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What qualities should the MTV Video Of The Year possess, hmm? Should it be the most visually stunning? The most ubiquitous song of the time? The most universally-loved? How’s about a nice, healthy blend of the three! Let’s take a look back at the past 15 years of Video Of The Year winners - do they live up to the title to this day? Were the best choices made? So many questions, so little energy left to answer them.

All photos courtesy of Getty Images

2007

Which Song Most Defined The Year: Rihanna’s “Umbrella” or Amy Winehouse’s “Rehab”?

Both were equally massive and deserving of their VotY nominations, but “Umbrella” won, and rightfully so - it was the runaway song of the year. We haven’t even come close in 2008!

The nominees:
Rihanna f/ Jay-Z - “Umbrella” (wiener), Beyonce - “Irreplaceable”, Justice - “D.A.N.C.E., Justin Timberlake - “What Goes Around…Comes Around”, Kanye West - “Stronger”, Amy Winehouse - “Rehab”

2006

Which Song Most Defined The Year: Panic! At The Disco’s “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” or Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy”?

“Crazy” was undoubtedly the song of the year in 2006, but it wasn’t even nominated for Video of the Year - P!ATD ran away with the prize! It’s cool though, cause the video is tons o’ fun and the song’s got a great hook. (Other snubs: Kanye’s “Gold Digger” and Nelly Furtado’s “Promiscuous”)

The nominees:
Panic! At The Disco - “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” (wiener), Christina Aguilera - “Ain’t No Other Man”, Madonna - “Hung Up”, Red Hot Chili Peppers - “Dani California”, Shakira (featuring Wyclef Jean) - “Hips Don’t Lie”

2005

Which Song Most Defined The Year: Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone” or Green Day’s “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”?

“Boulevard” (the winner) was a great video and an epic song, but is this how we really remember 2005? Kelly’s song defines the year in pop, and wasn’t even nominated. But check out this line-up of nominees - now that’s a poptacular year!

The nominees:
Green Day “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” (wiener), Coldplay - “Speed of Sound”, Snoop Dogg (featuring Pharrell) - “Drop It Like It’s Hot”, Gwen Stefani - “Hollaback Girl”, Kanye West - “Jesus Walks”

2004

Which Song Most Defined The Year: Usher’s “Yeah” or Outkast’s “Hey Ya”?

EITHER - both songs were gargantuan. But the best choice was made: “Hey Ya” changed the face of hip-hop and even your grandpappy was shakin’ it like a polaroid picture (I had to, sorry).

The nominees:
OutKast “Hey Ya” (wiener), D12 - “My Band”, Jay-Z - “99 Problems”, Britney Spears - “Toxic”, Usher (featuring Ludacris & Lil Jon) - “Yeah!”

2003

Which Song Most Defined The Year: Missy Elliott’s “Work It” or Eminem’s “Lose Yourself”?

As far as what we may remember most for the year, the edge goes to “Lose Yourself” - but Missy won the category and I do agree with that choice. While the song isn’t as mammoth, the video is another stellar clip adding to Missy’s amazing catalogue.

The nominees:
Missy Elliott “Work It” (wiener), 50 Cent - “In Da Club”, Johnny Cash - “Hurt”, Eminem - “Lose Yourself”, Justin Timberlake - “Cry Me a River”

2002

Which Song Most Defined The Year: Eminem’s “Without Me” or Pink’s “Get the Party Started”?

Eminem won, and Eminem deserved to win. Pink, on the other hand, wasn’t even nominated - but maybe she should have been? There’s a good line-up of nominees in terms of video quality (”Fell In Love With A Girl” - *drool*), but you could argue that they’re missing other earworms of the year like Britney’s “Slave 4 U” and No Doubt’s “Hey Baby”.

The nominees:
Eminem “Without Me” (wiener), Linkin Park - “In the End”, NSync - “Gone”, Nas - “One Mic”, P.O.D. - “Alive”, The White Stripes - “Fell in Love with a Girl”

2001

Which Song Most Defined The Year: “Lady Marmalade” or U2’s “Beautiful Day”?

While “Lady Marmalade” (the winner) had lots of sass and huge pop appeal, the bigger choice might have been “Get Ur Freak On” or “Stan”, don’t you think? Both excellent videos AND songs. Let’s not forget how amazing “Weapon Of Choice” was, too! Christopher Walken dancing?! Yes please.

The nominees:
Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mya & Pink featuring Missy Elliott “Lady Marmalade” (wiener), Missy Elliott - “Get Ur Freak On”, Eminem (featuring Dido) - “Stan”, Fatboy Slim - “Weapon of Choice”, Janet Jackson - “All 4 U”, U2 - “Beautiful Day”

2000

Which Song Most Defined The Year: “The Real Slim Shady” or NSync’s “Bye Bye Bye”?

“Bye Bye Bye” completely defines the pop scene taking over at the time, but the win goes to Eminem, who was moving past buzz artist to superstar with his new brand of hip hop. Another quality list of nominations - “Californication” is still a stand-out, “All The Small Things” is one of blink’s best and “Untitled” is, well… zomg.

The nominees:
Eminem “The Real Slim Shady” (wiener), blink-182 - “All the Small Things”, D’Angelo - “Untitled (How Does It Feel)”, Nsync - “Bye Bye Bye”, Red Hot Chili Peppers - “Californication”

1999

Which Song Most Defined The Year: “…Baby One More Time” or “Doo Wop (That Thing)”?

Ok, this isn’t fair. Lauryn Hill deserves the win with her stellar lyrics and sick video to match. But um, how was Britney NOT EVEN NOMINATED for video of the year? Britney Spears ate 1999 for breakfast. Yet, “Wild Wild West” was nominated? *Slaps forehead*

The nominees:
Lauryn Hill “Doo Wop (That Thing)” (wiener), Backstreet Boys - “I Want It That Way”, Korn - “Freak on a Leash”, Ricky Martin - “Livin’ La Vida Loca”, Will Smith (featuring Dru Hill and Kool Moe Dee) - “Wild Wild West”

1998

Which Song Most Defined The Year: “Ray Of Light” or “Bittersweet Symphony”?

Oh, man. Both. Stellar videos, both. Great songs, both. Madonna won, and that’s cool, but either could have taken it and been deserved. By the way, doesn’t this list of nominees just reek of 1998? If I close my eyes and listen to these tracks, I’m back in grade 11 math class again. Dating myself: complete.

The nominees:
Madonna “Ray of Light” (wiener), Brandy and Monica - “The Boy Is Mine”, Puff Daddy and the Family - “It’s All About the Benjamins (Rock Remix)”, Will Smith - “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It”, The Verve - “Bitter Sweet Symphony”

Posted on Tuesday, August 26th, 2008 at 6:51 pm by Wendy and is filed under Concerts & Events.

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