Both this video and this post count as a rush job. I’m writing this at the last second so I picked an easy video to write about. Meanwhile, in 1989, Richard Marx was so busy touring that director Jim Yukich was forced to go with a simple approach to the video for Right Here Waiting. The footage of Marx performing the song in an empty auditorium was filmed in Los Angeles during a soundcheck. Black-and-white tour footage was then added to turn that soundcheck into a music video. Though the video was simple by necessity, it also captured the loneliness of being on the road and separated from your significant other.
Right Here Waiting was the second single off of Marx’s second studio album, Repeat Offender. He wrote the song for his then-wife Cynthia Rhodes, who was shooting a film in South Africa. It went on to become one of Marx’s biggest hits and is still regularly covered by other artists.
Today’s music video of the day is Richard Marx’s Don’t Mean Nothin’. This video was directed by Dominic Sena, who later directed films like Kalifornia, Gone in 60 Seconds, and Swordfish. Let’s break it down and see if this video really don’t mean nothin’.
0:03 — I’m not sure but I think we may be in Hollywood.
0:04 — These scenes of Los Angeles street life will be familiar to anyone who has ever seen a movie about a small town girl moving to the big city to pursue her dreams.
0:18 — Welcome to Shangri-La!
0:26 — Cynthia Rhodes plays the small town girl. You may recognize her from Flashdance, Staying Alive, and Dirty Dancing. At the time this video was shot, she was dating Richard Marx. She would marry him a year later. They divorced in 2014.
0:38 — The sleazy apartment manager is played by the one and only G.W. Bailey. Bailey has been in a ton of television shows and movies. If you don’t know him from M*A*S*H, you probably know him from the Police Academy films.
0:48 — Cynthia knows what ol’ G.W. was doing back there.
0:55 — Richard Marx’s father was in advertising and Richard Marx started his singing career when he was five years old and he performed a jingle that his father had written. When Marx was 17, he moved to Los Angeles. This song was based on his experiences.
1:14 — Cynthia’s barely been in Hollywood for a week and she’s already got an audition! That’s better that most small town girls do in the big city.
1:38 — Another great moment from G.W. Bailey.
1:53 — Cynthia is shocked! to discover what goes on in Hollywood.
2:09 — Richard says, “Drink up and enjoy the show!” Cynthia is not amused.
2:24 — More Hollywood stock footage.
2:44 — That’s Joe Walsh of the Eagles on guitar.
2:59 — Proof that this video was made in 1988: Richard hands over a cassette of his music.
3:24 — Disgusted to see that Cynthia’s become either a maid or a waitress, Richard stops the music and throws away his future.
3:27 — There’s a lot of hockey hair in this video.
3:38 — Ol’ G.W.’s in trouble now.
3:42 — Are they taking pictures of G.W. getting beaten up? Or does G.W. own a strobe light?
4:08 — Cynthia finally feels comfortable enough to wear an ugly sweater in L.A. and Richard has switched to decaf.
4:20 — A new small town girl arrives. Cynthia tells her where she can find Ol’ G.W.
4:24 — Cynthia and Richard shares a smile and a private laugh as the new girl naively plunges into the moral abyss that is Hollywood.
Another day and another entry leading up to Valentines Day. Yeah, I know some don’t like this particular holiday. Some think it’s become too commercialized, but I’ve always remained a romantic at heart and I can’t help but look forward to this day.
Even when single this day was a special day to reflect on relationships past. Remembering the good and fun times while trying to learn from the mistakes.
The latest “Song of the Day” comes straight out of my high school days of 1989. I first heard this song on the radio while on break from my very first line reading for a school play. There was a piano in the room where everyone broke for lunch. Someone decided to play this song and soon every guy began to sing the song while the ladies either looked at us with dreamy eyes or something.
When the saying from people of my generation parrot the same lines our parents and their parents before them comes up I believe it to be true. They really don’t make ballads like this anymore. There’s a sincere sense of earnestness and romance to the lyrics and the overall sound of the song.
Over the years some have tried to mock this song and Richard Marx, but it never really goes anywhere. This song remains timeless and for those who look forward to what Valentines Day truly mean beyond the crass commercialism.
Right Here Waiting
Oceans apart day after day And I slowly go insane I hear your voice on the line But it doesn’t stop the pain
If I see you next to never How can we say forever
Wherever you go Whatever you do I will be right here waiting for you Whatever it takes Or how my heart breaks I will be right here waiting for you
I took for granted, all the times That I thought would last somehow I hear the laughter, I taste the tears But I can’t get near you now
Oh, can’t you see it baby You’ve got me goin’ crazy
Wherever you go Whatever you do I will be right here waiting for you Whatever it takes Or how my heart breaks I will be right here waiting for you
I wonder how we can survive This romance But in the end if I’m with you I’ll take the chance
Oh, can’t you see it baby You’ve got me goin crazy
Wherever you go Whatever you do I will be right here waiting for you Whatever it takes Or how my heart breaks I will be right here waiting for you Waiting for you
Through the Shattered Lens 