Sometimes you just have to have a little fun. You deserve it! Have that extra slice of cake, put on that television show for an extra episode or two. Or put on that music that just puts a smile on your face. It’s rough out there. Life is—what is the quote—nasty, brutish, and short? Well, you might as well listen to the songs that float your boat! That’s just what we wanted to do here. We wanted to dive into three songs from the early 2000s that get our juices flowing. A trio of pop tracks from 2004, to be more specific, and dive into tracks that knew how to have a good time. Indeed, these are three pop songs from 2004 that are just fun.
“Since U Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson from ‘Breakaway’ (2004)
While this song may not be a barrel of laughs, what’s just super fun about this track is the chorus. It’s one of those that you can belt out on your own while driving down the highway, or you can sing with friends, arm in arm, in one of those cathartic chants after a bad breakup or something else formative. Kelly Clarkson brings a pop-punk (emphasis on the pop) energy to this hit single. It’s just fun!
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“Hollaback Girl” by Gwen Stefani from ‘Love. Angel. Music. Baby.’ (2004)
Gwen Stefani is one of those people who can jump in and out of genres. She rose to fame in a rock band, then shifted gears and became a pop sensation with songs like “Hollaback Girl”. Now, she’s writing and releasing country hits with husband Blake Shelton. Is there anything she can’t do? As for this tune, it’s catchy as all heck. It’s a party in a matter of minutes!
“Yeah!” by Usher from ‘Confessions’ (2004)
If a year can be defined by a song, then 2004 was defined by this Usher song. It was a club hit, radio hit, headphone hit. Everyone was shouting “Yeah!” like producer Lil Jon. And everyone wanted to sing and dance like Usher. Then everyone’s favorite rapper was the big-voiced Ludacris, who is the track’s bombastic exclamation point. What a winner this one was!
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(Original Caption) A singer called Joni. Joni Mitchell, Canadian singer-songwriter, United Kingdom, 1968. The guitar-pickin' gal is Joni Mitchell, a long blonde haired Canadian folk singer. Pictured last night outside the Revolution club, Joni is here (until 1st October) for radio, television and concert appearances. Apart from concert appearances, 25 year old Joni will be heard on "Top Gear" on Radio One and "The Monday Show" on BBC 1. (Photo by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images) -
English rock band the Beatles arrive at London Airport from the USA, with their manager Brian Epstein (1934 – 1967, in coach doorway), 2nd September 1965. From left to right, John Lennon (1940 – 1980), George Harrison (1943 – 2001), Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. (Photo by George Stroud/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) -
George Jones, who released several country songs about whiskey -
Elvis Presley and Scotty Moore (left) performing on The Milton Berle Show at NBC's Hollywood studio, Los Angeles, California, 5th June 1956. Presley performed 'I Want You, I Need You, I Love You' and 'Hound Dog'. Press reaction to his performance was largely negative with his gyrating movements during 'Hound Dog' proving particularly controversial. (Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images) -
Singer and musician Merle Haggard performs at the Poplar Creek Music Theater, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, August 16, 1983. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images) -
John Rzeznik of Goo Goo Dolls at event, New York, 1990s. (Photo by Steve Eichner/Getty Images) -
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Pop group The Byrds (l to r): Chris Hillman; Dave Crosby; Mike Clark; Jim McGuinn; and Gene Clark. (Photo by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)