Don't you–– don't you forget about me. ONTD's resident middle-of-the-road DJ, obsessed with living in the past [insert record scratch] your pal 
franklotion aka Frankie "another one, really? another?" thee Lotion
I've been watching too many teen rom-coms lately, and like Jennifer Love Hewitt, I've become completely obsessed with the entire genre. Again. Making space in your life to enjoy the teenage rom-coms of the '90s and early 2000s are one of those things that make humans–– human. Don't fight me about it because I'm right. It's a phase we're continually coming in and out of until we're as old as Rose from Titani throwing that necklace into the ocean in the end
And the most wonderful thing about these films? I would argue that it's the soundtracks. Throughout every one of them, there is consistency, stability–– permanence. An ideal that we all wish for as we get older, despite claiming otherwise. And where do you find that?
You find it in the music–– music introduced to us by these films that were introduced to films by shoddy college radio DJs and the lot. So, for a few minutes, or hours, let's pretend we're 16-to-25 years-old again, and allow the melancholic joy of each and every song take us away
Here are some of my favourites–– hopefully they'll abduct you from the sadness that is 2020, like they've done for me
"Kiss Me" — Sixpence None the Richer (1998)
PICTURE THIS: You're watching that Hollywood nerd girl walk down the stairs. You only saw her as awkward, embarassing and uptight before, but now you see her in an entirely different light. She's had a makeover. Her ponytail's been let down, she took off their glasses, and those embarassingly cute and stylish overalls? Well they're gone. She's in a red dress, and is someone entirely brand new. Jennifer Love Hewitt, or someone who looks kinda like Jennifer Love Hewitt
"The Middle" — Jimmy Eat World (2001)
PICTURE THIS: You're at a rager at some jock guy's house, and you bump into them, but oops, you really bumped into them. You spilled your drink all over her and yourself... and you're too wasted to tell them that your love them that your love for them burns with the passion of a thousand blinding white suns. So, you throw up instead
"I'd Do Anything" — Simple Plan (2002)
PICTURE THIS: You try to do everything you can to make them forget that you're the Hollywood loser that threw up in front of them. You do little things like... idk... create elaborate illustrations of her on lined-paper, and put it in her locker anonymously. They're like really good drawings cause you want to be an architect even though your dad wants you to go to UPenn and become a business pig or whatever the fuck
"In Too Deep" — Sum-41 (2001)
PICTURE THIS: idk you're at another rager, but this time there's a swimming pool, and you're a bit cooler. People are vibing with you, but they still don't know you're alive or whatever, but you know they're alive because look at them diving into that pool. Little Mermaid who?
"Dancing in the Moonlight" — Toploader (2000)
PICTURE THIS: You finally get a chance to talk to them and realize they're a person. A person with probably a dead parent, and like a jerkass partner. You realize there's so much more to them than the deity you've imagined. You guys do something nerdy for like 15 minutes... idk... what do teens do now? Tik Tok rolling in mud or some shit? Idk, anyways, this song plays up until their partner comes back to bring them back into the party while aggressively patting your shoulder, silently communicating that you will never
"Semi-Charmed Life" — Third Eye-Blind (1997)
PICTURE THIS: All you can do is think of them. They're like a drug, kinda like crystal meth. You become their friend, but like each time y'all get close, that jerkass partner stops it when you're about to kiss or whatever
"Two Princes" — Spin Doctors (1993)
PICTURE THIS: Pretty much the same as above, but like a little zanier
"Absolutely (Story of a Girl)" — Nine Days (2000)
PICTURE THIS: Oops. They found out that you like them, like them. It happens after they find out their jerkass partner has been cheating on them, and they run to you. You kiss them, and they're like "wtf???? I thought you were my friend. My only real friend!!!!" and you desperately try to talk your way out of this mess, but they're like don't speak to me, and then some other montages happen or whatever
"She's So High" — Tal Bachman (1999)
PICTURE THIS: Things are going back to normal, and they ignore you, but, like, you totally can't ignore them. You're sad and stuff
"Tubthumping" — Chumbawamba (1997)
PICTURE THIS: YOU'RE AT ANOTHER PARTY AND YOU TELL OFF THEIR JERKASS EX-PARTNER FOR A, B, AND C. THEY SEE YOU. THEY SMILE, AND ASK TO DANCE WITH YOU IN A STICKY, SMELLY ROOM ADORNED WITH EXPENSIVE ANTIQUES THAT ONLY WASPY PARENTS WOULD BUY
"Truly Madly Deeply" — Savage Garden (1997)
PICTURE THIS: Y'all finally
"Accidentally In Love" — Counting Crows (2004)
PICTURE THIS: asfdsg the credits start playing complete with bloopers and extra scenes of you both doing some nerdy shit or something lmao
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ONTD, what are some songs that remind you of your high school days? Fictional high school days on TV shows and movies, or real life high school days in... high school?