TLC's '95 VMAs Performance Is Perfection

If MTV ever pulls the meta move of doling out awards to its own award show, the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards undoubtedly deserves to be nominated for Best VMAs Ever. No, there wasn’t a fight between Kid Rock and Tommy Lee. No, Madonna didn’t plant smooches on two pop princesses. And no, Diana Ross didn’t get handsy with Lil’ Kim. But do you know what did happen? So many legendary performances, that’s what.

The '95 VMAs roster was extremely '90s: Alanis Morissette, Hole, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Live, Hootie and the Blowfish, White Zombie, and R.E.M. graced the Radio City Music Hall stage. But out of all of the terrific acts that performed that evening, there are two that've REALLY stuck with me for the last 20 years: the iconic 15-minute Michael Jackson medley, and the iconic 4-minute TLC medley. I do not have the emotional energy to dive into both medleys today, so I used a highly scientific method to choose one: Eeny, meeny, miny, moe. Today’s eeny, meeny, miny, moe winner: TLC.

September 7, 1995 was a big night for Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, and Rozanda “Chilli” Thomas: Not only did TLC's hit single “Waterfalls” scoop up four VMAs, but the group also happened to give an unforgettable performance. The greatest trio in music history could've stood still as they belted out "Creep" and "Waterfalls" and it would've been a great show, but that's not what they did. Instead, TLC upped the ante and thew in some excellent, timeless dance moves. The following moves are my favorite moves:

The I See You, Buddy

Don't try to play it cool, bro; I totally spotted you picking your nose.

The Walking Out Of The Office On A Friday Evening

It's that "THE WEEKEND HAS BEGUN" victory dance.

The Please Get Out Of My Personal Space

You really don't need to hover over my shoulder while you wait for me to finish picking out apricots, fellow Von's patron. You can politely hang out on the other side of the aisle. Don't make me "accidentally" bump you with my shopping basket or "accidentally" kick you with my foot.

The OH MY GOD CHILLI IS CRUSHING IT

When the "Creep" horn intro begins, Chilli's reaction is too flawless.

The Subtle Leg Wiggle

This move is a great way to warm up for The Squatting Leg Wiggle.

The Whirligig Guitar

I keep picturing a guitar with a single string that's in the shape of a spiral. I'm no music scientist, but I'd be willing to wager money that a spiral guitar would sound mighty weird!

The Squatting Leg Wiggle

If you do this move for three minutes straight, it's basically the equivalent of doing 200 squats.

The No Nonsense Shoulder Shrug

This is pure fire.

The Body Roll Hop

What's better than a body roll? An airborne body roll, that's what.

WARNING: If this is the first time you've watched this performance, please be prepared for the waterfalls, er, waterworks to start the moment Left Eye launches into her “Ain’t 2 Proud 2 Beg” verse.

Images: supercoyboy/YouTube (9); Kristie Rohwedder/Bustle (9)