Classic Music Video of the Week

I'm sorry, but I can't let us get to a year without a post. It's just not right.

It's late, so I will keep this VERY short. (Honestly, in my haze, I'm just hoping that I haven't picked either of these videos in the past.)

I was recently listening to our first CMVW and, since I hadn't heard it in ages, I had the pleasure of listening to it as if it were the first time. I'm guessing most of you haven't listened to it in a while either, so please take a stroll down memory lane with video #1: Gangsta's Paradise by Coolio.



Of course, what kind of pop culturist would I be if I didn't mention its parody? Video #2: Amish Paradise by "Weird" Al Yankovic.



The rumors have it that Coolio was pretty mad about Weird Al's version. However, this video shows that Coolio did in deed at one point in his life have a sense of humor about Weird Al:



So there you have it, kids. There are lots of weeks to make up for, but at least this blog has been updated. Enjoy and have a great week!

WILL'S TV/ MOVIE PET PEEVES

In what is sure to become a fan favorite, I am now proud to present you with my new regular segment "Will's TV/ Movie Pet Peeves"! This week I will explore the TV/Movie phenomenon I like to call the "leftover". What do I mean? Well allow me elaborate.

The "leftover" is what I like to call the food or drinks that get constantly left behind in movies or television. I know it's not reality, but they do try and pass off some sort of semblance of realistic situations. Eating just a bite off of a full plate of food, or just a sip or two of an adult beverage before leaving a room. Who does that?! It makes me ridiculously mad! I mean at least eat or drink a significant amount of your food or drink, even in your made up tv/movie reality there are kids starving in Africa and whinos sobering up in the gutters! Have a g.d. heart!

Now I realize that there are people in real life who do leave almost full drinks on the bar, and that makes me mad too! But I feel the entertainment industry makes it seem like a more common occurrence that it actually is and that make me mad!

And this has been "Will's TV/Movie Pet Peeve"!

In Memory of John Hughes

It makes me sad to even have to think about writing this blog. Last night I learned the tragic news - John Hughes has passed away.

There have been many celebrity deaths in the news recently, but this one hits me particularly hard. John Hughes' influence has always been a big part of my life, as it has been for so many others. He wrote and directed movies that have resonated with me. Even though the clothes and hair from the 80s seem outdated now, the concepts of the films still apply today. He knew how to capture real human emotion in such poignant and entertaining ways that people still know and talk about his films 20 years later.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Pretty in Pink have always been in my top 10 movies list. No matter how many times I've seen them (easily over 50 times each), I still LOVE them. I could explain what I love about each, but I like knowing that these things are personal to me. The characters, the plots, and the emotions of all of his films appeal to everyone for different reasons, which is why they're so great. They appeal to the general public, and to people on individual levels.

The news of John Hughes' death is still sinking in with me. I could probably craft a much better tribute to him, but I really didn't want to let time pass and face the possibility of never putting it out in the universe that John Hughes meant something to me. I never met him (though I wish I had), but he seemed like a truly great guy. (Please see this blog for a really touching and personal tribute.) My hat is off to you, John Hughes. I hope you find peace in your own Shermer, IL.

Never knew it was referred to as...(The Postman Song)

Favorite Michael Jackson Memory

I thought it would be appropriate to share our favorite memories involving Michael Jackson.

When my older sister and I were little kids my mom always used to play music while she cleaned. The music ranged from The Eagles to Billy Joel to Air Supply to the Beatles to James Taylor. As little kids though, our favorite was most definitely the Thriller album by MJ. My older sister and I would dance in the living room while my mom cleaned. I'm surprised we didn't wear it out. I still have the record though. A truly happy memory.

RANDOM-ONIUM

Welcome to the first ever edition of Pop-Pop (Culture) in the Attic's Random-onium. "But what is Random-onium," you ask? Well, it is basically just a regular list of random pop culture whatnots from the past. No rhyme or reason whatsoever, just complete chaotic randomicity! Maybe it'll make more sense once you see it, so here we go:

• Flowbee
• William Ragsdale
• Breckin Meyer
• Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo
• "He drop-kicked his jacket as he came through the door...."
• The Peach Pit
• "I'll take Jim J. Bullock for the block!"
  
• Milli Vanilli
• Bo Knows
• Ini Kamoze
• The Urkel
• "No whammies, no whammies, STOP!"
• Max Headroom
• Crystal Pepsi
• Little. Yellow. Different.
• PM Dawn
• "GREAT SCOTT!"
• Pro Stars
• The Energizer Bunny
• Ecto Cooler
• OK Soda
• "Kiss my grits!"
• The Bearded Men of Space Station 11
• "Have mercy!"
• TGIF
• Co-ed Naked (fill-in the blank)
• BUM Equipment
• Pimpbot
• "Kube, eat now?"
• Music Videos on MTV
• Perkins Restaurants
  
• Super Mario Brothers
  
• Kokomo
• Romper Room
• The A-Team van
• Dishwalla
• My So-Called Life
• Liza Minelli
• Bud. Weis. Errrrrrrrrrrrr.
• Go, go Power Rangers
• Asteroids
• Snuffleupagus
  
• The Banana Splits
• Oompa, loompa, oompity-do
• Can't fight the seether
• Flight of the Navigator
• Choosy moms, choose JIF!
• The P'Zone
• In Living Color
• Kurt Loder
• Tubthumping
• Roscoe P. Coltrane
• Disco Stu
• Hubba Bubba
• The Zack Attack
• Jammin on the one
• Hudson Hawk
• Captain O.G. Readmore
  
• California Raisins
  

Classic Music Video of the Week

Today I would like to celebrate George Harrison (1943-2001). I have a great respect for him, as he composed two of my favorite Beatles' songs - "Here Comes the Sun" and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." (Of course there are many other great songs by Lennon and/or McCartney, but they have certainly been praised for their great work. And Ringo...was a a Beatle too.)

One thing I would especially like to acknowledge Harrison for is his clever video releases for the song "Got My Mind Set on You." That's right, "video releases" is plural. This song was a staple of my childhood. I can't help but listen to it and think of happy times, dancing around my room and singing along. Granted, this isn't a Harrison original (original is by James Ray, in the 1960s), but I think this song solidified my love for George Harrison and music videos in general. To this day, I think George Harrison set a precedent that other artists should follow: release two videos for one song.

Why would I think this is a good idea? Aren't there enough horrible videos out there that increasing them would only contribute to the pool of crap? Yes and no. Yes, a lot of artists lack the imagination to make one good video, let alone two. However, I think many current artists also try WAY too hard to make one video (because they have so much riding on it) that they end up making expensive, over-the-top mini-movies that glorify the singer, instead of tributes to their work or even their personalities. Perhaps I'm the only person who feels this way. In any case, I think George Harrison got it right. He had two videos for the song - one to illustrate the lyrics, and one to remember for its quirkiness and originality. (Please note: I have done no background research on this, so if one was done by a record company without his permission or there is some other backstory, please accept my apology. That, however, does not take away from my feelings on the subject.)

So this week's Classic Music Video of the Week comes in two parts. It's up to you to decide which version you like best.

Enjoy!





For the record, I like the animal version, fake dancer and all!