3 posts tagged “music videos”
Like everyone else, I was deeply saddened by Michael Jackson's death last week. He has influenced everyone from late 80's boy bands like New Kids On the Block and New Edition to modern-day "Michael's" like Justin Timberlake and Rhianna. While Don McLean wrote "American Pie" as a way to commemorate "The Day the Music Died" when Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens died in a plane crash, I truly believe that Jackson's death marked the day that all of pop music died -- especially that of the music video.
MTV and VH1 are now networks filled with reality television and other throwaway entertainment. If an artist does release a music video, it usually has a story and a budget -- something we can credit Michael Jackson with having a hand in after the release of "Thriller." But something else Jackson managed to do with music videos that no other artist really can do is take something basic and make it entertaining.
Case in point, the video for "Rock with You." This video has no story line or angle; it's just Jackson clad in sequins and belting his heart out. Yet, this video is a million times more entertaining then anything I've seen in the last ten years. Plus, even though he is wearing sequins, he is pretty damn cute! Something else most male performers can't pull off.
They say that the true test of a great singer is when he or she is singing by his or herself with no accompaniment. While Jackson revolutionized the music video by making it epic, at his core, he really didn't need all the special effects and makeup: he was rather brilliant when the video only consisted of himself.
I'm currently in the throws of the Stanley Cup Finals -- my obsession reaching its peak since it began a month and a half ago. At times, I've felt like I could stay at home and watch all of the games from every team ALL DAY.
But even though I've enjoyed all of the games, my main team is the Pittsburgh Penguins. And while they face a 2-0 series deficit to come back from tonight against the Detroit Red Wings, I'm still hopeful that they can pull out a "W" -- to quote Coach Reilly from The Mighty Ducks. I'm hopeful because as I was driving home the other night, listening to the end of game 2 on the radio, I changed the station, discouraged by the loss. What came on when I changed the station? Lenny Kravitz' "It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over." Unless you're living in 1991, you rarely hear this hit. It's a sign I tell you! It's also a reminder of how kick-ass Lenny is, with this 70's throwback groovetune.
I know I'm risking future parody in a music video for bashing Eminem, but after recently catching the video for his new single "We Made You," I couldn't help but notice that he is yet again resorting to making fun of celebrities and other people in the news -- for no reason whatsoever.
This time, he takes aim at Sarah Palin (about six months too late), two summer blockbusters (Star Trek and -- the pre-ordained hit -- Transformers sequel), and finally -- my beloved "Rock of Love." I haven't exactly examined the lyrics behind the song, nor can I make any inferences about what he's trying to say. But hasn't Eminem kind of become a Weird Al figure, where he parodies people and calls it a career (the only difference is that Weird Al rules!)? Eminem has been doing the same old schtick for years and I couldn't help but say to myself upon watching this music video: "Really, Eminem?" He's still making fun of Britney Spears after nearly a decade on the scene. We get it. Let's move on.
