Music Video of the Day: Don’t Tread On Me by Metallica (2021, directed by ????)


Metallica has never released an official music video for Don’t Tread On Me so, for our purposes, we’ll have to settle for this live performance.  The band was performing in Kentucky when this video was filmed.

Don’t Tread On Me was originally included on 1991’s Metallica.  When asked about the song, James Hetfield replied, “America, it’s a good fucking place.”

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Enjoy!

Song of the Day: My Country, ‘Tis Of Thee, interpreted by Hans Zimmer


This version of My Country, ‘Tis of Thee was composed by Hans Zimmer for 2000’s The Patriot.

I don’t care what anyone else says.  The fact that we took the British national anthem and turned into a pro-American song is really badass.

Music Video of the Day: You Don’t Know How It Feels by Tom Petty (1994, directed by Phil Joanu)


Shockingly enough, this song and video was actually considered to be controversial in 1994.  Today, we just wish that Tom Petty was still here to roll another joint.

This video was directed by Phil Joanu, who directed several videos for both Tom Petty and U2.  He also directed films like State of Grace and Gridiron Gang.

Enjoy!

Music Video of the Day: A Farewell to Kings by Rush (1977, directed by ????)


It’s Canada Day so let’s give our neighbors up north a shout-out by featuring Rush.

To quote Neil Peart, this song “seems to encapsulate everything that we want Rush to represent.”  The song is about dealing with the hypocrisy and finding your own truth, away from the demands of the establishment and the so-called “kings” who think that it is their place to tell others how to live their lives and what to believe.

Both the song and the music video are filled with imagery that harkens back to the Middle Ages, a reminder that hypocrites have always been there and they always will be but that the people will always find a way to be free.

Enjoy!

Music Video of the Day: My Head’s In Mississippi by ZZ Top (1991, directed by Tim Newman)


With this music video, ZZ Top show that they were about more than just legs and fast cars.  This video and song sees the band putting their own spin on the blues.

Director Tim Newman directed most of ZZ Top’s best-known videos.  He also worked with Lou Reed, Huey Lewis & The News, and a several other bands of the 80s.

Enjoy!

Music Video of the Day: Paradise City by Guns N’ Roses (1988, directed by Nigel Dick)


Paradise City seems to be the Guns N’ Roses song that’s liked even by people who don’t like Guns N’ Roses.

Paradise City is a good song and a good video.  The video keeps things effectively simple, with clips of the band performing the song at Giants Stadium mixed in with behind-the-scenes footage of the band.  All of the members of the band look like they’re getting along and, at no point, do Slash and Axl look like they’re about to come to blows.  It’s a look at Guns N’ Roses that definitely goes against their later reputation for intraband strife.

This is what I like to call a “They sure can play” video because the emphasis is on the band as professional musicians who know what they’re doing and who aren’t just spending all of their time doing drugs and entertaining groupies.  I’m usually not a fan of these type of videos because they often feel phony but it works for Guns ‘N Roses because they really could play.

Enjoy!