In 2006, I was 13 and had a pretty finite number of worries. These concerns included: figuring out how to apply eyeliner without looking like a raccoon, positioning my mouth into smile without showing my bottom braces, and deciding which song I wanted to have play on my MySpace page. That last one was the most worrisome for me. I would spend hours listening to everything from Panic! at the Disco to Chamillionaire to Fergie, trying to pin down how I wanted to express myself that day.
These days, I've moved onto stressing about new eyeliner trends, and trying to keep up with all the new ways to selfie. Since MySpace is pretty irrelevant, that particular weight has thankfully been lifted. But I still think about all the songs I used to obsess over back in the aughts.
Before looking back at this list of 30 chart-toppers from a decade ago, be warned that your jaw might just drop. Yes, Rihanna's "S.O.S." is 10 years old. And yes, Taylor Swift first came onto the scene, via MySpace, in 2006. Time flies, so let's reminisce a bit.
I'm sorry in advance for getting these tunes stuck in your head again. Just be thankful you no longer have a MySpace page.
"Laffy Taffy," D4L
When Laffy Taffy became more than just a type of candy that no one wanted to eat on Halloween.
Youtube."Grillz," Nelly ft. Paul Wall, Ali & Gipp
Oh man, grillz. May you rest in peace.
Youtube."Unwritten," Natasha Bedingfield
This song will never be the same after The Hills.
Youtube."Tim McGraw," Taylor Swift
The beginning of it all for 17-year-old Swift.
Youtube."Check on It," Beyoncé
Remember when Bey was in Pink Panther? Well, that explains this video's colour palette.
Youtube."Everytime We Touch," Cascada
For the club-goers.
Youtube."What Hurts the Most," Rascal Flatts
First breakup song, right here.
Youtube."Dani California," Red Hot Chili Peppers
This was a popular song choice for many of my peers' MySpace pages. RHCP or bust.
Youtube."Ridin'," Chamillionaire ft. Krayzie Bone
Spot-on spoof from "Weird Al," comin' right up.
Youtube."White & Nerdy," "Weird Al" Yankovic
If this song came out today, it would start out as a Vine clip.
Youtube."Crazy," Gnarls Barkley
Ink blots never sounded so good.
Youtube."Ain't No Other Man," Christina Aguilera
It was hard to say bye to early-2000's "Xtina," but this classed-up version of Aguilera was pretty amazing, too.
Youtube."I Write Sins Not Tragedies," Panic! at the Disco
This was definitely my MySpace song for a while. Also, PSA: They're on tour this summer.
Youtube."Me & U," Cassie
Her mirror dance moves were #goals.
Youtube."Lips of an Angel," Hinder
I personally wasn't a fan of this song, but hell if it wasn't played constantly on the radio.
Youtube."Let Me Talk to You/ My Love," Justin Timberlake
Remember when Justin Timberlake went from "the boy in *NSYNC with curly hair" to JT, "man of your dreams"?
Youtube."London Bridge," Fergie
Still a little confused about what this song means, and unsure if I really want to know.
Youtube."Wind It Up," Gwen Stefani
Remember when Stefani was edgy?
Youtube."Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It," Dem Franchize Boyz ft. Jim Jones
Dance moves used to be a lot less work.
Youtube."Over My Head (Cable Car)," The Fray
My eighth grade graduation song.
Youtube."S.O.S.," Rihanna
Before she was Bad Gal Riri, she was just trying to get a little help.
Youtube."Gold Digger," Kanye West ft. Jamie Foxx
Since West's supposedly having financial troubles, would he be the gold digger now?
Youtube."My Humps," The Black Eyed Peas
Raise your hand if you still know all the words to this song and thought you could rap because of it.
Youtube."Show Me What You Got," Jay Z
HOVA at his prime.
Youtube."Too Little Too Late," Jojo
It was a good year for Jojo, between this hit and the release of Aquamarine.
Youtube."Run It!," Chris Brown
Look how young he is. One year later, he would start guest-starring on The O.C. as a band geek and love interest for Marissa Cooper's little sister. Bet you forgot about that.
Youtube."Photograph," Nickelback
Who doesn't love to hate this song?
Youtube."It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp," Three 6 Mafia
Three 6 Mafia became the first hip-hop group to win an Academy Award for Best Original Song, for this gem from Hustle & Flow.
Youtube."Dirty Little Secret," All-American Rejects
I actually still like this song.
Youtube."Wait (The Whisper Song)," The Ying Yang Twins
Just don't listen to the words. But remember that this is indeed a real song.
Youtube.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
These Girl Power Songs Are All You Need Today, & Every Day
Beyoncé & Jay-Z Are On The Run Again
Rihanna Proves She Is All The Woman Anyone Needs By Breaking This Record