The phrase “All Your Base Are Belong To Us” originated from a poorly translated intro dialogue in the Japanese video game Zero Wing, released for the Sega Genesis in 1989. The phrase became an internet meme in the early 2000s and was referenced in various pop culture mediums, including music. One of the most notable references is the music video “All Your Base Are Belong To Us” by the band Laziest Men on Mars.
The Birth of the Meme
The meme gained popularity in 2001 when a user submitted a GIF animation to the website Something Awful, featuring a series of screenshots from the game Zero Wing with the phrase “All Your Base Are Belong To Us” overlaid in broken English. The animation became viral, and the phrase quickly spread across the internet, becoming one of the earliest and most enduring internet memes.
The Music Video
In 2000, the band Laziest Men on Mars released a song titled “All Your Base Are Belong To Us,” which sampled the Zero Wing dialogue and incorporated it into a techno beat. The song gained popularity on various file-sharing platforms and was eventually accompanied by a music video. The video features various clips from the game Zero Wing and other popular video games from the era.
The Reception
The music video quickly gained popularity on the internet, with many fans of the meme embracing the song and video as a celebration of the meme’s enduring popularity. The video was also featured on MTV’s “Total Request Live” and was praised for its catchy beat and nostalgic visuals. The band’s website even featured a section dedicated to the meme, with merchandise featuring the phrase “All Your Base Are Belong To Us.”
The Legacy
The “All Your Base Are Belong To Us” meme and music video have become a cultural touchstone for many who grew up in the early days of the internet. The phrase has been referenced in various forms of media, including television shows, movies, and video games. The music video remains a beloved relic of the early days of internet culture and serves as a testament to the power of memes to unite people across the globe.
