2003 in review, part 3: music videos (Updated on Christmas Eve, 2003)
MTV does it; so does VH1. How nice of both networks to crowd the occasional music video into their busy schedule of reality, pop culture and "I love the (insert favorite decade here" programming. So if they can do a music video countdown, by golly, so can bloggedy blog -- even in a year of sub-par music videos. Here we go, now (all song titles are links to video files or pages containing video files):
First, "Stacy's Mom": It's every junior high schoolboy's fantasy: dating a cute girl who's mom is a supermodel who pole-dances in the kitchen while you and her daughter watch music videos. (Actually, you're not watching no stinkin' music video; you're casting furtive, lustful glances at Stacy's Mom, you naughty boy.) The song is stupid, but what makes the video so brilliant is its homage to a classic scene from one of the great coming-of-age movies of all time: Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Only in the video, Rachel Hunter plays Phoebe Cates' role of swimming-pool seductress. I heard or read somewhere that Fountains of Wayne is actually a pretty decent band, but they'll be forever tarnished by one silly song -- much like the Buggles were for "Video Killed the Radio Star." Oh, well. The price of fame, I suppose.
The "Where Is the Love?" video was the best social commentary to hit the airwaves in 2003. This video depicts the Peas as urban guerrillas for social justice, asking the question that ought to be asked in our churches: "Where is the love?"
4. "Going Under," by Evanescence. The lead singer chick, Amy Lee, goes goth in this ethereal video featuring some great montage and camera work, and one of the best treatments of concert footage I've seen all year. The song and video begin out of nowhere -- quick, choppy rhythm guitar underscoring the singer's otherworldly voice. This is what a goth video should look like. Forget about all that Marilyn Manson crap (well, except for the cover to Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams," which I really like). This song's lyrics are filled with spiritual undercurrents, though not as much as Evanescence's more popular "Bring Me to Life." Earlier this year, Evanescence ignited a controversy among the contemporary Christian music scene with some disparaging comments about CCM. You probably won't find their CD Fallen in Christian music stores.
3. "I'm Glad," by Jennifer Lopez. Maybe I'm just getting nostalgic for the early '80s (see No. 5 in our countdown, above), but I really like this homage to the 1983 movie Flashdance. J. Lo does a nice job channeling Jennifer Beals in this video, which ended up being the subject of a lawsuit because it was a bit too much like the original. Anyway, it's a great video for the choreography alone. But as with all J. Lo videos, it's much better with the volume turned down. Way down.
2. "Hey Ya," by OutKast. More nostalgia -- this time, way back to the '60s and the Beatles' debut on the Ed Sullivan Show. Great video: OutKast's Andre performs with straight hair, in jockey suits, bare-chested behind the drums, and in lots and lots of green. This video makes me smile.
1. "Hurt," by Johnny Cash. Cash's final video may have been his greatest ever. A look back at his tumultuous life through the lens of Mark Romanek, Cash gives voice to a Nine-Inch Nails tune that seems written just for him. If you haven't seen this video, you must click on the link above and let this visual montage overwhelm you.