I still remember what the internet was like 15 years ago: it was awful. You had to turn on a machine monstrosity, wait for the cutting-edge operating system to load, only to begin the ritual of entering the web. Once you pushed the “connect” button, you’d listen to the unforgettable dial-up tone that hooked the computer to the phone line and the virtual world. Sometimes it took a couple tries, because the moment we attempted the link our mom would get a phone call on the latest family gossip.
Yes, that was dial-up internet.
It’s average speed was 56kb/s, which is the same as waiting 3 hours to download a song of only a few megabytes. A video would take up to a week to download. It was horrible and amazing at the same time. The long wait only seemed to enhance our desire and, once it was ready, made listening to the long awaited track into a delightful moment.
The early two thousands were beautiful and terrifying. Do you remember the legendary AOL and MSN Messenger? The first Instant Messaging programs where the medium through which we poured our teenage hearts through a list of dedicated songs that we know regret ever doing.
Blink 182 – “I Miss You”
The first thing I did when I’d come home from the horrible ordeal that was middle school was change my status to Online. If I was lucky, she’d finish her homework early and have a chance to chat for a few hours. It was never over two hours, because back then the Internet was more of a luxury than a necessity.So I made due with the little time allotted and offer her songs like “I Miss You”. I’m a little embarrassed of it now, but most memories from back when you were 13 are an array of guilty pleasures.Daft Punk – “Something About Us”
Daft Punk had just released their album Discovery, a complete breakthrough for music in general. The film Interstella 5555 had developed a cult following among teens, and its soundtrack seamlessly translated into the pangs of first love.At first you could only send messages when both users were online. But a later update created the option to leave messages when only one person was still online. To avoid dying from my own shame, I’d leave “Something About Us” when she was offline so that when she we clicked in she’d be forced to come face to face with my declaration of love.
Keane – “Somewhere Only We Know”
Back then I wasn’t too fond of Keane and their trademark soft sounds and continue to feel the same. However, love changes people, to the point that one day I found myself listening to “Somewhere Only We Know” and, worse yet, dedicating it by IM.
Coldplay – “The Scientist”
There was an option to add an extra description to your profile. Mine read Alejandro, followed by a status that could contain any kind of text, icon, or symbol. That space would be full of all kinds of things. From a simple Emoticon to a 200 character phrase constructed by words with randomized capitalization and so many symbols that it appeared to have been fabricated during a psychedelic trip.Those who loved music used the space to add song lyrics. Whenever I was feeling sad I’d write the excerpt from “The Scientist”: “Nobody said it was easy. No one ever said it would be this hard.”
Hoobastank – “The Reason”
I never liked Hoobastank. I actually hated their boring and basic track titled “The Reason” but I know others who loved it. I’m including it not because I sent it to someone, but because someone sent it to me. I was thankful yet declined the offer because, at that young age, I didn’t see myself with anyone who considered Hoobastank a good band.
My Chemical Romance – “Helena”
Between 2005 and 2006, My Chemical Romance won incredible popularity. We all have the right to listen to whatever we want, but this band became so popular it was everywhere you went. I never cared for it, but all my IM contacts shared it and sent it. They might try and hide it now, but there’s things that can’t be forgotten.
Jet – “Are You Gonna Be my Girl?”
I was one of the people who got hooked on the powerful riffs of “Are You Going To Be My Girl”. This song made Jet the recipients of two gold albums and reached the top 2 spot on the UK’s charts. It was also common for guys to use it as a virtual declaration of love in 2003. Years after, these songs now carry a guilty pleasure stamp on them. They shouldn’t though. Regardless of bad taste aside, those tracks are part of our life’s story. Time goes by, songs are erased from our playlists and programs turn defunct, but the glorious early two thousands will always be a glorious nostalgic memory.
