I was born in 2010 and was around a lot of the music that came out around that time, which made me grow a strong love for it. I’ve always been fond of older music, but listening to the music I grew up with sparks a nostalgic feel. When it’s a song I would still enjoy even if I hadn’t listened to it as a kid, it becomes something I can enjoy day to day now. Today, I wanted to share some of my favorite songs that were released between 2010 and 2020!
“Marry You” by Bruno Mars
As a kid, I was a huge Bruno Mars fan and was obsessed with his album Doo-Wops & Hooligans. This song warms my heart because of its tone. It’s about making an impulsive proposal, not worrying about what’s to come, and just living in the moment. The lyric “Cause it’s a beautiful night, we’re looking for something dumb to do” shows the impulsiveness of the proposal while still expressing love and intent toward the person it’s directed to. This song is filled with 2010 nostalgia and creates the perfect 2010s summer-night vibe.
“Loose” by Daniel Caesar
This song fills me with such deep emotions. It’s a beautiful ballad about having to let go, even when it’s painful, and about cutting out people who bring you down. This song has helped many people get through hard situations, work through guilt, and let go of toxic relationships—realizing that sometimes it’s necessary for peace. One of the most beautiful lyrics is “Why all the rain and all the thunder follows her around,” a poetic way of describing the negativity someone brings into your life. Even if you don’t want to lose them, you realize how heavy it is to keep them close. I first heard my older sister play this song in early 2018, and I immediately fell in love with Daniel Caesar’s voice and his beautiful lyricism.
“Smuckers” by Tyler, The Creator, Lil Wayne, Kanye West
This collaboration creates a soul-touching song that expresses how deep the topic is for these lyricists. It touches on Tyler, The Creator’s feelings about having an absent father and his struggle with seeing parts of his father in himself, which causes identity issues. The beat for this song was originally intended for Jay-Z and Kanye West before being given to Tyler after they heard his ideas. The depth of the vocals layered under the beat adds so much feeling, and the desperation and anger in his voice strengthen the meaning of the song.
Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored – Ariana Grande
To this day, this song is one of my favorites. I first listened to it in 4th grade, and I was already an avid Ariana Grande fan. I’m still a huge fan of her older music. This song was widely known as a big troll—it got a lot of attention and backlash because the theme is exactly what the title suggests. It’s about Ariana finding a guy attractive, discovering he has a girlfriend, getting jealous, and trying to take him. The music video flipped the story because, at the end, she goes after the girlfriend instead. It was a huge deal at the time and caused a big stir around her name. I loved that she did something so bold, and I still love this song. The rhythm creates a fun and exciting vibe.
“C U Girl” by Steve Lacy
I absolutely adore this song and have since I first heard it in 2017, even though it came out in 2015. I heard it in a friend’s dad’s car, and I was immediately calmed and intrigued by Steve Lacy’s voice, lyrics, and instrumentals—the depth they create together is beautiful. His lyrics give the song a lovey-dovey feel that fills your heart. The line “When you hear this song, feel flattered, it’s about your face” is such a sweet lyric he wrote for the girl he missed. The song is about missing someone you haven’t seen in a long time, and the longing in the lyrics perfectly matches the feeling the song gives.
“Why” by Dominic Fike
You probably know Dominic Fike from his song “Babydoll,” which I absolutely love, or from his role in Euphoria, which is how I discovered him. This song genuinely changed my mindset. It’s about asking why you should change yourself or care what others think. It doesn’t matter if people like you—especially if they don’t truly know you. Changing yourself to please everyone is impossible and would drive you insane, so why bother? The lesson becomes clear in lyrics like “Do you ever wonder why everyone is out to get you every day? Or do you question anything?” This song came out in 2020 on one of my favorite albums, What Could Possibly Go Wrong, which has such carefree vibes in both the title and the music.
