A Decade Of Summer Camp Anthems
Music is a powerful tool. It can transcend you to a moment in time. At camp, music is part of day-to-day life. From playing tunes in your cabin to campfire songs - music quickly becomes the soundtrack of your summer.
At Camp Leaders, we have spent countless years at summer camp. So I've asked around and pulled together a decade of summer camp anthems.
2010
The start of the decade feels so long ago, but in 2010 the world was introduced to a group of fresh-faced Brits who went on to become One Direction and Toy Story 3 was the biggest film of the year.
Top 3 Tracks:
- Black Eyed Peas - I Gotta Feelin
- Justin Bieber - Baby
- Taio Cruz - Dynamite
2011
We all went crazy over the premiere of Game of Thrones. The man of the year, Charlie Sheen, was famously fired from Two and a Half Men. However, 2011 will most famously be remembered for Pitbull rhyming Kodak with Kodak.
Top 3 Tracks:
- Pitbull Ft Ne-Yo - Give Me Everything
- Nicky Minaj - Superbass
- LMFAO Ft Lauren Bennett, GoonRock - Party Rock Anthem
2012
The world’s eyes were on the United Kingdom in the summer of 2012, as the Olympics came to London. We also celebrated the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee as she achieved 60 years on the throne.
Top 3 Tracks:
- Carly Rae Jepsen - Call Me Maybe
- The Wanted - Glad You Came
- PSY - Gangnam Style
2013
Our cultural vocabulary widened in 2013, as ‘twerk’ and ‘selfie’ were officially added into the English dictionary. Meanwhile, in the states, Barack Obama was inaugurated into his second term.
Top 3 Tracks:
- Avicii - Wake Me Up
- Icona Pop Ft Charli XCX - I Love It
- Anna Kendrick - ‘Cups’ When I’m Gone
2014
In 2014, Ted Mosby finally finished his story on ‘How I Met Your Mother’ and Ellen DeGeneres took that epic selfie at the Oscars ceremony.
Top 3 Tracks:
- Idina Menzle (Frozen) - Let It Go
- Nico & Vinz - Am I Wrong
- Calvin Harris - Summer
2015
Caitlyn Jenner was honoured as Woman of the Year and made major steps in opening conversations for the transgender community. Whilst the baby faced Bieber was no more and ‘grown-up’ Bieber introduced us to songs like ‘What do you mean?’ and “Sorry”.
Top 3 Tracks:
- Walk the Moon - Shut Up & Dance With Me
- Silento - Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)
- Wiz Khalifa Ft Charlie Puth - See You Again
2016
In 2016, everyone’s heads were down on their phones searching for Pokemon as Pokemon Go! mania swept the globe. Whilst a little show called ‘Stranger Things’ had 8.2 million people watch it in its first 16 days of release. It was also the year that campers couldn't go 2 minutes without dabbing.
Top 3 Tracks:
- Justin Timberlake - Can’t Stop The Feeling
- The Chainsmokers - Closer
- Drake - One Dance
2017
Power to the women in 2017 - as Wonder Woman became the biggest ever movie to be directed by a woman with a $100.5 million debut. A lot of us started talking more openly about mental health after the hit series ‘13 Reasons Why’ premiered.
Top 3 Tracks:
- Luis Fonsi Ft Daddy Yankee - Despacito
- Jonas Blue Ft William Singe - Mama
- Little Mix - Power
2018
We all turned into the biggest party of the year, the Royal Wedding. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tied the knot with millions of us watching from our homes. Queen B (Beyonce) also made history as she became the first black female to headline the famous music event Coachella.
Top 3 Tracks:
- George Ezra - Shotgun
- Juice WRLD - Lucid Dreams
- Post Malone - Better Now
2019
Last year, we were all hooked (and arguably let down) by the finale series of the worldwide phenomenon, Game of Thrones. We all became engrossed in the documentary battle between Netflix and Hulu around the ‘Fyre Festival’, which was a fascinating watch!
Top 3 Tracks:
- Shawn Mendes Ft Camila Cabello - Señorita
- Lil Nas X Ft Billy Ray Cyrus - Old Town Road
- Justin Bieber Ft Ed Sheeran - I Don’t Care
