del Rio
Release Date: August 1995
Remarkable Lyrics: Dale a tu cuerpo alegría Macarena / Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegría why cosa buena / Dale a tu cuerpo alegría, Macarena / Hey Macarena
This international hit made everyone jive to its iconic dance steps. This also became an anthem in reunions, birthday parties, and wedding. However, the song’s meaning might be new to most of us. It is actually about a cheating woman!
TOXIC - BRITNEY SPEARS
"Toxic" video by Joseph Kahn
Release Date: January 2004
Remarkable Lyrics: With a taste of your lips, I'm on a ride / You're toxic, I'm slippin' under / With a taste of a poison paradise / I'm addicted to you / Don't you know that you're toxic?
Following Britney Spears’ hits Baby One More Time in 1999 and Oops!... I Did It Again in 2000, Toxic also topped the charts since its release giving Britney her first Grammy Award in 2005. This song is about a girl who is addicted to a guy and is willing to go extra miles for him; hence, toxic. This song probably gave birth to a lot of 2000s Britney Army.
WANNABE - SPICE GIRLS
"Wannabe" video by Johan Camitz
Release Date: June 1996
Remarkable Lyrics: If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends / Make it last forever friendship never ends
Wannabe marks the debut of the ever famous English girl group, Spice Girls. This song became remarkable in the field of women empowerment as it highlights the importance of female friendship more than romance. Their fandom grew since their debut and Wannabe remains one of their best hits that are still sang by everyone, especially by 90s kids.
I WANT IT THAT WAY - BACKSTREET BOYS
"I Want it That Way" video by Wayne Isham
Release Date: April 1999
Remarkable Lyrics: / Tell me why / I never want to hear you say /I want it that way
This 20-year-old song wouldn’t go unsung when played in the radio even today. This hit became Backstreet Boys’ signature song which eventually became the group’s legacy. I Want It That Way is another example of a kilig love song which swooned most 90s teens.
MY HEART WILL GO ON - CELINE DION
"My Heart Will Go On" video by Celine Dion
Release Date: December 1997
Remarkable Lyrics: Near, far, wherever you are/ I believe that the heart does go on / Once more you open the door / And you're here in my heart / And my heart will go on and on
When you hear this song, you’ll immediately be reminded of the movie, Titanic, which used My Heart Will Go On as one of the its official soundtrack. One will always think of Jack and Rose’s dramatic “I’m flying” scene whenever this song plays. This Celine Dion hit will always be embarked in the heart of the everyone.
COMPLICATED - AVRIL LAVIGNE
"Complicated" video by The Malloys
Release Date: May 2002
Remarkable Lyrics: Why do you have to go and make things so complicated?/ I see the way you're acting like you're somebody else gets me frustrated / Life's like this you / And you fall, and you crawl, and you break / And you take, what you get, and you turn it into / Honesty and promise me I'm never gonna find you fake it
This heartbreak anthem broke everyone’s hearts when it was released in 2002. The song is the first single of the singer-songwriter, Avril Lavigne, whose career uproared since this single and eventually labelled as the “Pop Punk Queen”. Who actually did not sing this song while banging their head, thinking of their nonexistent heartbreak when they were kids?
A THOUSAND MILES - VANESSA CARLTON
"A Thousand Miles" video by Vanessa Carlton, Interscope Records
Release Date: February 2002
Remarkable Line: If I could fall into the sky/ Do you think time would pass me by? / 'Cause you know I'd walk a thousand miles / If I could just see you tonight
When someone hears the name Vanessa Carlton, one will surely think of A Thousand Miles despite the singer’s countless singles. A Thousand Miles is one of those songs that take us to our memories with our first love whom we did not end up with. This is definitely the song that will remind you of your early 2000s summer heartbreak.
BEAUTIFUL SOUL - JESSE MCCARTNEY
"Beautiful Soul" video by Marc Webb
Release Date: August 2004
Remarkable Line: I don't want another pretty face / I don't want just anyone to hold / I don't want my love to go to waste / I want you and your beautiful soul
Who did not actually have a crush on Jesse McCartney? Beautiful Soul is a song that will remind of your first crush in your neighborhood, whether you met in a park or in school. This song is probably the number one in your playlist as you think about that person.
Do you remember the first time you heard these songs? Or do you remember the feelings and the memories these songs carry?
I'm sure that these are just 10 of those songs that make you want to sing along despite the cracking of your voice or despite the tears that are threatening to fall. Ninety's and 2000s were two of the generations that created a lot of good music. This generation might have missed these songs but it is not too late to introduce it to them. Enjoy listening (and reminiscing)!
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