‘L’Amour Toujours’ N°694 – 2010s Music Videos

1 . Rihanna – Stay

Released as the second single from Rihanna’s seventh studio album *Unapologetic* in 2012, *Stay* drifts far from her typical club anthems and instead lands in the space of raw unease and vulnerability.

A minimalist, piano-driven ballad, it’s a duet between Rihanna and Mikky Ekko, who not only provides vocal support but also co-wrote the track with Justin Parker.

The song strips away the usual pop grandiosity, focusing instead on bare emotion, mirroring the fragility of relationships with lyrics that clutch at longing and dependence.

When Rihanna debuted the track live on *Saturday Night Live* in 2012, the performance was stark and restrained, immediately cementing its emotional weight—a striking contrast to the overproduced tides of pop around it.

Its accompanying Sophie Muller-directed music video is likewise subdued: dimly lit, starkly intimate, and featuring Rihanna in a bathtub, as if the water might wash away her emotional disarray.

Commercially, there was no hesitation in its success; the track charted in the top five across more than 20 countries, peaking at No. 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart, a testament to its universal resonance.

The Grammys live performance in 2013 further underscored its emotional pull—there was no spectacle, just the unadorned interplay of voice and piano.

And yet, the irony lies in how such a song about fragility thrives in an industry obsessed with strength and perfection—a sharp reminder that honesty can be its own form of defiance.

Mikky Ekko later recorded a solo version of the track, an interesting but arguably less impactful experiment compared to Rihanna’s aching delivery.

In a world of fleeting pop hooks, *Stay* trades flash for ache, ensuring its presence lingers long after its final note fades away.

Featured on the 2012 album “Unapologetic”.

Lyrics >> More by the same : Official Site

2 . Tom Odell – Real Love

Tom Odell’s take on “Real Love” injects a fresh tenderness into John Lennon’s posthumously completed track, highlighting his knack for stripped-down, emotive storytelling.

Featured alongside John Lewis’s famed “Monty the Penguin” ad campaign, the song taps into the retailer’s knack for deploying music to manipulate holiday emotions (and wallets).

The instrumentation leans on Odell’s signature piano accompaniments, avoiding theatrics in favor of a raw simplicity that complements his breathy delivery.

Much like the ad, the song exploits a calculated nostalgia, playing on the listener’s longing for warmth and connection without veering into saccharine territory.

Charting at number 7 in the UK, it served as both a testament to Odell’s commercial appeal and the cultural weight of the John Lewis Christmas machine.

While undeniably effective in its intent, one can’t ignore the way its association with a corporate campaign robs it of a certain sincerity, depending on your tolerance for festive marketing gimmicks disguised as artistry.

Lyrics >> More by the same : Official Site

3 . Miley Cyrus – Adore You

“Adore You” opens Miley Cyrus’s “Bangerz” album with tender vulnerability, showcasing a subdued side often absent from the record’s brash pop stylings.

Cyrus navigates themes of longing and devotion, her voice dipping into an unmistakable ache that balances fragility with an assured delivery.

The track steers away from chart-friendly bombast, opting instead for a ballad-driven sincerity that feels almost voyeuristic in its quiet intensity.

Oren Yoel’s production leans on muted drum beats and soft synth overtones, providing a minimalist canvas that allows Cyrus’s emotive lilt to take center stage.

The accompanying video trades spectacle for intimacy, featuring dimly-lit aesthetics and sensual undertones that ruffled media feathers at the time.

A Cedric Gervais remix later retooled the song for dance-floors, yet its dark, slow-burning essence remained largely intact.

“Adore You” might not hit the euphoric highs—or attract the polarizing critiques—of Cyrus’s more extroverted releases, but its simmering sincerity is where its power lies.

In a sea of showy “Bangerz” twists, this track cuts through the noise, giving listeners a moment of understated, if fleeting, connection.

Featured on the 2013 album “Bangerz”.

Lyrics >> More by the same : Twitter

4 . Devlin – Let It Go (w/ Labrinth)

Devlin’s “Let It Go” joins thought-provoking grime lyricism with a layered pop sensibility, thanks to Labrinth’s knack for fusing melodic hooks with atmospheric production.

As one of the standout tracks on 2013’s “A Moving Picture,” the song operates at the intersection of catharsis and contemplation, coursing through themes of resilience, introspection, and emotional release.

Labrinth’s contribution does more than merely complement; his melancholic refrain injects a depth that mirrors Devlin’s intricate verses filled with sharp, almost surgical observations about shedding the past.

The accompanying music video leans into gritty urban visuals, painting a narrative of struggle and redemption that mirrors the track’s core sentiments, without overstating its scope.

Though it never achieved stand-alone single status, “Let It Go” contributed to the album’s positioning on the UK Charts, carving out a space for itself as a significant moment in Devlin’s discography.

The production itself resists over-indulgence, maintaining a crisp yet expansive sound that highlights a tension between personal resolution and broader sociocultural undercurrents.

It’s not often grime artists weave subtlety into their work at this level, but this collaboration finds a balance, avoiding excess while still delivering an emotionally resonant experience.

Without sweeping gestures or heavy-handed symbolism, this is a snapshot of artistry that reflects the understated evolution of UK music in the 2010s, a testament to Devlin’s ability to craft tracks that speak softly yet carry weight.

Featured on the 2010 album “Bud, Sweat and Beers”.

Lyrics >> More by the same : Facebook

5 . Shontelle – Impossible

Shontelle’s “Impossible” comes across as the kind of heartbreak anthem designed to hit you when you’re already down—and then somehow make you feel stronger for it.

Released in 2010 as part of her sophomore album *No Gravity*, the song rides on the polished production of Arnthor Birgisson and the deft penmanship of Ina Wroldsen.

The ballad walks a tightrope between raw emotional vulnerability and commercial pop slickness, driven by Shontelle’s controlled yet evocative vocal delivery.

Thematically, it leans heavily into regret and resilience, a narrative as universal as scrolling through old texts late at night but wrapped in a glossy package fit for mass consumption.

It found a particularly receptive audience in the UK, claiming a spot in the Top 10, and despite her being somewhat of a one-hit wonder Stateside, the song still climbed to No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The music video doesn’t veer far from the song’s aesthetic, presenting a visually somber tale of love gone sour, direction courtesy of Taj Stansberry, whose lens captures emotional wreckage with cinematic restraint.

The record generated a second life post-2012, largely thanks to its integration into covers on talent shows like *The X Factor*—none more significant than James Arthur’s rendition, which redefined its chart run entirely.

If “Impossible” has a flaw, it’s in how neatly it fits into the pop-ballad template of the time, leaving little room for unpredictability or edge.

Yet, something about Shontelle’s earnest delivery transcends its formula, making the track feel like a perfectly timed gut-punch.

Featured on the 2010 album “No Gravity”.

Lyrics >> More by the same : Twitter

6 . Calvin Harris – I Need Your Love (w/ Ellie Goulding)

“I Need Your Love” captures the zeitgeist of 2010s EDM with a blend of emotional intensity and glossy production.

Calvin Harris’s signature electro-house beats lay a high-energy foundation, while Ellie Goulding’s ethereal and emotionally raw vocals provide a stark contrast to the track’s pulsating rhythms.

Its themes of romantic dependency land somewhere between earnest longing and the kind of vulnerability that would feel at home in the middle of a club floor at 2 a.m.

The accompanying music video, tantalizingly staged with pseudo-romantic visuals of beachside escapades and party scenes, was cheeky enough to stoke dating rumors between the collaborators, further fueling its media narrative.

Skeptics might argue the song sticks too closely to the mainstream EDM formula, but what it lacks in originality it compensates for with undeniable chart appeal.

The track’s infectious energy, coupled with Goulding’s expressive delivery, cemented its place in playlists everywhere, proving that even dependency-themed pop has no trouble commanding global airplay.

Featured on the 2013 album “18 Months”.

Lyrics >> More by the same : Official Site

7 . Philip George & Anton Powers – Alone No More

“Alone No More” by Philip George spins a nostalgic thread, pulling its DNA from Hollaphonic and Shèna’s garage hit “I’m Lonely,” only to sprawl it elegantly across 2015’s house landscape.

The track darts gracefully between eras, marrying the emotional ache of late-’90s garage with modern, glossy beats tailored for neon-lit nights.

The pulsating rhythm feels equal parts homage and reinvention, transforming its lonely core into a celebration of connectivity.

Released by 3 Beat Productions and Universal Music, the song pushed its way into the UK Singles Chart, comfortably sitting at number 4, proving Philip George wasn’t just a one-hit entry after “Wish You Were Mine.”

Its music video matches its energy, depicting vibrant nightscapes where strobing lights and untamed crowds create a kind of shared euphoria.

While the song didn’t snag hardware or heavyweight accolades, it fit snugly into club playlists across the UK, buzzing across airwaves like BBC Radio 1.

Thematically, it’s a paradoxical blend—heartache collides with optimism, and vulnerability sways into recovery.

Its success wasn’t just about beats or charts; it forged an updated dialogue with the dancefloor, flipping loneliness into a communal anthem for those lost in the pulse of 4 a.m. euphoria.

Lyrics >> More by the same : Instagram

8 . Jodie Connor – Now Or Never (w/ Wiley)

“Now or Never” bursts onto the scene as a 2011 single by Jodie Connor, crafted with a sleek production flair courtesy of David Dawood.

Featuring Wiley, the track layers pop and electronic beats with a grime edge, creating a sound that feels equally at home on club dance floors and urban radio stations.

The theme? Carpe diem—Connor’s vocals simmer with urgency, passion, and an unapologetic confidence in matters of love.

Wiley’s feature adds just the right degree of grit, balancing the track’s polished surfaces with his signature grime delivery.

The accompanying video—a kaleidoscope of vibrant urban visuals and party-centric scenes—compliments the song’s energy but doesn’t venture far from standard fare.

Charting at No. 14 on the UK Singles Chart, the song gained moderate attention, especially given Connor’s previous smash feature on Roll Deep’s “Good Times.”

While it didn’t leave a seismic impact, its polished production and cross-genre appeal make it a curious snapshot of 2011’s evolving pop-R&B landscape.

Lyrics >> More by the same : Instagram

9 . N-Dubz – Playing With Fire (w/ Mr Hudson)

“Playing With Fire” lands as a curious fusion of two contrasting worlds: N-Dubz’s streetwise bravado and Mr Hudson’s polished art-pop sensibilities.

The track, released in early 2010, leans heavily on themes of relational intensity—heartache, betrayal, and that precarious line between love and destruction.

Mr Hudson’s shimmering, melancholic hook acts as both a balm and a paradox, softening the jagged emotion brought by Tulisa, Dappy, and Fazer’s verses while simultaneously highlighting its fragility.

Musically, the production pulls no punches, balancing slick, radio-ready beats with an undercurrent of tension, as if constantly teetering towards combustion.

Charting at a respectable 14 on the UK Singles Chart, the song speaks to N-Dubz’s knack for crafting pop-rap hybrids that snugly fit the zeitgeist without diluting their signature grit.

Visually, the music video doubles down on the incendiary metaphor, surrounding the performers in a literal inferno, heightening the drama without teetering into parody.

Performed on major stages such as the MOBO Awards, the song resonates as a snapshot of a band at their commercial peak, straddling genres and audiences with practiced skill.

It’s a vibrant testament to the dual allure of danger and attraction, but also a reminder that playing with fire, whether in love or music, is rarely free of risk—or singed edges.

Featured on the 2009 album “Against All Odds”.

Lyrics >> More by the same : Official Site

10 . Justin Bieber – Love Me

“Love Me” by Justin Bieber positions itself at the crossroads of early-2000s bubblegum pop and synthesized nostalgia, pulling listeners in with its liberal sampling of The Cardigans’ “Lovefool.”

For a track nestled within Bieber’s debut EP “My World,” it punches above its weight, floating between playfulness and earnest teenage yearning—moods the entire project seems calibrated to amplify.

The decision to rework “Lovefool” is both cheeky and clever, as it retrofits a 90s classic for a new generation while risking comparisons to the original’s droll sophistication.

Here, the production by D’Mile leans toward crisp, effervescent beats and airy synth pads, designed to boost Bieber’s soft, prepubescent vocals without overloading the mix.

Lyrically and thematically, it’s a sugar rush of mushy affection and knee-jerk charm, offering little depth yet striking a relatable chord among its core demographic.

Debuting at No. 37 on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaking even higher in Canada, “Love Me” thrives as proof of Bieber’s emerging magnetism at a time when his fanbase was on the verge of mass hysteria.

Although it wasn’t a formal single, it’s a snapshot of Bieber’s brand during the late 2000s: unpolished yet disarmingly sincere, with youthful whimsy oozing through the verses.

The accompanying music video—a montage of live performances and candid moments from fan interactions—served to reinforce his image as the unassuming pop idol of choice for tweens everywhere.

While neither groundbreaking nor particularly daring, “Love Me” operates as a time capsule of Bieber’s early trajectory, where ambition and innocence blurred in a hormone-fueled swirl of melodies.

Viewed today, it’s simultaneously a crowd-pleaser and a sonic footnote, excelling not through risk or innovation but by being exactly what it set out to be: a lightweight, feel-good anthem frosted with teenage infatuation.

Featured on the 2009 album “My World”.

Lyrics >> More by the same : Twitter

11 . Jay Sean – Down (w/ Lil Wayne)

Released in 2009, “Down” by Jay Sean featuring Lil Wayne was a breakthrough track that catapulted Jay Sean to global fame.

Serving as a single from his third studio album, *All or Nothing*, the song occupies the sweet intersection of pop and R&B, marked by its unrelenting catchiness and a production style that screamed late 2000s radio dominance.

What’s notable is the track’s cultural significance—Jay Sean became the first solo artist of South Asian descent to hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100, a milestone for representation in mainstream Western music.

Lil Wayne’s feature, added after the song was originally recorded, is a quintessential Wayne moment—laid-back, self-assured, but never overshadowing the main act.

Thematically, the song leans into romantic devotion, pairing sweeping vocal lines with infectious beats that demand attention.

The video, awash with nightclub aesthetics and soft romantic visuals, became a staple on outlets like MTV, reflecting the song’s massive crossover appeal.

While it doesn’t reinvent the pop wheel, “Down” is proof of the power of an earworm paired with good timing, some Bluetooth chemistry, and a star feature.

Featured on the 2009 album “All or Nothing”.

Lyrics >> More by the same : Official Site

12 . Zara Larsson – So Good (w/ Ty Dolla $ign)

Zara Larsson’s “So Good” is a glossy pop confection infused with R&B undertones, bolstered by the presence of Ty Dolla $ign’s laid-back charm.

The song pairs Larsson’s polished, breathy vocals with a percussive beat that leans into a distinctly radio-friendly aesthetic, blending earworm melodies with an air of romantic self-assurance.

Collaborators like Charlie Puth and Danny Schofield help construct a track that thrives on sleek production while maintaining just enough commercial appeal to pique global interest.

Ty Dolla $ign’s verse injects a dose of his signature lyrical swagger, though the contrast between his smooth delivery and Larsson’s saccharine chorus feels both calculated and oddly effortless.

Released in 2017, the single didn’t smash records but comfortably climbed mid-tier charts globally, a testament to its likability rather than its innovation.

The music video’s shimmering visuals enhance the track’s unapologetically glamorous vibe, featuring a vivid color palette that mirrors the song’s celebratory tone.

While “So Good” doesn’t break genre boundaries or challenge the status quo, it confidently resides in its niche—an indulgent ode to young romance, self-confidence, and a hint of cheeky empowerment.

A highlight of its parent album, the track lacks the heft of Larsson’s bolder hits like “Lush Life” but ensures its job as an easily digestible bop with crossover appeal.

Critics might point out the formulaic nature of the arrangement, yet its effortless charm lies precisely in its unabashed embrace of predictability.

File “So Good” under polished escapism: fun, fleeting, and a little too perfect to feel entirely personal, but undeniably catchy in its glossy ambition.

Featured on the 2017 album “So Good”.

Lyrics >> More by the same : Official Site