During one of my last few days of the Winter Break, I found myself on a nostalgia binge. I was watching every music video I remember growing up in the 2000's, including the Jonas Brothers' hit "Year 3000." For those who may be unfamiliar with the Disney Channel rock stars, the Jonas Brothers (also dubbed "the Jo-Bros") dominated the Disney radio charts and starred in numerous series and specials on the network. As I revisited the music video for "Year 3000," I found myself paying closer attention to the lyrics.*
The hook in particular really stuck out to me. "He said I've been to the Year 3000; not much has changed but they live underwater; and your great-great-great-granddaughter; is doing fine; doing fine." While these sick bars may seem innocent enough, I speculate a much deeper and darker meaning.
For starters, let's take a look at the line about the people in the year 3000 living underwater. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), "In 2014, global sea level was 2.6 inches above the 1993 average. Sea level continues to rise at a rate of about one-eighth of an inch per year." Following this logic, starting from 2014 and carrying on into 3000 (not accounting for an increase in the rate at which the sea level rises), the water will rise another 123.25 inches, bringing the global sea level to 125.85 inches. This comes to about 10.5 feet, well above what's needed to sink states like Florida. I guess you could say this song is pretty deep.
The next line in the hook regarding the condition of your "great-great-great-granddaughter" is equally dark. Considering that the survivors of the rising sea levels will have to rebuild society underwater, many health problems are likely to occur. As a result, many families are destined to parish. Fortunately, the J-Boys reassure the listener that, indeed, their future offspring has survived.
As Oscar Wilde famously stated, "life imitates art far more than art imitates life." If this statement holds true, as it has with "The Simpsons" predicting Trump's presidency and a real meth chemist named Walter White being arrested after "Breaking Bad" premiered, I have no doubt in my mind that the "Year 3000" is the most accurate depiction of our post-apocalyptic society.
*Just to be clear, I am aware that the British pop punk band "Busted" originally wrote and performed the song. The Jonas Brothers' cover is just more memorable to my childhood and contains most of the same lyrics (except the line about the three-breasted women). Here is the video of the original version:
