The year 2000 was the high point of the Total Request Live phenomenon. It was the last year of the blockbuster album, with *N’Sync, Britney Spears and Eminem releasing commercial juggernauts. TRL became an integral part of the music industry, launching new acts while promoting the old guard.
10. Baha Men- Who Let the Dogs Out?
The world is a better place now that I don’t have to hear this song every 30 seconds. “Who Let the Dogs Out” was a staple of every single family gathering for about two years. Imagine the chorus being chanted by seven younger cousins at top volume…for three hours. Everytime I hear the HOO HOO HOO, a bitter chill runs down my spine. A special place in hell is reserved for the writer of this song.
Song: 2
Nostalgia Factor: 9
I hate the song, but I can’t deny its cultural impact.
9. Destiny’s Child- Independent Women Part I
Destiny’s Child looks different in this video. There are only three of them! What happened to the other two? Oh yeah, they were unceremoniously fired and replaced. Here we have Destiny’s Child the way Matthew Knowles intended: Beyonce and two subservient backup singers! This song is exactly like all the other Destiny’s Child songs. Beyonce oversings while the other two perform synchronized dance moves and chime in at the right moment. They also attempt to prove their thesis that you can be a feminist and still show off enormous amounts of cleavage. Bravo girls, bravo!
Song: 5
Nostalgia Factor: 5
Did they even bother to make a Part II?
8. Limp Bizkit- My Generation
Forty years ago, Pete Townshend wrote a song that perfectly summed up the anxieties, the fears and the edict of his generation. Unfortunately, this is not that song. “My Generation” is everything that is wrong about Limp Bizkit. Constantly breaking the fourth wall? Check. Cursing for the sake of cursing? Check. Lyrics detailing how Fred Durst is persecuted by society at large? Check. I hate to be so blunt, but the song is a clusterfuck. There is no other way to describe it. Durst tries to rhyme “Generation X” with “Generation Strange.” Um…OK Fred.
Song: 2
Nostalgia Factor: 9
The Bizkit man. Total rock legends.
7. Mya- Case of the Ex
The opening notes of “Case of the Ex” have been used as an instrumental bumper so many times that I forgot they were part of a song. Mya is the most forgettable R&B singer of the late ’90s and early 2000s. She had a bunch of fairly major hits, but the only ones I can name are “Lady Marmalade” and “Ghetto Superstar.” She always came off as a featured player. It’s a shame, because I find her sweet singing style much more appealing than the overwrought bombast of Christina Aguilera or Beyonce. Unfortunately, it’s probably what made Mya fade into the background.
Song: 5
Nostalgia Factor: 4
I forgot this song even existed.
6. 98 Degrees- Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche)
I can’t believe I just typed the phrase “una noche” in parentheses. I need a moment to ponder what I have just done. 98 Degrees were trying so hard to capitalize on the Latin music craze, and come off like a bunch of white boys in Gap gear…oh wait. I think part of the problem is Lachey’s dancing. Making elaborate chest gestures is no way to get through life son. Try some footwork.
Song: 1
Nostalgia Factor: 7
Every time I hear “Give Me One More Night,” I remember a conversation my sister and I had about it. She was 12 at the time.
Elizabeth: “Una noche?! Are they serious?!”
I love my sister.
5. Samantha Mumba- Gotta Tell You
Wow. Samantha Mumba. Trying to come up with a snarky remark. OK, I got it: Samantha Mumba….I gotta tell you that uh, um. I got nothing. I forgot this woman even existed. Wasn’t she in The Time Machine or something?
Song: 4
Nostalgia Factor: 0
Is it weird that I remember Katy Rose and FeFe Dobson, but completely blocked Samantha Mumba out of my memory?
4. Eminem- The Way I Am
Marshall Mathers finally makes his way onto the list. I was expecting them to pick “The Real Slim Shady,” but was pleasantly surprised by this choice. I’ve always preferred Eminem’s angry side over his comedic prankster side. In a time when MCs were more laid back, it was awesome to hear someone bring out the rage. It’s too bad he started falling into a formula, because he has tremendous talent. Hopefully he’ll make a comeback. Hip-hop needs him right now.
Song: 9
Nostalgia Factor: 9
I wish Dre could still write potent beats.
3. Christina Aguilera- Come on Over
“Come on Over” is the precursor to Christina’s infamous “X-Tina” phase. She hinted at her sexuality in “Genie in a Bottle,” but “Come on Over” is slightly more overt. Two years later it would all come out in an explosion of panties and assless chaps. At the time I completely bought into the idea that Britney was the virginal one and Christina was the dirty one. Times have certainly changed. This is a damn catchy tune though.
Song: 8
Nostalgia Factor: 9
2. Ricky Martin- She Bangs
I was going to take the high road and not make any references to Ricky Martin’s sexuality, and then I watched “She Bangs”. Watching Ricky Martin seduce the mermaid women is one of the most hilarious things I’ve ever seen. Dude, just come out already. If Clay Aiken can do it, you can do it too. It’s not like people are going to care, since people stopped caring about you around 2001. I just want to know who came up with the whole under water motif. That genius inadvertently turned Ricky Martin into Esther Williams. All he needs is a sequined bathing cap and some sparklers.
Song: 2
Nostalgia Factor: 5
I never thought I’d say this, but I have an appreciation for William Hung’s rendition. He exposed the song for what it was, a complete joke.
Britney Spears- Lucky
Who knew that Britney’s song about the perils of fame would be so prophetic? I think the problem was that Britney was forced keep up a facade so that she could be a rolemodel for young girls. Christina was allowed to grow and be overtly sexy, while Britney lied about everything. Something had to give, and when it finally did, the fall was stunning. Lyrical themes aside, I think this was the weakest single of Oops I Did It Again. The title track and “Stronger” are much better examples of Britney at the peak of her power.
Song: 8
Nostalgia Factor: 9
Even though it’s not my favorite Britney song, her outfit in the video was absolutely phenomenal.
Odds and Ends:
Madonna- Music
I could never decide if this video was Madonna’s apology for her ultra-pretentious Ray of Light phase, or if it was a pretentious parody of rap video culture. Oh well, it has Ali G in it.
*N’Sync- It’s Gonna Be Me
Finally we have *N’Snyc in their element. J.C. and Justin are still bucking for boy band supremacy, but before long, *N’Sync would be like Destiny’s Child.
Santana featuring Wyclef- Maria, Maria
Ladies and gentlemen, the biggest sellout of all time.
Backstreet Boys- Incomplete
Somebody at MTV screwed up because this song is from 2005. It doesn’t matter though, because “Incomplete” illustrates how Backstreet eventually lost the boy band throne to *N’Sync. *N’Sync had killer Neptune beats, and Backstreet was married to Diane Warren. Which would you rather have?
The year 2000 was not my favorite year for mainstream music. Hopefully things will improve. Join me next time, when I discuss 2001.
