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BACKSTORY - i heard this song at my grocery store job for the 1239024th time, and it finally clicked -- most of my life i’ve missed the No Doubt train, but when this came on over the speakers i was like, GET ME ON THAT TRAIN!!!!

the music video for Don’t Speak by No Doubt is part of a WHOLE SAGA. DID U KNOW this song and the album it’s on is all about the breakup between Gwen Stefani and Tony Kanal (the guitarist!!! they dated for 8 years!!) and it’s so personal and intimate and in this music video she sings right to him..!

and, according to wikipedia:

Tensions in the band had been running high, and they reportedly were on the verge of breaking up the day before they were scheduled to film the video. They decided to go ahead and film it as a form of "therapy".

how wild is that. it’s just all so personal yet on display for the world to see. very vulnerable but i think that’s where so much of the power lies. even if it’s obviously filtered thru the lens of fame and stardom.

and i love the interspersed moments from a live show. can u IMAGINE seeing gwen stefani live in all her shiny sweaty glory? she seems so fcking strong and punk rock. i love it. the gwen i was familiar with in the 2000s was not so punk, more rockabilly/retro/marilynmonroe hair, so it’s been exciting to really delve into her more punkrock roots.

i don’t condone her culturally appropriating a bindi, but feel a little forgiving since this was the 90s and i don’t really think those important conversations were happening as loudly as they are now. it’s bad, but at least she doesn’t wear them anymore i don’t think.

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i just like michael jackson’s smile and LOVE his sparkly outfit and how slick he looks here.

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OK. This is one of my FAVORITE music videos, directed by one of my FAVORITE music video directors: HYPE WILLIAMS! 

From wikipedia:

The breakout music video was the first of Missy's career directed by Hype Williams.[6][7] The most notable aspect of the video is the inflated trash bag that Missy wears during a fisheye lens shot.[8] Timbaland, Tamara "Taj" Johnson-George of SWV, Yo Yo, Lil' Kim, Total, 702, Da Brat, Lil' Cease and Puff Daddy all make cameos.[9] The video was nominated for Best Rap Video at the 1997 VMAs.

So I knew that Missy Elliott and Timbaland are great pals, and have been making music together for decades at this point. I think of them as a powerful dynamic duo with impeccable flair. 

But I DIDN’T know that this 1997 video was Missy’s first collaboration with Hype Williams, who has directed like 1,000 amazing music videos. Honestly this entire blog could easily become a Hype Williams fanpage. And maybe it will. From the iconic garbage bag/bike helmet outfit to the shot of Missy in what reminds me of that default Windows XP background, this video makes no narrative sense to me, and who knows/cares if there is an intended deeper meaning. But I really enjoy seeing Missy in all her forms with all her pals, and listening to her rap about driving to the beach with her BFF Timbaland and smoking weed. I think what I love most about Hype Williams is how he speeds everything up enough to make people seem like jittery bugs dancing at the Bug Club. He doesn’t hide his distortions, like when Missy’s eyes bug out, or when one of her pals (sorry I don’t know who’s who!!) gets her jaw stretched out and shrunk back again. Music videos often rely on smoothed over, highly composed, and conventionally beautiful aesthetic decisions to elevate their subjects–it’s always fun to take a dive in Hype Williams’ world and see some straight up weirdness. Love u, Hype ‘n Missy !!

Missy, Queen of the World, sitting on hills like Lauryn:

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Lately, I have been really excited about George Michael’s music video for his 2004 hit “Amazing.”

From wikipedia: 

The music video for the song was directed by Matthew Rolston. The video was filmed in London, United Kingdom in 2003. It shows a modern club-like setting where a holographic performance by George Michael is projected in front of a long lounge. George is also shown amongst the crowd, and in small intervals singing in front of a black background.

Who is Matthew Rolston? 

Right off the bat: his website is SO extra! what’s with people having introductions to their websites with music?! okay, once you get past the James Bond-status intro credits to the webpage brand that is Matthew Rolston, you can actually pick what kind of theme music you want to listen to as you browse his stuff. You can pick “Crazy,” “Sexy,” or “Cool,” YES, LIKE THE TLC ALBUM AND SONG CRAZYSEXYCOOL!!

WHICH brings me to my next discovery.... Matthew Rolston apparently directed the video for TLC’s hit song “Creep” (one of my faves!!!) How wild is that. It actually makes a lot of sense if you watch the above video for GM’s nice lil feelgood loving track. Very 90s/early 2000s. 

So I wanted to explore some of Matthew Rolston’s other work, but every single video is a broken link, so... dude! Update your dang website! You directed the video for “Tattoo” by Jordin Sparks, for Pete’s sake! 

All this to say that my favorite part of this particular video is definitely George Michael’s perfect hip-swinging (see 0:36). He is so on beat. I am also a huge fan of how his alter-ego (or maybe it’s the same character watching a recording of himself?) rewinds the performance with a glowing spinning wheel that evokes those early iPods. 2004! What a time!! This video is everything that I love about the 2000s. Holograms, abstracted clubs that are mostly colorful lighting and white furniture, and a good ol 3/4 shot of George singing his heart out about his lover at the time Kenny Goss in front of a black background. What MORE do u want? I love the overall feelgood & calm vibe in “Amazing.” It’s... amazing. 

This is my favorite still because seeing George Michael look on as this couple kisses deeply is somehow heartwarming to me......