Best known as one of the Danzig songs that is not a remake of Mother, DirtyBlackSummer appeared on Danzig’s third album, HowTheGodsKill. It was one of the more popular songs to appear on that album (which, overall, is considered to be one of Danzig’s best) and the band continues to regularly perform it to this day.
The video is unique because it was directed by Anton Corbijn, the Dutch photographer who directed videos from Depeche Mode, U2, and Nirvana. (He was the director behind the video for Heart–ShapedBox). Corbijn has since gone on to direct feature films as well, Control, The American, and Most Wanted Man.
Long before Hugh Jackman got the role, Glenn Danzig was considered for the role of Wolverine in a potential X-Men feature film. I think he would have rocked that roll.
Depending on the source, the “paper in fire” that John Mellencamp sings about in this song either refers to the dreams of those looking to get out of living below the poverty line or a verse in the Bible in which Hell is called “paper in fire.” One thing that everyone agrees on is that the line “we keep no check on our appetites” is a reference to Hud, which is one of Mellencamp’s favorite movies.
The video was shot outside of a house on a dirt road near Savannah, Georgia. Mellencamp wanted to highlight the poverty that many Americans were living under. This video was also shot at a time when Mellencamp was still trying to escape from the “Johnny Cougar” persona that was forced on him early on in his career. (In fact, at the time this song was recorded, he was still officially known as John Cougar Mellencamp.)
The Page 3 Girls were a long-stranding tradition in the UK. In the often cut-throat world of British journalism, certain publishers realized that the best way to beat the competition was to not only offer important news, brilliant editorials, and attention-grabbing headlines but also to offer up naked models. Starting with the Sun in 1970, most British tabloids would include a topless centerfold on the third page of their newspaper. That way, men could discreetly buy the Sun at the newsstand (and perhaps chuckle at headlines like, “”If Neil Kinnock wins today will the last person to leave Britain please turn out the lights,”) and then turn to page 3 as soon as they were in the back of a taxi. As a teenager visiting family the UK in the 90s, I always made sure to pick up the new edition of the Sun, The Mirror, and News of the World. Today, of course, the Page 3 Girls are largely a thing of the past and it’s acknowledged that it was all a bit misogynistic. But, back in the day, it was just a part of daily life in the UK.
In the early and mid-80s, Samantha Fox was one of the top Page 3 Girls. She went from modeling to acting and singing. Love House was a single off of her third album. Today, it’s usually listed as being one of the first acid house single to appear on mainstream charts. As with many of Fox’s hits, the songs popularity was aided by a music video that made good use of Fox’s assets. The video for Love House contrasts Fox’s sex appeal with several images that appear to have been lifted from popular horror films.
The song is pretty good too. Because of her background, Samantha Fox was underrated as a singer and she’s never quite gotten the credit that she deserves. However, she is still a cultural icon in the UK, where she’s appeared on editions of Celebrity Big Brother and I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, along with remaining an activist for LGBT rights.
Yesterday, many of us woke up to this sad message from Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard of ZZ Top:
“We are saddened by the news today that our Compadre, Dusty Hill, has passed away in his sleep at home in Houston, TX. We, along with legions of ZZ Top fans around the world, will miss your steadfast presence, your good nature and enduring commitment to providing that monumental bottom to the ‘Top’. We will forever be connected to that “Blues Shuffle in C.”
You will be missed greatly, amigo.
Frank & Billy
Dusty Hill was 72 years old and died in his sleep in Houston, Texas. Though it’s already been announced that ZZ Top will continue with longtime band associate Elwood Francis replacing Hill, it’s still hard not to feel that an era has come to a close.
Today’s music video of the day is ZZ Top’s cover of Viva Las Vegas. Rest in Peace, Dusty Hill.
With the world’s eyes currently on Tokyo and the Summer Olympics, it only seems appropriate that today’s music video of the day should be one that was filmed in Tokyo. In SuperLove, Charli XCX explores Japan’s capital. This video was directed by Ryan Andrews, who was also responsible for directing several other music videos for Charli XCX, as well as directing the 2012 horror film, Elfie Hopkins.
Today’s music video of the day is the latest from Camila Cabello. I like the opening of this video, with obvious rear projection being used to make it appear as if Camila’s driving. I also liked the sight of that miniature car pulling up to the house. The best videos are the ones that seem to take place in their own parallel universe and that’s certainly the case with this one.
This song is from Public Service Broadcasting’s third album, Every Valley. Every Valley came out after The Race For Space first introduced a lot of us to this wonderful British band. Every Valley definitely deserves to be better known, as does the group itself. So, to do my little bit to help out, I’m proud to make this today’s music video of the day!
This is the video for Party in the U.S.A., which Miley later said was meant to be a celebration of 1) Grease, 2) her parents, and 3) “high gloss, glamorous white trash.” I don’t know if I would ever openly admit to celebrating both my parents and white trash in the same video but whatever. The important thing is that everyone appears to be enjoying themselves and that’s what matters the most. If you’re not having fun, why even appear in a music video, right?
Seriously, it’s time to party in the U.S.A. May this video serve as your guide.
I have to admit that, after watching this video, I’m a bit worried about Debbie Gibson. She can still sing but is she being held prisoner? Is she trapped in a fantasy world of her own creation? Has she been abducted by the Phantom of the Opera? Will she be available for the next Mega Shark movie? There are a lot of ways to interpret this video.
At first, I thought this might be a tribute to the Scorsese film but apparently, it’s not. Instead, it’s juts a song about someone who either is a taxi drive or who is fantasizing about being a taxi driver. Myself, I like the look of this video. It’s very atmospheric and dream-like.
