Songs That Are Turning 10 In 2021
Photo courtesy of Hollywood Records.
Music videos courtesy of YouTube and their respective record companies.
2011 was a great year for film as we got to experience films like: Just Go With It, Super 8, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, Captain America: The First Avenger, and many more. While the films were great, the music was pretty great too. It’s hard me to comprehend that everything in 2011 turns 10 this year. Yeah, that’s right, an entire decade. Let’s throw it back to 2011 and go through some songs that are turning 10 this year.
Here are some songs that are turning 10 this year.
On the Floor by Jennifer Lopez ft. Pitbull
Background
On the Floor was released by Island Records on February 8, 2011. The song is sung by Jennifer Lopez featuring Pitbull. It’s featured as the lead single on from Lopez’s seventh studio album, Love?, and it’s produced by RedOne.
Composition
The song is described as an up-tempo pop and dance-pop song. It combines elements of Latin, house, and techno music genres. The song opens with a rap from Pitbull and jumps right into the upbeat tempo and mood of the rest of the song. Pitbull recorded his vocals in Davie, Florida and in the Dominican Republic. The song was arranged by RedOne, Christopher “TEK” O’Ryan, and Kuk Harrell.
Reception
On the Floor was met with mixed reviews from critics. Rolling Stone claimed that it was music worth getting lost in. Negative reviews mentioned how the song is reminiscent of Lopez’s 1999 hit, Waiting for Tonight, and that it lacks originality.
The radio edit version of the song currently has 310.8+ million streams on Spotify and the extended version has 168+ million streams. It sold 8.4 million copies worldwide in 2011 which made it the best-selling single by a female artist in that year.
My Thoughts
I remember when this song came out. I listened to it on repeat. It’s one of those songs that will never get old. The melody is so addicting and it always makes me want to dance. I still listen to it 10 years later. It also takes me back to the good times when I only listened to pop music.
Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera
Background
Moves Like Jagger was released by A&M Octone Records on June 11, 2011. The song is sung by Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera. It was the fourth and final single released on the band’s third studio album, Hands All Over. The song was written by Adam Levine, Benny Blanco, Ammar Malik, and Shellback.
Composition
The song has influences of disco and electropop. It features a fast-paced beat and electronic drums. In the chorus, Levine’s voice is distorted using Auto-Tune. The song opens with a whistle melody and leads into guitar strings and chords. Aguilera appears during the song’s bridge.
Reception
The song received mostly positive reviews from critics with some praising the song’s infectious melody and witty lyrics. Many said that the chemistry between Levine and Aguilera is real and 100% present. Some said that Aguilera stole the show with her powerful pipes.
Mick Jagger commented that the song’s concept is very flattering.
Moves Like Jagger debuted number 8 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and spent 10 weeks in the top 3.
My Thoughts
Like On the Floor, I listened to this song on repeat. Another song with an infectious, addicting melody and fun lyrics. I love the bridge and how it goes into the chorus. It’s my favorite part of the entire song. I still listen to this song 10 years later. It takes me back to middle school which was a pretty tough time for me and this song got me through it.
Super Bass by Nicki Minaj
Background
Super Bass was released on April 5, 2011 by Cash Money Records. The song is sung by Nicki Minaj. The song was co-written by Ester Dean, Roahn Hylton, and Kane Beatz. It was the fifth single from her album, Pink Friday. Minaj describes the meaning behind the song as a playful romance between a man and a woman.
Composition
The composition of the song mixes bubblegum pop and rap and includes electronic influences. Minaj raps over a hip-hop drum beat while the chorus is upbeat. Her vocals can be described as breathy.
Reception
Most critics gave the song positive reviews mentioning Minaj’s rapping skills and catchy melody. In December of 2013, the record was certified 8x platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). As of December of 2014, the song sold 5 million copies in the United States.
My Thoughts
I’m not the biggest fan of rap but I actually love this song. I love that it mixes rap with pop. I love the hook. I believe many critics underestimate Nicki Minaj’s ability to sing, not just her ability to rap, but sing. I don’t listen to the song as much as I used to.
Born This Way by Lady Gaga
Background
Born This Way was released February 11, 2011. The song is sung by Lady Gaga and it’s the lead single from her album titled the same name as the single. Gaga described Born This Way as her freedom song. It’s inspired by 1990s music and the LGBTQ+ community. The song was written Gaga and Jeppe Laursen. It was mixed at Abbey Road Studios in London and Germano Studios in New York.
Composition
The song has electropop influences. It opens with the line, “It doesn’t matter if you love him or capital H-I-M” on a loop with synth beats and a humming bass. The song’s upbeat melody is infectious and catchy but the lyrics make quite the impact. The verses are empowering with the mentioning of the names of LGBTQ+ and minority communities.
Reception
Born This Way received generally positive reviews from critics. The music video won 2 MTV Video Music awards being Best Female Video and Best Video With a Message. The song set the Guinness World Record for the Fastest Selling Single on iTunes. It sold 1 million copies within 5 days of its release.
My Thoughts
I love this song even 10 years later. It has such a powerful and inspiring message behind it with an upbeat and catchy melody. I don’t listen it as much as I used to but when I do it makes me smile. I was a huge Lady Gaga fan in the early 2010s. This song just proves that music can be used to spread an important message.
Stereo Hearts by Gym Class Heroes ft. Adam Levine
Background
Stereo Hearts was released on June 14, 2011. It’s sung by Gym Class Heroes and Maroon 5’s Adam Levine. It’s the lead single on the group’s third album, The Papercut Chronicles II. The song is produced by Benny Blanco and Robopop.
Composition
The song begins with Adam Levine’s hook “My heart’s a stereo / It beats for you, so listen close / Hear my thoughts in every note / Make me your radio / Turn me up when you feel low / This melody was meant for you / So sing along to my stereo” and goes into Travie McCoy’s rap verse.
Reception
Stereo Hearts received mostly positive reviews. The song was performed live at the 2011 American Music Awards and The Ellen DeGeneres Show in late 2011.
My Thoughts
I had this song on repeat in 2011. I love the combination of Adam Levine’s parts with the rap verses sung by Travie McCoy. It’s cool and fresh. I still listen to it from time to time.
Love You Like a Love Song by Selena Gomez
Background
Love You Like a Love Song was released for digital download by Hollywood Records on June 17, 2011 and to mainstream radios on August 16, 2011. It’s sung by Selena Gomez & the Scene. It was released as the second single from their third studio album, When the Sun Goes Down. The song was written Antonina Armato and Tim James under the pseudonym Rock Mafia. Gomez described the song as a story of love in its honeymoon phase or the start of a relationship.
Composition
The song features sounds of electropop and Euro disco rhythms. Its upbeat and uptempo melody is catchy and fun lyrics create a fantastical environment.
Reception
Love You Like a Love Song received mixed reviews from critics. Negative reviews criticized the lyrics and Gomez’s monotone vocals. The song was released as a follow-up to Who Says. The song was dubbed as double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in the spring of 2012. It has sold 2.7 million copies as of the spring of 2017 and one of Gomez’s best-selling songs.
My Thoughts
I love the beginning of this song. I loved it so much when it first came out and I still do. I don’t listen to as much as I did back then. The melody is so catchy and the lyrics are so fun. I love Selena’s voice, it so delicate and not in-your-face. Critics find any excuse to find the tiniest flaw in something.
What the Hell by Avril Lavigne
Background
What the Hell was released on January 10, 2011 by RCA Records. The song is sung by Avril Lavigne. It’s the lead single from the singer’s fourth studio album, Goodbye Lullaby. The song is written by Lavigne, Max Martin, and Shellback. It was recorded in Stockholm, Sweden. The singer described the song as an upbeat, party song.
Composition
The track is pop-punk and synth pop. The sound can be said be Lavigne’s signature sound as it blends pop and punk rock together. It’s gotten compared to garage rock. Lavigne said that it’s reminiscent of her older pop rock songs and dubbed it as the most pop song on the album. It’s the least personal song on the album.
Reception
Many critics have compared What the Hell to the singer’s 2007 hit, Girlfriend, and gave it mostly positive reviews. Many say it reminds them of when they were young and say it’s more mature. It has sold 6 million copies worldwide which has made it her second best-selling single right behind Girlfriend.
My Thoughts
What the Hell is one of those anthems for me that made me forget about what was going on around me. I listened to it on repeat during middle school. It allowed me to escape the hard times I was going through. It’s such a badass anthem for young girls and women. It’s about breaking the rules and taking risks, something I’m not big on but it makes you want to do those things.
Blow by Kesha
Background
Blow was released on February 8, 2011. It’s sung by Kesha. It’s featured on the singer first EP (extended play), Cannibal. The song was written by Kesha, Klas Åhlund, Lukasz Gottwald, Allan Grigg, Benjamin Levin and Max Martin. Kesha said that the song represents herself and her fans. It was originally for Britney Spears but her team rejected it.
Composition
The song is dominantly electro and dance-pop and uses synth beats as backing track. It does use Auto-Tune.
Reception
Blow received mixed reviews from critics. While some praised Kesha’s sassy vocals, others believed that her personality was missing from the track. Many critics praised the opening and party anthem vibes while others thought the chorus was ordinary. In December of 2018, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the song as 4x platinum. It sold 4 million copies in the United States since its release in 2011.
My Thoughts
This song is fun and it just makes you want to get up and dance. The lyrics may not be inspiring but not all songs have inspiring lyrics. It’s just a fun song which I love. It’s actually one of my favorite songs from Kesha.
Midnight City by M83
Background
Midnight City was released on August 16, 2011. It’s sung by M83. It’s the lead single of the band’s sixth studio album, Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming. The song was written by Anthony Gonzalez, Yann Gonzalez, Morgan Kibby and Justin Meldal-Johnsen.
Composition
The song features a combination of new wave, synth pop, dream pop, and electropop genres. Gonzalez got the inspiration for the song’s lyrics by his observations of Los Angeles at night time. The opening riffs are heavily distorted and the song ends with a saxophone solo by James King of Fitz and the Tantrums.
Reception
Midnight City received ultimately positive reviews from critics. It was said to be one of the best songs to come out of 2011.
My Thoughts
This song is such a timeless classic. It reminds me of the 2013 film, Warm Bodies, and the 1980s. It’s definitely a song that could’ve easily come out of the 80s. I love the melody and the style.
Someone Like You by Adele
Background
Someone Like You was released on January 24, 2011 in the United Kingdom and August 9, 2011 in the United States by XL Recordings. The song is sung by Adele. It’s written by Adele and Dan Wilson. It’s inspired by a broken relationship and lyrically lets listeners know of Adele coming to terms with the breakup.
Composition
During composing for the song, the singer revealed that she was going through a rough time emotionally. The song uses piano primarily for its melody and builds as it goes into the chorus.
Reception
Someone Like You received positive reviews from critics. They praised the lyrics, simple sound, and Adele’s vocals. Many viewed the song as a highlight from her album, 21. The song topped numerous charts. As of April of 2020, the track has hd 6.4 million downloads in the United States alone.
My Thoughts
It’s such a beautiful yet emotionally charged ballad. It’s also relatable as I know many of you may have gone through a breakup. I know I have. It’s a horrible feeling. This song takes a more raw and honest approach to the subject. Many songs are about breakups but they don’t feel as authentic as this is.
Give Me Everything by Pitbull ft. Nayer, Ne-Yo, and Afrojack
Background
Give Me Everything was released on March 18, 2011. It’s performed by Pitbull, Nayer, Ne-Yo, and Afrojack. It’s featured as the second single from Planet Pit, Pitbull’s sixth studio album.
Composition
The song mixes pop and hip-hop.
Reception
Give Me Everything received mixed reviews from critics. Some say the lyrics are gibberish but it did prove those critics wrong. It ended up selling 8.2 million copies and made it the one of the best-selling singles of all time.
My Thoughts
I haven’t listened to this song in so long. I listened to it today and it took me back in time. Pitbull really owned 2011 with this song and Rain Over Me. I actually prefer Rain Over Me to this song. This song stands the test of time as many people continue to rewatch the music video on YouTube and comment that it’s still a bop.
Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO ft. Lauren Bennett and GoonRock
Background
Party Rock Anthem was released on January 25, 2011. It’s sung by LMFAO and Lauren Bennett. It’s produced by GoonRock. It was released as the first single from Sorry for Party Rocking, the duo’s second album.
Composition
The song has mostly electronic influences.
Reception
Party Rock Anthem reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It spent six consecutive weeks there. As of October of 2016, the song sold 8.1 million copies in the United States and over 1 million in the United Kingdom. It’s the U.S.’s third best-selling digital single.
My Thoughts
This song created a movement. While it’s not my favorite song from 2011, it does take me back. Everybody wanted to shuffle and just have fun.
Closing Thoughts
Well, that was a blast to the past. I hope you enjoyed this breakdown of some of the biggest songs to come out of 2011. It’s truly hard for me to believe that it’s been 10 years.
Let me know you favorite song(s) from 2011 on my Instagram account.
Thank you for reading.
