The ultimate "Girl-Power" video of all time. Done in true eighties fashion, Pat Benetar's depiction of a young girl seeking to be understood and tying to gain independence is riveting!
The video begins with the main character (Pat Benetar) leaving home after a fight with her parents. Determined to make it on her own, she ends up in what appears to be a brothel. She seems established in this place indicating that she has worked there for a while. After a man/patron treats a co-worker disrespectfully, Benetar takes a stand! She and her co-workers revolt against the rude men, and declare their strength! The video ends with Benetar leaving the brothel and returning to a remorseful but loving home.
This video is great. Yes the dancing and characters are laughable, but the essence is fabulous. I really like the theatrical element of the video, and the song is catchy too.
Another interesting aspect is that I am noticing young women today dressing like Pat Benetar and her coworkers in the video! Ha! Perhaps the eighties were not as cheesy as we thought!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
A-Ha - Take On Me
Arguably the best video of all time. A-Ha's 1985 video for their song "Take on Me" is timeless and memorable. Though the styles are definitely from the 1980s, it is not over the top or obnoxious. The song itself is fabulous as well. Unfortunately A-Ha only had one hit in the United States.
A-Ha holds a special place in my heart. This was my very first cassette tape. Although, "Take on Me" was the only hit, I loved the other songs as well. It is so funny, I can't even imagine dealing with cassette tapes anymore.
This video, in my opinion, is pure art. I love it.
(You'll not that there are subtitles in this video. It is called the Literal Video Version. The subtitles are not in the original video, but I wasn't able to post the official video so I opted for this.)
A-Ha holds a special place in my heart. This was my very first cassette tape. Although, "Take on Me" was the only hit, I loved the other songs as well. It is so funny, I can't even imagine dealing with cassette tapes anymore.
This video, in my opinion, is pure art. I love it.
(You'll not that there are subtitles in this video. It is called the Literal Video Version. The subtitles are not in the original video, but I wasn't able to post the official video so I opted for this.)
Oran "Juice" Jones - The Rain
The year was 1986. Every weeknight, my favorite radio station would do the "top nine at nine", meaning the listener's top voted songs played at nine.
I would wait in anticipation hoping that Oran Juice Jones' "The Rain", would be number one.
OK, you really need to consider the times before judging my music taste. The year 1986 was just plain cheesy. But c'mon, you know you like it, at least little bit.
How could you not love it when he says, "Cold Busted!" or "You gotta get on outta here with that alley-cat-coat-wearing, punch-bucket-shoe-wearing Crumcake I saw you with. Cause you dismissed!"
The song/video combo is classic.
There are really no words for this. Just watch it.
I would wait in anticipation hoping that Oran Juice Jones' "The Rain", would be number one.
OK, you really need to consider the times before judging my music taste. The year 1986 was just plain cheesy. But c'mon, you know you like it, at least little bit.
How could you not love it when he says, "Cold Busted!" or "You gotta get on outta here with that alley-cat-coat-wearing, punch-bucket-shoe-wearing Crumcake I saw you with. Cause you dismissed!"
The song/video combo is classic.
There are really no words for this. Just watch it.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Blondie - Rapture
Exploring different subculture styles (America is Beautiful) is a dream of mine, but I feel like I cannot do a proper exploration without traveling. So I decided to switch my focus to 1980s videos.
I was in my preteens during the 80s, but had older sisters who introduced me to the amazing world of 1980s music. This was the time when MTV was not just a bunch of dumb reality shows, it actually showed music videos!
Consider this blog a welcoming into the world of excessive cheesiness. I describe the 80s as being “so bad, but so good at the same time.” Seriously these styles were attractive back then. It’s hard to grasp, I know.
The first video is Blondie’s Rapture. Obviously this song/video is about recreation drug use. Of course as a kid I didn't realize this, I just thought it was a groovy tune. After viewing this video for the first time in many years, I was surprised at how brazen it was about drugs and the party lifestyle. I was also a little put-off about the African-American roles in this video. In today’s world those depictions could be deemed stereotypical.
Blondie rapping is another interesting aspect of this video. I am not quite sure what to think about it. On one hand it is just plain terrible! But on the other hand, it actually helped rap push into the mainstream music scene.
"The new wave band Blondie releases the single 'Rapture'. It features a rapping vocal by lead singer Debbie Harry and mentions Fab 5 Freddy and Grandmaster Flash, furthering hip-hop's push into the mainstream."
Good or bad, it is interesting to view these videos because they are a snapshot of what was acceptable during that time period. Overall I am fascinated by Blondie's video, and experienced "Rapture" by viewing it.
I was in my preteens during the 80s, but had older sisters who introduced me to the amazing world of 1980s music. This was the time when MTV was not just a bunch of dumb reality shows, it actually showed music videos!
Consider this blog a welcoming into the world of excessive cheesiness. I describe the 80s as being “so bad, but so good at the same time.” Seriously these styles were attractive back then. It’s hard to grasp, I know.
The first video is Blondie’s Rapture. Obviously this song/video is about recreation drug use. Of course as a kid I didn't realize this, I just thought it was a groovy tune. After viewing this video for the first time in many years, I was surprised at how brazen it was about drugs and the party lifestyle. I was also a little put-off about the African-American roles in this video. In today’s world those depictions could be deemed stereotypical.
Blondie rapping is another interesting aspect of this video. I am not quite sure what to think about it. On one hand it is just plain terrible! But on the other hand, it actually helped rap push into the mainstream music scene.
"The new wave band Blondie releases the single 'Rapture'. It features a rapping vocal by lead singer Debbie Harry and mentions Fab 5 Freddy and Grandmaster Flash, furthering hip-hop's push into the mainstream."
Good or bad, it is interesting to view these videos because they are a snapshot of what was acceptable during that time period. Overall I am fascinated by Blondie's video, and experienced "Rapture" by viewing it.
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