By 1991, everyone was sick of him. How unpopular was Vanilla Ice? He was so unpopular that 3rd Bass scored a moderate with Pop Goes The Weasel, a song attacking him for cultural appropriation. Like Vanilla Ice, two of the rappers in 3rd Bass were Caucasian but they presented themselves as respecting rap’s traditions and history. Vanilla Ice, on the other hand, couldn’t even be bothered to give credit to Queen for stealing their bass line.
This video found a lot of popularity on MTV. Ironically, it was MTV that made Vanilla Ice a star to begin with by repeatedly playing the video for Ice Ice Baby. In this video, Vanilla Ice was played by Henry Rollins.
Director Jesse Dylan has also done videos for Tom Waits, The Black Keyes, Eels, Skid Row, Lenny Kravitz and Lita Ford. He also directed the Will Ferrell soccer epic, Kicking and Screaming.
My nylons are melting down my legs Your heart is pounding at my throat I can’t catch my breath I lost it when your fingertips Ran down my back and up my neck Your kiss makes me feel like this I’m so hungry for your sex I’m so hungry for your sex I got an appetite for love tonight I wanna taste your sweet thing I wanna feel the sting of your sex, of your sex My body all painted lipstick red We ripped the sheets right off the bed My fingernails left fiery trails Across your back, oh, tell me baby How’d you like that little pussycat scratch I’m so hungry for your sex I’m so hungry for your sex I got an appetite for love tonight I wanna taste your sweet thing I wanna feel the sting of your sex, of your sex I’m so hungry for your sex I’m so hungry for your sex I’m so hungry for your sex I got an appetite for love tonight I wanna taste your sweet thing I wanna feel the sting of your sex, of your sex I’m so hungry for your…
I’m not sure how you go from those lyrics to Alice in Wonderland, though Wonderland in this video is portrayed as being a very dark place. While Alice explores, Lita Ford writhes in a shallow pool of water. How it all links up is anyone’s guess.
This video was directed by Jesse Dylan, who also did videos for Lenny Kravitz and 3rd Bass.
I love this song. It’s simple but it’s profound and I think the video works for the exact same reason. Sometimes, you don’t need to be flashy. You don’t need to show off. Sometimes, you just have to let the music do its thing.
I know I can’t speak for everyone, but I first became aware of and fell in love with this song when it became The Smoking Man’s theme from The X-Files. It was also used in the Scream films. I don’t really watch TV of any kind these days, but from what I have read, the song has also been used on the show Peaky Blinders. In addition, it has become the inspiration for a Dr. Seuss Book in Australia.
The title of song comes from the phrase “red right hand” in John Milton’s poem Paradise Lost referring to the vengeful hand of God. Songfacts says the song itself is a “semi-comically melodramatic take on Stephen King’s novel The Stand [depicting] a nightmarish figure emerging on ‘the edge of town.'” Thank you once again, Songfacts!
It has been a couple of years since I read the book, but it’s difficult to forget the character of Trashcan Man. As I recall, he was largely left out of mini-series, but he has an interesting storyline that runs parallel with the main plot. He really is the most important character because it is him that brings the WMD to Las Vegas that allows God to reach down in order to destroy the den of sin that Randall Flagg has created there. The “Red Right Hand”. The lyrics of the song, and the music video itself are what come to your mind when you are reading the Trashcan Man sections. He is a deeply troubled person who has a rather horrifying journey, but one that pulls him eventually to Las Vegas as if he has been called on high to be the enabler of the hand of God on Earth. The evil figure spoken of and portrayed as a serial killer in the music video could be Randall Flagg (essentially the Anti-Christ) and/or the murderous The Kid who was left out of the original printing of the book.
It is always interesting to see them using black and white past the 80s in music videos. Otherwise it is a simple music video that follows the dark narrative that–much like Jace Everett’s Bad Things–could be placed over any scenes with characters that are evil in some fashion, and it wouldn’t seem out of place. I can see why YouTube recommends a video of Psycho Killer by Talking Heads when I finish watching the music video. I can also see why it has been used so many times in film and television since its’ release.
Director Jesse Dylan has done 30+ music videos. You might also know him as the director of American Wedding (2003) and Kicking & Screaming (2005).
Through the Shattered Lens 