Only something that really appeals as an art form to people of my generation, slightly older, is the music video.  A bit pointless in concept the execution these days is pretty much on par, useless “performance” and fashion videos put out by the likes of Rihanna or whoever else is “good” these days.  Better are some artists, creating videos of such quality and concept they’re sometimes better than the songs themselves, or even the artist themselves.  In this issue of Dig, Dug, Damn! you reap the rewards of my deep digging, bringing you what I feel to be the top 25 music videos of all time (in random order).  Then, after, I post some follow-up videos that didn’t make the list (I’m only posting a single video by a band, so some artists would otherwise have multiple entries).  Let’s rock!

Artist: Stabbing Westward Song: Shame

This was one of the most simple decisions on the whole list.  The video has everything from band performance to a virtual breaking of the 4th wall, and the story itself is very devious and fun, tying perfectly into the lyrics.  I love the concept so much, and for when it came out, it’s really ground breaking.  (Directed by Paul Cunningham)

Artist: Michael Jackson Song: Thriller

I’d say something about the video but everything in the world that could be said has already been said, and recently.  (Directed by murderer John Landis)

Artist: The Smashing Pumpkins Song: Tonight, Tonight

This is an obligatory selection, and obviously so.  Directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, later of Little Miss Sunshine fame, and based on the classic 1902 film Le Voyage Dans la Lune by Georges Méliès, the video is a technological masterpiece and a simplistic dream come true shot entirely with backdrops and a stationary cameras.  PS: The Smashing Pumpkins are my favorite band ever.

Artist: A-Ha Song: Take On Me

Ripped from the pages of history, this video is every bit successful as it is ambitious, every bit amazing as it is a delight to watch.  The story fit with the song, the animation was excellent, and it should be immediately apparent why this is hailed as one of the best by most every source you can find on the topic.  (Directed by Steve Barron)

Artist: New Order Song: True Faith

An old favorite of mine, New Order are every bit as fresh as ever, and this video was amazing to me as a child.  Honestly, it’s even more intriguing to me now with the strange, almost metaphoric performance art going on all throughout, mostly rhythmically.  If that doesn’t sell you on watching I don’t know what will.  (Directed by Philippe Decouflé)

Artist: Björk Song: Bachelorette

One name: Michel Gondry.  The director of films such as Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind and The Science of Sleep has a way with visuals that is almost like being a puppeteer of humans and a painter of theatrics.  He’s directed many great videos, especially for Björk, and I feel this is the broadest and most impressive of her bunch.  His work appears numerous times on this list.

Artist: Eric Prydz Song: Call On Me

Steve Winwood never sounded so good (probably because he rerecorded his vocals for the Sweedish DJ and producer), and music videos have never been so sexy.  Eric Prydz hit a high note with the song, and director Huse Monfaradi hit all the correct notes with the visual, making something fun, energetic, and envelope pushing.  I mean, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has gone on record about it, that’s how scandalous it is.  Oh, and just so you know, I really like the red head in the black and yellow top (barely shown) and the blond (pink top) PS: The video has a sequel that is also awesome, which is near the very bottom of this post.

Artist: Aphex Twin Song: Windowlicker

One of the longest, funniest, sexiest, scariest, and strangest music videos ever.  And quite offensive too, first harshly mocking rap and hip-hop culture then paying homage to Michael Jackson and David Lee Roth’s “California Girls”.  I don’t recommend watching this for the first time if you’re intoxicated in any way.  Or is it the other way around?  (Directed by Chris Cunningham)

Artist: Weezer Song: Buddy Holly

As if it needs saying, Spike Jonze is a brilliant man.  This video was a favorite in my teens for the retro motif in visuals and lyrics, the fun and boppy nature of it all, and for being such a seamless insertion into, of all things, Happy Days.  The Fonz makes everything cooler.

Artist: The Foo Fighters Song: Everlong

Michel Gondry, again, makes an entry on this list, this time with vanilla flavored musical act The Foo Fighters, in what is one of their best songs and, by far, their best video.  The video makes little to no sense, like, what kind of drugs were they on, why the huge hand, why two men in an implied heterosexual relationship, where did the nunchucks appear from?  The list goes on, but it’s such an awesome video regardless.

Artist: God Lives Underwater Song: From Your Mouth

This is probably the only video on the list that will make you hungry.  I didn’t think about that when I chose it, but now it’s extra earned it’s spot because these things don’t usually inspire the munchies.  I very much enjoy some God Lives Underwater so when the video was released I didn’t need any additional info.  I didn’t know how great it’d be, watching an Asian attack a personal buffet in reverse, then having the band there, just looking cool and stuff.  If I were in a band I’d do a similar gimmick.  (Directed by Roman Coppola)

Artist: Röyksopp Song: Remind Me

It’s kinda scary how well the song and video go together, the main chorus and the beautiful and simplistic dissection of every day life.  Like being reminded, it’s the most basic component of a complex machine or system that becomes glaring, and multiple viewings of this video will prove different each time, different aspects of the animation and the items within standing out, a mathematical equation, almost, proving the lyrics true.  (Directed by H5)

Artist: Toni Basil Song: Hey Mickey

Directed and choreographed by who is in my eyes the original riotgrrrl, Toni Basil herself, the song is infectious and the video is iconic with the plain faced, average bodied cheerleaders and an incredibly upbeat tune for a song that is basically a huge middle finger to the titular Mickey.  I’m not going to lie to you- I find the video sexy, and I find old school Toni one of the most delicious curiosities ever.

Artist: No Doubt Song: New

While it’s not particularly deep or telling, No Doubt’s video for their entry on the Go soundtrack is one of the best “party” atmosphere videos ever.  I do prefer more difficult concepts as a starting point, but it sometimes says something in not being slightly new or different but in taking something as old as dust and improving upon it, breathing a new life into something established.  Gwen Stefani looked awesome as hell here, too.  (Directed by Jake Scott)

Artist: Skinny Puppy Song: Pro-Test

This was a struggle to pick for the list as there are lots of greats out there, but, like the Aphex Twin entry, this takes stereotypes and stands them on their heads, and I’m a huge fan of both stereotypes and standing them on their heads.  The concept is simple, the dance moves are, for all practical purposes, impossible, and message is clear: People dressing differently than you doesn’t mean they don’t have the same, exact interests.  (Directed by William Morrison)

Artist: The Cardigans Song: My Favorite Game

This video puts a smile on my face, and for more reasons than Nina Persson and her many exquisite qualities.  The song is great and the devil may care attitude of the video is refreshing, all others being about caring bunches and tons.  The humor is unexpected, as is the rock, car crashes, and crumpled bodies, and I don’t care who you are or what your name is, those things inspire a chuckle or two.  (Directed by Jonas Akerlund)

Artist: The Prodigy Song: Smack My Bitch Up

Like the last video this one is directed by Jonas Akerlund, but is the much more disturbed older sister with truly no concept of sanity or safety.  It took a a risk with the disgusting nature, first person POV, and quick, manic cuts, but the song matching intensity, vivid colors, and phenomenal twist at the end send this vid to the stratosphere, and does so with a APB out on it and a sexy, sexy partner in the bed with it.

Artist: Pat Benatar Song: Love Is A Battlefield

Another classic video, another I first became acquainted with as a child (I would only ever watch Nickelodeon and MTV) and loved for the story telling aspect mixed with the obvious cheese that comes with being from the year 1984, which creates a teen angst rock opera so irresistible you’ll want to shake your cans at a scummy pimp the next time you see one.  (Directed by Bob Giraldi)

Artist: Fiona Apple Song: Criminal

Scandalous for no reason other than low amounts of brain activity in the general public, what is actually just a sensual and cool video had an unrequested but welcome intensity tacked on it, and though being good a great video does not make, add Fiona herself with the sultry vocals and fantastic song (the whole album is killer) debuting herself to the world, and yes, this video is tops.  PS: I’d like to exhaust her with my sex.  (Directed by Mark Romanek)

Artist: Metronomy Song: A Thing For Me

How did it take so long for this to happen?  Yes, put the lyrics on screen.  Yes, help us keep rhythm.  Yes, make visual jokes with it.  I adore this video, the cute girls in the video, the clever shots, the awesome song, and everything about it.  I’m not too hot on much else the band has done, but like how it takes only 1 thing to tear something down, it sometimes takes only 1 thing to build something up.  (Directed by Megaforce)

Artist: Yeah Yeah Yeahs Song: Maps

A real work of art, director Patrick Daughters did the smartest thing humanly possible for a struggling band, and that is make the most basic video possible while still being visually interesting.  No special effects, no random story, no quick cuts to make the band look as cool as possible, nothing!  It is just 2 dudes and a chick on a stage, playing a song.  They’re not even moving around erratically or trying to be fashionable with their instruments, because it’s always easier to add than it is to take away, and where the simple  nature of the video leaves the song bum rushes in and really paints the canvas here.

Artist: Kissing Tigers Song: So Stay In Love

I would honestly be shocked if anyone reading this has ever seen this video, or even heard of the band for that matter!  Well, they’re an excellent band and the video is endearing and adorable and yes, it’s great.  The reveal at the end is awesome, I think, and while it’s not the first time a band has made a cameo in their video by playing a show at some juncture in the tale, I think this video took a budget and got 5x the quality as another band or director would have.  (Directed by Jeycob Carlson)

Artist: DJ Shadow Song: Six Days

Beautiful, seductive, and trippy, this video is more than just a sampler of director Wong Kar Wai’s prowess.  In fact, this is probably the only video on the list that could be swapped out for another, because the lyrics of the song wrapped in the “Love Is A Battlefield” visuals lends quite well to Pat Benatar.  Really, though, what a gorgoeous and fitting motif for the song, and my how lovely everything looks!  Also, Bruce Lee quotes?  Yes.

Artist: Lisa Loeb Song: Stay (I Missed You)

The face, the body, the glasses!  Yeah, my main girl Lisa may seem like a pop culture blip on many less discerning radars out there, but in reality she is an amazing performer second to her being an amazing song writer.  This video in it’s single shot brilliance feels more like a diary entry than an invitation inside the desolate apartment, but once there the end result is the same- you’re smitten as hell, and happy to be so.  (Directed by Ethan Hawke)

Artist: Jamiroquai Song: Virtual Insanity

“What the h. is wrong with you?!” I ask anyone who doesn’t think this video is as amazing and groundbreaking as it obviously is.  I mean, maybe you don’t like the song, okay, but the technology of the room being walked about is both deceptively simple and stunningly pretty, and at the core of things that’s really what you want in the visual companion to a piece called “Virtual Insanity”.  I know I’m not wrong.  “Ground breaking” is the first two words I’d use, and my third would be “Jealous!”  (Directed by Jonathan Glazer )

Now, without any further ado, the videos that, in spirit, also made the list.

Artist: The Smashing Pumpkins Song: 1979

(Be sure to also check out the sequel video, Perfect)

Artist: The Smashing Pumpkins Song: Ava Adore

Artist: The Hughes Corporation Song: What A Feeling

(This is the sequel to the Eric Prydz video above)

Artist: Yeah Yeah Yeahs Song: Y Control

Artist:  Björk Song: Hyperballad

Artist:  Björk Song: All Is Full Of Love

Antonia Christina Basilotta o más conocida como Toni Basil (nacida el 22 de septiembre de 1943) solía ser una cantante y es una coreógrafa y actriz nacida en Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Su verdadero nombre es Antonia Christina Basilotta.

En 1966 graba un sencillo, la canción título de la película Breakaway. Aunque posteriormente apareció 3 veces como artista musical invitada durante la primera temporada de Saturday Night Live en 1975 y 76, no fue hasta 1982 que lanzó otro sencillo, que sería el famoso “Mickey”. La canción es una versión de “Kitty”, que interpretó la banda inglesa Racey en 1979, escrita por Nicky Chinn y Mike Chapman. “Mickey” fue grabada en 1979 pero el sello decidió guardar la canción hasta 1982. El video de la canción fue uno de los más populares en los inicios de MTV. En este Basil es una animadora deportiva de Las Vegas High School.

Durante los años ochenta solo grabó dos álbumes, “Word of Mouth” (que incluía “Mickey” y que generó un segundo sencillo llamado “Shoppin’ from A to Z”) y en 1983 uno llamado “Toni Basil” (que produjo el sencillo “Over My Head”).

Fue la coreógrafa de los videos de “Once in a Lifetime” y “Crosseyed and Painless” de los Talking Heads. También fue la coreógrafa de las giras Diamond Dogs Tour y Glass Spider Tour de David Bowie en 1974 y 1987.

Basil ha aparecido en las películas Easy Rider y Five Easy Pieces. En televisión ha aparecido en capítulos de Laverne & Shirley y Baywatch. Ha sido coreógrafa de películas como American Graffiti, The Rose y Legally Blonde.

Filmografia

* Pajama Party (1964)
* Village of the Giants (1965)
* Breakaway (1966)
* Head (1968)
* Sweet Charity (1969)
* Easy Rider (1969)
* Five Easy Pieces (1970)
* The Last Movie (1971)
* Greaser’s Palace (1972)
* Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood (1976)
* Mother, Jugs & Speed (1976)
* The Toni Basil Show (One-off) (1982)
* Angel III: The Final Chapter (1988)
* Slaughterhouse Rock (1988)
* Rockula (1990)
* Pacific Palisades (1990)
* Catchfire (1990)
* Eating (1990)

MSNBC just came out with a list of what it calls the top five “cheerleader songs that rock.” Of course there are some obvious ones on it- no list of this kind would be complete without “Hollaback Girl” or the classic “Hey Mickey.” Beyond those two, they make some interesting choices. Although it was never released as a single, they include the opening chant from Bring It On, known as “We are Cheerleaders.” I’m willing to give that one to them. Next on the list is “Be True to Your School” by the Beach Boys. While the song does include some “rah rah rah rah sis boom bahs,” which cover the cheerleading part, I’m not sure I would put it under “songs that rock.” But, everyone loves the Beach Boys, so again I’ll let it slide. But the last one is a real headscratcher. Has anyone ever gotten pumped up to “’65 Love Affair” by Paul Davis? I pride myself on my pop-culture knowledge, but I’ve never heard of this song. They seriously couldn’t find anything better to round out the list?

So the question is, what songs would you put on your list? I’m willing to bet you can do a better job than the folks at MSNBC.

If you interested, you can read the full article here.

Our final swimming class of the summer concluded today, putting an end to several things, most notably my awesome tanning sessions, being turned into human monkey bars and, of course, aquarobics. Back in June, SEV’s scheduler asked teachers if anyone would like to help choreograph the aquarobics dances for summer camp. I immediately volunteered, because leading aquarobics guaranteed that I would have more swimming classes each week than most teachers.

Jeanette, Lydia, Shelly and I were given six hours of programming to come up with a couple routines. After three wasted hours brainstorming sick dance moves to “Let’s Get Loud,” Jeanette and I ended up settling for the “Cha Cha Slide,” which needs no creative thought. Lydia and Shelly came up with a solid “Hey Mickey” dance, and Kyle, the head Korean teacher, “taught” us “YMCA.”

The result: whining kids, schvitzing teachers dancing in 90-degree weather and a memorable summer. Swimming class was easily one of the highlights of summer camp. What’s better than being paid to dance around and play with kids in a pool? Precisely, nothing.

The kids have to do warm-ups before they can swim. I took pictures of them doing jumping jacks in an effort to avoid doing them myself. Success!

Some volleyball action

Three hours in the sun can be exhausting…

Just ask Tira!

I’ve found that Asians are very cautious when it comes to their skin during the summer. In the Philippines, it was almost impossible to find sunblock without whitening agents. Here at SEV, some of the staff cover up in long sleeves and pants to avoid the sun. They’ve got to be so hot!

Tony spent the entire afternoon in a long-sleeved black shirt! I don't know how he didn't suffer heat stroke.

I called Tira "Ajumma Teacher" all summer, because when she has swimming class, she dressed like an old woman, an ajumma. She leaves all of this on when she goes in the pool!

Now that summer camp is over, the pool will be drained (which shouldn’t take too long–the water only came up to our hips!) and we’ll go back to teaching real classes instead of lounging in the sun. On the upside, only six more Mondays left of teaching!!! This next month is the final stretch–full of goodbyes, packing and figuring out what happens next. And for better or for worse, I guarantee that whatever comes after Korea won’t involve the “YMCA” or “Hey Mickey.”

por onde anda toni?

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Não deixe de ver:

Cachorros fofinhos

Veja também:

Colorir a Santa Família

Shrek para colorir ogramente!

Colorir a Bela e a Fera

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Veja também:

Colorir a Santa Família

Shrek para colorir ogramente!

Colorir a Bela e a Fera

Ai vai alguns desenhos Disney… Mickey Mouse e sua turminha!

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Aproveitem e vejam também outros desenhos:

Garfield!

Bob Esponja!

Cinderela!

Até amanha.

WHO IS THIS MICKEY?

Is he gay? Is he a jock? Or was Toni Basil singing about a non-entity to take the Mickey out of us? With all these lyrics, I doubt it.

Wow! pocos días mas traumáticos como el de ayer…

Por un lado, tenían que darnos la nota del “Ensayo”, por otro, el ultimo parcial del curso universitario… se definía todo ahí…

Existio una premisa que duro a lo largo de todo el día: Estuve (casi) drogado; ojo, no por fármacos ni otras yerbas (cuack) sino, simplemente por un conjunto de situaciones (léase: stress, privación de sueño, resignación, fiebre, etc); mi estado era comparable al de un jamaiquino entrado en años que viaja por primera vez a Amsterdam y descubre los beneficios mágicos de la amapola.

Durante todo el fucking day, estuve cantando 2 canciones (mayoritariamente para adentro)

1. Hey Mickey… (sisi…esa de la película de las porristas…)
   

2. Hey Men, Nice Shot. de Filters.
   

Me di cuenta que algo raro pasaba ese dia cuando mi querido -futuro- director “snorlax” (ex-dormilón) llego casi puntual, lo cual sentaba un precedente casi catastrófico…

Luego, mientras repasábamos, y mi mp3 danzaba al ritmo de canciones tan similares como

–Chewing gum—-Requiem for a tower—-I feel like a women–

y mi cerebro, independientemente de lo que los oídos le decían que escuche, repetía: HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEYYY MEEEEEEEEEEENNN, NIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICE SHOT y hacia un interludio para sacudir las cachas neuronales con Hey mickey, your so fine, your so fine, you blow my mind, Hey Mickey….

Sucedió lo inesperado…Estábamos comiendo nuestro “almuerzo ejecutivo” en Fiu (si, ya es cabala..sepanlo) llegan 2 viejas, bah, no tan viejas…pero la suma de sus edades, le escaparía a una prueba de carbono 14…

Pero la cuestión es que, deciden pedir Merluza con salsa de acelga (lo cual me resulto desagradable en tantas maneras que no lo puedo ni expresar) pero (además) para acompañar su garganta, piden una Cerveza negra….

Si algo en esta vida tenia menos onda que esa combinación, creo que fue destronada en ese momento (y yo tuve la desgracia de presenciarlo..sisi..)

Obviamente, pasados los momentos de risas, de chistes rápidos del estilo “traeme un tostado con un baileys” y similares, cae nuestra “producer”.

Fiel a su estilo EMOtivo… taba depre.

Ella: Chicos…me va a ir mal…no se nada….

Preguntamos: Cual es la raíz cuadrada de 534123.25453

Responde: 730.837365

Nosotros: …..

Preguntamos: Como te llamas?

Responde: AHHHHHH BOLUDOOOOOOO NO SEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

…en fin, bien EMOtiva estaba…

Pasa el tiempo, Aumont y Sanchez Biozca nos hacen sentir los rigores del montaje, y cae al fogón nuestro compañero (todavía no tengo un sobrenombre para el). En fin, cae “EL”

Para que se hagan una idea, es mas bien bajo, con incipiente pelada, se viste como Humphrey Bogard y camina como Chris Farley, tiene el humor de Chris Rock, y habla como Al Capone, pero usa anteojos Terminator y sin embargo fuma como un Escuerzo (si..que carajo esperaban que diga..).

Si se hicieron una idea de como es…tan peor que yo…

La cuestión es que “llega”. se acerca y dice: Toy fisurado. necesito una “bebida energizante”

Por supuesto, queridos amigos, creeran que la respuesta mas obvia es:

Entoncess Agachate y bebete esssta…

Pero no!. Ni snorlax ni yo, procedimos a tal acto vulgar…

La charla continuo en tono ameno hasta que callo el sol (pum) y el de los filters se canso de festejar el disparo…Se hizo la hora.

Caminando por la calle nos encontramos con otros entes que, cual almas en el purgatorio se disponían a entrar a las puertas Celestiales del IUNA.

La profe ya estaba ahí…era hora de la verdad….

Me acerco furtivamente, estoy por preguntarle la nota a la profesora y me detengo:

“Hey Mickey, your so fine, your so fine, you blow mi mind, Hey Mickey”.

Ahora si, me acerco y le pregunto…

Si alguno de ustedes vio la película Kung-fu Panda (si no, vayan a verla), imaginen al Oso panda saltando y bailando ante la canción (obvio, Kung fu Fighting)…bueh, ese era yo.

Si…me saque un

Je…que pretendían, que no lo festeje? XD

Imaginence mi situación:

A 40 minutos del ultimo parcial, del cual no me sentía realmente preparado, y la profesora me dice que I fucking ace the essey. que podía hacer mas que saltar como el panda de Arnet luego de sus 6 gloriosos segundos de fama?…intenten concentrarse y estudiar ahora? eh? ehhh??? AVER??? …mmff..

Para complicar las cosas, Kenneth decide que es momento de utilizar su maquiavélico cerebro para el mal, e intenta llevarme a una discusión (estimulante si. pero productiva en ese momento?. no.) pero logro escapar a su hechizo diegetico griego.

Salgo afuera, (por que salir dentro es complicado…imposible no, pero complicado)

Y empiezo a repasar de mi resumen, saboreando cada puta coma que me comí por dormido, disfrutando cada horror ortográfico por paquete y enamorándome de mi maquetedad para resumir…hasta que en el ultimo momento, cuando ya no daba mas y estaba por volarme en pedazos un aneurisma, la veo…llega la profesora….

Suplico al dios Baco que me de una cerveza negra como la que tomaron las viejas para ofrecerle a la profe como símbolo de paz. pero solo obtengo respuesta de alguien que tiro ceniza y el viento me la lanza en el anteojo derecho como si se tratase de una eyaculación precoz de algún dios iracundo….

No queda mas remedio…ya me tome el Vick vitapirena…

Pero además, tampoco me quedaba mas remedio…tenia que ir a dar el examen…

El examen, lo admito, no fue jodido. Pero en la medida de la situación donde me encontraba…fue un descontrol..

Al Pachino se comía a Eddie, Charlize theron luego de la cuarta repetición de la secuencia parecía que actuaba en una comedia y para completarla, con kenneth (en el medio del fucking parcial) nos pusimos a hablar sobre la película de La caza al octubre rojo. (James Earl Jones …come kenneth!!! muajaja)

En eso…mi cerebro durante 5 minutos decidió desconectarse y comenzó a cantar Hey Mickey por la 500000 vez en el día… y solo podía pensar que evidentemente debo tener mi signo zodiacal en modo fémina, por que solo así explico la tremenda mariconeada que me estaba sucediendo…y como es lógico, después de un pensamiento así, era todavía mas difícil sacarme de la cabeza la canción….

De hecho, empiezo a tener miedo de haber puesto la lyric en el parcial…

Enough. Finalmente lo terminé. Salí de ese fatídico lugar. Me reí, me frustré, y sobretodo…me liberé….

GENTE, SE ACABÓ EL CURSO!!!

Ahora quedan solamente los fucking finales!!!.

Solo resta decir que fue, efectivamente, un día traumático, pero por suerte, siempre tendré a…

Hey Mickey.

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