There was some sentiment in last week's chat that the time was right for a thread dedicated the analysis of music videos. This is that thread.
Inspired in part by a previous thread in which we debated the nature of the apocalyptic event that wiped out humanity in the video for "Stayin' Alive" (http://www.friendsoftom.com/forum/index.php?topic=4332.15), we will begin with the video for 1982's "You Got Lucky" by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFKJeZjjUJw[/youtube]
While I have a general topic and some discussion questions to get us started, please feel free to take the discussion of a particular video in any direction that you feel requires examination.
The key issue that I'd like us to tackle is the setting and plot of the video. Where - and when - are Petty and the Heartbreakers in this video? Is this a standard post-apocalyptic setting, the kind often seen in film and in the works of the Bee Gees, and are we thus witnessing the band scavenging a destroyed Earth? Or is there something else going on, and if so, what role does the group play?
General points:
- What do you make of the unique vehicle in which Tom Petty and Mike Campbell arrive at the beginning of the video? If this video does take place on a post-apocalyptic Earth, what do you think fuels it? The rest of the Hearbreakers arrive about 1:30 into the video on what appears to be a more traditional motorcycle and sidecar.
- What does the band's attire tell us about the setting?
- Does the horizon offer us any clues?
- What do you make of the structure that they enter and the working technology within?
- Please consider the images that we are shown once the television sets are powered up. Is any of the footage shown on the monitors significant?
- What prompts Petty's reaction to the old arcade cabinet at around the 3:30 mark?
- Is there any significance to the objects that the group takes with them versus what they leave behind?
Non-plot related notes:
- Petty trips over a partly-buried transistor radio about 40 seconds in...this is pretty good physical acting from Petty. And note the "shocked by technology" look he gives us at about 2:05. Why doesn't he get more film work? Would you ask Tom Petty about this if you were interviewing him on the radio?
- Which Heartbreaker is the best actor? It's OK if you can't identify them by name, just describe the performance.
OK, that's all for now. I have some theories about the video, but didn't want to make the discussion points too leading. Looking ahead, the next video up for discussion will be Bowie's "Let's Dance". I'll start that up after we've made some headway on this one. Feel free to suggest future videos for analysis, though I recommend that they lean towards the more plot-heavy side for now.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMLnDuzgkjo[/youtube]
A question that requires little build-up: who was the best member of Ram Jam? Feel free to weigh with in any background information you may know and wish to share about the members of Ram Jam, but feel even more free to base your opinion almost eniterly on the video for "Black Betty" above.
So who ya got?
- The lead singer/guitarist who appears to be doing almost all the work?
- The drummer, who is, to be fair, also carrying a lot of the load in a less showy fashion?
- Bennett from Commando?
- That completely badass handclappin' dude?
- The really agreeable, happy-looking Jesus-y dude off to the right you can best see about a minute in?
OK, two more follow-up questions: there appear to be only three ladies partying around that motorcycle in the back. Which members of Ram Jam are getting left out of the action? Also, if this video was the only thing you knew about Ram Jam, they would be pretty much the greatest band of all time, right?