Rest in peace, Steve Harwell.
Author Archives: Jedadiah Leland
Music Video of the Day: Jamie’s Cryin’ by Van Halen (1978, directed by ????)
For today’s Labor Day music video of the day, we have one of the earliest videos from Van Halen.
Jamie’s Cryin’ first appeared on Van Halen’s debut album and it was the third released single to come from that album. Though it didn’t chart, it was a favorite of both Eddie Van Halen’s and David Lee Roth’s. Eddie would later say that he regretted that Jamie’s Cryin’ was not the first single to be released from their debut.
Enjoy!
Music Video of the Day: Margaritaville by Jimmy Buffett (1978, directed by ????)
Rest in Peace, Jimmy Buffett.
Music Video of the Day: I Want You by Animotion (1986, directed by Nick Morris)
As a group, Animotion is destined to be most remembered for Obsession but they did record other songs. I Want You appeared on Animotion’s second studio album and was one of the first single releases from it. Despite a good beat and a video that was very MTV-friendly, it only reached the 84th position on the U.S. charts. It was, however, considerably more popular in Germany, reaching the 24th position.
Nick Morris, the prolific director of this video, also did videos for Big Country, Cliff Richard, Europe, Cheap Trick, and Mister Mister. He also directed a production of The Toxic Avenger: The Musical, which was released in 2018.
Enjoy!
Music Video of the Day: No More Tears by Ozzy Osbourne (1991, directed by Ralph Ziman)
If you are crying so much that you flood the room, it might be a good idea to take the song’s title to heart. The little girl at the end of the video is played by Ozzy Osbourne’s daughter, Kelly.
This song, which Ozzy has said is actually about a serial killer, was the title track from Osbourne’s 6th solo album. The video was directed by Ralph Ziman, who also did videos for Vanessa Williams, Toni Braxton, Alice Cooper, L.A. Gun, and Faith No More.
Enjoy!
Music Video of the Day: Kickstart My Heart by Mötley Crüe (1989, directed by Wayne Isham)
Today’s music video of the day was filmed at Hollywood’s famed Whisky a Go Go, while Mötley Crüe was preparing to embark on their tour promoting Dr. Feelgood. Did Sam Kinison really drive the band to their performance? It wouldn’t surprise me if I did. More than any other stand-up, Sam Kinison was the comedic voice of heavy metal.
This video was directed by Wayne Isham, who directed videos for practically everyone.
Enjoy!
Music Video of the Day: Alive by Beastie Boys (1999, directed by Adam Yauch)
In today’s music video of the day, Beastie Boys once again show that they could make practically any activity look cool.
Alive was the first single to be released off of Beastie Boys Anthology: The Sounds of Science. While it didn’t chart in the United States, it did make it to the 22nd position on the New Zealand Singles Chart.
Enjoy!
Music Video of the Day: Unchained by Van Halen (1981, directed by ????)
Today’s music video of the day is an early one from Van Halen. Coming from 1981, this video was a product of the time when videos were usually performance clips that focused on showing off the skills of the musicians.
As with all of the early Van Halen videos, this one balances the technical skills and talent of Eddie Van Halen with David Lee Roth’s sense of showmanship. David Lee Roth and Van Halen had their conflicts but they were always at their best when they were performing together.
Enjoy!
Music Video of the Day: I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing by Aerosmith (1997, directed by Francis Lawrence)
The video for this song, written for the film Armageddon, was filmed at the Minneapolis Armory. Along with featuring clips from the movie, the video pays tribute to the real-life American space shuttle program. When this song came out in 1997, it was inescapable. As with any popular song, there was a backlash but I defy anyone to get the chorus out of their head after they hear it.
Director Francis Lawrence directed music videos or just about everyone before starting a career as a feature film director, directing Constantine, I Am Legend, Water For Elephants, Red Sparrow, and the sequels to The Hunger Games.
Enjoy!
Music Video Of The Day: Who Will Save Your Soul by Jewel (1994, directed by Geoff Moore)
This video was shot at the Los Angeles City Hall and it played a big role of turning Jewel, who had been living in a van just a few years previously, into a star. Appropriately, this was also the first song that Jewel ever wrote, while she was 16 years old and hitchhiking through Mexico.
Director Geoff Moore is best-known as a photographer, whose work appeared in GQ, Elle, and Playboy. Along with directing commercials for Diesel, T-Mobile, Levis, and Converse. He has also shot videos for The Cardigans, Goo Goo Dolls, Suzanne Vega, Royal Crown Revue, NOFX, Reel Big Fish, and Blessid Union of Souls.
Enjoy!
Through the Shattered Lens 