Musical Musings #12: Express Yourself

This week is the third week of exploring the narrative between music and the film clips that go with them. Often the film clip ellucidates themes or provides an alternative view of the song. So it is your job to listen and watch ... and then write the story that comes to you.

This week's prompt is Madonna's 1989 hit Express Yourself. The song was a top five hit around the world, taking the top honours in Europe, and making it to second place in the US and Japan. The film clip is said to be inspired by Fritz Lang's classic film 'Metropolis' and explores the divide between feminity and masculinity. Riding the gender quake that was shaking the US in second half of the 80's Express Yourself is an anthem of female empowerment urging women to never take second best and to test the premises of love. The film clip won the MTV best video of the year in 1989.

A personal aside: I have to admit that the when Annie first shared the world, character and vision that she is creating for her NaNo project this year, this film clip immediately came to mind. It was also one of my favourite songs as a teenager and still makes me want to get up and dance without inhibition (shameful admissions I know!)

Musical Musings #11:All I want is you

This week is the second week of exploring the narrative between music and the film clips that go with them. Often the film clip ellucidates themes or provides an alternative view. So it is your job to listen and watch ... and then write the story that comes to you.

This week's prompt is U2's 1989 hit All I Want is You. You will need to go to this link to watch the clip (no embedding is allowed!) My friends and I would argue for hours as teenagers as to who it was that was 'really' in the coffin ... and if it was the woman, how did she meet her untimely death?

Happy writing!

Musical Musings #10: What Sarah Said

This week is the beginning of a month long set of prompts again. Throughout August Musical Musings will be exploring the narrative between music and the film clips that go with them. Often the film clips ellucidates themes or provides an alternative view. So it is your job to listen and watch ... and then write the story that comes to you.

This clip of What Sarah Said by Death Cab for Cutie is not the official film clip. It was one of the videos included on their 'Directions' DVD. A special project put together by the band to allow their fans to create the film clips that they thought should go along with the songs. I remember vividly coming home and my partner, housemate and I having a very passinate debate about what this song and the film clip on 'Directions' really meant. None of us could agree even after half an hour of discussions and watching the video clip numerous times.

So what do you think is meant by it all? Is love watching someone die?

To assist you - there are french translations below the film clip. Feel free to leave comments also, and remember to come back next Monday and post the link to your story.
:o) Jodi




On the mirror she writes "He loves me"
On her hand she writes "A little?"
On the wall she writes "Very Much!"
On his arm (too quick for me to read) I think it's "passionately"
On her leg she carves "With madness"
And she finishes the sentence on the mirror "not at all."