Have you seen this commercial? Two guys, talking on the phone, are debating when the song, “Whoomp! There It Is!” came out. Was it 1993 or 1995? When the guy claiming 1995 realizes he’s wrong, he abruptly gets off the phone with his friend. “Kenny, the restaurant’s on fire. I’ll call you back.”
I laugh every single time I see this commercial. (And remember, I still don’t have a DVR, so I watch a lot of commercials.) The timing of the actor in this ad is perfect, but it strikes me as so funny because Smitty and I have these debates on quite a regular basis.
Speaking of Smitty, she had the nerve to say a couple weeks ago, “Do you realize that it has been TEN YEARS since we graduated from college?”
Um, yeah. And just look at us. Taking over the world. (Please read that in the sarcasm font. And then realize that I’m only kidding. No need for the “you’re doing important and great things” pep talk, I promise!)
But since I’m not up for any serious speculation about how far I’ve come or all I’ve accomplished or any other deep thoughts – at least tonight – I decided to take a note from my current favorite commercial and think back to the music of 2001.
[Don’t pat me on the back and/or laugh at me for being a dork. I didn’t remember these off the top of my head! Just like the commercial guy, I consulted Professor Google. And then picked the ones I remembered most.]
- Lady Marmalade (Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mya & Pink) – Yes, I know what this song’s about. And I don’t even think I’ve ever seen Moulin Rouge all the way through. But this song is fun. More songs should include catchy French words.
- Fallin’ (Alicia Keys) – I love, love, love this song. Soulful, bluesy and still within my singing-at-the-top-of-my-lungs-in-the-car range? Just . . . love. And while it may have been overplayed a decade ago, it has been much too long since I heard it. (Going to YouTube for a listen now . . .)
- I’m Real (Jennifer Lopez) – Don’t waste your breath telling me how awful J-Lo is, as an actor, a singer or an American Idol judge. Because I like her. And there’s nothing you or a lame romantic comedy can do to change my mind.
- Family Affair (Mary J. Blige) – “No more drama in our lives.” Enough said?
- Thank You (Dido) – I don’t really like this song. But 2001 was also the year that Mark’s mom passed away, and he told me once that he liked this song and it made him think of her. How could I not include it in my list?
- Don’t Tell Me (Madonna) – Brad Paisley has a song on country radio right now about how much he (and his girl, of course) loves “Old Alabama.” I would like to write a song about how much I love “Old Madonna.” And by “old,” I don’t mean scary biceps 50-year-old Madonna. I mean 80s and 90s Madonna who sang songs I liked.
- Hero (Enrique Iglesias) – I cannot stand this song. Mainly because of the awful TV performance I saw Enrique give shortly after September 11. Do you remember that? Maybe I’m the only one who wasn’t moved, but honestly? I thought it was cheesy and not worthy of the situation or everyone’s (possibly including Enrique’s) intentions.
- Hanging By a Moment (Lifehouse) – Has Lifehouse ever not been making generic, soft rock music that fades into the background? Poor Lifehouse.
- Drops of Jupiter (Train) – I guess this was a big song. I like Hey, Soul Sister better.
- Hit ‘Em Up Style (Blu Cantrell) – This is such a great angry song. I know, I know – not a good moral to it. But still, it’s fun to sing. If you’re angry. That’s all I’m saying.
- Survivor (Destiny’s Child) – And then, once you’re finished with the anger, I suppose you can move on to surviving. Girl power, right?
- It Wasn’t Me (Shaggy) – This song is wretched. Seriously awful. But I can’t forget my old roommate loving it. So weird.
- All for You (Janet Jackson) – Was this the song with the video when Janet debuted her new abs? Maybe not. Maybe I’m mixing up my decades?
- Angel (Shaggy featuring Rayvon) – Okay, seriously, I don’t like this guy. But this song mentions his “peeps” and this was really funny to my friends and me. I don’t remember why. But it was.
- Turn Off the Light (Nelly Furtado) – Another big song. So catchy. And not my favorite at all.
- How You Remind Me (Nickelback) – I should probably go ahead and admit it. I am not sure I know the difference between Nickelback and Lifehouse. Nickelhouse or Lifeback. Whatever. I do like this song, but they really all blend together in my mind!
- I Hope You Dance (Lee Ann Womack) – I do not like this song at all. Great message, but overplayed beyond belief. And now I might have to go listen to those Shaggy songs just to get it out of my head.
- Yellow (Coldplay) – Maybe you’ve heard this song? Kidding.
- Pop (NSYNC) – Ummm, okay. I somehow missed this song back in 2001. So when I happened to hear it on the radio a couple weeks ago, I – don’t laugh – thought it was a new song. I said don’t laugh! As soon as I started telling Smitty about it, I realized how ridiculous that is. Then again, we were in the middle of a conversation about the merits of the upcoming New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys concert and trying to remember which moderately successful pop singer came from which boy band. It’s possible that this whole thing is ridiculous.
Where were you – and what were you listening to – in 2001? What music reminds you of college?
This was a great idea for a post, and highly entertaining for me since Lifehouse was the soundtrack to my college years. My roommate and I loved them! That and Savage Garden until they split. It’s funny that Shaggy was on here too, since I absolutely cannot stand any of his songs. I recall being baffled at the time as to how anyone could take something like “It Wasn’t Me” seriously without wanting to shoot him and be done with it. Lol.
I know. I KNOW. Shaggy was completely and totally AWFUL!
My dear, I have to add another decade to get to my college days. And at my Christian University it was all Michael W. Smith and DC Talk. Throw in some Michael English for inspiration and a little 4Him and it takes me right back!
Sounds like a pretty good soundtrack to me!
Actually just saw that NKOTBSB concert in Phoenix last night—best fun EVER!!! The audience was mad crazy and screaming, and the guys sounded pretty darn good. I had a blast–can’t recommend it enough.
I think it would be a blast. Tickets are nowhere near my budget, though, so I’ll live (secretly) vicariously through others!:)
So…yeah…I didn’t know half of those songs. Where was I? And I don’t remember Enrique’s performance, but I do like the Hero song–I think. And I like J Lo too–she seems so nice and sweet–at least she plays one on tv ;-D.
See? Glad to know I’m not the only J Lo fan around here!
Oh…and that commercial cracked me up! I hadn’t seen it before, but it reminds me of me and my husband–we always do that! :-D
Hah, so true about Blu Cantrell. I still have that whole CD and listen to Hit’Em Up Style regularly. I always hated Wasn’t Me, but somehow know every word and its playing in my head right now. Thanks, thanks a lot!
Oh, you are quite welcome! ;)
In summer 2001 I spent a LOT of time in a Ford Explorer with three other college girls – we were summer missionaries working at a missions camp. And oh, gracious, the number of time I heard Drops of Jupiter on the radio was astonishing.
Mark has XM radio in his new truck, and I thought, “Finally! I can listen to the radio without hearing the same four songs played over and over!” Um, no. Apparently there’s just no escaping radio overkill!
That was my exact playlist! Just add a few hard rock songs, add some Incubus, Staind, and the like. Given that I graduated college in 2002, I am not far from my 10 year anniversary. Egads! Oh, and you should watch Moulin Rouge the whole way through- love that movie!
I know, I know. For being such a TV geek, I’m sorely lacking in movie watching experience. My best friend is constantly appalled at the movies I have not seen!
In 2001, I was an exhausted and scatterbrained mother of a two-year-old. I’ve never heard of any of those songs, except Lady Marmalade. The only popular song from that time period I remember is She Bangs by Ricky Martin. When I was in college, 1990-1994, I was enjoying the last of the big hair bands, like Guns and Roses, and the beginning of grunge, like Nirvana.
I wasn’t in college for the big hair bands, but I love them!!
2001 is the year I graduated too. It was funny to find this post. I was just thinking the other day: “Wow, it’s been 10 years since I graduated from college. College. Not high school. College. Yikes.” Seems like yesterday…and your list of songs takes me right back. Thanks for that! Don’t forget…
“Butterfly” by Crazytown (I played sports and somehow this was always played during warm ups!)
“It’s been a while” by Staind
“Bootylicious” by Destiny’s child (You mentioned ‘overplayed!?’)
“Beautiful Day” by U2
Beautiful Day was in 2001? Wow…doesn’t seem that long ago. For many reason! :)
Very fun post. I always think of Truman when I hear about Lifehouse. I remember they were a little band, the kind Truman activities could afford to book, then they blew up and were “huge” when they played in the gymnasium. The Lady Marmalade sound reminds me of driving to see my mom in TN at spring break. I think I heard it seven times in about five hours. It cracked me up that it was SO popular…but I listened every time.
Oh, wow. I didn’t even know (or remember?) Lifehouse played at Truman!