http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDqlgW2Joq-FR6kqigxwRarMLcodlF0se

Part of the power and beauty of music is its ability to bring us together and to help us form memories. Some music is so memorable that it creates a literal “soundtrack” to our lives. Whether it’s because they’re hilariously terrible or outrageously good, certain songs remind us of very distinct periods in our childhood and adolescence. As the Class of 2015 has grown from children to adults, they’ve heard their fair share of good and bad tunes – but whether you love the songs or you hate them, you’ll remember them just the same.

Senior Year (2014-15)
Last summer’s big hits included Pharrell’s “Happy” and Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse.” In 2015, the most popular hits include the soulful “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran, and the poppy “Sugar” by Maroon 5.

Honorable Mention: Mark Ronson, “Uptown Funk;” Iggy Azalea, “Fancy” 

Junior Year (2013)
“Get Lucky” by Daft Punk peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2013; Lorde’s “Royals” was #1.

Honorable Mention: Macklemore, “Thrift Shop;” Imagine Dragons, “Radioactive”

Sophomore Year (2012)
When the Seniors were in the tenth grade, Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know” and Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” were major hits.

Honorable Mention: Fun, “We Are Young”

Freshman Year (2011)
LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem” and Maroon 5’s “Moves Like Jagger” share several things in common: they both were released in 2011, they both were excruciatingly popular on the radio, and they both remind us too much of school dances.

Honorable Mention: Adele, “Rolling in the Deep;” Nicki Minaj, “Super Bass”

8th Grade (2010)
“TiK ToK” by Ke$ha was, rather regrettably, the #1 song of the Class of 2015’s eighth grade year. Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” peaked at #8.

Honorable Mention: Train, “Hey Soul Sister”

7th Grade (2009)
During the Spring of 2009, The Black Eyed Peas released the #1 single “Boom Boom Pow.” Beyoncé’s iconic “Single Ladies” was another one of 2009’s big hits.

Honorable Mention: Lady Gaga, “Poker Face;” Taylor Swift, “Love Story”

6th Grade (2008)
The catchy piano-ditty “Love Song” by Sara Bareilles peaked at #7 in 2008, when the Seniors graduated from Columbia Elementary. “Viva la Vida” by Coldplay, meanwhile, charted at #13 in the year-end list.

Honorable Mention: Flo Rida, “Low;” Leona Lewis, “Bleeding Love;” Timbaland, “Apologize”

5th Grade (2007)
When the Class of 2015 entered Columbia Intermediate School – known back in the day as Columbia Elementary – the #5 song on the charts was T. Pain’s “Buy U A Drank.” Fergie’s “Glamorous” charted five spots lower.

Honorable Mention: Beyonce, “Irreplaceable;” Rihanna, “Umbrella;” Akon, “Don’t Matter”

4th Grade (2006)
“Ridin’” by Chamillionaire – wonderfully parodied by Weird Al with the hit “White & Nerdy” – reached the #8 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 when the Seniors rounded up their elementary school education. The #2 song in 2006 was Sean Paul’s “Temperature.”

Honorable Mention: Daniel Powter, “Bad Day;” Nelly Furtado, “Promiscuous;” James Blunt, “You’re Beautiful”

3rd Grade (2005)
“One, Two Step,” the dance hit by Ciara, charted at #5 on the year-end Billboard Hot 100.

Honorable Mention: Gwen Stefani, “Hollaback Girl;” Kelly Clarkson, “Since U Been Gone;” Green Day, “American Idiot”

2nd Grade (2004)
Maroon 5’s first breakthrough single was released halfway through the Class of 2015’s elementary school career. Outkast’s knockout single “Hey Ya” was also released during the Class of 2015’s second grade year.

Honorable Mention: Usher, “Yeah”

1st Grade (2003)
Despite it’s embarrassing title, Chingy’s “Right Thurr” peaked at #7 in the year-end charts for 2003, at the start of elementary school for the Class of 2015. Matchbox Twenty’s “Unwell” fared slightly better, charting at #5.

Honorable Mention: 50 Cent, “In Da Club;” R. Kelly, “Ignition;” Beyoncé, “Crazy in Love”

Kindergarten (2002)
When the Class of 2015 began school as kindergartners, “Complicated” by Avril Lavigne peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. “The Middle” by Jimmy Eat World charted at #5.

Honorable Mention: Nelly, “Hot in Herre;” Ashanti, “Foolish”

By Madison Stowers