The Songs That Made Us Art & Article by Kristen Roberts
W
e all know that music can have a massive impact on our lives and how we view the world, but what about the songs that stick with us through an entire decade? Through the late nights, the heartbreaks, the bonfires, and road trips, these songs make up the soundtrack to at least half of my life. For many of us, the end of this decade marks the end of our childhoods. So as we step into a new chapter of our lives, let’s reflect on the songs that have been there for us over the past ten years. These five songs were released over the past decade and have been a great success, viral hit, started conversations, or defined the era as a whole. Music has power and these, along with many others, are the songs that made us.
This decade featured many happy-sad anthems and it seems like it all started with Robyn. The Swedish singer-songwriter started a pop revolution with her album Body Talk, which featured “Dancing On My Own” and “Call Your Girlfriend.” Her success and courage gave other artists the freedom to branch out and be more authentic in both lyrics and sound. Singer-songwriter, Lorde, has even spoken about how Robyn has heavily influenced her most recent album, Melodrama. Robyn’s breakout single “Dancing On My Own” was originally released in June 2010 at the very beginning of the decade. This song is a perfect representation of the phrase “crying in the club.” With a blend of independence, sadness, and funk, this is a tune for any occasion. The sweet-sad mix quickly became the anthem of millions. In 2016, several years after its debut, the song was covered by Calum Scott, which gave the song a whole new life and audience. Iconic line: “I'm giving it my all, but I'm not the girl you're taking home.” 14
Sunlight Magazine