February 28, 2005
As a child of the 80’s, I had the pleasure of going through my teen years with one of the greatest things man ever accomplished: MTV.
I’m talking about the “good” MTV, of course, back when they played videos (no, kids, TRL is NOT real videos like MTV once was). Not the dreck that’s on now, real music television. Twenty years on and I can still name the five original veejays. If you’re over 30 and under 40-ish, you can probably name them all, too.
For those not in the know: Martha Quinn, Alan Hunter, J.J. Jackson, Nina Blackwood, and Mark Goodman.
I remember the rocket, the astronaut, and the logo’d flag on the moon. And the guitar. I remember the oh-so-cool videos then that make me cringe to see now (remember Tarzan Boy? Younger readers will recognize the song from the Listerine Cool Mint commercials in the mid-90’s). I remember hour after hour sitting in front of the TV, waiting to see just one more video. Sadly, the real MTV died near the end of the 80’s, and I thought it would never return.
Now, over 15 years later, I’ve found a new MTV on our digital cable. The channel is called “VH-1 Mega Hits”, and I’ve fallen back in love with music videos. Most nights (when my current unnamed geek project isn’t kicking my ass) I spend an hour or more sitting in front of the TV, reading and watching videos.
VH-1 Mega Hits isn’t straight rock, the music has a definite alternative swing to it, and videos are mostly from today, with the occasional 90’s song thrown in for good measure. There are few commercials, and the commercials are all for VH-1 stuff. No real advertising on the channel.
Just videos.
As I’m one to share with you guys things I like, I’ve culled up some links to my current batch of favorite videos, which I’d like to offer for your perusal:
- The Killers - Mr. Brightside : Yes, I know I’ve linked to this video before, but dammit, it’s my site and I love this song. So much, in fact, that I bought the CD this weekend. Doesn’t everybody love a good song about voyeurism? As an added bonus, look for Eric Roberts in the video. (band link)
- The Killers - Somebody Told Me : More from the same guys, only this one’s about…well, just watch it and see.
- Keane - Somewhere Only We Know : I bought this CD along with “Hot Fuss” from The Killers this weekend. And season 3 of “The Shield”, along with season 1 of “The Greatest American Hero”. And a jock strap for my soon-to-be achy breaky balls. Believe it or not, I didn’t get a strange look at the checkout. (band link)
- Jet - Look What You’ve Done : I couldn’t find the American version of this video, which features the band playing and singing in an animated forest (with some uber-creepy creatures toward the end of the song); this version is the British version. (band link)
- Velvet Revolver - Fall To Pieces : What a great fucking song and video, about the lead singer’s struggles with his heroin addiction. Look closely; you’ll see several familiar faces in this band. And as an added bonus, Scott Wieland (lead singer) channels Mick Jagger a couple of times with his dance moves at the mic. (band link)
- Finger Eleven - One Thing : Robyn loves this song even more than I do. The lead singer reminds me of someone, but I can’t put my finger on who it is. (band link)
- Modest Mouse - Ocean Breathes Salty : I hated this song the first few times I heard it, and would change channels to one of the other video ones (usually VH-1 Classic, to see some 80’s stuff). But they played it so much it started growing on me and now I like it. It’s a weird video, with the whole bird thing going on, but a nifty concept. (band link)
- Modest Mouse - Float On : Another one from the guys above, and another strange video. I don’t care, I like it. Particularly when he jumps his voice around.
- U2 - Vertigo : Though listening to Bono talk about world affairs tends to annoy me, the man has a beautiful voice when he uses it to sing, and this song shows it (when he’s not talking the verses, that is). As an added bonus, I think the smoke trail effect is about the coolest thing I’ve seen in a video in a long time. (band link)
- Snow Patrol - Run : Another video I initially didn’t care for, but that grew on me. I love the chorus especially. (band link)
- The Music - Breakin’ : Just shut up. I like it, okay? I find myself whistling that damn tune when I’m out hiking. It’s catchy. (band link)
- Green Day - Boulevard of Broken Dreams : I’d just like to point out that I loved this song / video way before it became the #1 song in the country. Because I’m cool (shut up). (band link)
- Green Day - American Idiot : The song might be getting old, but dammit, it’s a good song. So go watch the video.
Looking over my list, something jumps out at me. Apparently I don’t like female singers. Just men with high voices who could pass as females.
In any case, I hope you enjoyed them. Feel free to share your favorite songs / videos in the comments.
Robyn tells me I’ve gone country. Gone country, my ass.
