‘Vous Avez Dit Bizarre’ N°529 – Vintage 2000s Music Videos

1 . Will Young – Switch It On

“Switch It On” marks a daring pivot for Will Young, trading his earlier balladic tendencies for a punchy pop-rock vitality.

Released in 2005 as the leading single from his third album “Keep On,” the track brims with kinetic energy and an unapologetically brash rhythm.

Co-written with Stephen Lipson, Carla Marie Williams, and Pete Gordeno, the collaborative effort produced a song that’s as layered as it is forceful, leaning heavily into its upbeat tempo to make its point.

Its chart position—debuting at No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart—reflects the public’s readiness to embrace this sonic swerve, making it Young’s eighth Top 10 hit.

The visual counterpart to the track takes cues from James Bond, with a music video thick with spy-thriller aesthetics, action-sequences, and a cheeky undercurrent that doesn’t take things too seriously.

Directed by Vaughan Arnell, the video toys with cinematic tropes, positioning Young as equal parts action star and pop provocateur.

Performed live during his “Keep On Tour” in 2006, the track became a high-voltage moment that cemented its live appeal, evident even on televised broadcasts like his Wembley Arena performance.

Thematically, the song borrows from ideas of defiance and reinvention, aligning with its sonic boldness.

It may not have reshaped pop-rock, but its confidence and bombast make it a testament to Young’s willingness to push his boundaries, one beat at a time.

Featured on the 2006 album “Keep On”.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : YouTube

2 . OPM – Heaven Is A Halfpipe

“Heaven Is a Halfpipe” by OPM encapsulates the ethos of skateboarding culture while fusing elements of rap rock and alternative music.

The track, hailing from their debut album “Menace to Sobriety,” delivers a laid-back vibe intertwined with themes of freedom and escapism, channeling rebellion through its metaphorical depiction of skateboarding as a personal paradise.

Released in 2001, the song managed to climb to the 18th spot on the UK charts, its success propelled by its easy-going rhythm and thought-provoking lyrics that resonated with listeners.

Anchored by Michael Patterson’s production under Atlantic Records, the single gained traction through MTV rotation and alternative radio airwaves, further solidifying its status as an anthem for individuality and joy.

The accompanying music video, showcasing skateboarding aesthetics, helped cement its connection to the sport and its community.

While it didn’t break new ground artistically, its earnestness and cultural relevance left a notable imprint on early 2000s music landscapes.

Featured on the 2000 album “Menace to Sobriety”.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Official Site

3 . The Automatic – Monster

Released in 2006, “Monster” by The Automatic catapults listeners into a frenzy of indie rock chaos laced with themes of self-doubt and inhibition.

The song rides a wave of aggressive riffs and unrelenting energy that made it an anthem of mid-2000s youth culture.

With its stomping beats and shouted chorus, the track stood out for its raw immediacy, bolstered by Steve Harris’s no-frills production under B-Unique Records.

Lyrically, it navigates a landscape marked by overindulgence and fleeting amusement, framed through a lens of sardonic humor.

The music video, boasting marauding monsters attacking a city, extends its winking absurdity, offering a surreal counterpart to the song’s muscular instrumentation.

The band’s frenetic performance style, as seen on platforms like “Top of the Pops” and at festivals like Reading and Leeds, mirrored the track’s unhinged spirit.

Given its inclusion in “FIFA 08” and a “Torchwood” episode, its appeal crossed mediums, solidifying its status as a touchstone of its era.

It’s a song that thrives on contradictions—fierce yet fun, chaotic yet tightly constructed, fleeting yet endlessly replayable.

Featured on the 1999 album “Not Accepted Anywhere”.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Facebook

4 . Bon Jovi – Say It Isn’t So

Bon Jovi’s “Say It Isn’t So” finds itself nestled in the early 2000s transition, where rock aimed to balance nostalgia with modern appeal.

A product of Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora’s songwriting partnership, the track is a blend of catchy hooks and lyrical disillusionment, reflecting themes of heartbreak and betrayal with a polished, radio-friendly edge.

Its placement as the second single from the “Crush” album served as both a nod to the band’s established lineage and a leap into a more contemporary soundscape, produced under Bruce Fairbairn’s seasoned direction.

Melding acoustic undertones with electric punches, the track’s construction mirrors the emotional push-and-pull of someone grappling with disbelief and regret.

The accompanying music video, directed by Wayne Isham, leans heavily on playful surrealism, featuring a slew of celebrity appearances like Matt LeBlanc and Claudia Schiffer, lending a quirky, tongue-in-cheek dynamic to the existential lyricism.

Charting respectably in both the UK and the US, the song’s commercial performance reinforced Bon Jovi’s adaptability in an era favoring pop-rock hybrids while still staying tethered to their arena-rock roots.

Live performances of the song, such as during their Wembley Stadium showcase in 2000, further amplified its appeal, with Jon’s charismatic stage presence ensuring audience connection despite the song’s relatively melancholic themes.

For fans, it operates as a time capsule of Bon Jovi’s ability to evolve amid changing musical trends, while still delivering emotive, high-energy anthems with the same unwavering intensity.

Featured on the 2005 album “Crush”.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Official Site

5 . Our Lady Peace – One Man Army

Released in 1999, “One Man Army” by Our Lady Peace charges forward with a distinctive alternative rock bravado, embodying themes of resilience and self-reliance threaded through pulsating guitar riffs and Raine Maida’s soaring vocals.

The track hails from their album “Happiness… Is Not a Fish That You Can Catch,” a title as peculiar as the song’s relentless energy.

The production, helmed by Arnold Lanni, leans into a polished yet rugged soundscape that captured the attention of alt-rock enthusiasts at the time.

Climbing to #1 on the Canadian Rock/Alternative chart and settling at #5 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks, the song mirrored the band’s growing prominence without compromising its edge.

The lyrics, jagged yet pointed, epitomize a stubborn fight against internal or external odds, though the message occasionally borders on cliché.

Throw in a high-octane, visually fragmented music video by Mark Kohr, and the track’s momentum gains an exhilarating, albeit chaotic, visual counterpart.

Its inclusion on Canada’s blockbuster “Big Shiny Tunes 4” compilation certified its anthem status, ensuring its ubiquity across radio waves and sports broadcasts alike.

Despite its commercial success, the song walks a fine line between genuine conviction and formulaic loud-quiet-loud dynamics emblematic of late-’90s rock radio.

Still, “One Man Army” remains a visceral embodiment of a band balancing ambition with an unflinching push for authenticity in a crowded rock arena.

Featured on the 2008 album “Happiness… Is Not a Fish That You Can Catch”.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Official Site

6 . Kaiser Chiefs – Oh My God

“Oh My God,” the inaugural offering from Kaiser Chiefs, surges with an industrial blend of chaos and energy, channeling anthemic indie rock into something jagged yet accessible.

Initially escaping as a limited-release 7-inch in 2004, it gained traction when re-released a year later within their breakout album *Employment*, promptly lodging itself at number 6 on the UK Singles Chart.

The track’s engine—raw guitar riffs and rolling percussion—accompanies Ricky Wilson’s exasperated yet melodic call to the universe, resulting in an explosive chorus that renders it both relentless and oddly cathartic.

The band’s lyrical cocktail of frustration and defiance is delivered with a wry grin, and despite its unruly fervor, the song finds surprising structure under Stephen Street’s crisp production.

Its cultural staying power expanded through unexpected covers (Lily Allen’s acoustic rendition stands out) and placements in mediums like *Run Fatboy Run* and gaming giant *FIFA 09,* exposing its blunt immediacy to broader audiences.

Visually, the music video distills the sonic bedlam, capturing the band thrashing inside a derelict warehouse—a perfect scene for the jagged edges of their sound.

For all its high-decibel rebellion, “Oh My God” ultimately thrives on balancing grit with accessibility, carving its place as a cornerstone of mid-2000s British indie music.

Featured on the 2006 album “Employment”.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Official Site

7 . Snow Patrol – Crack The Shutters

Snow Patrol’s “Crack the Shutters” finds its place among those rare songs that feel both intimately confessional and broadly cinematic, a balance the band has often strived for but seldom achieved with such grace.

Released in 2008 as part of their fifth album, “A Hundred Million Suns,” this alternative rock gem exudes warmth and vulnerability, peeling back layers of emotional armor with tender precision.

Gary Lightbody’s lyrics, evocative in their simplicity, paint a scene of private intimacy, while Jacknife Lee’s production—restrained yet deliberate—provides just enough sonic texture to keep the track afloat without overwhelming its sensitivity.

The song’s peak at #43 on the UK chart might suggest a modest reception compared to the band’s past hits, yet its resonance goes beyond numbers, etching itself into the hearts of those craving moments of quiet connection.

Its accompanying music video mirrors this simplicity, offering imagery that complements rather than distracts from the song’s themes of tenderness and profound connection.

“Crack the Shutters” also found life beyond the studio recording, earning a spot in live setlists, including standout performances during Snow Patrol’s 2009 tour and their compilation release “Up to Now.”

While not the kind of track to shake arenas with grandeur, it thrives on a quieter stage, proving that intimacy often speaks louder than spectacle.

Featured on the 2002 album “A Hundred Million Suns”.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Official Site

8 . U2 – Window In The Skies

U2’s “Window in the Skies” feels like a meeting point for nostalgia and optimism, stamped with Rick Rubin’s meticulous production touch.

Released as part of the band’s 2006 compilation album, “U218 Singles,” it mirrors U2’s knack for crafting stadium-ready anthems while doubling as a standalone entry into their vast catalog.

The track borrows its energy from melodic guitar riffs, layered harmonies, and Bono’s earnest delivery, all of which aim to evoke a sense of unity and resilience.

Its chart success nods to its instant appeal, peaking at #4 in the UK and securing top spots globally, including a #1 position in Canada.

The music video, another standout feature, creatively stitches archival footage of iconic performers—Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Kurt Cobain, and others—creating a patchwork homage to music history in a way that feels both cheeky and reverent.

Still, despite this grandeur, some might argue the song lacks the raw immediacy of U2’s earlier classics, presenting a polished yet somewhat calculated brightness.

Thematically, it leans into universal ideas of hope and love, making it accessible yet leaving room for listeners yearning for deeper complexities.

Its cultural context—a release timed amid retrospection for the band—positions it less as a groundbreaking moment and more as an affirmation of their enduring charm.

Featured on the 2003 album “U218 Singles”.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Official Site

9 . The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster – Psychosis Safari

The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster’s “Psychosis Safari” is a chaotic spark of energy, erupting from their 2002 debut album “Horse of the Dog” and landing with a bang in early 2003.

Its blend of garage rock and psychobilly rhythms hurls listeners into a frenzy, capturing a manic spirit that feels both raw and theatrical.

The song clawed its way into the UK Singles Chart at #26, an impressive feat given its unapologetically wild character.

Chris Goss’s production sharpens the track’s edge, channeling disarray into a tightly wound three minutes of unrelenting intensity.

The accompanying music video embraces this chaos, a visual whirlwind that perfectly complements the track’s snarling unpredictability.

Lyrically and sonically, “Psychosis Safari” thrives on an undercurrent of rebellion, almost demanding the listener surrender to the raucous atmosphere it creates.

Not merely content to stay behind studio doors, the band’s live performances amplified the song’s tumultuous tone, earning them slots alongside acts like The Hives and System of a Down.

“Psychosis Safari” epitomizes a moment when hard-charging, distortion-driven rock dared to feel unkempt, pumping adrenaline into a genre often polished into predictability.

Featured on the 2008 album “Hörse of the Dög”.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Facebook

10 . InMe – Crushed Like Fruit

In 2002, InMe’s “Crushed Like Fruit” burst onto the scene as the lead single from their debut album, *Overgrown Eden*, a raw yet polished showcase of early 2000s alternative metal.

The track’s heavy instrumentation and biting lyrics carry an undercurrent of frustration, channeling youthful anger with just the right blend of rebellion and vulnerability.

Its music video, now a time capsule of the post-grunge era, features the band’s energetic performance, reflecting the frenetic intensity the song conveys.

The collaboration with producer Colin Richardson—known for shaping the sonic heaviness of acts like Slipknot—ensured the track carried a weightiness that resonated with fans of darker alternative sounds.

Charting at #25 on the UK Singles Chart, it captured attention without pandering to mainstream trends, carving out a niche for InMe as a band willing to embrace a gritty, cathartic sound.

The success of “Crushed Like Fruit” helped InMe secure slots on high-profile tours with Nickelback and Seether, as well as gracing the stage at major festivals like Reading and Leeds in its heyday.

Part brooding anthem, part rallying cry, the song captures a moment in time when alternative metal walked precariously between mainstream flirtation and underground grit, never fully shaking off its raw edges.

Featured on the 2004 album “Overgrown Eden”.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Official Site

11 . Take That – Greatest Day

Released in 2008 as the lead single from Take That’s fifth album, “The Circus,” “Greatest Day” captures an anthemic blend of aspiration and optimism.

Crafted by band members Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, and Mark Owen alongside producer John Shanks, the song’s polished production is underscored by soaring harmonies and a crescendoing arrangement tailored for arenas.

The accompanying video trades complexity for sweeping visuals, with the band stationed atop the 16th Street Viaduct in Los Angeles, framed by golden-hour lighting and sprawling urban vistas.

Premiered live on *The X Factor,* the track capitalized on the show’s massive viewership, securing its position as a crowd favorite and sending it to the top of UK charts.

Over time, the song has acquired the status of a communal anthem, being performed at major events like the 2012 London Olympics closing ceremony and adopted as England’s 2014 FIFA World Cup campaign soundtrack.

Its enduring appeal lies not in lyrical innovation but in its ability to distill generic yet universal sentiments into an uplifting sing-along format—a formula that, for all its predictability, resonates with audiences during moments of collective celebration.

Featured on the 1991 album “The Circus”.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Official Site

12 . The Mooney Suzuki – Alive & Amplified

The Mooney Suzuki’s “Alive & Amplified,” released in 2004, bursts forth as a frenetic celebration of early 2000s garage rock delivery polished with studio-grade precision.

Collaborating with The Matrix—a production duo better known for pop-punk-leaning endeavors—the track melds raw, riff-driven swagger with an accessible sheen, creating what feels like a high-octane joyride equal parts grit and gloss.

Its infectiousness wasn’t lost on marketers and media curators; the song hit a stride beyond the charts, infiltrating 2004’s Heineken commercials, video games like *Madden NFL 2005* and *Burnout 3: Takedown,* and even getting featured in the comedy flick *Grandma’s Boy*.

This wasn’t just a tune; it was a backdrop for adrenaline-soaked, action-packed visuals, carving itself as a genre-agnostic, all-purpose anthem for unbridled energy.

Still, its tightrope walk between scrappy authenticity and radio-ready refinement makes one wonder if it leaned too far towards marketability to appease purists.

Yet, where it falls short of rock-and-roll revolutionary status, the track succeeds in encapsulating the kinetic euphoria of its moment, a bottle of lightning dressed in leather jackets and amplifiers.

Featured on the 1989 album “Alive & Amplified”.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Facebook