2001 was one of the worst years in American History. 9/11 is the Kennedy assassination of my generation; everyone can remember where they were when the planes crashed. In the wake of such a tragedy, people turned to religion, family and friends. According to the TRL Finale special, they also turned to TRL and Carson Daly. With that in mind, let’s take a look at 2001.
10. Incubus- Wish You Were Here
In today’s iPod driven world, it’s rare to find a band with a passionate following. Incubus has one of the most rabid fanbases I have ever seen. I know several people that would probably kill if Brandon Boyd told them to. I was never that hardcore but I have an immense amount of respect for them, simply because they are always pushing their sound to the limit. Every record is different, and not many bands have the guts to do that. On a personal note, Ashley Jay and I slow-danced to this song at my junior prom, so this song never fails to bring back memories.
Song: 8
Nostalgia Factor: 10
One of the best things about Incubus: They have a DJ, but they don’t overuse him.
9. Enrique Iglesias- Hero
Imagine you are a New York City firefighter. You bravely went into the Twin Towers and saved innocent people. You escape relatively unscathed and are proclaimed a national hero. After all that self sacrifice and bravery, this is the song they play in your honor. How would you feel? If I were a fireman, I’d have punched Enrique in the face. The only thing that saves this video is Mickey Rourke, who proves that he can look cool in any situation.
Song: 1
Nostalgia Factor: 7
I can’t decide which is funnier, the part when Enrique seductively whispers “Let me be your hero,” or the part when Jennifer Love Hewitt cries over his wounded body. It’s a toss-up really.
8. Sum 41- In Too Deep
Why was Sum 41 popular in 2001? My theory is that people were starving for a rock band without a DJ. Sum 41′s punk rock snarl and ironic tributes to metal fit the bill. “In Too Deep” has aged much better than “Fat Lip.” It’s like a classic power pop tune with a pop-punk twist. Ironic or not, hearing a solo with hammer-ons and two-hand tapping was a refreshing change from the nu-metal dirge that had been crammed down our throats.
Song: 8
Nostalgia Factor: 7
I think that Sum 41′s love for metal was genuine. They seemed pretty stoked when they got to play with Rob Halford at MTV’s 20th anniversary celebration.
7. Michael Jackson- You Rock My World
One of the biggest mistakes Michael Jackson ever made was titling this record Invincible. Personal issues aside, this record flopped because Michael hadn’t changed. One of the reasons Dangerous didn’t work was because the videos were so extravagant that they got in the way of the song. It’s impossible to concentrate on the music when you have Marlon Brando in the video. The video isn’t completely to blame though, because “You Rock My World” is terrible. People disagree with me all the time, but the only producer that understands Michael Jackson is Quincy Jones. Quincy listened to Michael’s ideas, and then reined them in. The result was killer pop song after killer pop song. Unfortunately, since Dangerous, Michael has surrounded himself with yes-men. Nobody wants to say no to the King of Pop, so we get mediocre records and ridiculous videos like “You Rock My World.”
Song: 3
Nostalgia Factor: 6
One of Marlon Brando’s last roles was in a Michael Jackson video. That blows my mind.
6. Shakira- Wherever, Whenever
Shakira is the only worthwhile thing to come from the Latin Explosion. Just look at those pants. Those are some fantastic pants. The song is mediocre and her voice is quite grating. But man, those pants are magical.
Song: 5
Nostalgia Factor: 9
She covered “Dude Looks Like a Lady” at some MTV show. She was wearing black leather pants for that one. Fantastic.
5. Janet Jackson- Son of a Gun
I don’t remember “Son of a Gun” at all. I thought they would have chosen “All For You,” which was a fantastic latter-day Janet single. Janet can be hit or miss, and this is a big miss. She brings no charisma to the song at all. Missy Elliot brings a spark, but she’s not supposed to overshadow Janet. This was a bad choice for the countdown, and the Carly Simon is unnecessary
Song: 3
Nostalgia Factor: 1
4. Backstreet Boys- Drowning
The Backstreet Boys continue their decent into middle of the road pabulum. The difference between the early Max Martin penned Backstreet Boys hits and the later stuff is effervescence. The early BSB ballads had hooks for days. They were bouncy, bubbly and once you got them in your head, they weren’t going anywhere. I have a sixth sense for hooks, and I can’t find one in “Drowning.” It’s just a banal ballad that’s pleasant, but completely forgettable. Backstreet had a slight disadvantage because nobody in that band was as charismatic as Justin Timberlake, but they weren’t even putting up a fight. This is the kind of ballad that *N’Sync was recording in ’98. This is a step backward, especially when you compare it to *N’Sync’s contribution later in the countdown.
Song: 3
Nostalgia Factor: 5
There are only four Backstreet Boys now. That seems wrong.
3. Britney Spears- I’m a Slave 4 U
The Neptunes are the saviors of pop music in the 2000s. “I’m a Slave 4 U” is an incredibly edgy dance track. That’s right, I said it. That beat oozes with sex. I’m probably contracting something right now just from listening to it. Before Britney got screwed up, she was really kicking ass and taking names. Her ballads still needed some work. I cringe whenever I hear “Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman,” but her later dance tunes are top notch examples of the genre. What kept *N’Sync, Britney and Christina around was their willingness to expand their sound. They really made an effort to grow up, sometimes with good results, sometimes with bad. This is a good result.
Song: 9
Nostalgia Factor: 10
So did we ever get concrete proof that Britney slept with choreographer Wade Robson?
2. O-Town- We Fit Together
This is why people hate pop music. O-Town was put together by for television by Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man and part time Svengali, Lou Pearlman. I am convinced that Pearlman got into the boy band business to sleep with cute boys, and nobody is going to talk me out of it. Why else would you hire a douchebag named Ashley Parker Angel? Anyway, O-Town has the most cringeworthy lyrics in the history of boy bands, and that’s saying something. “I got you down and I just wanna show you how to play/Goosebumps on your body guide the way.” OK, what the fuck do the goosebumps lead to? Seriously. I want to know. If anyone has the answer please e-mail me, or call me, or send smoke signals. I don’t care how you do it, I just wanna know. Are goosebumps the new female g-spot? Is it something Kinsey missed? Goddamn it, now I’m going to be thinking about this all day. Thanks Ashley Parker Angel, you broke douchebag.
Song: 0
Nostalgia Factor: 6
There is no way Ashley Parker Angel is his real name. No fucking way.
1. *N’Sync- Gone
*N’Sync finally figured everything out in 2001. Justin and J.C. were no longer bucking for the alpha male spot. This was Justin’s band and the other four were background singers. The adult contemporary ballads were replaced by Neptunes beats. Like “I’m a Slave,” “Gone” is a sophisticated pop song. When you add the gorgeous Herb Ritz video into the equation, it’s not hard to see why *N’Sync usurped the Backstreet Boys. BSB were essentially making the same record they made 1998, except without hooks. Besides, even if you hate Justin Timberlake, you can’t deny his charisma. It’s magnetic. There is a reason why he sells out Madison Square Garden and Joey Fatone hosts game shows.
Song: 8
Nostalgia Factor: 8
I really miss Herb Ritz. Nobody can make a black and white music video like he could.
Odds and Ends:
Crazy Town- Butterfly
“Butterfly” was number one on the Billboard charts. Think about that for a second. America can be incredibly stupid. The best thing about this video is that the one guy is wearing a D.A.R.E t-shirt. I guess Shifty Shellshock didn’t take his friend’s advice.
Jennifer Lopez featuring Ja Rule- I’m Real (remix)
“I’m Real” represents everything I despise about Jennifer Lopez. She constantly repeats it over and over, that she’s Jenny From the Block, from the Bronx. Last time I checked, being real does not involve elaborate dressing rooms or sleeping with Ben Affleck.
Alicia Keys- Fallin’
Great song, I just never need to hear it again.
As the 2000s wore on, TRL started to become more homogenous. This is the beginning of that. From here on out, it’s going to be all pop. Join me next time, when I discuss 2002.
