Music is the true form of art that binds all of us together. Regardless of who you are, music has the power to help us connect and celebrate. It also has the power to characterize very specific periods in our lives, forming a literal “soundtrack” to our lives.
The Class of 2014 has lived through some great (and not-so-great) music over the past twelve years, and here are a few that continue to live on in our collective memory.
‘01 – ‘02: Kindergarten: Train – Drops of Jupiter
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Xf-Lesrkuc]
Honorable mention: “Fallin’” by Alicia Keys, “Hanging By a Moment” by Lifehouse, “Ride Wit Me” by Nelly
Take a musical journey through the past 12 years below …
‘02 – ‘03: 1st Grade: Vanessa Carlton – “A Thousand Miles”
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cwkej79U3ek]
Honorable mention: “Complicated” by Avril Lavigne, “Hot in Herre” by Nelly, “Ignition” by R. Kelly
‘03 – ‘04: 2nd Grade: Beyonce & Jay-Z – Crazy In Love
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViwtNLUqkMY]
Honorable mention: “In Da Club” by 50 Cent, “Unwell” by Matchbox Twenty, “Beautiful” by Christina Aguilera
‘04 – ‘05: 3rd Grade: Usher – Yeah
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hy-5d4r_6Y8]
Honorable mention: “This Love” by Maroon 5, “Hey Ya” by Outkast, “Toxic” by Britney Spears
‘05 – ‘06: 4th Grade: Gwen Stefani – Hollaback Girl
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kgjkth6BRRY]
Honorable mention: “Gold Digger” by Kanye West, “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers, “Since U Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson, “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” by Green Day
‘06 – ‘07: 5th Grade: Gnarls Barkley – Crazy
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd2B6SjMh_w]
Honorable mention: “Bad Day” by Daniel Powter, “You’re Beautiful” by James Blunt, “Ridin’” by Chamillionaire, “Sexyback” by Justin Timberlake
‘07 – ‘08: 6th Grade: Soulja Boy Tell’Em – Crank That
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UFIYGkROII]
Honorable mention: “Umbrella” by Rihanna, “Hey There Delilah” by the Plain White T’s, “Buy U A Drank” by T-Pain
‘08 – ‘09: 7th Grade: Flo Rida ft. T-Pain – Low
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5n60uGwnJao]
Honorable mention: “Love Song” by Sara Bareilles, “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay, “I Kissed A Girl” by Katy Perry, “Disturbia” by Rihanna
‘09 – ‘10: 8th Grade: Kings of Leon – Use Somebody
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnhXHvRoUd0]
Honorable mention: “Boom Boom Pow” by The Black Eyed Peas, “Poker Face” by Lady Gaga, “Single Ladies” by Beyonce, “Down” by Jay Sean
‘10 – ‘11: 9th Grade: B.o.B. ft. Hayley Williams – Airplanes
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn6-c223DUU]
Honorable mention: “TiK ToK” by Ke$ha, “Hey, Soul Sister” by Train, “Love the Way You Lie” by Eminem ft. Rihanna, “Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry
‘11 – ‘12: 10th Grade: Adele – Rolling in the Deep
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYEDA3JcQqw]
Honorable mention: “Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO, “Moves Like Jagger” by Maroon 5, “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People, “Just the Way You Are” by Bruno Mars
‘12 – ‘13: 11th Grade: fun. – We Are Young
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv6dMFF_yts]
Honorable mention: “Somebody That I Used To Know” by Gotye, “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen, “Lights” by Ellie Goulding
‘13 – ‘14: 12th Grade: Macklemore ft. Ryan Lewis – Can’t Hold Us
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zNSgSzhBfM]
Honorable mention: “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke, “What Does the Fox Say” by Ylvis, “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus, “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk
by Madison Stowers
