20 Songs That Will Instantly Transport You To A Department Store In The Early 2000s

    It was a simpler time.

    gissellepernett
    by gissellepernett

    Community Contributor

    BuzzFeed Community Team
    Approved and edited by BuzzFeed Community Team

    1. "Everywhere" by Michelle Branch

    Maverick/Warner Music Australia

    An early 2000s underground queen! She's bringing back memories of back-to-school shopping and being stressed out in a Kohl's dressing room.

    2. "On the Way Down" by Ryan Cabrera

    Ryan Cabrera playing the guitar in the "On the Way Down" music video
    Atlantic Records

    Big TJ Maxx vibes.

    3. "Fallin' for You" by Colbie Caillat

    Bobby Moynihan and Colbie Caillat sipping drinks on the beach in the "Fallin' for You" music video
    Universal Republic

    Also big TJ Maxx vibes but I'm standing in the candle section trying to remember where I've heard this song.

    4. "Pieces of Me" by Ashlee Simpson

    Geffen

    Dressing room thought: Ashlee's singing career ended way too early, and no I won't stop talking about it.

    5. "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield

    Phonogenic/Epic

    "Unwritten," "These Words," and "Pocketful of Sunshine" are all faintly playing in a Marshalls somewhere.

    6. "Love Song" by Sara Bareilles

    Sara Bareilles playing the piano and singing in the "Love Song" video
    Epic

    I know everyone has heard "Love Song" or "King of Anything" while shopping at ANY department store.

    7. "Just the Girl" by The Click Five

    The Click Five playing "Just the Girl" on a rooftop
    Lava

    Honestly, the perfect soundtrack for having a little fashion show in the dressing room.

    8. "Over My Head (Cable Car)" by The Fray

    Epic

    An underrated bop.

    9. "One Step at a Time" by Jordin Sparks

    Jordin walking down the street and singing in the "One Step at a Time" video
    Jive

    I can also bet "Tattoo" has played throughout SEVERAL department stores.

    10. "Apologize" by Timbaland ft. One Republic

    Mosley/Interscope

    A classic. This song will always go HARD.

    11. "Come Clean" by Hilary Duff

    Buena Vista/Hollywood

    I hear this song and can vividly picture the big Candie's cutout in the Kohl's juniors section.

    12. "You're Beautiful" by James Blunt

    James sitting near the ocean in the "You're Beautiful" video
    Atlantic/Custard

    Thank you, James Blunt, for reminding me that I am beautiful even during my "none of these jeans fit" dressing room breakdown.

    13. "Kiss Me" by Sixpence None the Richer

    Someone gets a kiss on the cheek in the "Kiss Me" music video
    Squint/Columbia

    I need everyone to close their eyes and pretend they're standing in the checkout line at Kohl's where the music plays slightly louder than in the rest of the store.

    14. "I'm Like a Bird" by Nelly Furtado

    DreamWorks

    Tell me you don't have memories of hearing this song playing and then it getting interrupted halfway through for a store announcement.

    15. "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz

    Jason Mraz walking outside in the "I'm Yours" music video
    Atlantic / Via youtube.com

    Big Marshalls vibes.

    16. "Since U Been Gone" by Kelly Clarkson

    RCA

    I can only hope someone else had the experience of faintly singing this song in a store and being equal parts nervous about getting caught and hopeful that someone will recognize your talent and sign you to a record label.

    17. "Absolutely (Story of a Girl)" by Nine Days

    Nine Days performing "Absolutely (Story of a Girl)"
    550/Epic / Via youtube.com

    TASTE. It reminds me of being in a cold Kohl's dressing room on a summer day, but taste nonetheless.

    18. "It's My Life" by No Doubt

    Interscope

    A timeless Kohl's bop.

    19. "I Try" by Macy Gray

    Macy Gray sitting at a table and singing in the "I Try" music video
    Epic

    It's impossible to get this song out of your head after hearing it on a shopping trip.

    20. And finally, "Tell Me I'm a Wreck" by Every Avenue

    A still from the "Tell Me I'm a Wreck" music video with the subtitles "I Don't know anything about that stuff"
    Fearless / Via youtube.com

    It's the song I didn't know before I entered the store, but now that it's playing I'm quickly typing in the lyrics into Google so I can listen to it for the next couple of weeks.

    What songs take you back to trying on flared jeans in a fitting room in the 2000s? Feel free to tell us in the comments below!

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