24 Songs Every Millennial Knew The Words To A Decade Ago

Don't lie...you probably still know them.

Growing up in the 2000s, there were plenty of songs that were played nonstop. Here's just some of the most recognizable songs (in no particular order) the millennials knew by heart a decade ago:

1. "Mr. Brightside" — The Killers

Island Lizard King

The Killers had a ton of hits in the 2000s, but nothing comes close to the widely popular "Mr. Brightside." Although released in 2003, it really took off in 2005 thanks to the music video, and even won the MTV VMA for Best New Artist.

First lyric I think of: "...and she's calling a cab."

2. "Hips Don't Lie" — Shakira (Wyclef Jean)

Epic / Sony

There are stars, and there are worldwide stars. Shakira's "Hips Don't Lie" (spoiler: they don't) won a People's Choice Award and an MTV Music Award. I've also been told other people are present in this music video besides Shakira...go figure. Future list perhaps? 21 Things I Never Noticed in Shakira Music Videos Because I Was Too Distracted by Shakira. 

First lyric I think of: "¿Cómo se llama?"

3. "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" — Panic! at the Disco

Fueled By Ramen

Panic! at the Disco really sprinted onto the music scene with the song "I Write Sins Not Tragedies." At the peak of Alternative Rock/Emo Rock, I don't think there was a song I heard more than this one on the radio. It peaked on the US Billboard Hot 100 at No. 7.

First lyric I think of: "What a beautiful wedding."

4. "Party Rock Anthem" — LMFAO (feat. Lauren Bennett, GoonRock)

Cherrytree

Speaking of songs on the radio nonstop, "Party Rock Anthem" by LMFAO might take the cake. Billboard has this song ranked as the sixth most successful song of all time. Sixth! Dance songs always have an advantage with being memorable since they are played at, like, every school dance.

First lyric I thought of: "Every day I'm shuffling."

5. "Someone Like You" — Adele

XL / Columbia

"Rolling in the Deep" could have easily made this list, but I feel like "Someone Like You" was a little more universally known and played since this was Adele at skyrocketing popularity. The single was of course the top dog in the UK in 2011, and it was her second No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

First lyric I think of: "I wish nothing but the best for you."

6. "I Kissed a Girl" — Katy Perry

Capitol

I originally had "California Girls" on the list, but I feel like this song was a little easier to follow for the masses, with easier lyrics to remember. It topped the US Billboard Hot 100 for seven straight weeks and also launched her career into the mainstream.

First lyric I think of: "It felt so wrong, it felt so right."

7. "We Belong Together" — Mariah Carey

Island Records

Mariah Carey actually had three songs on my radar, all which almost made the cut. But I gave the edge to "We Belong Together" over "Shake It Off" and "Touch My Body." Fun fact, at one point, while this song was No. 1 on U.S. Billboard, "Shake It Off" was No. 2.

First lyric I think of: "No matter what they say, it's on forever."

8. "Umbrella" — Rihanna

Def Jam SRP

In 2007, Rihanna won two MTV Music Awards for "Umbrella." It also appeared on Rolling Stone's "The Greatest 500 Songs of All Time." 

First lyric I think of: "When the sun shines, we'll shine together."

9. "Promiscuous" — Nelly Furtado (feat. Timbaland)

Geffen / Mosely

A No. 1 single in the US, I'd argue that this was the most popular song in 2006. It had music video cameos by Keri Hilson and that guy from NSYNC, but this was also the first song that really launched Timbaland into the mainstream. It was neat because this was also Furtado's first number-one hit, and she had been around since the '90s.

First lyric I think of: "...like Steve Nash."

10. "Crazy" — Gnarls Barkley

Downtown / Warner

CeeLo Green and Danger Mouse united to become Gnarls Barkley for one hit that made everyone lose their minds. "Crazy" won countless awards and is actually No. 100 in Rolling Stones' "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time." 

First lyric I think of: "Ha ha ha, bless your soul."

11. "Massive Attack" — Nicki Minaj (feat. Sean Garrett)

Young Money

In 2010, Nicki Minaj hit the mainstream with her song "Massive Attack." Obviously, "Super Bass" could be on this list, but overall, she was still relatively new to the music scene a decade ago.

First lyric I think of: "Young Nick', the atomic bomb."

12. "Yeah!" — Usher (feat. Lil Jon, Ludacris)

Arista

Maybe the biggest dance song of the 2000s, "Yeah!" was in its own galaxy of popularity: 12...twelve...TWELVE weeks as the Billboard Hot No. 1.

First lyric I think of: "Yeah!" (But in Lil Jon's voice)

13. "Sugar, We're Going Down" — Fall Out Boy

Island Records

It was a coin flip between this and "Dance, Dance," but I think lyrically, people recognize this song more...especially the chorus. This list has plenty of songs that were "career-launchers," and this simple jam was enough to make Fall Out Boy one of the biggest names in alternative/emo rock for years. 

First lyric I think of: "I'll be your number one with a bullet."

14. "Don't Cha" — The Pussycat Dolls (feat. Busta Rhymes)

AM

"Commercial success" is putting it lightly. This song launched the Pussycat Dolls into a successful run that was a lot of dance breaks and a lot of hits. "Don't Cha" topped the charts in 15 countries.

First lyric I think of: (Nothing fancy) "Don't cha."

15. "Dani California" — Red Hot Chili Peppers

Warner Records

I hate to say, I despised this song in 2006 because it was...played...non...stop. Still, it's another Red Hot Chili Peppers classic. On the Billboard Modern Rock chart, it was king for 14 straight weeks at No. 1.

First lyric I think of: "Black bandana. Sweet Louisiana."

16. "Ain't No Other Man" — Christina Aguilera

RCA Records

In 2006, Christina Aguilera made a massive comeback with her single "Ain't No Other Man." It was a Grammy winner and was nominated for plenty of awards for its music video.

First lyric I think of: "You got soul, you got class, you got style with your bad ass."

17. "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" - Beyoncé

Columbia

Someone once said this was the "best video of all time," but hey, the song itself was a hit. Beyoncé is one of the many artists on this list where I could have put 10 of her songs in a hat and picked it. There was something about this one, though, in the mainstream where everyone knew the words.

First lyric I think of: "Oh, oh, oh. Oh, oh, oh."

18. "Hey, Soul Sister" — Train

Columbia / Sony

I feel like a lot of rock/pop-rock songs could have made this list, but it isn't about my opinion, but the popularity among the masses...and Train was always on the tracks (cues laugh track). It won the Grammy for Best Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals.

First lyric I think of:  "Hey, soul sister."

19. "Bad Romance" — Lady Gaga

Streamline

"Bad Romance" was on another level in 2009. Lady Gaga gave the world one of the bestselling singles of all time and was even the most-watched video on YouTube before Justin Bieber's release of "Baby."

First lyric I think of: "Rah, rah-ah-ah-ah."

20. "Love Story" — Taylor Swift

Big Machine

So, I hope I'm doing this list justice, but a quick story of how out of touch I have always been with music. As a teen, I walked into Target with my dad and saw a blonde woman plastered everywhere wearing Target-branded clothes. I asked, "Who is she, Target's mascot?" My dad shook his head like I was an idiot and said, "That's Taylor Swift."

That being said, I may be bad with faces and names of artists, but I recognized this song and some of the lyrics because it was that popular at the time. Another career-launching hit from 2008.

First lyric I think of: "Baby, just say yes."

21. "Knock You Down" — Keri Hilson (feat. Kanye West, Ne-Yo)

Mosley / Zone 4

If I was a betting man, I think Keri Hilson's "Knock You Down" in 2009 might be one people in the comment section say they don't remember, but at the time, it was extremely popular. A slow jam during a time where everyone was trying to make the next pop/dance hit.

First lyric I think of: "Just get back up, when it knocks you down, knocks you down."

22. "Low" — Flo Rida (feat. T-Pain)

Atlantic

Another dance song that people adored. The longest reigning number-one single of 2008. It was actually tough to think of just a single lyric from this one.

First lyric I think of: "Boots with the fur (with the fur)."

23. "Lose Control" — Missy Elliott (feat. Ciara & Fatman Scoop)

Goldmind Atlantic

Best for last: Who doesn't love some Missy Elliott? This hit single reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2005 and was nominated for six MTV Music Awards.

First lyric I think of: "I've got a cute face, chubby waist."

24. "Welcome to the Black Parade" — My Chemical Romance

Reprise Records

Those piano keys hit hard. My Chemical Romance had plenty of hits, but this lead single off their third album was everywhere at the time and became a cult hit. It reached No. 9 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 2006.

First lyric I think of: "When I was a young boy."

How many songs do you remember the lyrics to? Are there any you don't even recognize or any (there's plenty) that I missed? Comment below!