Time Traveling 90s Music Videos

Nostalgia is a funny thing. Gen X parents today remember fondly the first time they heard some of they heard hits from the grunge era and the mainstream breakthroughs of alt rock. Ironically, a few of the favorites of the time that bring us back to the 90s featured music videos that brought us back to the 70s, 60s, 50s or earlier. It’s like circle of time travel that is still cool today.

Here are a few hits that are distinctly 90s for showcasing their own homage to earlier decades:

“Buddy Holly” by Weezer

What was so cool about this one is those of us in our 20s loved the tribute this new band did to a show from the 70s set in the 50s, Happy Days. In addition to the classic footage, Al Molinaro reprised his role of Al Delvecchio for the video.

“In Bloom” by Nirvana

There were actually two videos out for this song. One featured a more straightforward “alternative” grunge style, but the nostalgic variety show appearance, complete with screaming fangirls and some instrument-destroying drag, was the one that we all love. The host was played by Doug Lleweyen from The People’s Court, in case you didn’t remember.

“Hook” by Blues Traveler

There’s a lot of layers to this funny and slightly disturbing video, but it’s certainly heavy on memory triggers and visual manipulation in music. From a mid century style beauty pageant to an old time Citizen Kane style campaign rally, it takes you back in a way both comforting and melancholy. It also features Paul Shaffer, with the host of MTV’s Remote Control, Ken Ober as the poor channel surfing sadsack.

“My Own Worst Enemy” by Lit

Lit is one of those bands who has sort of been in and out of the music scene through, changing their style and dealing with tragedies, and they are still touring. Good for them, because they are awesome. Yet, they were at their height in the 90s…and their big hit was one that gave us young adults in the 90s a throwback look at the bowling alley scene of the 70s. My grandma was an avid bowler when I was a kid in the 70s, so I can smell the weird Lysol and cigarette-tinged air of this video.

“The Rascal King” by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones

The end of the 90s and early 2000s was the height of the massive neo swing revival, when Big Bad Vooddoo Daddy and the epic Brian Setzer Orchestra ruled the music world. Shortly before that, Boston punk ska group The Mighty Mighty Bosstones were already mixing a variety of genres…and eras. The Rascal King is a standout with its love of the 40s and early 50s noirs. Catchy song, too.

It’s hard to believe the 1990s were three decades ago. Especially since much of the music from that era is as fresh as it was back then.

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