Exactly one year ago, despite our age or position, we were all suddenly, and dare we say magically, transported to those troubling high school days where we just had to “grab a bowl, have cereal” at seven in the morning, and struggle with the near-impossible decision of who to sit next to in the car somehow hijacked by our 14-year-old classmates. You know, for those of us cool enough to have a ride to school…
Yeah, high school was rough and confusing for everyone, so it’s no wonder that an upscale party (with, miraculously, no alcohol present–only the genuine enjoyment of each other’s company (on Jay Gatsby’s 21st century suburban lawn) every Friday is an event that everyone can relate to. Even tweenage girls whose parents have healthy bank accounts (or credit limits) with which to fund poorly produced music videos so their spawn does not feel that s/he missed out on the encouraging and reaffirming My Sweet 16 culture American parents have perpetuated. Way to go guys! No, really.
On that apacolyptic note, today is the anniversary of the release of Rebecca Black’s “Friday” on YouTube, which received 167 million views before it was briefly taken down in June and then put back up. Black’s mother, who paid $4,000 to get the video produced and uploaded by Ark Studios, had no idea what kind of investment she was making at the time. (ed. note: A poor one) Looking back, all those memories of unkempt morning hair and brief moments of loneliness at the bus stop proved to be worth it, as Rebecca Black is now internationally known as the face of our generation. Our ever deteriorating generation.
How should you celebrate this momentous occasion? Aside from watching the original just about as many times as you did that first day, consider having a quiet evening at home with a glass of pinot noir while Bob Dylan’s cover softly hums in the background. And, of course, check out some other gems from Ark Studios, a recommended track being “Butterflies”, which could just be the new Black.
