I know all of you are settling into 2016 filled positive vibes, New Years resolutions, and hope for success in every aspect of your life. However, I hate to break it to you, but a decade ago, 2006, was actually the best time to be alive! Whether it was music, movies, books, television, or entertainment, these are the reasons why 2016 can never match up to the universal joy that was 2006.
1. 2006 made all your club jams that you still listen to.
Just to name a few: Sexy Back by Justin Timberlake, "Promiscuous" by Nelly Furtado, "Snap Yo Fingers" by Lil Jon, "London Bridge" by Fergie, "Chain Hang Low" by Jibbs, and "Money Maker" by Ludacris. These songs are still being played by most DJs at clubs because lets face it, all the songs from then either made you want to get down and dirty or do hood rat things with your friends!
And when you weren’t clubbing, some honorable mention breakup songs from ’06 were "Unfaithful" by Rihanna and "Too Little Too Late" by Jojo, both which inspired you to sulk but also scream at the top of your lungs!
2. It was cool for all ages to be kids.
The top animated movies were "Cars," "Happy Feet," "Ice Age The Meltdown" and "Open Season." During this time, parents actually enjoyed taking their kids to movies because most of the movies either weren’t too cheesy or had inappropriate references that only adults really understood!
3. People watched the physical TV because it was worth it.
Shows like "Gilmore Girls," "30 Rock," "Smallville" and "How I Met Your Mother" were still on the air making us laugh, cry, and try to be heroes all at the same time.
But not only were these shows continuing, but shows like "Hannah Montana," "Ugly Betty" and "The Hills"(the reality TV show not the song!) had just made their debut. I remember staring at the blank page before me thinking I had the best of both worlds!
4. Netflix tripled in profit.
What does this mean for you? Well ya see, the thing us 2016 people cherish the most is Netflix and Chill or Netflix and Cry, your pick. And without this triple in Netflix’s funds, who knows if it would’ve made it into this decade. What would we do then? HBO, Hulu, Amazon Prime Movies?
5. Adele got signed by XL Recordings.
Fresh out of high school, Adele was signed to a record label that would later help her produce her first album "19!" Back then she had hometown glory and now she’s saying hello from the other side of success. Get it girl!
6. The Kardashians looked like this.
Believe it or not, even the Kardashians committed the fashion faux poxes of the early 2000’s. These were the good old days when Rob was health, Kourtney didn’t have baby daddy drama with Scott, Kylie actually looked her age, and quite frankly they still had an element of realness to their reality life!
7. Taylor Swift was a newbie to the music industry.
Back then, Taylor Swift was just a 16-year-old “country girl” from Pennsylvania who was debuting her first album "Taylor Swift." She definitely wasn’t popular enough to have her group of Swiftie minions, take her songs of Spotify, and try to trademark phrases like “Nice To Meet You. Where You Been?" “This Sick Beat,” and “1989." Remember where you come from TayTay!
8. Books were published that would create cinematic magic.
Even if you’ve only watched the movies, it’s important
to note that "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen, "Eat, Pray, Love," by Elizabeth
Gilbert, and "Dear John" by Nicholas Sparks had just been released to
bookshelves near you in the hopes of stealing your heart and giving you a
silent weep.
Let’s all make a pact to recreate the past popular culture. It’s a decade later and we should be able to do better!
