Music can really change our mood. Whether we’re having a great day and want to keep that positivity flowing, or we’re having a not so good day and we need some help in flipping our perspective, the right music is there for all of that.
For us millennials, 9 times out of 10, that playlist we’re reaching for is one filled with nostalgia. And the key is having the most legendary songs for a millennial’s nostalgic playlist at hand that you can just hit play – they are great for karaoke too!
We want to be taken back to the days where we didn’t have bills, or responsibilities. We want to be reminded of the days we really were young, wild, and free.
A Millennial’s Nostalgic Playlist Essentials
Don’t already have that nostalgic playlist set up? Here are 37 legendary and nostalgic millennial songs you’ll want to include. You’ll find they’re split into a few categories but maybe for you they’ll fall into their own, or entirely separate, category.
Timeless Millennial Hits
It would almost be shocking if each of these are not a part of the legendary songs for a millennial’s nostalgic playlist. Let’s break this down to some of those timeless hits.
“…Baby One More Time” – Britney Spears
You really should include a ton of songs from our millennial pop princess on your playlist, but for now, we’ll go with her OG hit.
“Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” – Backstreet Boys
Same as with Brit, you should have a ton of BSB on your playlist, but since we know you were probably screaming “am I sexual”? as a kid and giggling to yourself, we’ll go with this one.
“Genie In A Bottle” – Christina Aguilera
You need the other millennial pop princess on the playlist, too.
“Heaven” – DJ Sammy
A millennial dance anthem for sure.
“Everytime We Touch” – Cascada
Another millennial dance anthem.
“I Write Sins Not Tragedies” – Panic! at the Disco
Another everyone get up on the dance floor at a millennial wedding song.
“Umbrella” – Rihanna
You loved singing “ella, ella, eh, eh, eh” and definitely still do.
“Yeah!” – Usher ft. Lil Jon and Ludacris
Does anything scream 2000s more than this song?
“You Oughta Know” – Alanis Morrissette
This was most millennials first “angry” song; perfect for when you were going through that first heartbreak and just needed to be angry.
“Don’t Chat” – The Pussycat Dolls ft. Busta Rhymes
This was probably your away message or in your AIM profile, wasn’t it?
“Teenage Dream” – Katy Perry
You were just leaving teenagehood when this song came out and it made you nostalgic for those teen years, didn’t it? Time to get nostalgic all over again.
“Teenage Dirtbag” – Wheatus
You were actually a teenager for this song, or a pre-teen looking forward to becoming a teenager.
“Semi-Charmed Life” – Third Eye Blind
You probably say every word without having an idea what it meant. You probably still don’t, really. But that doesn’t make it any less catchy.
“Stacy’s Mom” – Fountains of Wayne
Remember thinking this song was hysterical… and now you may be relating to Stacy’s mom more than you ever thought you would..
“All The Small Things” – Blink-182
Another song you’re relating to now more than you thought you’d be. Remember screaming “work sucks, I know” without realizing how much working every day and not having summers off anymore actually does suck?
“Say My Name” – Destiny’s Child
There’s a ton of Destiny’s Child songs you can add to your playlist, but we’re going with this one just because of how iconic it is.
“One Week” – Barenaked Ladies
You’ll probably still be trying to sing as fast as them, too.
“C’est La Vie” – B*Witched
You may have forgotten about this song, but now that you’ve remembered it, you have a smile on your face, don’t you?
“Come Clean” – Hillary Duff
“Laguna Beach” and Hollister automatically come to your mind, doesn’t it?
Must-Have Nostalgic Millennial Ballads
It’s time to sing your heart out, belt it out with these songs. They give all the feels and leave nothing lacking if they’re included on your nostalgic playlist.
“Wonderwall” – Oasis
It’s still everyone’s go-to song on the acoustic guitar today for a reason.
“Mr. Brightside” – The Killers
This is the go-to sing-a-long at a bar or an everyone get up on the dance floor at a wedding for a reason. Think of it – can you listen to it without screaming the lyrics?
“Love Story” – Taylor Swift
Millennials have been getting proposed to this song by their BFs at the “Eras Tour” for a reason.
“No Scrubs” – TLC
We learned from a young age not to settle thanks to TLC’s jam. Adding this to your playlist is also a good reminder that you shouldn’t settle for anyone or anything.
“Bittersweet Symphony” – The Verve
Something about this steady violin rhythm and liquid verse leaves the millennial soul quenched.
“Iris” – Goo Goo Dolls
Another sing-your-heart-out song. Some may even call it a screamable anthem.
“Sugar, We’re Going Down” – Fall Out Boy
The emo pop punk song everyone knows and loves. There’s a ton of Fall Out Boy songs needed on your playlist, but we’re going with this one.
“Torn” – Natalie Imbruglia
Not as angry as Alanis, but still a sing-your-heart-out banger.
“My Heart Will Go On” – Celine Dion
You spent your childhood wanting to be Kate Winslet or Leonardo DiCaprio (minus the dying) in “Titanic,” we know.
Legendary Millennial Party Beats
We simply cannot have flashbacks to our youth without the body-bouncing beats and vibes from these nostalgic songs.
“Hips Don’t Lie” – Shakira ft. Wyclef Jean
OG Shakira, need we say more? Also admit it – how many times did you try growing up to dance like Shakira? That memory alone will put a smile on your face.
“Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It” – Will Smith
You’ll now have “Na-na, na, na, na-na-na-na” stuck in your head the rest of the day and that’ll distract you from anything else on your mind, you’re welcome.
“Wannabe” – Spice Girls
You and your friends definitely had a choreographed dance to this and screamed out “if you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends” and probably pointed at your friends while singing it.
“Work It” – Missy Elliott
The entire song is lyrical genius, and you probably still know every single word to it.
“Bye Bye Bye” – NSYNC
If we have Brit and BSB, you know we need NSYNC too. And of course we have to go with the song that’ll get you up and doing the choreographed routine we all still know to this day.
“All Star” – Smash Mouth
When does this solid track not vibe us to a full on rock out in the livingroom screaming the lyrics?
“Shots” – LMFAO ft. Lil Jon
You may have been in college or not so far out of college, screaming the words to this song or trying to take a shot every time they said the word shots…
“Ice Ice Baby” – Vanilla Ice
STOP – COLLABORATE AND LISTEN! You may hate to admit that you love this song, but we know you do.
“Low” – Flo Rida ft. T-Pain
Apple bottle jeans, boots with the fur… we’ll just leave it at that.
Can You Think of More Legendary Songs For A Millennial’s Nostalgic Playlist?
There are so, SO, many clear winners for a millennial’s nostalgic playlist so leave us a comment on which we left out and would be on yours! We each fell into different social crowds during those formative years so maybe your playlist would sound different.
Whichever vibe is your jam, this is a MUST for all the feels and memories. Sing it out, shake it up, and flip any negative perspective to a fun spin with these legendary songs for a millennial’s nostalgic playlist!
About the Author
I had tons of fun in my 20s, but my 30s have been my favorite decade so far! From getting married and now getting to explore life with my best friend, I want to share my experiences and learnings with you. I've worked in both the nonprofit and corporate worlds and have freelanced all the way through. When I'm not working, you'll probably find me booking my next trip.