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Year 3000

"" is a by English band . It was released on 13 2003 as the second single from their debut studio , Busted, and peaked at number two on the . The song depicts a teenager time-travelling to the year 3000, where he encounters a futuristic world with advanced technology, including a girl with a robotic and references to celebrities like still being famous. The track was covered by American boy band the for their 2006 debut album It's About Time, serving as its second single. A collaborative version, "Year 3000 2.0", featuring both and the , was released on 28 July 2023 as part of 's greatest hits album .

Original Busted version

Background and writing

"Year 3000" was written in 2002 by members , , and , alongside producer and co-writer Steve Robson, as the band was establishing itself in the early 2000s scene. The song emerged from collaborative writing sessions that captured the group's youthful energy and penchant for witty, narrative-driven tracks. The primary inspiration drew from sci-fi themes and humorous time-travel concepts, with Bourne's childhood obsession with the 1985 film serving as a key influence. Bourne conceived the core idea for the futuristic lyrics during these sessions, envisioning a playful journey to the year 3000 filled with absurd, exaggerated visions of the future, such as triple-breasted women and a world dominated by digital music. This concept echoed the film's time-travel motifs, including direct nods to the and flux capacitor, blending nostalgia with speculative humor to create an engaging, lighthearted narrative. Busted's songwriting approach was shaped by influences from pop-punk bands like Blink-182 and , whose blend of catchy melodies, irreverent lyrics, and guitar-driven energy informed the track's upbeat, anthemic quality. An initial demo was quickly assembled to test the song's potential, highlighting its hooky chorus and elements that resonated with the band's vision for accessible, fun pop-rock. The band and their label decided to include "Year 3000" on their self-titled debut album Busted, recognizing its strong appeal as a standout track amid the record's school-themed and adventurous songs. It was subsequently chosen as the album's second single, capitalizing on the momentum from their debut release "What I Go to School For" to propel Busted toward broader success. The song's enduring popularity later inspired covers, such as the Jonas Brothers' 2006 version.

Recording and production

The recording of "Year 3000" took place in as part of sessions for Busted's self-titled debut album, with Steve Robson serving as the primary producer. Additional production was handled by John McLaughlin, who contributed to refining the track's sound. The production emphasized the band's style, featuring prominent guitar riffs, driving drum patterns, and layered vocals to capture an energetic, youthful vibe. To evoke a futuristic theme, subtle synth elements were incorporated alongside the core rock instrumentation, blending electronic accents with traditional band elements. Final mixing was completed by Tom Elmhirst, ensuring a polished, radio-ready finish that highlighted the song's catchy hooks and dynamic arrangement ahead of its single release in January 2003.

Composition and lyrics

"Year 3000" is a pop-punk track characterized by its energetic use of power chords, a driving tempo of 107 beats per minute, and a standard verse-chorus structure that builds to an anthemic refrain. The song is composed in the key of B major, featuring prominent electric guitar riffs in the introduction and verses that propel the fast-paced rhythm, while layered backing vocals in the chorus add to the humorous, group-singalong feel typical of the genre. This arrangement emphasizes high energy and catchiness, aligning with Busted's style of blending punk influences with accessible pop melodies. The lyrics, written from the perspective of a teenager discovering a , delve into themes of and futuristic visions set in the year 3000 AD. They depict a dystopian world where people live underwater, possibly alluding to environmental decay, and incorporate elements of advanced technology such as video phones and cloned celebrities like . The narrative intertwines these sci-fi concepts with everyday teenage romance, as the protagonist learns that his crush's great-great-great-granddaughter is "pretty fine" and still resembles her ancestor with ginger hair. Overall, the employs and whimsy for comedic effect, evoking for the year 2000 through the lens of improbable future predictions, while highlighting the timelessness of youthful amid speculative cultural shifts. This playful approach underscores a light-hearted exploration of imagination and the passage of time, making the track a humorous commentary on progress and continuity.

Release and promotion

"Year 3000" was released on 13 January 2003 as the second from Busted's self-titled debut studio album by in the . The was issued in multiple physical formats, primarily as a CD set and cassette . CD1 featured the single version, an acoustic rendition, a DJEJ , and an , while CD2 included the single alongside B-sides "" and "Late Night Sauna," plus enhanced video content. Digital download availability followed later through platforms like after its UK launch in 2004. Promotion centered on radio airplay, with a dedicated promo CD distributed to stations ahead of the official release to generate buzz. The band performed the track live on BBC's on 28 February 2003, enhancing visibility among audiences. Efforts were integrated with Busted's early 2003 tour dates, leveraging the momentum from their debut single to engage fans directly. Marketing positioned "Year 3000" as an upbeat, youthful anthem targeting teenagers, emphasizing its humorous sci-fi theme and energetic sound to appeal to the band's emerging teen fanbase.

Music video

The music video for "Year 3000", directed by Thomas Gravestock and , was released in 2003. Filmed at Upstairs at The Garage in , it follows the song's narrative with the band discovering a in their backyard—a modified styled after the from —and traveling to the year 3000. There, they encounter aliens and futuristic elements before performing at a concert in an otherworldly setting. The video incorporates sci-fi visuals with band performance shots, emphasizing the track's humorous time-travel theme. As of August 2025, the official video has over 23 million views on .

Critical reception

"Year 3000" received positive attention for its catchy sound and humorous lyrics, contributing to its commercial success. Contemporary reviews praised the track's energetic vibe and witty sci-fi narrative, with noting it as a "future classic" in early 2003 coverage of Busted's rising popularity. Fan reception has remained strong, evidenced by high user scores (e.g., 81/100 on based on 13 ratings as of 2025) and its enduring play in retrospectives on 2000s . The song's lighthearted approach was highlighted in later analyses, such as Popjustice's 2018 fact-check, which celebrated its playful predictions about the future.

Commercial performance

"Year 3000" peaked at number 2 on the , held behind Blazin' Squad's "", and became the 34th best-selling single of 2003 with 165,000 copies sold that year. Overall, it has sold over 1.2 million units in the UK, earning a 2× Platinum certification from the (BPI) as of May 2025. The single also reached number 2 in Ireland and the top 10 in several European countries, including , , , and the . It was certified Gold in (45,000 units) and (15,000 units).

Jonas Brothers cover version

Background and recording

The Jonas Brothers recorded their cover of "Year 3000" in 2006 for their debut album It's About Time, initially released under Columbia Records, though the track later appeared on their self-titled second album in 2007 following their switch to Hollywood Records. The band acquired the rights to cover the song after Busted songwriter James Bourne personally pitched it to them, noting its lack of success in the United States and offering it as an opportunity for the group. Bourne's permission came via the song's publishers, facilitating the adaptation for the American market. Produced by John Fields, the recording sessions emphasized a polished pop-rock arrangement to appeal to teen listeners and Radio Disney airplay, toning down the original's punk edge while incorporating the band's signature multi-layered harmonies. Key changes included lyric alterations for a family-friendly tone, such as replacing references to "tits" and "Michael Jackson" with "girls" and "Kelly Clarkson," respectively, to suit Disney's standards. The Jonas Brothers were drawn to the track due to its futuristic themes of time travel and celebrity culture, which aligned with their goal of crafting relatable, high-energy pop for a breakthrough in the US teen scene. This cover, alongside their version of Busted's "What I Go to School For" on the same album, reflected the band's admiration for the British group's pop-punk style.

Music video

The music video for the ' cover of "Year 3000," directed by Andrew Bennett, was released in 2007 to accompany the song's re-release on . It centers on a sci-fi inspired by the song's time-travel , where the three brothers discover a built by their neighbor and use it to journey to the year 3000. Upon arrival in the futuristic world, they encounter ' great-great-great-granddaughters and perform amid high-tech environments, before jumping back into the to return to the present day. Filmed with a modest reflective of the band's early career stage, the video employs green-screen effects to create its underwater and advanced technological settings, evoking a whimsical, otherworldly atmosphere without elaborate practical sets. The brothers deliver energetic band performances interspersed with narrative segments, showcasing synchronized choreography that highlights their youthful pop-rock synergy—simple yet engaging moves like group steps and guitar-strumming poses amid holographic-like projections and sci-fi props such as the makeshift . These elements underscore the video's aesthetic, tailored for a audience with clean visuals and upbeat energy, in contrast to the original version's more rebellious edge. Behind-the-scenes accounts from the emphasize a collaborative, low-key shoot focused on capturing the brothers' natural charisma, with props like constructed simply to facilitate quick transitions between present-day garage scenes and futuristic backdrops. No major choreography rehearsals were highlighted in contemporary reports, but the final cut integrates fluid sequences that align with the track's tempo, prioritizing fun over complexity to appeal to teen viewers. The video premiered on in early , quickly becoming a staple in the band's rising visibility.

Critical reception

The ' cover of "Year 3000" garnered mixed critical responses, with praise for its upbeat energy contrasted by critiques of its polished, sanitized production tailored for a younger audience. In a 2018 ranking of the greatest songs, the track was highlighted for its "infectious energy," with the opening guitar riff noted as sufficient to "get the heart racing," underscoring its role as an enduring anthem from their 2007 self-titled album. However, observers pointed out the version's lack of the original's edgier elements, such as removing explicit references to suit airplay, resulting in a more commercial pop sound that prioritized accessibility over raw punk influences. Busted, the song's originators, expressed initial surprise at the American but ultimately responded positively. Co-writer granted permission for the recording in 2006 and collaborated on revisions to adapt it for U.S. listeners, including tweaks for cultural relevance. later reflected on Bourne's involvement, stating, "He also kind of helped us with the song. He came in and rewrote some parts to make it a little more Americanized, I guess. He was super nice and super cool." Bandmate credited the royalties from the cover with significant financial relief, noting it "paid [his] ." Fans engaged in debates over the cover's authenticity compared to Busted's rock-oriented original versus its glossy pop sheen, with some appreciating the brothers' youthful vigor while others viewed it as overly Disney-fied. Retrospectively, the track is credited with elevating the ' profile during their era, serving as a breakthrough single that aligned with the network's aesthetic following its January 2007 video premiere. Its commercial appeal, peaking at No. 31 on the , further evidenced its resonance in propelling the group's early fame.

Commercial performance

The Jonas Brothers' cover of "Year 3000," released as a single in March 2007, became their first entry on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 31. It also reached No. 14 on the US Mainstream Top 40 chart and No. 10 on the US Kid Digital Songs chart. The track did not chart on the UK Singles Chart. By 2008, the single had sold over 1,050,000 copies in the United States. No certifications were issued by the RIAA as of 2025.

2023 collaboration version

Background and release

In July 2023, announced a collaborative re-recording of their 2003 hit "Year 3000" with the , titled "Year 3000 2.0," as part of 's 20th anniversary celebrations, including their ongoing reunion tour and the upcoming compilation album. The announcement came amid heightened nostalgia for early 2000s pop acts, with capitalizing on their reformed lineup's momentum from a 2021 reunion and the riding a wave of renewed interest through their 2019 documentary Chasing Happiness and 2023 world tour. This joint effort built on the song's history, originally a track by and later covered by the in as their breakout single. The track was produced by Phil Gornell in during early 2023 sessions, where members of both bands—Busted's , , and , alongside , , and —contributed vocals to create a blended sound incorporating the original's energy with pop sensibilities and a new bridge section. The collaboration was driven by persistent fan enthusiasm, including viral discussions on platforms like that reignited debates and demands for a unified version uniting the two interpretations. "Year 3000 2.0" was released as a on July 28, 2023, through ADA (an arm of ), marking the first official joint recording by the bands following their shared live performance of the track at London's in 2019. The release served as a for , set for September 15, 2023, and fulfilled long-standing fan requests amplified by social media virality.

Lyric video

The official lyric video for "Year 3000 2.0," the 2023 collaborative version by Busted and the Jonas Brothers, was released on July 27, 2023, via the band's official YouTube channel. It features animated futuristic graphics with neon-colored text that syncs dynamically to the lyrics, evoking the song's themes of time travel and a distant future. Directed in-house by the production team, the video incorporates split-screen footage of both bands captured during recording sessions, blending their performances to highlight the collaboration's energy. Visual elements include subtle nods to the original 2003 Busted music video and the 2006 Jonas Brothers version, such as time-travel motifs and holographic effects that pay homage to the song's sci-fi narrative. The video served as a quick digital promotional tool to build anticipation for the full music video release and the accompanying album Greatest Hits 2.0, capitalizing on streaming platforms' popularity for immediate fan engagement.

Commercial performance

The 2023 collaboration version of "Year 3000," titled "Year 3000 2.0" by Busted featuring the Jonas Brothers, achieved moderate commercial success following its July 28 release. It debuted at number 29 on the Official Singles Sales Chart and number 28 on the Official Singles Downloads Chart on August 10, 2023, spending one week on each. In the United States, the track registered digital sales but did not enter major such as the Hot 100; however, it contributed to renewed interest in the song's catalog amid millennial trends. The collaboration marked a lower peak compared to the originals, with Busted's version reaching number 2 on the and the ' 2006 cover hitting number 31 on the US Hot 100. Streaming performance saw steady growth on platforms like , surpassing 6.4 million global streams by November 2025, driven by fan engagement rather than an initial explosive surge. Certifications for "Year 3000 2.0" remain pending as of 2025, with no awards issued by major bodies like the BPI or RIAA. Social media played a key role in amplifying visibility, with users creating nostalgic content and reaction videos that boosted organic shares and positioned the track on year-end digital playlists for retro pop revivals. The single's promotion tied into Busted's 2023 reunion tour, enhancing live playthroughs and fan interactions.

Cultural impact and legacy

Usage in media

The ' version of "Year 3000" prominently featured in their reality series Jonas Brothers: Living the Dream, which premiered in 2008 and documented their rise to fame, including live performances and behind-the-scenes footage tied to the track's promotion. Busted's original recording appeared in the 2015 episode "" of the animated series , where it played during a sequence involving Principal Skinner's educational initiatives. The song was included in the karaoke video game Party for , released in 2004 by Computer Entertainment Europe, as part of its tracklist featuring Busted's version alongside other pop hits. The song was also featured in other editions, allowing players to sing along in multiplayer sessions. Busted performed "Year 3000" live at the Silver Clef Concert in 2005, a charitable music event sponsored by , broadcast on British television to support Nordoff-Robbins . The ' cover was performed at 's in 2023, a major live music event at broadcast by FM, where it served as a nostalgic highlight during their set. In August 2025, the joined for a of "Year 3000" (using the 2023 collaboration version with ) on the talk show Songs & Stories with Kelly Clarkson, recreating the track's futuristic theme in a segment that celebrated its enduring pop appeal. The song has inspired viral memes and parodies on platforms like , often reimagining its time-travel narrative with humorous updates on modern life or futuristic scenarios, contributing to renewed interest among younger audiences.

Covers and samples

The song "Year 3000" has inspired numerous covers by other artists, often performed live or in studio recordings that reinterpret its energy. British band , formed by members who were once 's backing musicians, delivered a live rendition during their 2013 performance at the Royal Albert Hall alongside members and , forming the supergroup for the occasion. This collaboration highlighted the song's enduring appeal within the UK pop-rock scene. Similarly, English pop band The Vamps released a studio cover in 2014 as part of their acoustic sessions, stripping down the track to emphasize its melodic hooks while maintaining the futuristic narrative. In 2025, American singer joined the for a live duet of "Year 3000" during an episode of her special Songs & Stories with Kelly Clarkson, where the performance playfully nodded to the cover version's lyrics' reference to Clarkson. The themselves had previously issued an official cover in 2006, which became their breakout hit and introduced the song to a global audience. On the remix front, the 2003 single release included a club-oriented by Eli Janney, which incorporated electronic elements and a faster to adapt the track for dance floors while preserving its core riff. Following the 2023 collaboration between and the , amateur covers surged on platforms like and , often featuring acoustic or nostalgic takes. For instance, the rock band First to Eleven released a studio cover in 2024 featuring guest vocalist Trevor Vogt, garnering significant views for its high-energy arrangement. On , users like Alec Chambers posted viral covers in 2023 and 2025, blending the song with contemporary trends and birthday tributes to Jonas Brothers member , contributing to renewed interest among younger audiences. These user-generated versions frequently emphasize the track's humorous lyrics about and .

Influence and references

The song "Year 3000" by Busted played a pivotal role in the 2000s pop-punk revival in the UK, blending punk energy with boy-band accessibility to broaden the genre's appeal to mainstream teen audiences. As one of the band's signature hits, it exemplified their "tongue-in-cheek" style that helped redefine British teen pop by incorporating pop-punk elements like catchy riffs and humorous narratives, influencing subsequent acts such as 5 Seconds of Summer, who covered the track and credited Busted's frontman James Bourne as a key collaborator. This fusion contributed to the genre's expansion beyond traditional punk outlets, marking Busted as an early "pop-punk boy band" experiment that paved the way for hybrid sounds in the mid-2000s rock revival. The track's music video further popularized time-travel tropes in visuals, drawing direct inspiration from with its depiction of a makeshift transporting the band to a futuristic world. This narrative device—protagonists encountering exaggerated future scenarios—echoed in later videos, such as OK Go's inventive conceptual clips, reinforcing time displacement as a staple for exploring and absurdity in music storytelling. Lyrically, "Year 3000" offered speculative predictions about the future that have been retrospectively analyzed for their prescience and exaggeration. The line about video phones enabling constant communication proved accurate with the rise of smartphones and apps like by the . However, references to and "triple-breasted women" remain unfulfilled and hyperbolic, while the prophecy of living underwater due to environmental changes aligns with ongoing climate concerns like rising sea levels. In 2023, Kelly Clarkson's album outselling the ' The Album in first-week sales provided ironic commentary on the lyric in their version predicting that their seventh album would outsell her by the year 3000. The song has permeated pop culture through articles, memes, and commentary. A Popjustice piece dissected its lyrics against real-world trends, concluding that elements like persistent boy bands and multi-platinum success (via the ' cover) held up, while others like a seventh album outselling remained speculative. Memes often reference the underwater living line in contexts, as seen in a tweet highlighting its unintentional foresight on . No major books directly center on the track, but it appears in broader cultural analyses of nostalgia and in music. "Year 3000" maintains strong nostalgic appeal, bridging and Gen Z through live performances that evoke early-2000s . In 2025, Busted's reunion tours, including shows at London's , drew intergenerational crowds with the song as a centerpiece, underscoring its crossover draw amid millennial nostalgia waves. Similarly, ' arena tours featured the cover, amplifying its legacy for younger fans discovering the track via streaming and revivals.