Music history is weird. One day you’re a forgotten 1980s synth-pop track buried on a B-side, and the next, you’re the soundtrack to three million short-form videos. That is exactly what happened with Today Him or Me. Honestly, if you grew up in the era of big hair and shoulder pads, you might not even remember this specific song because it wasn't exactly a chart-topper like "Girls Just Want to Have Fun." But nostalgia has this funny way of digging up the most specific, moody tracks and giving them a second life.
It’s catchy. It’s also kinda haunting.
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The track, originally performed by the Dutch group Video, captures a very specific 1983 energy. It’s that intersection of post-disco cynicism and the raw, cold mechanical feel of early synthesizers. When people talk about "Retrowave" or "Synthwave" now, they are basically trying to replicate the exact DNA found in the grooves of this record.
What’s the deal with the sudden obsession?
Algorithm luck plays a part. You’ve probably seen the "Today Him or Me" trend on your feed without even realizing it. Usually, it’s paired with grainy, VHS-style footage or those "POV" videos where someone is making a difficult choice. The lyrics—specifically the refrain of "Today, him or me"—hit that universal human chord of competition and choice.
It’s not just about the melody. It’s the aesthetic.
We are living in a time where Gen Z and Millennials are obsessed with an era they barely lived through. The 1980s represent a sort of "analog cool" that feels more authentic than our digital-first reality. When a song like this resurfaces, it’s because it sounds tangible. You can hear the hardware. You can feel the tape hiss.
The History of Video and the 1983 Synth Movement
To understand why this song works, you have to look at where it came from. The band, simply named Video, was part of a larger wave of European electronic music that was trying to find its footing after the "Disco Sucks" movement in the US.
The early 80s were a laboratory.
While the UK had Depeche Mode and Japan had Yellow Magic Orchestra, the Netherlands and Germany were producing this darker, more minimalist sound. "Today Him or Me" wasn't a global smash. It was a club hit in specific pockets of Europe. It lived in that space between the dance floor and the drive home. It’s moody music. It’s the kind of song you play when you’re staring out a rain-flecked window of a bus.
Breaking down the sound
The production is surprisingly sparse. Unlike the overproduced pop of 1987 or 1988, this 1983 gem relies on a driving bassline and a recurring synth motif that gets stuck in your head for days. Literally days.
- The Vocals: They aren't "powerhouse" vocals. They are detached. Almost bored. This "cool" delivery is exactly why it fits modern video edits so well.
- The Tempo: It’s at that perfect walking pace.
- The Lyrics: "Today him or me / I'm sure it's gonna be." It’s simple. It’s direct. It feels like a scene from a noir film.
Why "Today Him or Me" Beats Modern Pop for Content Creators
If you’re a creator, you know that the right audio is 90% of the battle. Modern pop is often too "busy." There’s too much compression, too many layers, too much noise. Today Him or Me has "air."
There is space in the track.
This allows a creator to talk over it, or to let the visual take center stage while the beat provides the heartbeat. It’s basically a cheat code for creating "vibes." You see it used in fashion transition videos, automotive "night drive" clips, and even in retro gaming montages.
It also helps that the song is relatively "undiscovered" compared to something like "Blue Monday" by New Order. Using a song like this gives a creator a bit of "indie cred." It says, "I know the deep cuts." Even if they just found it on the "Viral Hits" playlist three minutes ago.
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The psychology of the "Him or Me" choice
Humans love a binary. Black or white. Left or right. Today him or me.
The song’s title and hook present a conflict. In the context of the original lyrics, it’s a romantic rivalry. It’s the classic story of a protagonist realizing they are in a "it's him or me" situation with a love interest. But in 2026, we repurpose everything. Now, the "Him or Me" might be about choosing between two career paths, two outfits, or even two different versions of yourself.
The ambiguity is the strength.
How to Find Similar Sounds if You’re Hooked
If you’ve been playing this on loop and need more, you’re looking for the Italo Disco and Minimal Wave genres. People often get these confused with standard 80s pop, but they are different. Italo is more melodic and often features slightly "off" English lyrics that give it a surreal quality. Minimal Wave is colder, darker, and more experimental.
Check out these names if you want to go down the rabbit hole:
- Selection – Specifically their track "Desire."
- Kano – The pioneers of that robotic, groovy synth sound.
- The Flirts – For that high-energy, campy 80s feel.
- Ruth – "Polaroïd/Roman/Photo" is a masterpiece of the same era.
The Viral Lifecycle of Legacy Tracks
We’ve seen this before. Kate Bush had her moment with Stranger Things. Fleetwood Mac had the "cranberry juice" moment. But those were massive stars. What’s interesting about Today Him or Me is that it’s an underdog story.
It’s a song that survived forty years in obscurity only to be validated by an algorithm.
Is it a masterpiece? Maybe not in the way a Mozart concerto is. But in terms of capturing a mood? It’s perfect. It represents the "lonely city" feeling. It’s the sound of neon lights reflecting off wet pavement.
What this means for the future of music
Labels are now scouring the vaults of the 70s and 80s specifically for tracks that have these "hooky" 5-second windows. They aren't looking for the next "Bohemian Rhapsody." They are looking for the next Today Him or Me.
The "vibe" has become more valuable than the "song."
That sounds cynical, but it’s actually kind of cool. It means that artists who were overlooked decades ago are finally getting their flowers. It means that music isn't disposable—it's just waiting for its moment to be relevant again.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans and Creators
If you want to lean into this trend or just appreciate the music more deeply, here is how to handle the "Today Him or Me" wave:
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- Listen to the full 12-inch version: The radio edits of these 80s tracks usually cut out the best synth solos. Find the extended mix on YouTube or specialized vinyl rip sites to hear the actual musicianship.
- Check the credits: Look for the producers. Many of the people who worked on these obscure Dutch and Italian tracks went on to influence the house music and techno scenes of the 90s.
- Use it wisely in content: If you’re a creator, don’t just slap the audio on a random video. Match the "frame rate" of the music. Slow, deliberate movements work best with the steady 4/4 beat of this track.
- Explore the "Slowed + Reverb" versions: There is a whole subculture of people who slow this song down to 80% speed. It transforms it from a dance track into a "Dreamcore" anthem. It’s worth a listen if you want something even moodier.
The reality is that Today Him or Me is a reminder that good production is timeless. You don't need a million-dollar studio or a 20-person writing camp to make something that people will still want to hear in forty years. You just need a solid bassline, a relatable conflict, and a synthesizer that sounds like it’s crying.