Video Friday: bubblegum sounds from young men
Last week, personaljinx suggested Hi-5 for this week's video Friday. I'm more in a "Doggy Dogg World" mood, but I can oblige; because I can talk to Hi-5 and how I thought they were a mediocre version of that R&B bubblegum sound that was popular for a lot of the 80s and 90s. I am somewhat happy for the more rap-influenced, baby-mama-drama style of R&B, because this saccharine stuff can get really tired, and is a departure from the dirt of the blues, of soul, of 70's funk. It feels like a studio lie.
Hi-5's "I Like the Way (The Kissing Game)" was probably their most famous song. The video is strange to me - I think those adult women in the video are beyond "the kissing game." Part of this is that the song came out in 1991, and my 15 year old self was not feeling that hormone-suppressed cuteness. Really, I thought it had the quality of the California Dreams theme song (video link).
Around the same time (and also out of Texas, apparently, like Hi-5), Tevin Campbell dropped "Round and Round," a Prince-produced ditty that I still find catchy. I mean, look at that big-ass suit jacket! And those opening notes! Still a little cute, but very pleasant. And when he matured and released Can We Talk? That might be one of my favorite ballads... of course, because it was written by Babyface, one of the few people who can craft a badass ballad. One day, we're gonna have ballad day here with Babyface's "Whip Appeal."
And last, while it's not my absolute favorite song, I must post New Edition's "Cool It Now." Because who brought back those bubblegum sounds in the 80's quite like they did? Ralph Tresvant and Bobby Brown were obviously the pretty boys in the group. Check out Bobby's pants, they're blue, I think. And Bell Biv Devoe... well, they were not the pretty boys. As for the song itself, you cannot say that "Cool It Now" doesn't make you want to dance. Just a little.
Before the videos, I'll add an audio link to Foster Sylvers' (little brother and occasional member of the Sylvers, a minor rival to the Jackson 5) "Misdemeanor." Total 1973 R&B, oft-sampled, fantastic song. Check it out after the jump.
Misdemeanor - Foster Sylvers
Hi-5's I Like the Way (The Kissing Game)
Tevin Campbell's Round and Round
New Edition's Cool It Now
New Edition |MTV Music
Extra video:
Tevin Campbell, Can We Talk
Tevin Campbell - New Music - More Music Videos
Hi-5's "I Like the Way (The Kissing Game)" was probably their most famous song. The video is strange to me - I think those adult women in the video are beyond "the kissing game." Part of this is that the song came out in 1991, and my 15 year old self was not feeling that hormone-suppressed cuteness. Really, I thought it had the quality of the California Dreams theme song (video link).
Around the same time (and also out of Texas, apparently, like Hi-5), Tevin Campbell dropped "Round and Round," a Prince-produced ditty that I still find catchy. I mean, look at that big-ass suit jacket! And those opening notes! Still a little cute, but very pleasant. And when he matured and released Can We Talk? That might be one of my favorite ballads... of course, because it was written by Babyface, one of the few people who can craft a badass ballad. One day, we're gonna have ballad day here with Babyface's "Whip Appeal."
And last, while it's not my absolute favorite song, I must post New Edition's "Cool It Now." Because who brought back those bubblegum sounds in the 80's quite like they did? Ralph Tresvant and Bobby Brown were obviously the pretty boys in the group. Check out Bobby's pants, they're blue, I think. And Bell Biv Devoe... well, they were not the pretty boys. As for the song itself, you cannot say that "Cool It Now" doesn't make you want to dance. Just a little.
Before the videos, I'll add an audio link to Foster Sylvers' (little brother and occasional member of the Sylvers, a minor rival to the Jackson 5) "Misdemeanor." Total 1973 R&B, oft-sampled, fantastic song. Check it out after the jump.
Misdemeanor - Foster Sylvers
Hi-5's I Like the Way (The Kissing Game)
Click to viewTevin Campbell's Round and Round
New Edition's Cool It Now
New Edition |MTV Music
Extra video:
Tevin Campbell, Can We Talk
Tevin Campbell - New Music - More Music Videos