Clips, Music, Miscellany from Everybody's Favourite TubeParty like it's 2009!
2000
Ah! The new millennium! The beginning of a new chapter in the book of human history. Apart from my dad stocking up tins of food and water, I don't remember any real worries over the Millennium Bug; do you? I cared more about the election of an Idiot Cheating Warmonger as Leader of the Free World. I was right to be worried.
A shame the protesters didn't succeed, no? Having said that, he did manage to make himself the most unpopular president in modern history, so it just goes to show that some sayings can ring true: "Give him enough rope..." Meanwhile, a year earlier, Robbie Williams was revelling in the postmodern joy that was the oncoming turn of the century. Watch and see how many references you can pick out - both visually and from the lyrics - from his innovative masterpiece, helpfully titled Millennium, in case we didn't get it.
2001
Well, I think we all know which event dominated this year. I remember watching that second plane hit the tower. 'Nuff said, huh?
2001 was also the year I was introduced to Coldplay. This song takes me right back to that autumn.
2002
The only event I can remember of this year was the return of the Musical Movie in Chicago. Oh, I love this musical; and I loved the film!
All of this meaning, of course, that this year gets two songs thrown in. Ha! Good; the songs are easier to find. Who remembers this mix classic which brought Elvis back?
2003
While strange things were happening in world politics, as we embarked on an illegal war, television was becoming even stranger. I know the American soaps bring characters back from the dead all the time; but EastEnders? I couldn't believe it, but despite the plot stretching further than Dawn French's knickers, it was dealt with superbly - especially by Letitia Dean, the actress playing Den's daughter Sharon. The return was short-lived, though, due to Leslie Grantham's bad behaviour. Den was killed off for good only two years later.
The following song revived the term Diva to modern music. I'm not even a big fan of hers, but I can't ignore the fact that the woman can put on a show. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Ms Beyonce Knowles
2004
Call me an old commie, but I couldn't help include the glorious victory of the Spanish Socialist Party in the general election held early this year. Sure, the victory could be atributed to the terrorist bombings in Madrid and the Conservative PP's lies about it a few days before the elections, but the Party has done a lot of good things for Spain ever since.
I have already professed my love for George Michael's Music, and I think he's amazing (poor segue, I know, but it's late and I need to get ready for the New Year party).
2005
Ridiculously, I cared about only one thing, this year. The return of my favourite television programme ever.
This was the song of my summer. I've loved Gorillaz ever since.
2006
A year after I come out - and nearly forty years after the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the country - gay people in the UK are finally able to have their relationships legally recognised via Civil Partnerships. Though full marriage equality is still yet to come to Britain. I don't know the men in the video below, but it's such a beautiful little snippet, wouldn't you agree?
I hate Justin Timberlake with an unrivalled passion, but I just couldn't get enough of this song, and it's haunted me ever since its release.
2007
We were all jumping for joy at the prospect of Tony Blair's exit from Downing Street. However, on the day, I almost began to miss him, as I realised who would be replacing him. Mr Brown promised a government of change. Well...
Before the whole world loved Amy Winehouse, I loved her. By the time the world did love Amy, she was a mess, but she still has the best voice our generation.
2008
We survived George W Bush. We welcomed Barack Obama into our consciousness. An historic win, and perhaps a dividing line in world political history. Time will tell. Too many clichés in that one, I think.
I exited the world of English-language music for a year and discovered Nena Daconte. When I arrived in Madrid in late September, every single club and bar was playing this song.
2009
The defining moment of the year? Well, I couldn't say. There are still three hours left. However - just as in 2001 - I think I will never forget the night I watched the rolling news coverage of Michael Jackson's death. The Last Great Superstar of the 20th Century had gone.
And finally, an unusual choice for the end of the decade, but with all the saturated, factory-produced pop being churned out of Simon Cowell's arsehole, I couldn't help but revel in Rage Against the Machine's Christmas Number One Single, having nothoing to do with Christmas. Wonderful! I don'teven like the song, but anything is better than yet another X Factor winner...
Happy New Year!
¡Feliz Año Nuevo!
3 comments:
"the glorious defeat of the Spanish Socialist Party" ---- oops...
It's a warm feeling to think of what you were up at the time of each of those videos. What you looked like, what you were worried about, what you were looking for.
Happy New Decade!
PS: Nena Daconte is among the few in Spanish music industry I would save from the fire
Mistake? What mistake? Ah, the joys of post-editing!
It's funny, because now I feel like a proper adult. For our generation (we're more or less the same age, right?), this was the first decade we can remember throughout. We were there for 1990, but we certtainly can't remember it. That means we're adults, now! The noughties was the decade I grew up!
How was it for you?
Nena Daconte is alright, but let's be honest: the Española singers don't have a patch on the Mexicanas and Colombianas...
More or less the same age, but I do remember 1990 (I was 6 and you were 3 so I guess back in the days that was a big difference). Hey, I remember when there was only public TV in Spain and we still had coins with Franco's face. But I agree, the noughties was our first decade of real awareness.
I must admit that whenever I think of the start of the new millennium, J-Lo's Waiting for Tonight video comes to my mind, so obviously that's a lot of water under the bridge!
Most of the Spanish language music I like is Latin American, so of course I agree with your last statement.
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