19-2000

"19-2000" by Gorillaz is a vibrant and upbeat song that explores themes of escapism, the overwhelming pace of modern life, and the search for individuality amidst consumer culture. Released at the turn of the millennium, the song's title itself reflects a transition into a new era, capturing both the anxieties and the hopes of that time. The opening verse, "The world is spinning too fast, I'm buying lead Nike shoes," metaphorically describes a desire to ground oneself in a chaotic world. The "lead Nike shoes" symbolize an ironic attempt to find stability through a consumer product, highlighting the commercialism that pervades modern existence.

The central recurring phrase, "Get the cool shoeshine," functions as a multi-layered metaphor. On one hand, it represents the pursuit of superficial coolness and the constant pressure to maintain appearances. On the other, it can be seen as a call to find small moments of joy, clarity, and self-expression—a 'shine'—in an otherwise disorienting world. The advice from 'mama' to "slow down" and "make your own shoes" acts as a call for authenticity and forging one's own path, rather than conforming to societal trends or prescribed happiness, even humorously cautioning against mindlessly dancing to Gorillaz' own music.

The song delves into the internal conflict of modern existence with the image of a "monkey in the jungle... Caught up in the conflict between his brain and his tail." This serves as an allegory for the human struggle between instinct and intellect, or between a natural state and the artificiality of the modern world. Ultimately, the song resolves with a sense of liberation. The line "if time's elimination, then we got nothing to lose" embraces a carefree, live-in-the-moment philosophy, suggesting that music is a chosen form of escape and self-discovery.

The narrative begins with a feeling of being overwhelmed by the rapid pace of the modern world, expressed through the line, "The world is spinning too fast." To counteract this dizzying sensation, the protagonist decides to buy "lead Nike shoes," a metaphorical anchor to keep grounded and connected to a past they are simultaneously trying to shed. This reflects a conflict between wanting to slow down and being caught in the machinery of consumer culture, where even stability is a branded product.

A maternal voice of caution emerges, advising the protagonist to slow down and create their own path—"You must make your own shoes"—rather than passively following trends. This advice specifically warns against getting lost in the superficial happiness offered by pop culture, humorously referencing the band itself: "And stop dancing to the music of Gorillaz in a happy mood." This suggests a deeper search for authenticity over manufactured joy.

The chorus, with its infectious and somewhat nonsensical chant, "Get the cool, get the cool shoeshine," serves as the song's central motif. It can be interpreted as the siren call of consumerism and superficiality—the constant societal pressure to acquire the next cool thing to maintain appearances and feel a sense of belonging. It’s a repetitive, almost hypnotic command that represents finding fleeting moments of joy and clarity amidst the chaos.

The song then shifts to a more abstract image: a monkey in a jungle observing a vapor trail. This monkey is caught in a classic conflict between instinct (its tail) and intellect (its brain). This imagery serves as an allegory for the human condition, torn between primal desires and rational thought, or between embracing a natural, simpler existence and being captivated by the encroaching modern, technological world represented by the vapor trail.

The philosophical core of the track is revealed in the lines, "And if time's elimination, then we got nothing to lose." This suggests a carpe diem attitude, a liberation that comes from realizing the ephemeral nature of time. It encourages listeners to live in the present. This is followed by a declaration of agency: "Please repeat the message, it's the music that we choose." It’s an assertion of individuality and the power to select one's own soundtrack, one's own path, and one's own meaning in life, reinforcing the theme of self-discovery and breaking free from external pressures.

"19-2000" was created by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, the masterminds behind the virtual band Gorillaz. The song was recorded between 1998 and 2000 for their self-titled debut album, Gorillaz, which was released in 2001. The album was primarily produced by Dan the Automator, along with Gorillaz themselves, with Tom Girling and Jason Cox also receiving production credits on the album and specifically for "19-2000". The creation of Gorillaz was a reaction to the perceived lack of substance on MTV at the time, offering a satirical and creative alternative to the pop landscape.

The song features vocals from Damon Albarn (as the character 2-D) on the verses. The catchy, high-pitched chorus is sung by Japanese-American musician Miho Hatori (of Cibo Matto), who voices the band's guitarist, Noodle. Additionally, Tina Weymouth, a founding member of Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club, provided backing vocals, adding to the track's unique sound.

A significant part of the song's history is its famous "Soulchild Remix." This remix was produced by Damien Mendis and Stuart Bradbury, who were tasked with creating a version with crossover potential, similar to what the Ed Case remix did for their first single, "Clint Eastwood." Mendis chose "19-2000" after learning that Jamie Hewlett was already developing its music video. The remix became immensely popular and was featured in commercials and video games, significantly boosting the song's reach and recognition.

The rhyme and rhythm of "19-2000" are key to its laid-back yet irresistibly catchy feel. The song's structure is not built on a complex or rigid rhyme scheme, favoring a more conversational and free-flowing style in the verses. For example, in the first verse, "fast" and "lose" are connected more by theme and rhythm than by a perfect rhyme. The structure is loose, prioritizing the narrative and rhythmic delivery over strict poetic conventions.

Rhythmically, the song is defined by its steady, mid-tempo groove that encourages head-nodding. The drum track, reportedly sampled, provides a consistent, almost hypnotic beat. Damon Albarn's vocal delivery in the verses is syncopated, playfully weaving around the primary beat. This creates a relaxed, conversational feel. The chorus, however, introduces a more structured and repetitive rhythmic pattern with the chant "Get the cool, get the cool shoeshine." This phrase acts as a rhythmic hook, simple and memorable. The interplay between the looser verse rhythm and the tight, repetitive chorus rhythm is a major component of the song's dynamic and appeal. The funky bassline adds another layer of rhythmic complexity, often playing counter-rhythms that make the track danceable.

"19-2000" employs a distinctive blend of musical and literary techniques that define its quirky and infectious character.

Musical Techniques:

• Instrumentation and Arrangement: The song is built upon a memorable and catchy synthesizer hook that plays throughout. This is layered over a funky, soulful bass line provided by Junior Dan, which is doubled by a synth bass played by Damon Albarn. The rhythmic foundation is reportedly based on a drum sample from Bit A'Sweet's cover of The Beatles' "If I Needed Someone." This fusion creates a sound that is both electronic and organic, drawing from trip-hop and funk.
• Vocal Delivery: The track features a notable contrast in vocal styles. Damon Albarn, as 2-D, delivers the verses in a laid-back, almost laconic tone, which contrasts with the rest of the debut album where his vocals often sound more anxious or disaffected. The chorus, sung by Miho Hatori (as Noodle) in a high-pitched, playful, and slightly detached manner, creates an incredibly catchy hook. Tina Weymouth's backing vocals add further texture. Albarn also uses falsetto scatting and mouth trumpet noises, enhancing the song's whimsical feel.

Literary Techniques:

• Metaphor and Symbolism: The lyrics are heavily reliant on metaphors like the "lead Nike shoes" to represent feeling weighed down and the "cool shoeshine" for superficial gratification.
• Irony: There is a layer of self-aware irony in the line "stop dancing to the music of Gorillaz in a happy mood," where the band critiques the very act of passively consuming their own upbeat music, encouraging a deeper engagement with its message.
• Allegory: The verse about the monkey in the jungle serves as a brief allegory for the human condition, representing the conflict between instinct and reason.

"19-2000" was a significant single for Gorillaz, helping to solidify their status as more than just a novelty act following the success of "Clint Eastwood." Released on June 25, 2001, the song achieved considerable chart success, reaching number six on the UK Singles Chart and number 34 on the US Billboard Mainstream Top 40. It was particularly popular in New Zealand, where it hit number one.

The song's cultural impact was massively amplified by its "Soulchild Remix," which became ubiquitous in the early 2000s. The remix was featured in numerous commercials, including for the SUV the Peugeot 206 and for Ice Breakers mints, as well as in video games like EA Sports' FIFA Football 2002. This exposure made the song's catchy chorus instantly recognizable to a global audience, many of whom knew the tune without knowing its title.

The animated music video, directed by Jamie Hewlett and Pete Candeland, is also an iconic piece of the band's legacy. It depicts the four virtual band members on a wild, cartoonish joyride in their "Geep," encountering roller-coaster loops and a giant moose. The video's blend of 2D and 3D animation was groundbreaking and perfectly captured the song's carefree, anarchic spirit, becoming a staple on music television channels like MTV. The song remains a fan favorite and a key track in Gorillaz's discography, representing the playful, genre-blending ethos that defined their early work.

"19-2000" is rich with symbolism and metaphors that comment on modern life, consumerism, and the search for identity.

• Lead Nike Shoes: The most prominent symbol, representing a desire to be grounded or slowed down in a world that's "spinning too fast." It's an ironic metaphor, as the protagonist turns to a commercial brand for stability, highlighting how consumerism has become intertwined with our attempts to cope with modern anxieties.
• The Cool Shoeshine: This recurring phrase acts as a central metaphor. On the surface, it represents the pursuit of superficiality, trends, and outward appearances—getting the 'cool' look. More deeply, it can be interpreted as finding moments of clarity, joy, or a mental 'polish' amidst the chaos and pressures of life.
• Making Your Own Shoes: This is a direct metaphor for individualism and authenticity. The advice to "make your own shoes" is a call to forge one's own path and create one's own happiness, rather than following the prescribed trends of society.
• Monkey in the Jungle: This image symbolizes the internal conflict within modern individuals. The monkey is caught between its 'brain' (intellect, reason) and its 'tail' (instinct, primal desires). It watches a 'vapor trail'—a symbol of technology and the modern world encroaching on its natural habitat—representing the struggle between embracing a simpler existence and being drawn into the complexities and conflicts of civilization.

The most significant recurring element in "19-2000" is the lyrical and musical motif of the chorus: "Get the cool, get the cool shoeshine."

• Lyrical Recurrence: This phrase is repeated extensively throughout the song, functioning as its central hook. Sung by Noodle (voiced by Miho Hatori), its repetition transforms it into a mantra-like chant. Its meaning is ambiguous; it can be seen as a critique of consumerism and the endless pursuit of superficial trends, or as a call to find small, refreshing moments of joy. This repetition drills the phrase into the listener's mind, making it the song's most memorable feature. The Soulchild Remix of the song emphasizes this phrase even more, building the entire track around its infectious repetition.
• Musical Motif: The chorus is tied to a distinct, simple, and high-pitched vocal melody that is instantly recognizable. Musically, the song is also built around a recurring synthesizer riff that opens the track and continues as a primary melodic layer throughout. This synth line is just as crucial to the song's identity as the vocal hook, providing a consistent, hypnotic, and playful instrumental anchor.
• Thematic Motif: The idea of shoes—"lead Nike shoes," "make your own shoes," and "shoeshine"—is a recurring thematic motif. It connects the song's ideas about feeling weighed down by the world, the need for individuality, and the allure of superficial appearances.