Out of the last 6 years, which one defines this decade the most? I would say 2004 is probably the most '00s year of this decade so far, if that makes any sense.

Out of the last 6 years, which one defines this decade the most? I would say 2004 is probably the most '00s year of this decade so far, if that makes any sense.


I'd agree, so far.  Eminem, Britney Spears, The Killers, Papa Roach, Linkin Park, the Return of the King (2003, but held into '04), the Bush/Kerry election, Iraq War, very 2000s.  The first half of '05 was like 2004 but later in the year things regressed to more '90s style.

If the rest of the decade is pseudo-late '90s (which seems likely now), 2004 will probably remain the most '00s.

2004 may be to the 2000s what 1984 was to the '80s.

I'd agree, so far.  Eminem, Britney Spears, The Killers, Papa Roach, Linkin Park, the Return of the King (2003, but held into '04), the Bush/Kerry election, Iraq War, very 2000s.  The first half of '05 was like 2004 but later in the year things regressed to more '90s style.

If the rest of the decade is pseudo-late '90s (which seems likely now), 2004 will probably remain the most '00s.


Yea when I think '00s, I think 2004. 2005 almost seemed out of place for some reason, like it didn't really fit with the rest of the decade. 2003 and 2004 are pure '00s.

2004 may be to the 2000s what 1984 was to the '80s.


That's exactly what I was thinking.

Yea when I think '00s, I think 2004. 2005 almost seemed out of place for some reason, like it didn't really fit with the rest of the decade. 2003 and 2004 are pure '00s.


I agree.  The year seemed entirely revolved around natural disasters and was ruled musically by perennial favorites and 50 Cent songs.  There was like no 2005 charisma, its only flavor was that it inherited from 2004, such as "American Idiot".  Even "Hollaback Girl" is technically a 2004 song.  

Not to get political, but I think the reason 2005 was so regressive is because Bush won.  It just kind of put things back into a same old state after a while.  If Kerry won, 2005 I think would of been a lot different.

2006 I think will change things a lot.  But maybe not.

That's exactly what I was thinking.


1985 was from what I know a regressive year too.  Like 2005 has "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" and "Sin City", 1985 had The Breakfast Club and "Take on Me", but it also had things like Foreigner hits.  Maybe it was because Reagan won in 1984.

2006 will be a better year. 1986 stands out as more '80s to me than 1985 does.

Man, 2004 is very much like the 2000's 1984.  The atmosphere just seemed electrically '00s in 2004, it seems. 

1985 was from what I know a regressive year too.  Like 2005 has "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" and "Sin City", 1985 had The Breakfast Club and "Take on Me", but it also had things like Foreigner hits.  Maybe it was because Reagan won in 1984.

2006 will be a better year. 1986 stands out as more '80s to me than 1985 does.

Man, 2004 is very much like the 2000's 1984.  The atmosphere just seemed electrically '00s in 2004, it seems. 


Yeah, 1985 was a bit of a "continued 1984" -- it was inbetween that and the very early entry into the 90's which started around 1986/87 -- but (unlike 2005) it was still distinct enough on its own.

Let's not forget a certain movie that opened on July 3rd that year. ;D

I guess there really weren't any HUGE billboard-style pop hits in 2005. Most of the big songs were actually from '04 or even '03.

If we're doing decade peak years, it might go like this:

50s - 1956
60s - 1968
70s - 1976
80s - 1984
90s - 1993
00s - 2004

Yeah, 1985 was a bit of a "continued 1984" -- it was inbetween that and the very early entry into the 90's which started around 1986/87 -- but (unlike 2005) it was still distinct enough on its own.

Let's not forget a certain movie that opened on July 3rd that year. ;D

I guess there really weren't any HUGE billboard-style pop hits in 2005. Most of the big songs were actually from '04 or even '03.

If we're doing decade peak years, it might go like this:

50s - 1956
60s - 1968
70s - 1976
80s - 1984
90s - 1993
00s - 2004


Quite frankly, 2005 sucked.  The biggest song was a mediocre ballad by a 35-year-old Mariah Carey.  The only great movie was "Sin City" and probably "Hitchhiker's Guide".  2005 was like washed-out 2004, heading to a nameless pseudo-late '90s wasteland.  2006 will probably be better, more definitive '00s, but not as much as 2004.  2007-2010 will be like a different type of '00s. 

2002, 2003, and 2004 ARE the '00s.

I wonder if 2007 or 2008 will be more definitive.  I think in 2008, the '00s will go out with a bang, when the Democrats win the election.  Electric atmosphere than, than after things will change during the next 4 years or so.  Like how the '80s didn't really start becoming the '90s until Reagan was gone.

Quite frankly, 2005 sucked.  The biggest song was a mediocre ballad by a 35-year-old Mariah Carey.  The only great movie was "Sin City" and probably "Hitchhiker's Guide".  2005 was like washed-out 2004, heading to a nameless pseudo-late '90s wasteland.  2006 will probably be better, more definitive '00s, but not as much as 2004.  2007-2010 will be like a different type of '00s. 

2002, 2003, and 2004 ARE the '00s.


Yeah. Even though 2000 and 2001 are still almost the same as 1999, I would even claim them as more "main" 2000's, and certainly more distinct than '05 was. In other words, I can name popular songs from those years at the drop of a hat. Same with movies. I literally have to stop and think about 2005. Nothing is totally distinct to a mainstream audience.

I wonder if 2006-09 will be any different, though. Something tells me it'll still be a "2004 lite" mentality up till at least 2008 or so. That's almost 10 years of 1999!

Yeah. Even though 2000 and 2001 are still almost the same as 1999, I would even claim them as more "main" 2000's, and certainly more distinct than '05 was. In other words, I can name popular songs from those years at the drop of a hat. Same with movies. I literally have to stop and think about 2005. Nothing is totally distinct to a mainstream audience.

I wonder if 2006-09 will be any different, though. Something tells me it'll still be a "2004 lite" mentality up till at least 2008 or so. That's almost 10 years of 1999!


I'm afraid that might be the case.  I think in some ways they'll be different, but pop culture's not one of them.

Yeah, 2000 and 2001 (and 1999) are pop-culturally part of the '00s, but I use 9/11 as the dividing mark because they're still similar to the late '90s.
The whole decade is like a washed out 1999.  In the 2010s, 2020s, and 2030s, when kids/young adults ask me how similar the '90s and '00s are, I'll say, "Well, the 2000s were pop culturally based on 1999, so they thus had similarities to the '90s even in their latter years, but they felt a lot different than the bulk of the '90s, even though they were similar tastewise in many ways."

New Zealand seems to be one year behind the USA in terms of pop culture, so probably late 2004 to early 2005?

I don't know, I'm useless at these topics.  ;)


I bet some countries are having their '80s right now.  But you never know with globalization today.

Quite frankly, 2005 sucked.  The biggest song was a mediocre ballad by a 35-year-old Mariah Carey.  The only great movie was "Sin City" and probably "Hitchhiker's Guide".  2005 was like washed-out 2004, heading to a nameless pseudo-late '90s wasteland.  2006 will probably be better, more definitive '00s, but not as much as 2004.  2007-2010 will be like a different type of '00s. 

2002, 2003, and 2004 ARE the '00s.


Yea movies sucked in 2005, there really isn't anything memorable to me at all.

I'm afraid that might be the case.  I think in some ways they'll be different, but pop culture's not one of them.

Yeah, 2000 and 2001 (and 1999) are pop-culturally part of the '00s, but I use 9/11 as the dividing mark because they're still similar to the late '90s.
The whole decade is like a washed out 1999.  In the 2010s, 2020s, and 2030s, when kids/young adults ask me how similar the '90s and '00s are, I'll say, "Well, the 2000s were pop culturally based on 1999, so they thus had similarities to the '90s even in their latter years, but they felt a lot different than the bulk of the '90s, even though they were similar tastewise in many ways."



The basic changes have been technology for sure. Heck, a computer or a cellphone from 2002 looks almost antique now, LOL.

Things like MySpace, camera phones, Ipods and such are more what defines the 00's (this is all very 2004-ish stuff). In the latter part of this decade, no doubt we'll be seeing more of that, but this is more "behind the scenes", which is why an average street or individual fashion basically has been the same in the last 9 years.

The basic changes have been technology for sure. Heck, a computer or a cellphone from 2002 looks almost antique now, LOL.

Things like MySpace, camera phones, Ipods and such are more what defines the 00's (this is all very 2004-ish stuff). In the latter part of this decade, no doubt we'll be seeing more of that, but this is more "behind the scenes", which is why an average street or individual fashion basically has been the same in the last 9 years.


I agree.  I can easily spot a late '90s computer office from a new '00s one.

You know what? I miss 2004.  I do, I miss "Yeah!" by Usher, the Ipod/MP3 craze, and the like.  It's not nostalgia, just I realize that it wasn't that bad.  Especially compared to now cultureless 2005 and 2006 are.

^I've said that every year since 1994. ;)

I think once something passes, you think it's cooler than when you were in it (I started being nostalgic when I was about 12, so I usually miss a given era after a couple years, even if I thought it s*cked while I was in it).

Yeah, we're only three weeks into it, but 2006 so far seems indistinct. Even less than 2005.

^I've said that every year since 1994. ;)

I think once something passes, you think it's cooler than when you were in it (I started being nostalgic when I was about 12, so I usually miss a given era after a couple years, even if I thought it s*cked while I was in it).

Yeah, we're only three weeks into it, but 2006 so far seems indistinct. Even less than 2005.


Did 1985-1990 seem cultureless, I mean for the '80s?  From watching "Donnie Darko", it seems like that period had '80s movies, TV, and such, but didn't really feel especially '80s like 1981-1984 did.

Yeah, nostalgia is funny.  I never though I could feel nostalgic for the late '90s, but when I hear a 1999 song with personal memories, it is nostalgic.

^I've said that every year since 1994. ;)

I think once something passes, you think it's cooler than when you were in it (I started being nostalgic when I was about 12, so I usually miss a given era after a couple years, even if I thought it s*cked while I was in it).

Yeah, we're only three weeks into it, but 2006 so far seems indistinct. Even less than 2005.


Do you think 2006 will be distinct?  I mean, it's only started, it could bang.  I'm guessing toward the end of the year, times will begin to change into the late '00s.

I agree.  I can easily spot a late '90s computer office from a new '00s one.

You know what? I miss 2004.  I do, I miss "Yeah!" by Usher, the Ipod/MP3 craze, and the like.  It's not nostalgia, just I realize that it wasn't that bad.  Especially compared to now cultureless 2005 and 2006 are.


I miss that club enviroment in 2004, it really had a cool vibe too it. 2005 just seemed kind of boring.

I miss that club enviroment in 2004, it really had a cool vibe too it. 2005 just seemed kind of boring.


Yeah, listening to songs in 2004 seems in retrospect quite important.  Like it will be nostalgic 20 years from now.  The year had a soul, I would say.  Even with Britney Spears and such. 

Again, I think the soul of 2004 was the Bush/Kerry election.  2000, 2001, 2002, and '03 also had a soul, and 1999 had a rotten soul.

Did 1985-1990 seem cultureless, I mean for the '80s?  From watching "Donnie Darko", it seems like that period had '80s movies, TV, and such, but didn't really feel especially '80s like 1981-1984 did.

I actually have very good memories of 1987 and up, so things were definitely exciting, but it was a little bit more of a "kids friendly" culture, if that makes sense. Video game systems, first wave of teenpop, TMNT, stuff like that. I always felt 1980-86 (while also kid friendly) was more aimed at the older crowd, so in a way it was more "rounded".

That's probably why things from 1984-ish are so legendary. A 7 year old and a 45 year old could both share in it - that ain't too common.

Yeah, nostalgia is funny.  I never though I could feel nostalgic for the late '90s, but when I hear a 1999 song with personal memories, it is nostalgic.


Same here. Especially when I think about memories building on top of memories. For instance, in 1999 I was starting to get nostalgic about 1994 and '95, so today I remember '99 itself, which I kinda miss, but I also remember remembering 1995, so I'm doubly nostalgic for that.

P.S. I think 2006 will either be even more indistinct than 05, or it'll blow up. Probably no inbetween.

Did 1985-1990 seem cultureless, I mean for the '80s?  From watching "Donnie Darko", it seems like that period had '80s movies, TV, and such, but didn't really feel especially '80s like 1981-1984 did.

Yeah, nostalgia is funny.  I never though I could feel nostalgic for the late '90s, but when I hear a 1999 song with personal memories, it is nostalgic.


Me too, a few years back I didn't look at the late '90s in a nostalgic way at all, but now I do.

As much as I hate to say it, I'd have to say 2001. And I'm sure you all know what day I'm referring to in particular.  :(

2004! I miss it too. 2004 brought:

- Huge increase in free email storage. 
- Podcasting
- Music changed
- Ipods became very popular
- Clothing styles changed, backwards hats from the 90's really started dissappearing.
- LCD TVs started going mainstream
- Blogging became very popular
- Broadband internet started becoming very popular.
- Dual Discs (5.1 Surround Mix)
- Camera Cell Phones out selling digital cameras

2004 made a lot of things seem outdated.

2005 wasn't a very pioneering year. Not too many changes that year.

It's too early to tell what 2006 is really going to be like.
Windows Vista comes out this fall as far as I know that will change computers. I don't know yet what the influence of the Intel based Mac computers will hold yet.

2006 could go:

1. It could be another boring year like 2005 was.
2. 2006 might be like a 2004 in it's own way.
3. Music and movie wise, I can't say yet.

2004! I miss it too. 2004 brought:

- Huge increase in free email storage. 
- Podcasting
- Music changed
- Ipods became very popular
- Clothing styles changed, backwards hats from the 90's really started dissappearing.
- LCD TVs started going mainstream
- Blogging became very popular
- Broadband internet started becoming very popular.
- Dual Discs (5.1 Surround Mix)
- Camera Cell Phones out selling digital cameras

2004 made a lot of things seem outdated.

2005 wasn't a very pioneering year. Not too many changes that year.

It's too early to tell what 2006 is really going to be like.
Windows Vista comes out this fall as far as I know that will change computers. I don't know yet what the influence of the Intel based Mac computers will hold yet.

2006 could go:

1. It could be another boring year like 2005 was.
2. 2006 might be like a 2004 in it's own way.
3. Music and movie wise, I can't say yet.





I think 2006 will be exactly like 2005, until the summer.  A pop culture year is more like June to May, because of school years.  I also think that Los Angeles will get the Big One this year, because a guy called into Coast to Coast AM and claimed to have seen it psychically.

I think that 2004 is the peak of the 00's, just as 1996 was the peak of the 90's, and 1988 was the peak of the 80's. I think it's because those are the years of each their decades that I feel the most nostalgic about when I look back at the pop culture, music, and my personal life.

^ I agree with that overall statement, but I'd say the 90's peak was 1993 and the 80's peak was 1984.

I think that 2004 is the peak of the 00's, just as 1996 was the peak of the 90's, and 1988 was the peak of the 80's. I think it's because those are the years of each their decades that I feel the most nostalgic about when I look back at the pop culture, music, and my personal life.



I've been thinking more about 2004 and how electrically '00s it was.  Most years of decades just feel like another year, but there's certain years - like 1969, 1984, and 2004 where the current decade exists in the air as well as just being a media invention.  

2004 stuff (I don't necessarily like this stuff, but it's all very '00s):

*Myspace
*Ipod
*Yeah by Usher
*50 Cent
*Maroon 5
*Britney Spears
*Ashlee Simpson  :P
*End of Lizzie McGuire
*Olsen Twins turn 18
*Class of 2004 coke bottles (born 1985/86 I believe)
*Lil' John
*Chappelle's Show
*"Drawn Together"  :P
*Yu-Gi-Oh (more of a 2002 thing, but certainly still around in '04)
*Internet becomes more popular than TV
*Drake and Josh
*Emo
*Spiderman 2
*The Incredibles
*Bush/Kerry election
*War In Iraq


Yeah, the '90s definitely peaked in 1993, at least the 1991-1996 "old school" '90s.  But 1994-'96 was all kind of a modified 1993.  1992 was the first real '90s year, but not as much as 1993.  For movies, I'd say 1994 was peak, with "The Lion King", "Shawshank Redemption", and "Pulp Fiction".

1993 had:

*Dr. Dre's "The Chronic" (maybe '92, but certainly still a phoenomenon until '93)
*Peak of original Grunge era
*Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
*Saved By The Bell
*Sonic the Hedgehog
*Super Nintendo
*Peak of old school Nickelodeon (probably the most nostalgic thing about the '90s, to me)
*Beginning of Green Day popularity
*Premiere of "Beavis and Butt-head" (although the characters date to 1991)
*Wayne's World
*This was around the time Starbuck's began to become popular
*Clinton comes into office
*Very beginnings of Internet popularity (second half of 1994 onward is more the boom era)
*Economy starts to improve