The '80s were filled with so many love songs, which are typically my favorite, but I thought it would be interesting to look at some other styles this evening. The dawn of music videos peeked everyone's interest and seemed sort of "other-worldly" at times. There are so many videos with themes are references to space, technology, and well -- some things that are just plane scary. I think back to 1982, when Billy Joel's "Pressure" was written, and as I watch the video, I am reminded of the film "Poltergist." Boy did that movie scare me. There were so many others, too, and I think we were all a bit enthralled by horror and the paranormal back then.
Anyway, the three songs and videos that scared me the most back in the day were (1) "Pressure" by Bill Joel (2) "Anxiety" by Pat Benatar, and (3) "Mr. Roboto" by Styx. I'll probably take a look at numbers 2 and 3 a bit later, but I felt like hearing some Billy Joel this evening. He really is a master songwriter and extremely gifted musician. The nice thing about this tune is that it is all keyboards and vocals -- and it can still scare the daylights out of you. I listen to it now and kind of imagine how creepy it would sound on harpsichord... just a thought. If you listen to the song, the lyrics are clearly about a man who is, well, having trouble dealing with the pressures in life. He's discovering that everything is not all roses and sunshine or "peachy keen," and it is piling up. My favorite line from the song is "you turned the tap dance into your crusade, now here you are with your faith, and your Peter Pan advice." Yup -- Peter Pan advice. Touché! I have no idea why I like that part so much, but it is awesome. I should use that line more often.
In the video, you will notice all kinds of strange, semi-paranormal things -- like people sinking into floors and being pulled sideways into walls. Coffee spills by itself, water is pouring out or a song man's desk at school. Kind of creepy and out of control! Nothing like being stuck in a maze, either. I guess this video is probably better for Halloween or something, but, the song is just so well-composed that I couldn't resist. Nice to visit something different every now and then.
i know how you feel, i was traumatized by that video too, the part when Billy gets sucked into the carpet, the little boy getting sucked into the tv, which is similar to Carol Anne from Poltergeist being sucked into the closet, i am almost 40 and still feel unnerved by that video.
Thanks! Sounds like you know what I mean. Back in the day, those images were really frightening -- and still are! Good to know there is someone else out there who has the same feeling about this (although it is a great song).
i know how you feel, i was traumatized by that video too, the part when Billy gets sucked into the carpet, the little boy getting sucked into the tv, which is similar to Carol Anne from Poltergeist being sucked into the closet, i am almost 40 and still feel unnerved by that video.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Sounds like you know what I mean. Back in the day, those images were really frightening -- and still are! Good to know there is someone else out there who has the same feeling about this (although it is a great song).
ReplyDelete