Music videos from the 2000s, especially those in country music, are known for their dramatic retellings of classic lyrics, cinematic visuals, and the essential role they play in an artist's expression of their brand. Here are some of our favorite country music videos from the early 2000s.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Carrie Underwood - "Before He Cheats" (2006)
One of the most iconic country songs of the 2000s, this song introduced a more edgy side to Carrie Underwood's brand that her American Idol fans hadn't seen before. The music video effectively represents this shift, as Underwood steps into a female empowerment role and makes some slightly destructive, yet incredibly on-brand choices. Some favorite moments are the carving of her name into the leather seats and Carrie taking a baseball bat to her ex's car, just as the song suggests she'll do.
Taylor Swift - You Belong With Me (2009)
Swift is known for creating classic visuals for her music across all genres. Although there are numerous selections to choose from, we had to go with one of the most referenced music videos in Swift's discography. Similar to Underwood's approach with "Before He Cheats", this music video paints a narrative that correlates perfectly with the song, telling the story of a high school teenager who just wants her crush to notice her. It's a classic trope, and there's nobody better to do it than Swift.
Lady Antebellum - Need You Now (2009)
This music video adaptation is slightly less literal compared to Swift and Underwood's interpretations of their songs, but it effectively showcases the feelings of loneliness and longing artistically. It begins with showing the three members of Lady Antebellum separately and ends with them at a masquerade ball, reuniting with their significant others. The masquerade ball is a symbol for hiding behind your feelings, as the song suggests, but it also serves the purpose of giving the video a happy ending that the song doesn't necessarily have.
Brad Paisley - Online (2007)
This music video introduced a unique perspective in visual storytelling, allowing Brad Paisley to showcase his comedic side. In the video, Brad plays both a nerdy version of himself and a rockstar version, which he hypes up on the internet dating space to attract the interest of girls online. The video puts a comedic spin on the realities of online dating, while also throwing in a few fun celebrity cameos - Taylor Swift, Maureen McCormick, and Estella Warren all make an appearance.
Photo by: Ethan Miller/ACMA/Getty Images for ACMA
