Whenever I watched any video from Danzig, I’m reminded of what Butthead (of Beavis and Butthead fame) had to say about Danzig’s video for Mother. “That little dance isn’t very cool.” I thought about that line as I watched the video for Am I Demon. Glenn Danzig looks intimidating and scary as hell and it’s easy to imagine that Tipper Gore and all the other Karens of the 80s were freaked out by not only his lyrics but also his sideburns. The music always rocks but once Danzig starts doing his little hip-shaking dance, it’s sometimes hard to take him seriously.
I would never say that Danzig’s face, though. Danzig looks like he could easily break anyone in half if they said the wrong thing. You do not want to get on Danzig’s bad side.
Back in the day, Glenn Danzig was one of the candidates to play Wolverine in one of the early and ultimately unsuccessful attempts to make an X-Men movie. It wouldn’t have been bad casting. Danzig had the right look and, even more importantly, Wolverine didn’t dance.
Before there was Film Twitter, there was this song by King Missile.
Are the song and the music video celebrating Scorsese or are they parodying his out-of-control fans? It’s probably doing both. This video was made in 1993, back when Scorsese was still best-known as a director of violent, profane gangster films. While Scorsese is still known for those films, he has also directed movies like Kundun, The Aviator,Hugo, and Silence. Of course, all of those movies came out after this song. Instead, this video ends with a flash of The Age of Innocence, a hint that Scorsese was interested in more than just being defined as a director of kinetic mafia movies.
If this song was written today, its subject would probably be Tarantino instead of Scorsese. Even though lead singer John S. Hall is supposed to be dressed up like a Scorsese gangster, he actually looks more like someone paying homage to the reservoir dogs.
When watching this video, be sure to keep an eye on the band in the background.
If I was Martin Scorsese, I probably would have gotten a restraining order after this song came out.
Eliot Sumner is the child of Gordon Sumner, better known as Sting. Dead Arms & Dead Legs was the first single off of Sumner’s 2nd album, Information. According to Sumner, the song was inspired by walking around Stonehenge and thinking about what it all meant. I have been to Stonehenge and I can verify that, if you can actually get away from all the tourists, walking around the centuries-old monument will make you question your place in the universe. It will also remind you to buy a new calendar.
Of course, if you know your British sci-fi, it might also make you think of the fate of Prof. Quatermass.
Though it may not be a Christmas song, the latest single from Ringo Starr feels appropriate for the season. Ringo sings for peace and hope in this song and he’s brought along an impressive supporting cast to help him make his case. Among those featured in the song and the video: Paul McCartney & Joe Walsh, Corinne Bailey Rae, Eric Burton, Sheryl Crow, FINNEAS, Dave Grohl, Ben Harper, Lenny Kravitz, Jenny Lewis, Steve Lukather, Chris Stapleton, and Yola.
I searched but I could not find a credited director for this video.
This song was actually recorded in 1958 and Chuck Berry died in 2017 so this video is a little bit late on both accounts but no matter! Even in cartoon form, Chuck Berry looks like a god of rock and Santa might want to redesign his own sleigh and turn it into a convertible. Seriously, a flying convertible is always going to be impressive.
It’s a good song and a cute video. Watch it because it’s Christmas.
This music video is from 1953, back before anyone had even heard the term “music video.” It originally aired on local Chicago television and it was produced by the animators at Centaur Productions. It’s said that, for two minutes, there was no mafia activity in Chicago as everyone watched Suzy Snowflake. That’s the power of the holidays!
I’m not sure if this was the first time this song was ever sung but Suzy Snowflake was subsequently covered by several artists and, in previous years, it was one of those songs that was in the regular holiday music rotation for most stores. Maybe it still is. I’m doing almost all of my Christmas shopping from home this year so I’m not really sure what they’re playing out there. Yesterday, I did my nightly Christmas shopping while listening to Britney Spears. Tonight, I’m going to listen to The Chemical Brothers and tomorrow, it’ll be time for Saint Motel. I don’t know if people are going to like their presents but I’m enjoying the soundtrack.
But anyway, back to Suzy Snowflake!
I have to admit that I really hate this song. I mean, seriously …. Suzy Snowflake just feels like she’s taunting those of us who live in the southwest. We don’t ever get any snow! Or at least, we haven’t gotten any recently. A few years ago, it actually did snow on Christmas in Dallas and I ran outside and jumped up and down and then I ended up having to say in bed for a few days because I had a pretty cold. But anyway, Suzy Snowflake plays favorites. Poor Frosty melted and Suzy apparently can’t travel any further south than Indiana. You’re a snob and an elitist, Suzy.
That said, this video is cute. The song may make me grind my teeth but I probably would have loved the video if I had been alive in 1953. And it’s a piece of history! It’s from the early days of television! You couldn’t do something like this one the radio, could you!? Go to hell, Little Orphan Annie! Drink your Ovaltine, indeed. Oddly, the video actually aired on December 28th, three days after Christmas! What’s up with that, Suzy? YOU THINK YOU’RE TOO GOOD FOR CHRISTMAS!?
I’ve got this song stuck in my head now. I’m not complaining there. This is a lot better than that old Suzy Snowflake song that was stuck in my head.
Personally, I’m on Santa’s side here. That brat doesn’t deserve any presents this year. Or any other year, as far as I’m concerned. If that leads to him embarking on a life of crime that’s fueled by holiday bitterness, so be it.
Through the Shattered Lens