Tag Archives: music video of the day

Music Video of the Day: Bette Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes (1981, dir by Russell Mulcahy)

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

110 years ago today, Bette Davis was born in Lowell, Massachusetts.  That makes the choice for today’s music video of the day an easy one.

Bette Davis Eyes was originally written in 1974 by Donna Weiss and Jackie DeShannon and was recorded by DeShannon.  However, it wasn’t until 1981, when the song was covered by Kim Carnes, that Bette Davis Eyes became a hit.  It spent nine weeks at the top of the Billboard 100 and was named Song of the Year and Record of the Year at the Grammy Awards.

One fan of the song was Bette Davis herself, who sent a note to Weiss, DeShannon, and Carnes in which she thanked them for making her “a part of modern times.”  Davis also said that her grandson never looked up to her until he heard this song.

The video was directed by Russell Mulcahy, who directed several music videos in the early 80s.  The famous silhouette of Davis smoking can be spotted throughout.

Enjoy!

Music Video of the Day: Breakin’ A Sweet by Skrillex (feat. The Doors) (2013, dir by Radical Friend)

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

For today’s music video of the day, we have the wonderfully strange video for Skrillex’s Breakin’ A Sweat.  The song incorporates a sample from an interview that Jim Morrison gave in the 60s, while the remaining vocals are provided by the surviving members of The Doors.

As for the video itself, it’s tempting (for me, at least!) to compare the opening to any of the numerous shark films that have been broadcast on SyFy over the past few years.  (Planet of the Sharks comes immediately to mind.)  However, this video actually released a year before Sharknado breathed new life into the killer shark genre.  So, really, this video was a bit ahead of its time as far as killer sharks were concerned.

Of course, no sooner have the aliens escaped the sharks and had delightful alien sex than they somehow find themselves in our world, having to deal with helicopters and cars.  Why do the two aliens get zapped into our world at the end of the video?  Who knows?  Who cares?  Perhaps we should worry less about the exact reason and instead just observe the fact that it happened.

Hopefully, the baby will be okay.

Enjoy!

Music Video of the Day: Brando by Scott Walker + Sunn O))) (2014, dir by Gisele Vienne)

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Today would have been Marlon Brando’s 94th birthday so it seems appropriate that today’s music video should be for a song that was, at least partially, inspired by Marlon Brando’s career!

In 2014 interview, Scott Walker explained the idea behind this song, saying that he found that there were several movies that features scenes of Marlon Brando being physically assaulted.  Along with detailing some of the assaults that Brando suffered on screen, the song serves as a tribute to sadomasochism in general.

In the third verse, there are several references to Brando’s films.  First there’s mention of Brando getting beat up by John Saxon in The Appaloosa.  “I took it from dad” is probably a reference to One-Eyed Jacks, the only film that Brando ever directed.  Fat Johnny Friendly was the racketeer played by Lee J. Cobb in On The Waterfront while the three vigilantes are a reference to Brando’s role in The Chase.  “I took it for The Wild One” is obviously a reference to the film of the same name.  As “Lizbeth,” that’s presumably a reference to Elizabeth Taylor, who beat Brando with a riding crop in Reflections in a Golden Eye.

Enjoy!

Music Video of the Day: Don’t You Worry Child by Swedish House Mafia (2012, dir by Christian Larson)

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

For today’s music video of the day, we have Swedish House Mafia’s Don’t You Worry Child.  This was their 6th and, to date, final single.

(I say “to date” because some of us continue to hope that they’ll eventually get back together for more than just a one-night appearance at the Ultra Music Festival.)

This video was shot during the group’s final performance in the UK, at the National Bowl in Milton Keynes.

Enjoy!

Music Video of the Day: And You’re Not by Etan Salomon (2013, dir by Glendon and Isabella)

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

I have to say thank you to Evelyn Spurlock for recommending this video to me!

This song is performed by Etan Salomon, who is also the lead vocalist of Tetish.

The animation (and, I’m going to guess, the direction) is credited to Glendon and Isabella, who are credited with directing over 11 other music videos as well.

Enjoy!

Music Video of The Day: One (Your Name) by Swedish House Mafia featuring Pharrell Williams (2010, dir by Henrik Hanson and Christian Larson)

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

I don’t really have much to say about this video, other than it’s Swedish House Mafia so I love it.  If it makes you want to dance, then it’s done its job.

Enjoy!