20 Songs You Probably Forgot About (But Need In Your Life)
Throwback songs are always a blast. And there’s no better feeling than hearing a song come on in the supermarket that you thought you left behind in 2008 or at a middle school dance. If you’re looking for some new music to throw into a playlist, why not reach for some oldies but goodies instead?
Here are 20 throwback songs you probably forgot about and need a serious reminder of!
1. Just Dance – Lady Gaga
In 2008, Lady Gaga set the industry standard for club tracks with this ultimate disco smash hit. And if you haven’t listened to Just Dance recently, stop what you’re doing right now and do it. This is one of those songs that comes on and you just know all the lyrics – it’s like they’re buried deep in your brain (along with some cringe worthy choreography).
2. Tonight Tonight – Hot Chelle Rae
Tonight Tonight was EVERYWHERE for a few solid years, so where is she now?! Although I cannot name you more than one song by Hot Chelle Rae, they definitely delivered with this one. And if you don’t miss it, stop lying to yourself.
3. God is a DJ – P!nk
I only remember this song because it was featured in the 2004 hit “Mean Girls.” And if you know any lyrics beyond the chorus, I am highly impressed seeing as this is from the days when Pink had an exclamation point in her name.
4. Year 3000 – The Jonas Brothers
After the release of their 2019 album, I became a renewed Jonas Brothers stan. While I appreciate classic songs like Burnin’ Up and S.O.S., I think Year 3000 gets lost and the shuffle and is incredibly underrated. Oh how I miss Joe’s skinny tie days.
5. Forget You – Cee Lo Green
My dude Cee Lo really rode out the Forget You high, then kind of disappeared back into the production side of music. He did his time, though, because this song got us all through 2010. It’s also another one of those “where did she go” songs, but you still know every single word to it.
6. I Kissed a Girl – Katy Perry
Kissing girls no more, Katy is engaged and expecting a child with Orlando Bloom! But back in the day, this was like, the edgiest of all edgy songs. I Kissed a Girl was especially controversial for the former Christian-rock artist, but we are all glad she took a leap of faith because this really hit somethin’.
7. Dynamite – Taio Cruise
Okay. Dynamite low-key gets on my nerves because of how much it was overplayed in its day. However, it would be a disservice not to remind you of it because it is undeniably one of the catchiest songs there is.
8. Somebody That I Used To Know (feat. Kimbra) – Gotye
I have legitimately never heard another one of the Belgian singer’s songs, but this one was his mic drop. And I can’t believe it came out almost 10 years ago. Wtf.
9. Come Get Her – Rae Sremmurd
You probably haven’t forgotten about this song, but in case you have, here’s a reminder: it exists. Need I say more?
10. Live While We’re Young – One Direction
I was totally a Directioner, and I think the last time I felt something was when the Live While We’re Young single dropped. And my mom was such a bad bitch that she let me stay home from school to listen to it and cry.
11. Heart Attack – Demi Lovato
Heart Attack is one of Demi Lovato’s best songs in my opinion, and I think it compensated for “Sonny With a Chance” getting cancelled on Disney.
12. Tik Tok – Ke$ha
At the very minimum, listen to this song as a reminder for what the vibe was like in 2009. We were all goin’ through it, and this was one of the songs that really captured our collective energies.
13. Pocketful of Sunshine – Natasha Bedingfield
This song was undeniably a feel-good favorite of 2008 and has seemingly disappeared since. Aside from that scene in “Easy A” where Emma Stone sings it in the shower, I don’t think I’ve heard this song in years. Radio DJs need to seriously up their game, and so do Spotify throwback playlists because I think we all need a Pocketful of Sunshine right now.
14. Kiss Me Thru the Phone – Soulja Boy
I fucking love this song because it dropped right around the time people started texting. What better way to kick off the departure from IM than a Soulja Boy record?
15. If We Were a Movie – Hannah Montana
That’s right, NOT by Miley Cyrus.
16. We Got the Party (feat. The Jonas Brothers) – Hannah Montanta
Another Hannah song, this one features our favorite siblings: the Jonas Brothers! This song went harder than anything released since, but unfortunately didn’t get much radio play because it was for an episode of the Disney series. If you don’t remember this one (which is likey), add it to every playlist you have ASAP.
17. Never Say Never (feat. Jaden Smith) – Justin Bieber
This song shook me, along with millions of other preteen girls. This song was when the Bieber hair was still a thing, and purple was all over the place. Never Say Never was definitely a fight song of its time, but now serves as a great reminder of what current-Justin used to be.
18. Like a G6 – Far East Movement
Did they ever end up releasing any other songs, or was this it? Regardless, run, don’t walk, and go listen to Like a G6 right now. The lyrics will crack you up for sure.
19. Cry Me a River – Justin Timberlake
This is actually a great throwback, and in all seriousness is one of the only non-cringe song on this list. Cry Me a River dropped early in J.T.’s career and set the bar so high that he won over a great majority of disgruntled NSYNC fans.
20. Dance, Dance – Fall Out Boy
I want this song to play at my wedding. And at my funeral. And any other event I have in my life. That is all I have to say.
