https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLiie7VKCuo

Now we get to the other version of Don’t Give Up. Or as I like to call it, the literal interpretation of the song Don’t Give Up. I don’t know why this version was made, but if you have only seen the beautiful version directed by Godley & Creme, then this is worth watching. It focuses on the sad meaning of the lyrics. Gabriel and Bush barely make an appearance in the music video. We instead follow the people the song is singing about.

While I don’t know for sure why this music video was made, I have a theory. I think it’s a pretty good one too. So far I have only written about three music videos directed by Godley & Creme: Don’t Give Up, Rockit, and Two Tribes. They also directed Every Breath You Take by The Police. That’s the gorgeous music video that has an interesting behind-the-scenes story. Every Breath You Take is also one of the most notoriously misinterpreted songs. So misinterpreted that people have gotten married to it and even couples sent Sting letters saying it was their song. The music video only reinforces that by not looking like anything that resembles the meaning of the song. Something tells me that while I’m sure that Gabriel thought Godley & Creme made a wonderful video, he was probably well aware of what happened to Every Breath You Take. It is very easy to watch the music video and misread what the song is about because you are overcome by the single take, the eclipse, and the deeply touching constant embrace between Gabriel and Bush. I did. I didn’t know the meaning of the song till I sat down to write these two posts.

That’s my best guess as to why this music video was commissioned. It is nowhere near as good as the original. However, it does get the meaning of the song across better. You can read more about the origin of the song over on Songfacts.

Jim Blashfield seems to have directed about 10 music videos and produced a couple of them for Sesame Street. He is still around today. You can find more information on him at his website.

Missy Stewart was the production designer on this music video. In particular, some of her last ones were for director Gus Van Sant. It should come as no surprise that she would go on to work as a production designer on a couple of Gus Van Sant films such as Good Will Hunting (1997). She is still around too, having worked on Mother’s Day this year. You can also find more information on her website.

Enjoy!