Looking Back On Music's Big Year In GIFs
2013, like any other other year, had its ups and downs, surprises, snubs and WTF moments. But unlike any other year, every essential moment in 2013 was captured and preserved in GIF form. We no longer had to dig through YouTube to watch a 30-second ad before a 15-second video splice of an award show performance gone wrong. All we had to to was turn to Google and image search, "Miguel leg drop GIF." Boom, the results were full of animated pictures showing you exactly what you wanted to see from the Billboard Music Awards.
So, let's take a look back on this year in GIFs.
2013 kicked off with a high note: Adele celebrated her Golden Globe win with a high five from Daniel "give it to me" Craig.
But then we were hit with the most unexpected scandal ever: Beyonce lip-synced the National Anthem at President Obama's second inauguration. Girl no!
But she followed it up with a kick-ass Super Bowl halftime show in February.
And reunited Destiny's Child.
Ryan Seacrest Herb'd Taylor Swift at the 55th annual Grammy Awards.
And then Taylor established why she'd be invited to every award show in 2013: She was the best person to pan to during performances.
Then Adele gave Chris Brown all the side eye for refusing to stand up for Frank Ocean's big win.
And for a hot minute at the end of February, everyone did the "Harlem Shake."
Robin Thicke got bitch-slapped by a foot.
Justin Timberlake pondered the meaning of life in his new video for "Mirrors."
In April, Mariah Carey glitter-bombed a contestant on American Idol.
So as not to be forgotten about, Beyonce released an ad for H&M. (Back when everyone thought her new album would drop any minute. We were so wrong!)
But then Mariah Carey brought sexy back in her new video for "#Beautiful."
Meanwhile, Miguel thought it would be fun to leap across the audience and leg drop some random fan during the Billboard Music Awards. Oops.
And Miley Cyrus threw some epic shade.
As the weather started heating up, so did the performances. Imagine Dragons brought new meaning to beating one's drum at Hangout Fest.
Nicky Da B helped make twerking a thing with the most GIF-able music video seen all year.
(And those balloons were everywhere, thanks to Robin Thicke and Lily Allen.)
June brought us Miley Cyrus' video for "We Can't Stop," during which people did everything, such as strut what they are working with...
Eat what they twerk...
Dance with oversized Teddy Bears...
And rub bread on their faces!
French dancer and choreographer Yanis Marshall released to most epic dance tribute to the Spice Girls.
One Direction turned fan fiction into a reality with their video for "Best Song Ever."
While they were busy headlining Lollapalooza, Mumford & Sons handed their music video for "Hopeless Wanderer" over to Jason Suedikis, Jason Bateman, Will Forte and Ed Helms. And it was comic genius!
Richard Simmons released a music video. (Yes, it was as bizarre as one might suspect.)
Lady Gaga kicked off the MTV Video Music Awards with this face. (It basically summed up everyone's reaction to the entire show.)
Not to be outdone, Miley Cyrus twerked all up on Robin's dick.
Justin Timberlake brought the house down with a N'SYNC reunion.
Crushed it!
Also, Taylor Swift was there with BFF Selena Gomez.
Danity Kane reunited!
And Rihanna regretted showing up.
In September, Miley Cyrus licked a bunch of construction equipment.
The world finally learned what the fox said.
Britney Spears' career turned 15 (and we all felt old).
Rihanna kicked off October with chair twerking.
Britney Spears spent $6.5 million on a comeback video.
Glee performed a cover of Katy Perry's "Roar" in a Gaga/Perry showdown episode.
CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story premiered on VH1.
Again, not to be outdone by anyone, Beyonce photobombed a fan during a concert.
In November, Kimye released a Lisa Frank-inspired video for "Bound 2."
Which was later parodied by Seth Rogen and James Franco.
Lady Gaga invited R. Kelly to pleasure her on stage when she hosted and performed on Saturday Night Live.
Kanye West's mine was later blown by David Blaine's magic tricks.
At the American Music Awards, Miley Cyrus performed with a kitten.
Harry Styles worked out.
And Lorde taught everyone how to white-girl-goth-dance.
Laura Benanti gave all the side eye during NBC's broadcast of Sound of Music Live.
Beyonce said "surprise, bitches!"
Reunited Destiny's Child for a second time in one year.
And released "XO" as her first official single.
Christina Aguilera and Lady Gaga finally buried the hatchet (and brought world peace) during the season finale of The Voice.
And we all breathed a sigh of relief. (Here's to an even more GIF-worthy 2014.)