A full century ago, the Chuck Taylor All Stars made their first appearances on the streets of America. Not just a pair of shoes, Chucks stepped into a special place in pop-culture. From college and professional basketball players, to Kurt Cobain and The Ramones, these iconic shoes were a fashion statement that cultured and educated.
And a hundred years later, we are still rocking our (tattered and torn) pairs, all because we saw them on our musical darlings and wanted to be in their shoes. Quite literally. Here are some music videos you may have caught your favourite pairs in.
American Idiot – Green Day
Green Day’s political take on the rock opera inspired American Idiot gave them a much needed success after arguably weak efforts on previous albums. The single of the same name was a return-to-form hit, and sounded much like what fans hailed as “classic Green Day”, in which you can find frontman Billy Joe Armstrong rocking his Chucks.
Californication – Red Hot Chili Peppers
RHCP are considered the most successful bands in alt-rock history, and with 13 number one singles and sixteen Grammy Award nominations, who’s to disagree? Californication, from the album of the same name, mocks the glitz of fame in an artistic and animated manner. You see the band members in digital Chucks, and snowboarding down the Golden Gate Bridge – as you would!
Move Along – The All American Rejects
The infectious drum beats and catchy vocals aside, the music video does its best to feature a colourful narrative, with lead singer Tyson Ritter exchanging dozens of shirts with different colours and styles in a matter of seconds, whilst falling into an empty pool. At least he’s made to look graceful in doing so, and in his low-cut black Chucks!
Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirvana
Tragic genius Kurt Cobain deserves all plaudits for bringing the Northwest grunge to the mainstreams of our radio airwaves. Smells Like Teen Spirit remains one of the greatest rock songs ever written, despite Cobain’s resentment towards it. The first shot of the video focuses on Cobain’s Chucks, before various shots of the crowd all sporting the same. No surprises that the Chucks went on to be alt-rock’s fashion statement for years to come.
Gangnam Style – Psy
Love him or hate him, you can’t deny that you’ve attempted to sing along to Psy’ Gangnam style (us too! Better yet, we’ve all had a little dance to it). On it’s way to over three billion views on YouTube, you can see dancers and Psy himself sporting a pair of Chucks. Dust off your pair, and go galloping again.
Shape Of You – Ed Sheeran
Arguably the biggest name in music today, Ed Sheeran reappeared with the music video to Shape Of You after a two year hiatus, and aren’t we all glad that he did. With just a percussive guitar and marimba hits guiding his vocals along another heartbreak narrative, Sheeran runs up and down train tracks in his Chucks. Is there another pair of shoes you’d go chasing after a girl in?
Swee Lee’s new flagship store at The Star Vista stocks a variety of sneakers – including the Chucks – amongst other apparel to get you ready for your next music video.
For more content like this, subscribe to our newsletter.
