As I turned 23 this week, I thought it would be a great opportunity to reflect on the past couple years of my life through music. At first, I attempted to only pick songs from the year 2000, but what I learned after my in-depth search is my taste in music extends far beyond the pop hits of Britney Spears and there are a lot better song choices in the years 1999 and 2001. So if my parents planned better, this DeJamz would be more put together. Nevertheless, I still found a way to connect each song to my birthday, so I believe it still counts.

“Lucky” by Britney Spears

This is one of my favorite songs to come out in the year 2000. I first heard the Kidz Bop version of this song, which I almost feel I should include instead. However, I know Lilly would rather cover a basketball game than put the Kidz Bop CD cover on her back page. Last year, when I was Arts and Life Editor, I went all out with different variations of Animal Crossing covers for DeJamz (We can guess which of us takes this job more seriously.) Anyways I love this song because Britney is so real for talking about how amazing of a life she has but is still depressed. This should have been the first clue to have her take antidepressants – not 20 years later. 

“Bring Me to Life” by Evanescence 

“Bring Me to Life” was the No.1 alternative song on March 30, 2003. I know what you’re thinking: this is the emo anthem Amber, why is it in the same DeJamz as the girly pop of the century Britney Spears? Just like #FreeOurGirl Spears, Evanescence was very prevalent in my formative years. My mom was the one who showed me Evanescence as a child. We’d listen to the “Fallen” album on repeat on the kitchen CD player. This truly molded my teen angst a couple years early that I don’t think ever left 20 years later. But maybe that’s a conversation with my therapist and not the entire 20 people who read the DeJamz.

“So Fresh, So Clean” by OutKast

Recently, my lovely coworkers reminded me that I am the oldest woman in the newsroom. Although this isn’t that shocking as a grad student finishing their 5th year at DePaul working with a bunch of freshmen (derogatory), I was slightly shocked they assumed I was turning 26 this year instead of 23 — not because I make a lot of millennial jokes, or because I part my hair to the side (anymore), but my love for cheesy OutKast songs was the last straw to truly believe my age is higher than it is. OutKast deserves to be on this list and more importantly, their album Stankonia which came out Oct. 31st, 2000, deserves the recognition for aging me past my prime thanks to my music choices.

“Boy’s a liar Pt. 2” by PinkPantheress, Ice Spice

I’ve exhausted my playlist of songs from the 2000s, and I’m trying my best not to include NSYNC. So, I’m moving on to horoscope signs. PinkPantheress is an Aries and one of my favorite up-and-coming artists. There isn’t a single song of hers that I hate, but “This Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2” truly takes the cake. Anything including Ice Spice should be included in an Aries playlist.

“Man’s World” by Marina and The Diamonds

Honestly, I just wanted a reason to include Marina and The Diamonds in this group. Last year, all the Aries in the office wrote a DeJamz to start off the season. But this year, the Aries population in the newsroom has dwindled down to just me. I need to make up for the lack of fire signs. Marina gives me a lot of Aries energy, but she is actually a Libra (close enough). I first heard this song on my birthday two years ago and finally got to see her in-person for my siblings’ birthday last year. It’s safe to say that she deserves to be on my birthday DeJamz.