I’m Anna, and I listen to way too much music from 2010. It was a year of musical-awakening for me – I even gave out a CD for my birthday party favor called “Anna’s Top Ten at Ten,” consisting of my favorite songs that year. That being said, I decided to make a playlist of all my favorite throwback songs. I wish I could say this is an ironic playlist, considering that it’s filled with old, cheesy songs, but I most definitely listen to each of these songs on the way home from school. This playlist includes the best of the Shrek soundtrack, some definite anthems from my fourth grade year and jams from my awkward Avril Lavigne phase. I can proudly say that I know each of these songs by heart and will cherish them for the rest of my life.
“All Star” – Smash Mouth
My favorite song off the Shrek soundtrack. This song brings back memories from when my sisters and I would watch Shrek in the back of my car on roadtrips. I still listen to this song in the car and it gives me just as much pleasure as it did 10 years ago.
“Burnin’ Up” – Jonas Brothers
It was, and always will be, the best Joe Bros song – and I’ll vouch for that, considering the Jonas Brothers was the first concert I went to. I’m not ashamed to say some friends and I choreographed a dance routine to this last semester for our aerobics class.
“Complicated” – Avril Lavigne
Throwback to my Avril Lavigne phase – aka, the entirety of my first and second grade years. I remember jumping on my bed, belting out this song with my cousins. It was (and still is) one of those songs you dramatically look out the car window and sing along to, pretending you’re in a movie.
“Airplanes” – B.o.B feat. Hayley Williams
When I was younger my cousin and I ran around my front yard holding a toy airplane singing this song. Now, I sing this song as a duet with my friend who does B.o.B’s rapping part, while I belt out Hayley William’s chorus.
“Hey, Soul Sister” – Train
This is my all-time favorite song. Whenever I’m feeling low I play some Train, specifically this song, and I automatically feel better. Everyone has that one song that people associate you with. Yeah, this is that song for me.
“Stereo Hearts” – Gym Class Heroes feat. Adam Levine
I can easily say that this is my second all-time favorite song. Every time I hear the chorus my stomach drops because it takes me back to my 11-year-old self hearing this song on the radio for the first time.
“Tonight Tonight” – Hot Chelle Rae
This is another jam that gets me pumped. It makes me think of my sister not letting me sing along when it came on the radio because it was “her song.” I sang anyway, though, because it’s a fun song that allows you to let loose and have a carefree night.
“Fireflies” – Owl City
Every Friday in fourth grade my teacher let us play music for the class. For probably two months I chose “Fireflies” and my mom still references this whenever we listen to this song. It’s about as close as you can get to my 10-year-old self.
“Party In The U.S.A.” – Miley Cyrus
I think we can all agree this was when Miley was in her prime. This is a definite jam – anytime, anyplace. It’s one of those songs that breaks the ice at parties and gets the crowd pumped.
“Accidentally In Love” – Counting Crows
This is another great song on the Shrek soundtrack. Once I listened to this song on repeat for a shameless three hours on a plane ride. It’s just one of those songs you don’t get sick of.