This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Eli Casas. Find them on Instagram at @elicasasnow. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
Back then, we all listened to music on MySpace or downloaded music using Limewire, maybe even Frostwire. Sometimes, we just bought CDs and downloaded them straight into the hard drive. Most of us can also relate to watching music videos on TV, waiting for MTV to play all the hits. Some of us logged onto YouTube and connected our headphones directly to the computer because Bluetooth wasn’t that big. I loved watching music videos back then almost as much as I do now, but I haven’t been as adamant since we have apps like Spotify that incorporate some visuals. Streaming music wasn’t as accessible back then as it is now. Brace yourself, I want to take you down memory lane!
Music Videos To Feel Happy
Feel the rain on your skin, no one else can feel it for you, only you can let it in! Do you guys remember that song? It’s “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield. The music video is nostalgic and uplifting. Very much summer vibes and positive vibes all around. There’s even a choir!
What about the song “Thrift Shop” by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis?! The music video is low-key random but in all the best ways. It definitely unlocked some memories of when this song dropped. It was the song to listen to and jam out a little. What I love most about this video is that Macklemore actually tries on different outfits.
Want to get pumped for Friday? I remember listening to “Last Friday Night” by Katy Perry and replaying the music video countless times because it’s a song about throwing a party, so naturally, everyone is just partying in the video. The storyline is very much early 2000s coded if you know you know. Katy Perry portrays a nerd named Kathy Beth Terry, who throws a party to hang out with all the popular kids. Halfway through the music video, she gets a makeover and starts having an amazing time with everyone at her party. T.G.I.F! It’s just so catchy!
Talking about feeling nerdy, Kathy Beth Terry isn’t the only one feeling some type of way. The Compu Nerd, who plays a tech guy in the music video “Touch My Body” by Mariah Carey, really showed up. The Compu Nerd spends the entire time fantasizing about what it would be like to be Mariah’s love interest. How cute!
You know you love me, I know you care, just shout whenever and I’ll be there! This one goes out to all the beliebers out there before it became cool to like the Biebs! “Baby” by Justin Bieber ft. Ludacris was already a bop, but the music video put me in a chokehold back then! Aside from being catchy, it’s just fun. Anyone can truly sing along to it but I’m not sure everyone can dance like that, but that’s okay!
Ludacris was featured on many hits back in the day because you can’t tell me “Glamorous” By Fergie ft. Ludacris wasn’t that song! It’s the kind of song you want to memorize just to be able to sing along while watching the music video. The Glamorous, Glamorous, by the glamorous Ooh, the flossy, flossy!
I personally think the music video for “One More Time” by Daft Punk was ahead of its time because the animations are cool and very mellow. At the time, not many artists were incorporating animations into their music videos, but this song fits perfectly with the storyline of the animated characters in outer space.
The next music video was my go-to 15 years ago!? I don’t feel old at all. The way the Blacked Eyed Peas played characters in outer space for the “Meet Me Halfway” music video was everything to me. They really had Fergie singing like a goddess in an Avatar-like environment! One word: ICONIC.
The La La La Experience, anyone? Just kidding. The music video for “La La La” by LMFAO is the definition of watching music videos to feel happy. Are you kidding me? Hearts floating everywhere, and robots? It’s a dancing experience if you ask me.
Watch For Nostalgia
All the OG Swifties know “You Belong With Me” by Taylor Swift always hits, but the music video hits harder. I’m sure we all thought we would have a love interest like that someday, the whole writing to each other through the window, but without any of the heartbreak.
If you genuinely want to feel the nostalgia running through your veins, get your tissue paper and watch “The One That Got Away” by Katy Perry. I can’t even tell you how many breakups this music video got me through. And can we talk about how sad the storyline for this video actually is?
Let’s shift gears to something less heartbreaking but just as equally nostalgic, “Nothin’ On You” By B.o.B featuring Bruno Mars. I love the creativity incorporated into the music video, making everyone look like moving photographs. Beautiful girls all over the world I could be chasin’ but my time would be wasted, they got nothin’ on you, baby!
What would a song sound like if a girl wrote a song about a boy she liked, but it was as edgy as possible? Hmm, probably “Sk8er Boi” By Avril Lavigne. You can feel her style shine through the screen.
Rockin’ Out Videos
I’m not ashamed to admit I was that millennial with bangs in my face, listening to any song I could rock out to. It was no secret. One of my favs? “Dirty Little Secret” by The All-American Rejects. Throughout the music video, you see different people holding up all sorts of signs with quote-on-quote secrets. I don’t know if they make music videos like that anymore.
I have always loved music videos that make me feel like I’m in a movie having a blast. Plus, the awesome b-roll throughout the whole duration of the video makes me feel all the feels all at once. “The Great Escape” by Boys Like Girls, chefs kiss. There is no need to say more.
This list would not be complete without “I Don’t Wanna Be In Love” by Good Charlotte, the dance floor anthem? Every time I watch this music video, I can’t help but rock out. I don’t know what I love more, the elevator scenes or their white suits.
One of the best 2000s music videos is probably “All The Small Things” by Blink-182. I mean, come on, it’s as nostalgic as it gets! Their outfits, hair, and piercings all complement the style of the music video.
Sad Girl Hour
The following list is for the moments when you want to enjoy music during sad girl hour, lol. Here are some of the best 2000s music videos, sad girl edition.
Fergie’s music video “Big Girls Don’t Cry” brings back all the 2000s break-up feelings, from the hat she’s wearing to the band playing in an abandoned warehouse.
We all secretly felt seen by the band Simple Plan, right? If you want to remember the good old days, cue “Welcome To My Life” by Simple Plan straight from the archives.
What other songs are part of the best 2000s music videos? Let us know in the comments below!
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