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!

Music Video of the Day: Heart and Soul by Huey Lewis & The News (1983, directed by David Rathod)


It doesn’t get more 80s than Huey Lewis and The News.  In this video, we discover that even Huey sometimes feels out of place.  The woman who catches Huey’s eye is played by actress Signy Coleman.

Director David Rathod also did the video for I Want A New Drug.

Enjoy!

Music Video of the Day: Soldierhead by Newsted (2013, directed by Leon Melas)


Jason Newsted and his then-band rock out in this video and remind us all of what metal is supposed to be.  Newsted has said that this song is about fighting for what you want and for what you believe and that’s something that Newsted has done over the course of his entire career.

Director Leon Melas has also done music videos for Rick Monroe, David Also, Chantel, and others.

Enjoy!

Music Video of the Day: I Wanna Be With You by Pretty Boy Floyd (1989, directed by ????)


The lead singer of Pretty Boy Floyd wants to be with you, even if it means calling in the middle of a performance.  This video is shot in black-and-white so you know it’s artistic.

Pretty Boy Floyd may not have been the most aggressive of the hair metal bands but they could still probably beat up Winger.

Enjoy!

Music Video of the Day: Shake Me by Cinderella (1986, directed by Mark Rezyka)


In 1986, a real-life Cinderella wants to see the band that uses her name.  Her wicked sisters have other plans.   It’s a good thing that she’s got a magic guitar.  She not only goes to the concert but she also leaves with the band and hopefully, she’ll eventually hook up with Bon Jovi.

Mark Rezyka also directed videos for KISS, Testament, Joan Jett and Survivor, amongst others.

Enjoy!

 

Music Video of the Day: Pay No Mind (Snoozer) by Beck (1994, directed by Steve Hanft)


This song finds Beck in a folk mood.  It took a lot of people by surprise in 1994, when Beck was still best-known for Loser.  This is one of the songs that showed Beck wasn’t going to be the one-hit wonder that many people expected.

Director Steve Hanft has also done videos for Pride & Glory, Milk Dee, Hootie & The Blowfish, Eels, and … Carrot Top?  Everyone has to make a living.

Enjoy!