2009 | Vh1 Top 20

The video was all glitz and drama. Mia’s older sister had just come home from college crying over a breakup. They’d played this song on repeat, eating ice cream straight from the carton. For one night, they weren’t fighting—they were just sisters.

She labeled it with a sharpie:

“This is it!” he announced. “The final countdown of 2009… and the final countdown of the decade !” 2009 vh1 top 20

Alicia’s voice filled the room. Mia had never been to New York, but this song made her believe she could go anywhere. Concrete jungle, green lights, dreams all that. She closed her eyes and imagined her future self—older, cooler, living some big city life. 2009 Mia had no idea what was coming. But this song felt like a promise.

It was the Saturday after Christmas. Snow fell outside, but inside, 16-year-old Mia sat cross-legged on her carpet, a bowl of popcorn in her lap, watching the VH1 Top 20 Video Countdown —the year-end special. Host Jim Shearer was hyped, his signature energy bouncing off the screen. The video was all glitz and drama

Because on that last Saturday of 2009, someone was. VH1 was. And that was enough.

The countdown began.

As the credits rolled, Mia grabbed a blank CD-R and opened iTunes. She made a playlist: VH1 Top 20 of 2009 – My Life So Far.