Watch and learn
So I've been thinking lately about songs that I discovered because of the music video for the song. The more I thought, the more I counted.
Under the cut is my tribute with associated YouTube videos if available. These are the songs that I discovered through the medium of music video (no thanks to MTV).
Aerosmith
Pink
This is the song that first leaps to mind when considering songs that I love via video. It's a simple and fun video. Perry is looking dapper and Tyler, Whitford, Kramer, and Hamilton really look like they're having fun with this one. The carnival of humans (and one half dog) makes you fall in love with diversity and expression of oneself.
It's not difficult for me to love any instance of Steve Tyler, but this is my second favorite video of him next to Don't Want to Miss a Thing. Love those hand gestures at 3:03. And keep watching ALL the way to the end. Cute.
The song by itself is fun, singable, and easy to lose yourself in. Just like the actors do :)
OK Go
Here It Goes Again
If you haven't seen this video before, what rock have you been hiding under?
I'm not sure I can say much about the treadmills that hasn't already been said. It looks like a lot of work and coordination went into this single-shot masterpiece. Watch for the ice skating at 0:43 (fun!), Damian Kulash's stumble at 1:00, Andy Ross's sweater grab at 2:00, and the fall-on-your-ass spin trick at 2:19.
The song is something I probably wouldn't have touched had it not been for the treadmills. Try learning to sing the song, though, and you get this wonderful tripping during the lines:
"Just when you think you're in control,
just when you think you've got a hold,
just when you get on a roll"
That last line takes you off guard the first couple of times you try it.
Weezer
Pork and Beans
You want YouTube memes? You got em. Watch for all your favorites including Numa Numa, Kelley of Ohmygod Shoes fame, dramatic chipmunk, GI Joe PSAs, All Your Base, Ryan vs Dorkman, Chris Crocker, Will it Blend... okay, if I keep naming, this is going to be an epic novel. There's an annotated version floating around on YouTube if you're interested in upping your geek IQ. This was awesome of Weezer. (Though to be fair, Barenaked Ladies did it first. Weezer just did it better. Dresden Dolls also featured Kelly in one of their videos before Pork and Beans)
The song is screamable, singable, and dancable. It's got great self-affirmations ("I look in the mirror and I'm tickled pink!").
Embedding is disabled. Find it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muP9eH2p2PI
Louis Armstrong
Cheesecake
Tyree Glenn makes this video fun. Bing Crosby makes it unforgettable (1:20)!
Leave it up to Armstrong to create an earworm out of the most unexpected topic. Thanks to this, the occasional chorus of "GOBBLE GOBBLE" busts our randomly at our apartment. You'll never be able to say Cheesecake again without that follow up.
Jamiroquai
Virtual Insanity
The guy's ankles are made of liquid I tell you! This video is so low tech, which only adds to the experience. There are moments of "Eeep he's going to hit the wall!" and the couch creep starting at 1:33 will have you holding your breath. Even after you learn how its done (Google it), you're still mesmerized.
The song is mellow and funky which is not my normal preference. Listening to it almost makes you believe you can dance (but you still can't)
Embedding disabled. Find it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMMQqE9x6i4
Fatboy Slim
Weapon Of Choice
Christopher Walken dancing like a white guy in an oversized blazer. What more do you need? Can you ever pass by a luggage cart without the urge to leap on it like he does at 1:11? Laugh at the escalator freak out at 1:32. I'm actually very impressed with his moves in the hall of mirrors.
The song? Well. Walk without rhythm, it won't attract the worm. Words to live by. They've banned this song in hotel lobbies because all the furniture was getting footprints.
Embedding disabled. Find it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMZwZiU0kKs
Electric Six
Danger! High Voltage
Raise your hand if you want glowing genitals!
Any song that mentions Taco Bell in all seriousness is okay in my book! And who knew that a dying saxophone could sound go good?
Tally Hall
Banana Man
Video: W. T. F?
Song: WARNING: Earworm supreme.
Jose Gonzales
Heartbeats
Sony's Bravia advert featured this mellow acoustic piece. There's something beautiful and serene about the millions of superballs invading a neighborhood. They've had a few more adverts for the Bravia since this one, but it remains the best.
This song is peaceful and heartwrenching. Warning, if you try to download it, you'll get a different version. The exact mix featured on this advert has maybe an echo or some other processing. It leaves the downloadable version feeling naked.
Can be downloaded in HQ: http://colour.sony.eu/assets/archive/02_balls_ad/balls_ad_high.zip
There are so many more. My additional recommendations for great song and video combinations:
Dresden Dolls - Shores of California
Paul Simon - You can call me Al
Lil Mama - Lip Gloss
R.E.M. - Imitation Of Life
New Order - True Faith (Yes, that's real sign language)
I'm Not Okay - My Chemical Romance
30 Seconds To Mars - From Yesterday [Warning, this video is so full of good-looking boys that you may not be able to look away]
Unkle - Rabbit in your Headlights (Powerful if you make it the end)
Johnny Cash - Hurt
Mute Math - Typical
[i give people the impression i'm a jerk; i give people panic attacks]
Under the cut is my tribute with associated YouTube videos if available. These are the songs that I discovered through the medium of music video (no thanks to MTV).
Aerosmith
Pink
This is the song that first leaps to mind when considering songs that I love via video. It's a simple and fun video. Perry is looking dapper and Tyler, Whitford, Kramer, and Hamilton really look like they're having fun with this one. The carnival of humans (and one half dog) makes you fall in love with diversity and expression of oneself.
It's not difficult for me to love any instance of Steve Tyler, but this is my second favorite video of him next to Don't Want to Miss a Thing. Love those hand gestures at 3:03. And keep watching ALL the way to the end. Cute.
The song by itself is fun, singable, and easy to lose yourself in. Just like the actors do :)
Click to viewOK Go
Here It Goes Again
If you haven't seen this video before, what rock have you been hiding under?
I'm not sure I can say much about the treadmills that hasn't already been said. It looks like a lot of work and coordination went into this single-shot masterpiece. Watch for the ice skating at 0:43 (fun!), Damian Kulash's stumble at 1:00, Andy Ross's sweater grab at 2:00, and the fall-on-your-ass spin trick at 2:19.
The song is something I probably wouldn't have touched had it not been for the treadmills. Try learning to sing the song, though, and you get this wonderful tripping during the lines:
"Just when you think you're in control,
just when you think you've got a hold,
just when you get on a roll"
That last line takes you off guard the first couple of times you try it.
Weezer
Pork and Beans
You want YouTube memes? You got em. Watch for all your favorites including Numa Numa, Kelley of Ohmygod Shoes fame, dramatic chipmunk, GI Joe PSAs, All Your Base, Ryan vs Dorkman, Chris Crocker, Will it Blend... okay, if I keep naming, this is going to be an epic novel. There's an annotated version floating around on YouTube if you're interested in upping your geek IQ. This was awesome of Weezer. (Though to be fair, Barenaked Ladies did it first. Weezer just did it better. Dresden Dolls also featured Kelly in one of their videos before Pork and Beans)
The song is screamable, singable, and dancable. It's got great self-affirmations ("I look in the mirror and I'm tickled pink!").
Embedding is disabled. Find it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muP9eH2p2PI
Louis Armstrong
Cheesecake
Tyree Glenn makes this video fun. Bing Crosby makes it unforgettable (1:20)!
Leave it up to Armstrong to create an earworm out of the most unexpected topic. Thanks to this, the occasional chorus of "GOBBLE GOBBLE" busts our randomly at our apartment. You'll never be able to say Cheesecake again without that follow up.
Jamiroquai
Virtual Insanity
The guy's ankles are made of liquid I tell you! This video is so low tech, which only adds to the experience. There are moments of "Eeep he's going to hit the wall!" and the couch creep starting at 1:33 will have you holding your breath. Even after you learn how its done (Google it), you're still mesmerized.
The song is mellow and funky which is not my normal preference. Listening to it almost makes you believe you can dance (but you still can't)
Embedding disabled. Find it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMMQqE9x6i4
Fatboy Slim
Weapon Of Choice
Christopher Walken dancing like a white guy in an oversized blazer. What more do you need? Can you ever pass by a luggage cart without the urge to leap on it like he does at 1:11? Laugh at the escalator freak out at 1:32. I'm actually very impressed with his moves in the hall of mirrors.
The song? Well. Walk without rhythm, it won't attract the worm. Words to live by. They've banned this song in hotel lobbies because all the furniture was getting footprints.
Embedding disabled. Find it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMZwZiU0kKs
Electric Six
Danger! High Voltage
Raise your hand if you want glowing genitals!
Any song that mentions Taco Bell in all seriousness is okay in my book! And who knew that a dying saxophone could sound go good?
Tally Hall
Banana Man
Video: W. T. F?
Song: WARNING: Earworm supreme.
Jose Gonzales
Heartbeats
Sony's Bravia advert featured this mellow acoustic piece. There's something beautiful and serene about the millions of superballs invading a neighborhood. They've had a few more adverts for the Bravia since this one, but it remains the best.
This song is peaceful and heartwrenching. Warning, if you try to download it, you'll get a different version. The exact mix featured on this advert has maybe an echo or some other processing. It leaves the downloadable version feeling naked.
Can be downloaded in HQ: http://colour.sony.eu/assets/archive/02_balls_ad/balls_ad_high.zip
There are so many more. My additional recommendations for great song and video combinations:
Dresden Dolls - Shores of California
Paul Simon - You can call me Al
Lil Mama - Lip Gloss
R.E.M. - Imitation Of Life
New Order - True Faith (Yes, that's real sign language)
I'm Not Okay - My Chemical Romance
30 Seconds To Mars - From Yesterday [Warning, this video is so full of good-looking boys that you may not be able to look away]
Unkle - Rabbit in your Headlights (Powerful if you make it the end)
Johnny Cash - Hurt
Mute Math - Typical
[i give people the impression i'm a jerk; i give people panic attacks]