Flyby's Official 2020 Housing Day Video Ranking

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By John Y. Wang

Dear freshmen: An online housing day doesn’t mean you can’t make fun of the annual housing day videos. Want a better housing day video? Spend quarantine learning how to video edit and songwrite! In all seriousness though, your upperclassmen houses are very excited to host you in your new home. Without further introduction, here are the rankings for the 2020 housing day videos.

1) Cabot

Cabot brought the heat this year with larger crowds, a witty rap, and lively video editing. It’s similar to the Adam’s house one from last year — meaning that it’s filled with smooth transitions and colorful illustrations — but there are some notable differences like an energetic dance sequence towards the end. With a cameo featuring Dean Khurana, this Housing Day video is sure to make all the residents proud and freshmen excited!

Rate: 5/5

2) Lowell

Lowell has a fun, energetic, and woman-centric Housing Day video that’s undeniably full of pep and confidence. With an original song and enough blue outfits for a century, Lowell is strong competition with their cool and confident crowds. Plus, let’s face it — most of us miss those Lowell bells that once rung so proudly at school.

Rate: 4.9/5

3) Adams

Adams again makes an impressive video using a flowing and unique rap. With a clever integration of the theme song from “The Addams Family,” the video is nothing short of smooth and confident. There’s even a switch in style towards the end as they feature a Rihanna-esque tune and stylish outfits.

Rate: 4.8/5

4) Currier

Currier started strong with a cute video game intro as they went into proving that they’re a birch, a boss, and that their housing rocks. The song is admirably catchy and sassy and we get to see a variety of locations from all around the house. Filled with BGLTQ+ pride, dancing, clever lines, and a digital Bill Gates, Currier’s video is undeniably full of spirit.

Rate: 4.7/5

5) Leverett

Leverett did an admirable cover of Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy” and its corresponding music video. Whether the three central bunnies are scooting down a bridge, hanging on a gate, or simply having fun at Stein, it’s easy to agree that Leverett made a light-hearted and silly video. They funnily admitted they were “alright” but also had no problem flexing. Plus, the last scene is a must-see recreation of Eilish's music video.

Rate: 4.6/5

6) Pforzheimer

Pforzheimer shook things up with a mashup of various popular songs, using everything from “Low” by Flo Rida and T-Pain to “Can't Hold Us” by Macklemore. It includes some very aesthetic scenes, which shows off their eccentric and neon arcade. Who wouldn't want to spend a few afternoons there? Extra points for the “Hotline Bling” scene that featured a dramatic montage of everyone’s faces.

Rate: 4.5/5

7) Winthrop

Whether we’re seeing a lion costume emerge from a dollar bill, a saturated sky, or strong neon lights, the video editing is vibrant and memorable. Winthop comes in strong with clever verses and a speaking interlude, and amusingly tells Lowell, “We been renovated man, get with the times.” Plus, that scene with the sun clock and staircase was gorgeous.

Rate: 4.5/5

8) Mather

Mather came in strong with a laid-back but smooth beat. They also feature a switch-up as they go from a slow ballad to an easy but fun tune. The party scenes look genuinely fun and high-spirited, and the blurry/kaleidoscopic effects are funny. Extra points to the person who managed to sit on a basketball hoop, and for that Spongebob cartoon of a roach.

Rate: 4.4/5

9) Kirkland

With a flower-filled and sunny video, Kirkland makes their mark with a Lizzo tune that everyone loves. Their video is energetic and features all the signs of a happy House, like fun photo booth scenes, a classy Senior Common Room, and even a resident dean. It also features the obligatory Kirkland dogs, which makes it all the more cheerful.

Rate: 4.3/5

10) Dunster

Dunster uses elegant lighting, Lizzo’s gym moves, and gorgeous House shots to make their point. We’re supposed to “blame it on their moose” if we ever feel jealous, which is easy to do with all the food shots they have of their grille and dining hall. Extra points for impressive flips and moose selfies.

Rate: 4.3/5

11) Eliot

Eliot brings classy outfits and sunglasses as they rightly sing about a few Eliot commodities like a giant HoCo budget, backdoor swipe, and beautiful river views. Since everyone’s a little jealous of Fête, they even threw in a few pictures of their famous formal for everyone to see. One spacious dining hall and many sunglasses later, Eliot goes to lengths to show off.

Rate: 4.2/5

12) Quincy

Quincy’s video felt a little disorganized, but had a unique idea as they started with a prank and slowly transitioned to a song. You can’t go wrong with “Old Town Road” — or rather, “Old Town Rhodes” — so you know that it’s now stuck in everyone’s head. The Rhodes Scholar headline is definitely a flex, but maybe they could’ve integrated that more in the video? Extra points for unlimited penguin costumes.

Rate: 4/5

All in all, every housing day video did a great job of showing off their house and the spirited students within it. We saw more mashups and style switches than before, and everyone’s excited to see what the moves are for next year. “Tiger King” parodies? Zoom the musical? Guess we’ll have to wait and see!

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