Mix No. 16 // Nineties Teen Movies
Obviously, I grew up in the 90s and teen movies taught me everything I thought I needed to know about life. Long gone were the days of watching the 80s teen movies my mom loved (and would watch constantly). It was time for me to learn about what being a hip, cool teen in the 90s/early 00s was going to be all about. There was cliques, dating, proms, and everything in between. I spent many years, as did most people, soaking up these movies although my high school experience truly was nothing like these. While the high school experience wasn't exactly translated perfectly to real life, the music is what truly made these movies awesome.
I'm sure it's by design that teen movies make high school seem horrifying and great at the same time. Take, for example, the movies these songs are taken from. Both She's All That and 10 Things I Hate About You made me deathly afraid someone would either date me as a joke or for a bet/money. But they also made me optimistic prom would be totally awesome. I mean that choreographed dance in She's All That?! Completely realistic. I have no doubt Clueless is to blame for my affinity for grungy boys who love college radio indie rock.
But truly, the music is what has truly stuck with me. Of course, no one dated me as a joke. I never actually went to my prom. And I spent more of my time getting in trouble for ditching gym class than on living the typical teenage experience these movies portray. But the music is what has stuck with me the most. Either that's because I wore out my Clueless soundtrack CD or because they have become iconic songs in some way. I do still watch these movies today, but I have to admit sometimes the music is better.
To make this mix I made a list of my favorite teen movies growing up. Then I chose whatever songs I enjoyed from those movies. But, of course, there are exceptions to that rule and some of the songs were just chosen because they are just great teen movie songs. I chose songs from movies like She's All That, 10 Things I Hate About You, Clueless, and Cruel Intentions. Plus other songs from Empire Records, Romeo + Juliet, and Jawbreaker. It's a pretty good mixture that is sure to bring the 90s back to life. A little nostalgia never hurt anyone.
90s teen movie playlist
Kids in America - The Muffs
Sugar - Stretch Princess
Til I Hear It From You - Gin Blossoms
Stay - Lisa Loeb
I Want You to Want Me - Letters to Cleo
Coffee and TV - Blur
Kiss Me - Sixpence None the Richer
Semi-Charmed Life - Third Eye Blind
The Rockafeller Skank - Fatboy Slim
Ooh La La - The Wiseguys
Bitter Sweet Symphony - The Verve
Cannonball - The Breeders
Lovefool - The Cardigans
Supermodel - Jill Souble
Yoo Hoo - Imperial Teen
Talk Show Host - Radiohead
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