I am a die-hard Swiftie. I go absolutely feral whenever I watch one of Sabrina Carpenter's music videos. I screamed all the lyrics until I lost my voice at a Gracie Abrams' concert.

As you can probably guess, I am no stranger to sneering insults about my "basic white girl" music taste.

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What is Basic White Girl Music?

Basic white girl music basically refers to fun, light-hearted music by mainstream pop artists such as Harry Styles, Ariana Grande, and Olivia Rodrigo. The odds are that most people have heard these songs over the radio, but most people don't seek out of their own accord.

Often quite popular, this genre of music features catchy tunes and relatable lyrics. This gives them an incredibly wide appeal — it's not just "white girls" who listen to these songs! Around the globe, people of various genders, ethnicities, and ages adore these bangers.

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The Evolution of Basic White Girl Music

When people first think about this genre of music, frivolous and upbeat love songs often come to mind. However, this is far from the truth!

Many hits from the 90s and early 2000s with various messages have become synonymous with basic white girl music. For instance, Wannabe by the Spice Girls is all about celebrating friendship and Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper celebrates feminism in a playful manner.

Coming into the 2010s is when we really hit the peak of basic white girl music, with artists like Katy Perry, Ariana Grande, and Taylor Swift gaining popularity. Songs from this era best fit the mould we have now put on this iconic music genre, such as the classic unrequited love in Taylor Swift's You Belong With Me and the unforgettable lyrics of What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction.

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In more recent years, basic white girl music is changing to be less... basic. There is increasingly more of an overlap between indie pop and white girl music due to music by Lana Del Rey, Billie Eilish, and Phoebe Bridges toeing this fine line. Even more recent releases by older artists, including Folklore from Taylor Swift and Harry Styles' self-titled album, are reaching more into the pensive, slow indie genre.

Many newer artists are also more flirtatious and/or sexually explicit in their lyrics. Certain parents are weary of the innuendos and swearing in songs by Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter, signifying how the basic white girl genre is shifting to focus on an older audience.

The Nostalgia of Basic White Girl Music

Whether you are into R&B or alt rock, there is a simple reason why so many teens and young adults cannot resist the appeal of basic white girl music: it has been embedded in our childhoods.

Songs like Classic by MKTO and Firework by Katy Perry played at every school disco, and are thus deeply rooted in our fond memories. There will always be something comforting about these songs, with their memorable lyrics, upbeat tunes, and uplifting themes.

Ultimately, people often return back to this genre when they are feeling upset, lonely, or homesick because of its uniquely nostalgic allure.

Essential Basic White Girl Hits

If this article has inspired you to revisit some of these iconic bangers, here is a comprehensive list of the ten most popular white girl songs!

1. Beauty and a Beat — Justin Bieber feat. Nicki Minaj

2. You Belong with Me — Taylor Swift

3. Night Changes — One Direction

4. Good 4 U — Olivia Rodrigo

5. Close To You — Gracie Abrams

6. Call Me Maybe — Carly Rae Jepsen

7. Teenage Dream — Katy Perry feat. Snoop Dogg

8. Man! I Feel Like A Woman! — Shania Twain

9. Espresso — Sabrina Carpenter

10. Shut Up And Dance — Walk the Moon

Conclusion

In summary, the genre of "basic white girl" music does not deserve all the hate it gets because it is synonymous with fun, has developed over time, and is nostalgic for many people.

Not everyone loves basic white girl music, but when we return to it, it undoubtedly feels like a big hug from an old friend.