Entertainment

Do You Remember These 'TRL' Video Dance Moves?

by Kristie Rohwedder

There are few things that send a nostalgia-infused chill down my spine quite like the three words I am about to type: Total Request Live . In the late ‘90s and the early ‘00s, MTV ran a daily music video countdown show that hinged on the votes of the viewers at home—yes, even those of us who were not old enough to vote in a presidential election. It was a live television program that celebrated the music video, the democratic process, and the indomitable hosting chops of one Carson Daly. Oh, but that’s not all! The series also happened to be a daily excuse to dance along with our favorite pop stars.

Over the course of TRL's triumphant 10-year run, pop icons like Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys, Jennifer Lopez, Usher, and *NSYNC ruled the countdown with their infectious jams, dynamic videos, and now-iconic choreo. And some TRL viewers (we know who we are) might've attempted to do the now-iconic choreo along with music videos in the privacy of our own homes. Some viewers (we know who we are) might've failed miserably. And yet, some viewers (we still know who we are) will continue to dream about the day a kind mage casts a spell on them. Not just any spell, but a spell that gives those viewers (yep, we still know who we are) the power to finally nail the choreography from Janet Jackson's "All For You" music video. A gal can dream... a gal can dream

Here are some of the music videos that both ruled TRL and ruled the dance game (plus some indispensable pieces of advice for any brave soul who dares to try to boogie along with the music video):

1. “Tearin’ Up My Heart” By *NSYNC

Pro tip: Wear a white button down and white ribbed tank while you do this choreo.

2. “Survivor” By Destiny’s Child

Pro tip: Wear camo print while you do this choreo.

3. “I’m A Slave For U” By Britney Spears

Pro tip: Wear your underwear over your bootcut jeans while you do this choreo.

4. “Liquid Dreams” By O-Town

Pro tip: Do this choreo in a pool of silver goo.

5. “I Want It That Way” By The Backstreet Boys

Pro tip: Wear a white bucket hat while you do this choreo.

6. “Love Don’t Cost A Thing” By Jennifer Lopez

Pro tip: Wear a bedazzled J. Lo tank top while you do this choreo.

7. “Bye Bye Bye” By *NSYNC

Pro tip: Do this choreo only when you are inside a moving cube.

8. “Larger Than Life” By The Backstreet Boys

Pro tip: Wear a robot costume while you do this choreo.

9. “All For You” By Janet Jackson

Pro tip: Wear wristguard-esque cuffs on your wrists while you do this choreo.

10. “Genie In A Bottle” By Christina Aguilera

Pro tip: Wear orange cargo pants while you do this choreo.

11. “Pop” By *NSYNC

Pro tip: Do this choreo atop a spinning dance floor.

12. “Yeah!” By Usher Featuring Lil Jon & Ludacris

Pro tip: Do this choreo in front of an extremely bright blue light.

13. “Oops! … I Did It Again” By Britney Spears

Pro tip: Wear a red latex catsuit while you do this choreo, duh.

Dance on, my fellow TRL devotees. Dance on.

Image: bspearsgifs/tumblr