1991: The Year of Embarrassing Music Videos for 3 of Today’s Stars
April 3, 2008 – 12:25 pm
We’ve all seen “Before They Were Stars” clips before, but there’s definite fun in early career clips too. Indeed, an artist with a base of raw talent has to be able to adapt and reinvent to be able to succeed with what the market of the time expects. 1991 was a banner year for music videos from stars that have since moved on to bigger, better, and less horribly embarrassing things. They can try to bury their past behind them all they like, but fortunately, the Internet arrived, and now no one has to ever let them live down their early cracks at fame. Three examples stand out.
Robbie Williams (Take That) - Do What You Like (1991)
Many fans west of the Atlantic know Robbie Williams through his more recent successes, like Rock DJ, Millennium, and Feel (Real Love), but Robbie’s early fame was actually shared with his boyband compatriots in the legendary UK group Take That. Since the group’s breakup in ‘95 he has refused to take part in any reunion activities of any kind. Watch the video below, and take a glimpse into a past worth burying.
Robbie Williams (Take That) :: For the best videos, click here!
Mark Wahlberg (Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch) - Good Vibrations (1991)
Somehow, the man who appeared in the video below, brother of Donnie Wahlberg of New Kids on the Block, managed to salvage what has ended up being a respectable acting career, starring in films like The Italian Job, Shooter, and the upcoming Max Payne. Upon first seeing him on the big screen, I distinctly remember “whaaaaaaaaaaat…” thoughts going through my head. Good job, Marky Mark - I now actually enjoy your films. Now time to laugh at you.
Mark Wahlberg (Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch :: For the best videos, click here!
Alanis Morrisette - Too Hot (1991)
To most, Alanis broke on the scene with her man-hating desert-running You Oughta Know, but those who’ve dug deeper or were paying attention to cheesy early 90s dance pop know that she’s actually got black and white choreographed group dance sequences under her belt, just like Marky Mark. With only moderate success, she changed up, added “Morrisette” to what was just “Alanis”, then hit the bigtime. Thankfully, you live, you learn.
Alanis Morissette - Too Hot :: For the best videos, click here!
5 Responses to “1991: The Year of Embarrassing Music Videos for 3 of Today’s Stars”
Great, now I’ve got that stupid Alanis song in my head! It took years of therapy and hypnosis to forget it….FOR NOTHING!!!!
By Iheartthe80s on Apr 3, 2008
Wow. Robbie Williams, mop in the bum, covered in oil, rolling around with the boys…..why would you want to forget that?
By Chrissy on Apr 3, 2008
The first one was terrible- so sweet and treacly- it about sickened me. Marky Mark was OK. Don’t know what anyone thought was embarrassing about that. The Alanis thing was just a sorry song like so many others we are plagued with in modern times cause kids will listen to anything.
By Wayne on Apr 3, 2008
Looks like 1991 was the year of poorly-choreographed spontanious dancing in back alleyways and urban basketball courts. Who knew the city streets were so “funky”?
By Alletron on Apr 4, 2008
1991 was great - at the time. There was that Ninja Turtles arcade game, nobody needed a mobile phone, and you could smoke anywhere.
But, looking back, the pop music was dogshite. And it still is.
By Steve on Apr 5, 2008