In the midst of midterm stress, Off the Record invites you to take a break and reflect on a simpler time, a time without tests, ScanTrons, or unclear study guides. The early 2000’s are symbol of the childhood of our generation, and everyone receives comfort from watching a television show, finding a toy, or listening to a song that brings one back to the simplicity of childhood life. This phenomenon could explain the immense popularity behind “#TBT,” or “Throwback Thursday,” on social media like Instagram and Twitter. In honor of Throwback Thursday, below is a playlist that encompasses a generation of music, ranging in genres to provide a complete childhood experience in just twenty songs.
When thinking of early 2000’s music, your mind should instantly go to one thing: the classic boy band. Synchronized dance moves, matching outfits, ridiculous hair: everything that you hate to have loved. Even hipster elitists would be lying if they said they didn’t have a crush on at least one of the members of *NSYNC or the Backstreet Boys, which is why they are both included on this playlist. Don’t pretend like you don’t love it.
On the topic of classic pop music, the playlist would be incomplete without previous pop icons like Britney Spears, Hillary Duff, and Lindsay Lohan. Although you may scoff at the names now, they were most likely your idols back in the day. Their music defined a pop for a generation, setting a precedent for present Top-40 music. Although it may not be up to today’s standards, allowing yourself to divulge in the cheesy, repetitive lyrics and beats is a fun and nostalgia-filled experience.
Although the era is mainly defined by bubblegum pop music, you can’t fully discuss the music of the early 2000’s without talking about pop punk. Whenever you were feeling particularly rebellious, you turned, of course, to Fall Out Boy, My Chemical Romance, and Panic! at the Disco, classics that made you feel particularly anarchic before realizing that you were in elementary or middle school and should probably just play by the rules. Everyone had a punk phase, whether it lasted for a few years or just a month or so, but the memory of your elitist attitude towards others during this phase is simultaneously cringe-worthy and hilarious.
Riddled with these genres and more, this playlist is sure to take you back to a simpler time while you attempt to study for your last final. Best of luck.
-Rachel Spang
