Tag: Friday Videos (Page 10 of 20)

Friday Video – Tears for Fears, “The Working Hour”

July 15, 2011 / David Medsker

Friday Video is on vacation this week. Of course, by the time you read this, I will be back from vacation, but still on vacation. Big, big car trip in my future, and when I think of being in the car for a long period of time, I think of driving music. And when I think of driving music, I immediately think of one band: Tears for Fears.

It’s still mind-boggling to think that Tears for Fears were one of the biggest bands of the ’80s. Not because they didn’t deserve it – because they absolutely did – but because they had nothing in common with the other big-name acts. In a world where every female between the ages of 15 and 30 dressed like Madonna and guys listened to Ratt, how did these two shy boys from Bath dominate the pop charts? It’s one of those rare happy accidents. Or perhaps it goes back to my original point, which is that Songs from the Big Chair is one of the greatest driving albums of all time. Three of the four songs from its first side hit the US charts (two of which went to #1), but it’s the non-hit “The Working Hour” that really gets us going. It’s not a particularly happy song – the band were frustrated with how they had become a machine, which is why Roland Orzabal says in the chorus “we are paid by those who learn by our mistakes” – but you’d be wise to keep the car on cruise control when the drums hit, or you’re likely to put the pedal to the floor. See you next week.

Music, Videos

Curt Smith Friday Videos greatest driving album ever Happy Hour Roland Orzabal Songs from the Big Chair Tears for Fears The Working Hour video of the week

Friday Video – The New Pornographers, “The Laws Have Changed”

July 8, 2011 / David Medsker

We’re not ones to miss an opportunity to pimp one of our favorite bands from the Great White North, and even better, this clip comes with one of the hottest women ever. EVER. Seriously, who is that blonde in the ’60s mini? Guuuuuuuh. She makes us tingly.

And Neko Case (above), she’s not bad, either. Not bad at all.

As for the clip itself, our two-second internet research says that it is inspired by the 1965 film “Simon of the Desert,” where a man wanting to be closer to God climbs a pillar. That would certainly explain the girl’s clothes, not that they need any explaining. Did we mention the girl in this video is GORGEOUS?

Enough of our heavy breathing. Do some heavy breathing of your own. Happy Friday.

Music, The Opposite Sex, Videos

Carl Newman Electric Version Friday Videos Happy Hour Neko Case The Laws Have Changed The New Pornographers video of the week

Friday Video – Independence Day two-fer: The Beatles and Rage Against the Machine

July 1, 2011 / David Medsker

Granted, neither of these songs is actually about the American Revolution, but last time we checked, there weren’t a whole lot of songs written about The Revolutionary War that would make for good background music during happy hour, so we’re going with songs that approach the theme, if not the subject. First up, the only band that matters: The Beatles.

There is a great story about Paul McCartney showing up at a record release party for the Rolling Stones’ Beggars Banquet, where lucky members of the public are hearing “Sympathy for the Devil” and “Street Fighting Man” for the first time, and they’re duly impressed. So Paul, innocently or not so innocently, asked if he could play an acetate of a couple tracks the Beatles had just recorded. They said sure, and Paul drops “Hey Jude” and “Revolution,” at which point Mick Jagger is absolutely furious because once again, the Beatles are two steps ahead of the Stones. And at their own record release party, no less. Ow.

There are no entertaining stories around our second song, though. The music video is a giant plea for lenience in the case against Leonard Peltier, a Nativa American activist who received to consecutive life sentences in 1977 for the deaths of two FBI agents. All right, who wants to party? Woooooooo!

Music, Videos

Freedom Friday Videos Happy Hour Rage Against the Machine Revolution The Beatles The White Album video of the week

Friday Video – Gary Numan, “Cars”

June 24, 2011 / David Medsker

Following last week’s tribute to “The Green Lantern” with a couple of green-themed songs, we would have been fools not to take advantage of a similar tie-in with a certain Pixar movie that a certain someone’s four-year-old son is positively dying to see. Maybe we’ll see someone singing this at a karaoke bar during one of the Tokyo scenes. (As it turns out, no one sings “Cars,” but Weezer sings “You Might Think” by the Cars. And it’s pretty lame.)

It seems amazing that this song was such a big hit at the time. Not because it didn’t deserve to be, because it absolutely did, but because there wasn’t anything else on American radio at the time that sounded remotely like it. What’s even more impressive is how well the song has held up sonically. Whenever someone makes a record using cutting-edge technology, it almost instantly sounds dated. Not this song, and it’s likely because Numan was smart enough to use real drums and an analog bass to anchor the track.

Bonus video: here’s a clip for the B-side to “Cars” (yes, we had the 45), a nifty little track called “Metal.” Almost as awesome as its A-side.

Music, Videos

Cars Disney Friday Videos Gary Numan Happy Hour Metal Pixar The Pleasure Principle video of the week

Friday Video – ‘Green’ two-fer: Dink and New Order

June 17, 2011 / David Medsker

With “The Green Lantern” assaulting the multiplexes this weekend, we thought we’d do a themed piece to go with it. First up: Dink, a Kent, OH quintet that scored a modern rock hit with this little aggro dance number “Green Mind.” (Think Soul Coughing, but more aggressive.) Always loved this song, and watching the video now is so amusing. Look at how much fun those kids are having. Not sure they’d be allowed to mosh like that now. Bonus points to the band for sampling Kenneth Mars from the 1968 version of “The Producers” (the 1-2-3-4 count-off in German). And of course, for that great, great intro. “Frankly, I’m getting a little ticked off.” “Go to hell.” Awesome.

Second, we have New Order’s “Everything’s Gone Green,” where the remaining members of Joy Division were still trying to find themselves after lead singer Ian Curtis committed suicide. You can definitely hear the groundwork for “Blue Monday,” which would appear a year and change later, being laid down here.

Lastly, for no real reason other than to pretty up this post when it hits our Facebook page, here is a picture of New Order. You have to hand it to them — they were pretty indifferent to fashion and style trends, and that’s a good thing. It gives them a timeless look, and ultimately, we believe that is how New Order will go down in history. These songs are going to live forever.