In 2011, a song was released that would change the way we’d think about our weekends forever.
Friday had long been the best day of the working week, because it signalled the end of the working week.
Come on, sing along: “Partying, partying, fun fun fun fun.” Post continues below video.
But then came along Rebecca Black and a viral YouTube video, and suddenly Fridays had an entirely new meaning.
Along with the typical 'Happy Friday!' messages, people laughed about 'getting down' and wondered 'what seat could I take?'
For most of us it was amusing. For Black, it was excruciating.
2021 marks 10 years since the release of 'Friday', and it's taken that long for Black to fully embrace her notoriety. She's released a remix of the song to mark the milestone, a far cry from the humiliation she said she felt when she was younger.
Speaking to Bustle, Black recalled how therapy helped her shift her perspective.
"I remember so many specific moments of being on a phone call, and someone being like, 'Happy Friday,' and me feeling fully attacked. I learned that the issue was not, 'Oh, you did this really bad thing'. It was all of the conclusions that I [came to about] that experience. Like, 'I'm not talented, I'm ugly, I'm a mess-up, I'm stupid.'"
In February 2020, commemorating nine years since releasing 'Friday', the 23-year-old touched on the difficulties she faced since the release of the song when she was a young teen. In a Twitter post, she wrote about the depression and bullying she's suffered due to the infamous hit and how it's continued to affect her career.
"Above all things, I just wish I could go back and talk to my 13-year-old self who was terribly ashamed of herself and afraid of the world," she wrote.
"To my 15-year-old self who felt like she had nobody to talk to about the depression she faced. To my 17-year-old self who would get to school only to get food thrown at her and her friends. To my 19-year-old self who had almost every producer/song writer tell me they'd never work with me.
"Hell, to myself a few days ago who felt disgusting when she looked in her mirror! I'm trying to remind myself more and more that every day is a new opportunity to shift your reality and lift your spirit.
"You are not defined by any one choice or thing. Time heals and nothing is finite. It's a process that's never too late to begin. And so, here we go!
Not long after, she wrote the song 'Girlfriend' about an ex, the first time she did not change the female pronouns to hide that it was about a woman.
"There are so many queer female or female-presenting artists right now that are amazing, but at the same time we need more. As just a queer person who listens to music, I need more," she told Bustle.
"I'm really proud to be representing the entire women loving women community in this little three-and-a-half minute way."
Black plans to release new projects in 2021, but she's been releasing music for years - and not all her songs are about days of the week (although... um, there was her second single, called... Saturday).
If you heard the 2019 singles Anyway or Do You? on the radio or in a store, you really would have no idea it was the girl who sung "Yesterday was Thursday, today it is Friday, we we we so excited". I promise.
In 2018, Black appeared on the musical competition The Four: Battle for Stardom, hosted by Fergie and judged by Sean Combs, Meghan Trainor and DJ Khaled.
After singing NSYNC's Bye Bye Bye for her audition, Black was knocked out in the next round, which involved a sing-off with another competitor.
Although she didn't win, Black said she was glad to give people an insight into what she'd been up to in the years since Friday.
"I am just blown away reading your comments and seeing so much support online," she tweeted after her elimination.
"Sending all of my love right back to you. Thank you for hearing me, for seeing me. This is just the beginning."
Beyond music, Black has one million followers on Instagram and has posted a number of influencer posts.
Her YouTube channel has close to 1.5 million subscribers, and she regularly uploads lifestyle videos, song covers and 'a day in the life' style videos.
She also regularly toured the US (pre-COVID)... and yes, she always sung 'Friday'.
This article was originally published in February 2020 and has been updated.
Feature images: YouTube and Instagram.
Top Comments
The sad thing is, a lot of her bullies would have been fully grown adults. This song sucks, but it doesn't mean that the 13 year old child who is singing it deserves to be bullied so horrifically.