Forgotten Classic Video of the Week

It's time once again for everyone's favorite game, "Is That Song Really That Old?" This week's guest is Nada Surf, with their 13-year-old hit, "Popular."

This has to be the best song ever written about the ridiculousness that is high school. The lyrics are just hilarious. I can't hear that line, "Tell him you liked his article in the newspaaaa-pp-eeeerrrrrr!" without cracking up.



I always wrote Nada Surf off as a (novelty) one-hit wonder because they seemed to drop off the face of the earth after this song's popularity died down. (Turns out they were dropped by their record label back in 1999, followed by a self-imposed three-year break.) Then I was surprised to discover that they were behind one of my favorite songs of 2006, "Always Love," from The Weight is a Gift. That album and its 2008 follow-up, Lucky, are both really nice, solid pop records.

Comments

Red said…
I always thought the same thing (about them being a one hit wonder), but both albums you mentioned are really good. And I have to credit my stupid ex-boyfriend for that realization.

Ugh! My word ver is: brides. The universe hates me.
carissajaded said…
Oh how I love Nada Surf. And this video...I forgot about them for a while too. But Always love is still one of my favorite songs. I actually went to go see them play a few months ago and they were amazing. The crowd went insane when they played popular.
Dr Zibbs said…
Yeah that was a great song.
MJenks said…
Yeah, wow, I always thought they were a one-hit-wonder, too. Thanks for the follow up.

And, you're right. Holy crap, that song is HOW old?
Penny said…
Love it!!
They also covered OMD's If You Leave.

*sigh* Blaine..
Laura said…
I've always had a thing for Nada Surf but I completely forgot about that song. I was always into their newer stuff.
Richard said…
What a fantastic song! It's the first time I've heard it: they never made it across the pond. Shame, cos it's both a really good song *and* hilarious!
always loved this song. And the video.
Unknown said…
They filmed this at Bayonne High School in New Jersey! A friend of mine is one of the cheerleaders in the video!
Billy said…
I wonder if they'll attempt to cover this on GLEE...
THIRTEEN YEARS? Aye, carumba.