Sometimes a song’s music video can have unintended consequences, as is the case with Modjo’s hit single Lady. Released in 2000, the song reached number one in the UK, the top 10 in Canada and the Billboard hot 100 in America. But chart success didn’t matter much as this song’s true calling was that of a club anthem. It was hard to enter any sort of dance bar in late 2000 and early 2001 without hearing this song’s funky hook.
Of course, there was a snazzy music video to help bolster the song’s presence. Filmed in Quebec, Canada, the video follows the exploits of three friends over the course of a wild few days. Designed to be a sort of coming of age, youthful exuberance story (complete with the three friends becoming really close in one scene), there was another, unintended fascination to this video; the cars.
It is a showcase of mundane automobilia from the ‘80s and ‘90s. It’s a period time piece of the boring for the fans of RADwood and Oblivion era. So let’s take a look back at Modjo’s video for Lady, and see what we can find.
0:18
The first vehicle arrives on the scene, a rusted out, two-tone first-generation Ford Ranger.
0:37
Our heroes exit the café and we are delighted with a Chrysler Dynasty (Canada specific car). Beside it is a sixth-generation Honda Civic and off in the distance is a Ford Tempo, a Ford Aerostar and possibly a Dodge Charger (L-body) or a Cavalier hatchback?
0:38-0:39
We have arrived at the car dealership and there is a very quick shot of a fourth-generation Civic hatchback getting fuel as well as a pristine sixth-generation red Toyota Corolla. Next, we see the salesman standing with a fifth-generation Civic hatch in the background (Canadian’s love the Civic).
0:41-0:44
As they peruse the used car lot, we first see a beat up Geo Metro (or Suzuki swift) followed by an unknown car. If you know what it is, let me know. Then there is something much more modern, an Oldsmobile Intrigue and a 1996 Volkswagen Jetta listed for $8500 (not a bad deal for a four-year old car).
0:46
Now the hero car enters the video, a Pontiac T1000 in all its glory. Bonus points if you can name what that hatchback is in the background.
0:53
As the car drives away, we see the used car row from early again, but they are now joined by a pristine pair of Chevrolet Ventures.
For the rest of the video, there are more drive-by and car to car shots of a Pontiac T100 than anyone has done in history. And look at the condition of the car and the side graphics. But alas, in a bit of fiction meets reality, the T1000 ultimately breaks down and our trio runs into the hills – as is the common reaction when your car breaks down?
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