Everyone loves a good 2000s playlist, but we’re forgetting the pinnacle time we listened to these hits: at the free skate. From second to fifth grade every class birthday party that was worth going to was at the roller rink, and if it wasn’t there, I wasn’t going. 

While we loved lacing up our skates, eating greasy pizza and blowing all the cash our parents gave us on the claw machines, the real reason we went to the rink was because of the perfect playlist that made the night feel like a movie. Listen to these tunes for the ultimate nostalgia.

“Yeah!” by Usher, Lil Jon and Ludacris

Is it just me, or was this hit always the first song played at every free skate? We tried to sing along, but we really only knew one line. That didn’t matter though, the vibes were still there. The perfect party starter, it’s impossible not to bop your head when this song comes on. 

“Sk8er Boi” by Avril Lavigne 

You can’t go skating and not listen to this classic. Lavigne was the pop-punk princess of the 2000s. Don’t lie, we all wanted some pink streaks in our hair after watching the “Girlfriend” music video. Her influence was astronomical, and the obsession began at the free skate. 

“Toxic” by Britney Spears

I can still see the neon lights flashing in the rink as this song builds up to the chorus. I go absolutely feral to this song, and it hits the same whether you are 12 or 21. There truly is no better feeling than when you’re jamming to Britney. 

“Since U Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson

This was the perfect revenge song to sing with your friends when you saw your crush skating next to someone else. No, we couldn’t belt it out as well as Clarkson, but it didn’t matter. The raw emotion we felt while singing along to this song was a spiritual experience. And no, our generation did not outgrow this song as we outgrew the roller rink. 

“Drops of Jupiter” by Train

Nearing the end of the free skate, it’s protocol to slow it down a bit. And what better way to simmer down a crowd of soda-filled preteens than with this lovely ballad by Train? When this emotional rollercoaster of a song came on (still relevant to this day), this was our chance to feel like the main character. And we ate it up. 

“Whatcha Say” by Jason Derulo

The ultimate closing song. Derulo ruled the 2000s club scene. I’m not sure why we were listening to him at age nine, but I’m not complaining either. This song is timeless, unlike Derulo. He’s still releasing some good songs, but the bangers like this one that came out of this era are unbeatable.