I thought it would be fun to get out of my comfort-zone for a bit. That’s why I have picked out six music videos to feature over the next six days that are from 2016. That’s it. I just went with whatever music video YouTube recommended after picking out this one.
First things first, despite anything else I say about this music video, I am grateful for the beginning that tells me who the director is, along with the song title and artists. I think this “featuring” thing is as stupid as when they used to list people as “guest stars” in a movie.
I basically stopped listening to new music around 2005 or so. I came across this by accident. However, bands like this are nothing new. They go back at least as far as barbershop quartets. Let’s be fair, and compare them to similar 90s bands. Comparing this to Lollipop by Chordettes wouldn’t be right.
Based solely on this music video, do they hold up to a comparison with TLC or En Vogue? No, they most certainly don’t. Those are apt comparisons. I hear this song and My Lovin (You’re Never Gonna Get It) by En Vogue pops into my head. So does No Scrubs by TLC.
As for the music video…*shrugs*. I’m assuming the intended message is that you don’t have to go out there cheating because your woman at home (???) is horny and needs your attention if you intend to stay together. Hence the chorus about you not having to go to work, but still having to work, and letting their bodies do the work. Work away from home being a metaphor for cheating and working from home being about maintaining a relationship. I’m also assuming that Dolla $ign carrying around a sledgehammer is a reference to their song Sledgehammer, and I have no doubt that Director X was also referencing the Peter Gabriel song of the same title.
According to Wikipedia, the music video was well-received by at least two critics who praised it for the usual things having to do with men and them coming into their own with this video.
I can say that the first is superficial, but if it makes any women feel empowered, then great. I don’t see it acting as a gateway to better groups in that area such as Girlschool, The Donnas, Bikini Kill, and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts.
The second I really can’t speak to seeing as this is my first exposure to them. Taking a quick glance at their other music videos doesn’t help. I watch them, and a group like Dream, with their song He Love U Not, comes to mind. Just add more sex and clearly more success.
There isn’t much more unless I want to get snarky about the references to penis size and doggie-style.
Will this go into my collection of pop songs that I like? No. I will remember how the lyrics say the one lady is submissive, but the music video has her pulling out a tape measurer. I will also remember that people are still getting worked up over repetitious lyrics for reasons beyond me.
Director X seems to have been making music videos since the late-90s with around 200 credits to his name.
Since I brought them up, I’ll end this on a song by Girlschool. I don’t like to include other music videos in these posts, so here is just the song Don’t Call It Love by Girlschool.
Through the Shattered Lens 