HIP Year in Review: 2004
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Reviewing some of the notable HIP campaigns from 2004 has taken us on quite the rabbit hole of talent and significant cultural affairs. Do you remember the Superbowl wardrobe mishap with Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson, causing widespread controversy about the perceived indecency and concern around increased broadcast censorship? Can you think of a day and time when Mark Zuckerberg and fellow Harvard students had just launched Facebook as the newest, hottest social media website? And it’s hard not to look back fondly on paying only $2.10 for a gallon of gas!
Without further ado, here are ten remarkable artists and music videos we got to work with at the ground level in 2004:
Elvis Costello – “Monkey To Man” (75K views)– There are few people out there for whom the name Elvis Costello does not ring a bell. The song explores both our progression and recession evolving from monkeys to humans, crediting earlier life forms for certain aspects of the then-current world while placing blame on the supposedly advanced species that have played a role in shaping reality as we know it.
Motion City Soundtrack – “The Future Freaks Me Out” (1.1M views) – When looking ahead to the future, it has been said that anxiety can be alleviated by taking things day by day. The band captures the struggle to keep up with up-and-coming developments and embrace the changes that come with acclimating the new into everyday life. Sounds like a theme that holds true in 2024, right?
Eagles Of Death Metal – “Speaking In Tongues” (446K views)– Who would have thought that indecipherable speech-like sounds mixed in with looping comprehensible lyrics would make for such a memorable song? Eagles of Death Metal had that vision. The music video, accordingly, is packed with pure sex appeal: women in sultry two-piece sets, lusciously painted lips, and fishnet tights or high socks latching onto the rock band on stage.
Morrissey – “First Of The Gang To Die” (251K views)– Released as a single part of You Are the Quarry, Morrissey told the tale of the character Hector in “First Of The Gang To Die.” Most of the song portrays him as a tough L.A. gangster on the streets, but as the lyrics say, his charming, mischievous nature “stole all hearts away.”
Papa Roach – “Getting Away With Murder” (47M views)– “Getting Away With Murder” was the title track of Papa Roach’s first album not to feature rapping, further honing in on the metal rock sound that initially made heads turn in their direction. Papers fly everywhere and all over the floor, and brokers strip and get raunchy, as ushered by Papa Roach’s recklessness that fans know and love.
The Faint – “I Disappear” (951K views)– The instrumental is infectiously upbeat and groovy, and the lyrics project this loss of control with the spirit of rock and roll, fueling the body perfectly. With its psychedelic explosion of color, each shot could pass as a stand-alone product of abstract art, with the high contrast white lighting washing out the detailed features of the performers on top of vibrant backdrops.
The Streets – “Fit But You Know It” (3.1M views)– Part of the reason people adore The Streets is that they have a humorous flair that makes each story they share even better. Taking this stroll down memory lane and continuously seeing their growth with each new production serves as a great reminder of why we do what we do here at HIP.
Blind Boys Of Alabama – “Last Month Of The Year” (9.1K views)– “Last Month Of The Year” – The song celebrates Jesus’ birthday on the “25th day of December.” The jazzy swing rhythms and their wholesome harmonies can not be beaten, and we are happy to report that the Blind Boys of Alabama are still fighting the good fight with their recent GRAMMY win for Best Roots Gospel Album!
Brian Jonestown Massacre – “When Jokers Attack” (307K views)– “When Jokers Attack” – Their 2004 music video incorporates images from East Indian art, and the song itself is about how merely questioning if one’s love is still strong is enough to tarnish it; the same uncertainty can affect dreams not coming to fruition.
Death From Above 1979 – “Romantic Rights” (676K views)– “Romantic Rights” – The 2004 single involves our capacity to choose who we want to love and how to go about it. Sebastien Grainger sings, “We could do it, it’s right romantically,” so there is no wrong in seizing every precious moment together. As with the rest of these 2004 highlights, you definitely want to look back at this song and video to relive the glory days of this period for music.
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