The Girls That Rocked My World

Been a teenager in the early 2000's was a great time for one awesome reason, the internet. It opened doors to millions of amazing things around the world that before we had to rely on people telling us about or by flicking through a book. In a few clicks we could stumble across something we never saw before. The internet came to prominence when I was in high school and I will be forever grateful for it. This is the time of our lives when we are first finding ourselves and we have to make major life decisions, all whilst having to raise our hand to use a restroom and finding the hidden meanings in the works of William Shakespeare.

It was a tough time, many of us struggling with puberty and rules we didn't understand. One way we could all escape was with our personal tastes. Up until the internet we were heavily reliant on what was popular at that moment in our own countries, it was hard to find something new because we didn't have access to it. The internet was very helpful with this as we could find things from any corner of the world that we never knew we liked. In a time where many of my friends were turning emo or wearing sports clothes without actually playing sports, I was a bit lost. I didn't fit in to a group. I pretended to enjoy the music of my friends because if I didn't I would have been awkwardly silent for a large part of my teenage years.

Then I stumbled upon new music on the internet and never looked back. I found singers that seemed like they were singing for me, music that made me feel more than just enjoyment and songs that could have been ripped from my head if I had the ability to write music, let alone sing. It is hard to categorise what my taste is as it constantly contradicts itself. If I had to say then my iPod was filled with girls-who-played-guitar-or-piano-with-emotion (there has to be a catchier label for these artists). Below I will talk about 5 of the girls that rocked my world in the early 2000's. I still have all 5 of them on my iPhone with no shame or embarrassment.

Vanessa Carlton

 Thanks to 'White Chicks' she will never be forgotten, but as much as I loved 'A Thousand Miles' it was her less pop-y music and her more emotion filled music I enjoyed the most. A particular favourite would be 'White House'. Her impeccable writing skills always got me and her voice was so special. She was last heard of in 2011, and she has a new album coming out this year and I couldn't be more excited.

Stacie Orrico

Where did she go?! I was absolutely in love with her and her edgy 1950's meets chola look. Her voice was unique and her songs where instant head fillers. 'Stuck' was such a massive song with me and my sister, we were enthralled by it and then her next single 'More To Life' became an anthem for me. In fact I think of this song a lot. It speaks to me as it asks questions I constantly ask myself. The world needs a bit more Stacie Orrico. Below is a remix of 'More To Life' - couldn't get a link for original (still amazing).

Michelle Branch

She was my music queen for a few years back in the day. She was the definition of my taste, I had her songs on replay and I had every word and ad-lib down. There was not one song I didn't like and it kills me I haven't seen her play live. She has been quiet for some time now, we did get a snippet of new music with the release of 'Loud Music' but absolutely nada since then. Also a nice little nod to Michelle Branch - the lyrics to 'Goodbye To You' are the only lyrics I would consider getting tattooed on me.

Hilary Duff

If there was something that people would remember me for in High School other than my amazing mop of hair or impeccable set of boy boobs then it was Miss Duff. I did not shut up about her. From Lizzie McGuire to The Lizzie McGuire Movie to her singing career, I was there every step of the way utterly and completely obsessed with her. I do believe I had a hand in her music success here in the UK. Her music was this easy upbeat style that you could have a boogie to or just sit and relax to. I saw her live - not that I am showing off, don't hate.

Avril Lavigne

She was probably the most commercially successful singer on my iPod at the time. Yes I had love for the Britney's and the Christina's but it was Avril that moved me the most. I always liked her fun songs but for me what she does best is the heart tugging ballads. Hands up who cried when the old man says 'I miss you' to his wife's grave in the 'When You're Gone' video. Thats right. We all did. As well as been a torturous scene, it was the song that elevated it. She has a way with words that everyone can relate to. Song's such as 'My Happy Ending', 'I'm With You' and 'Nobodys Home' just really struck a chord with me and will forever go down as some of my favourite songs. She may have gone more pop punk with her music but I will be forever thankful for the songs she has created.