‘We Are Live’ N°124 – 2010s Music Videos

1 . Foster The People – Pumped Up Kicks

Released as the debut single from Foster the People’s 2011 album “Torches,” “Pumped Up Kicks” grips listeners with its upbeat indie-pop charm while concealing a dark narrative beneath its sunny exterior.

The track opens with a bassline so effortlessly cool it practically saunters, only to be joined by a whistling hook that’s borderline hypnotic.

Yet, hiding in plain sight beneath this irresistibly cheerful arrangement lies a story of isolation and violence, told through the perspective of a troubled youth harboring sinister intentions.

What makes this juxtaposition both compelling and unnerving is its ability to lure you into tapping your foot before you realize you’re humming along to descriptions of a kid readying his “pumped-up kicks” for something ominous.

The song became a cultural flashpoint in 2011, sparking debates about its lyrical content, even as it skyrocketed up the Billboard charts to peak at number three.

Its production, led by Mark Foster, capitalizes on polished simplicity, allowing layers of synths and reverb to seep into the framework like threads of sunlight through blinds, adding an ethereal texture.

At its core, the song sits at an intersection of disillusionment and rebellion, addressing themes that feel both deeply personal and alarmingly universal.

The contrast between its earworm melody and disquieting lyrics elevates it to a peculiar space in pop music, one where dancefloors are gripped by euphoria as a narrative about youth alienation plays in the background.

Its viral success—fueled by a free download and rapid word-of-mouth online—delivered the band their breakout moment, though it also locked them into an enduring association with a song they could never fully escape.

Even over a decade later, “Pumped Up Kicks” endures not as an anthem but as a haunting snapshot—a relic of pop’s ability to charm while unsettling, to entertain while provoking uncomfortable reflection.

Featured on the 2011 album “Torches”.

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

2 . The 1975 – Ugh!

The 1975’s “Ugh!” stands out as a snapshot of frustration wrapped in irresistible funk-pop grooves.

Emerging as the second track on their 2016 album *I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It,* the song threads sharp lyrical self-awareness through vibrant production that balances breezy charm with darker undertones.

Matty Healy’s confessional style takes center stage, oscillating between humor and stark honesty as he bluntly addresses personal struggles—most notably, addiction—with a conversational tone that feels both candid and cleverly detached.

Sonically, “Ugh!” flaunts a retro-tinged palette of jittery rhythms and buoyant synth lines, enriched by George Daniel’s deft production that packs movement into every beat.

It’s a song at odds with itself: effervescent yet brooding, playful yet relentlessly introspective.

Released as a single in late 2015, it landed modestly on the UK Singles Chart but punched above its chart placement by becoming a fan favorite and a staple in their live performances.

A track that radiates nervous energy, “Ugh!” exemplifies The 1975’s knack for blurring the line between self-reflection and self-deprecation, smuggling weighty themes into infectious hooks and polished production.

While the album it belongs to garnered significant critical acclaim and even earned a BRIT Awards nod, the track itself carries an unassuming brilliance, seamlessly coupling raw emotion with a sleek pop sheen.

Featured on the 2016 album “I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it”.

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

3 . Kelly Clarkson – Underneath The Tree

Released during the festive buildup of 2013, “Underneath the Tree” by Kelly Clarkson attempts to nail the elusive balance between contemporary holiday cheer and timeless Christmas kitsch.

Co-written with Greg Kurstin, a producer with a knack for polishing pop to a gleaming luster, the track doesn’t hold back on its ingredients: sleigh bells jingling, horns blaring, and Clarkson’s powerhouse vocals delivering the equivalent of a vocal fireworks show.

Everything about the song is big, bold, and tightly engineered, yet it somehow avoids collapsing under its own weight, likely due to Clarkson’s commanding performance, which anchors it firmly in the realm of merry rather than manic.

Chart placements are impressive but unsurprising, with its crowning achievement being a clear top spot on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart, though international nods in Canada and the UK reveal how widely its faux-retro charm resonated.

Its live debut on NBC’s “Kelly Clarkson’s Cautionary Christmas Music Tale” ramps up its self-awareness as a piece of made-for-December spectacle, and the accompanying music video, cut from tour footage, doubles as a love letter to her fans and a visual sugar rush.

While it might not dethrone the big players of the holiday canon, its glossy production and unabashed theatricality have cemented it as a modern Christmas playlist regular—a loud declaration of joy that’s best enjoyed with a side of eggnog and no concern for subtlety.

Featured on the 2013 album “Wrapped In Red”.

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

4 . Haim – Don’t Save Me

“Don’t Save Me” by Haim is an indie pop track that walks a tightrope between yearning and autonomy.

The song, released in 2012 as part of their debut album “Days Are Gone,” fuses pop, R&B, and rock elements with meticulous care, creating a soundscape that’s as polished as it is emotionally raw.

Its production by Ariel Rechtshaid ensures a crisp, almost clinical quality, yet the track’s vulnerability shines through unmistakably in the sisters’ harmonies.

The lyrics oscillate between a longing for love and a simultaneous rejection of dependency, reflecting an internal tug-of-war that’s profoundly human.

While the rhythmic instrumentation keeps the momentum alive, there’s an undeniable ache in Danielle Haim’s delivery that lends the track its emotional weight.

Visually, the accompanying music video juxtaposes scenes of the band playing basketball with performance segments, a concept that’s refreshingly understated yet strangely captivating.

Its live debut on “Late Show with David Letterman” further cemented the track’s impact, introducing the trio’s electric stage presence to a broader audience.

Although it never reached chart-topping heights, peaking at number 32 in the UK, the song’s inclusion in various year-end lists underscores its staying power in the pop music narrative of the early 2010s.

“Don’t Save Me” exemplifies the conflicted beauty of modern relationships, balancing its lyrical despair with a buoyant melody that’s deceptively uplifting.

A track that feels as much like a confession as it does a demand, it’s a cornerstone of Haim’s early catalog and proof of their uncanny ability to marry deep emotion with glossy production.

Featured on the 2013 album “Days Are Gone”.

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

5 . The Wombats – Techno Fan

“Techno Fan,” released as the fourth single from The Wombats’ sophomore album “This Modern Glitch,” is an indie pop anthem that thrives on its infectious energy and tongue-in-cheek charm.

The track, landing in 2011, welds the band’s signature sound to electronic textures, nodding at nightlife exuberance without fully committing to the club scene it cheekily pokes fun at.

Both irreverent and effervescent, the song showcases a rhythm pulsating with boldness, yet its humor lies in its self-awareness, mockingly embracing the electronic culture of the time.

The song’s UK Singles Chart peak at #60 betrays its understated commercial impact, but context shifts when considering its inclusion on the “FIFA 11” soundtrack, which catapulted it into headphones around the world.

In live settings, its spontaneous crowd-surfing verses had audiences moving en masse, becoming a fan favorite at festivals like Glastonbury and Reading & Leeds.

Directed by Lorenzo Fonda, its music video spins a surreal, kitschy narrative, matching the quirky road trip energy of the tune.

Behind the boards, producer Rich Costey weaves a dynamic production that balances indie guitar riffs with layered synth sequences, underscoring themes of escapist playfulness.

The release of “Techno Fan” on 7-inch vinyl offered an added treat in its B-side, “Trampolining,” for collectors and enthusiasts alike.

Though its humor cuts against the gravitas of some indie contemporaries, that irreverence is perhaps its sharpest weapon, keeping the track fresh amidst shifting trends.

Featured on the 2011 album “This Modern Glitch”.

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

6 . The Vaccines – If You Wanna

“If You Wanna” by The Vaccines, released in 2011, is a burst of infectious energy tucked into their debut album, “What Did You Expect from The Vaccines?”

It punches through with a raw urgency that feels both unpolished and perfectly calibrated, blending yearning and spontaneity into a neat indie rock package.

Produced by Dan Grech-Marguerat, whose portfolio includes Lana Del Rey and Radiohead, it marries grit with glossy precision, a balance that defines The Vaccines’ charm.

The track made its first major splash with a performance on “Later… with Jools Holland,” a rite of passage for British acts eager to flex their live chops to a wide audience.

Its inclusion in prominent festival lineups such as Glastonbury and Reading & Leeds cemented its anthem status, while its feature during The Vaccines’ supporting tour for Arctic Monkeys further amplified its reach.

Lyrically, it’s a blend of longing and devotion, delivered with an almost youthful recklessness that mirrors its soaring guitars and punchy drumwork.

The accompanying music video trades storytelling for raw performance, honing in on the band’s raucous stage presence, which effectively conveys their signature aesthetic.

The song’s cross-generational appeal lies in its stripped-back approach—direct, undeniably catchy, and designed to connect with listeners hunting for simplicity in the cluttered indie rock scene of the early 2010s.

Featured on the 2011 album “What Did You Expect from The Vaccines?”.

Lyrics >> More by the same : Official Site

7 . LadBaby – I Love Sausage Rolls

Leave it to LadBaby to turn snack food into a national holiday anthem.

With their 2019 single, “I Love Sausage Rolls,” a cheeky parody of Joan Jett’s rock classic, they not only captured the UK’s Christmas spirit but also dominated the singles charts.

The track is unapologetically absurd yet oddly unifying, taking a melody cherished across generations and injecting it with quintessentially British humor.

The lyrics wax poetic about sausage rolls, turning the humble pastry into a symbol of joyous indulgence, all while raising funds for The Trussell Trust, a food bank charity fighting hunger.

Mark and Roxanne Hoyle, the faces behind LadBaby, doubled down on their playful approach, creating a music video that balances self-aware ridiculousness with undeniable charm.

It managed to outperform heavyweights like Stormzy and Dua Lipa, proving that satire with a side of generosity can hold immense cultural weight.

Even critics who roll their eyes at novelty pop can’t deny the calculated brilliance behind their success, a reminder that comedy often carries the sharpest commentary—and, in this case, a commendable charitable edge.

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

8 . Matt Terry – When Christmas Comes Around

“When Christmas Comes Around” by Matt Terry steps gracefully into the world of festive pop ballads, anchored by the notable penmanship of Ed Sheeran and Amy Wadge.

Released in 2016 as Terry’s post-victory single from “The X Factor,” it carries the weight of expectations tied to a TV talent show winner, yet it manages to carve its own identity with original material—a rare move for such tracks since 2014.

The song opened at an impressive number three on the UK Singles Chart, shifting over 93,000 copies in its first week alone and earning a respectable Silver certification.

Lyrically, it seeks to blend warmth with hope, themes familiar yet comforting in the holiday music genre.

The production by Matt Prime ensures a clean, polished sound, leaning into Terry’s vocal strengths without overshadowing the heartfelt sentiment that defines the piece.

The accompanying video, with crisp edits of family Christmas traditions, adds to the aura of connection the song strives to create.

Despite its commercial success and Sheeran’s involvement, critical reception found itself split, with some deeming it overly saccharine, if not slightly formulaic.

Still, it offered a resonant touchstone for holiday listeners in 2016, effectively introducing Terry’s artistry to the UK music scene with a gloss of festive charm.

Lyrics >> More by the same : Instagram

9 . Mumford & Sons – I Will Wait

“I Will Wait” by Mumford & Sons stands as a folk-rock anthem from the band’s second album, *Babel*, released in 2012.

Its chart performance was impressive, reaching the twelfth spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and dominating the US Rock Songs chart, while earning a 5× Platinum certification from the RIAA.

The track marries emotional lyricism with vigorous banjo-driven instrumentation, exuding themes of patience, devotion, and resilience.

Performed live first during their “Gentlemen of the Road Stopover” tour in Colorado, the song encapsulates a raw energy that has since become a hallmark of their live shows.

Its Red Rocks Amphitheatre performance, immortalized in its music video, captured a climatic sense of unity and hope amidst a sea of fans.

Critically, the track snagged a Grammy nomination and contributed significantly to the album’s Album of the Year win in 2013.

“I Will Wait” endures as a key piece in the band’s repertoire, noted for balancing earnestness with a rousing, foot-stamping cadence fit for both arenas and intimate listening sessions.

Featured on the 2012 album “Babel”.

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

10 . Louisa Johnson – Forever Young

“Forever Young” by Louisa Johnson offers a curious blend of triumph and tradition, reinterpreting Bob Dylan’s 1974 classic with a pop-ballad sheen suited for an “X Factor” victory lap.

Released in December 2015, the track entered the world under the glittering banner of Syco Music, trailing the confetti of Johnson’s win on the twelfth season of the singing competition.

While its No. 9 peak on the UK Singles Chart broke the streak of chart-toppers from past winners, the song managed to clock respectable sales, moving over 39,000 copies in its debut week.

For all its polish, the track invites mixed reactions. The lyrical themes of youth and nostalgia seem tailor-made for a sentimental TV moment, yet the production—helmed by Julian Bunetta and John Ryan—tethers it firmly to mainstream conventions, sacrificing Dylan’s raw sincerity for a glossy finish.

Johnson’s performance during the finale captured the emotional crescendo of her journey, juxtaposing her wide-eyed enthusiasm with the song’s reflective undertones.

The music video, layering flashes of her “X Factor” experience, trades narrative depth for a hasty montage that seems to prioritize the show’s brand over the artist’s individuality.

In the context of “X Factor” winners’ singles, “Forever Young” feels like an outlier—ambitious in its source material but restrained in its execution, leaving behind a curious legacy as both a launchpad and a cautionary tale about the fleeting nature of such marquee moments.

Featured on the 2015 album “Forever Young”.

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

11 . Coldplay – Church

“Church” from Coldplay’s 2019 album *Everyday Life* flirts with spiritual themes while wrapping itself in a global tapestry of sound.

The track, tucked into the “Sunset” half of the double album, subtly asserts itself with ethereal vocals sampled from Norwegian artist Sunniva Sjøstrand and Arabic verses credited to Palestinian singer Norah Shaqur.

This is not your typical stadium anthem—it’s a temperate, nearly meditative piece, reflecting the album’s ambitions to merge introspection with cultural inclusivity.

The production, led by Rik Simpson under Parlophone Records, pairs Chris Martin’s familiar falsetto with shimmering textures that feel almost weightless, like sunlight through stained glass.

But for a song with a name so heavy, “Church” never falls into solemnity; instead, it basks in a warm sense of reverence, though not without skirting cliché.

Thematically, it swings between love and spirituality, but without the evangelical sledgehammer—more of a quiet embrace of unity that’s heartfelt if not overly profound.

Its Arabic interlude feels integrated rather than pasted on, though some might argue it veers toward tokenism in its attempt at worldly empathy.

“Church” bypassed single status, but its quiet ambition echoes the broader ethos of *Everyday Life*—a project more interested in connection than fireworks.

The song’s live debut at the Amman Citadel in Jordan marked one of the album’s most striking presentations, streamed worldwide for an audience that likely appreciated the architecture as much as the notes.

While lacking a music video or hefty promotional push, “Church” has found its niche among diehard fans and offers a thoughtful, if restrained, pause in Coldplay’s evolving catalog.

Featured on the 2019 album “Everyday Life”.

Lyrics >> More by the same : Official Site

12 . Faithless – Insomnia

Released in 1995 as part of “Reverence,” Faithless’ “Insomnia” captures the restless undercurrent of sleepless nights through an intensely layered electronic soundscape.

The track, ignited by the collaboration of Maxi Jazz, Sister Bliss, and Rollo Armstrong, fuses house beats with trip-hop melancholia, while unapologetically tossing introspection over a hypnotic rhythm.

The lyrics cut through the pulsating instrumentation, with Maxi Jazz’s deadpan delivery unraveling the torment of insomnia, a theme unsettlingly at home in urban chaos.

With a runtime exceeding eight minutes, the song builds slowly—a tease of anticipation for clubgoers before unleashing its unmistakable hook, as if daring its listeners to stay grounded.

Its surrealist visuals of fragmented cityscapes mirror the song’s duality of exhaustion and manic energy, creating a symbiosis of sound and imagery that refuses passive consumption.

The track oscillates between refined precision and chaotic, rhythmic bursts, never allowing itself to wither into pure repetition, a pitfall for many of its electronic peers.

Chart positions, while notable (#3 in the UK and global Top 10 entries), feel like an afterthought when discussing a track that’s transcended mere numbers to become a genre touchstone.

“Insomnia” doesn’t allow for easy digestibility; it demands surrender to its gradual buildup, a ritual shared by ravers at Glastonbury and Creamfields alike before it etched its way into countless compilations.

Despite lacking formal accolades, the song persists as both an electronic staple and a reminder of the introspective darkness achievable in dance music, without ever chasing sentimentality or crowd pandering.

Few tracks can claim to hold such pull over time, as relevant against flashing strobe lights as it is in late-night solitude, headphones in and mind racing.

Featured on the 2005 album “Live At Alexandra Palace”.

Lyrics >> More by the same : Official Site