I needed something to knock that Journey song from the last-ever scene of The Sopranos out of my circular thought pattern and the radio gods have delivered Sean Kingston's terrifyingly addictive "Beautiful Girls".
There's the jarring "You'll have me suicidal, suicidal" line in a bed of 1960's style reggae, a unique callback to the days when The Wailers sounded like doo-wop with a 2/4 Jamaican beat, with the dollop of Ben E. King's "Stand by Me" hitting our collective unconscious somewhere in the solar plexus.
What blew me away today was not just that other people are getting hooked as well, but that they're making their own videos about it. In a variety of genres. Like, in dozens.
I've linked below to some of this first dozen, with a little description of each. It's roughly in preferential order (best first) but they're all fascinating, especially if you like the song.
If you're already sick of the song, they're at least interesting models for what sure to continue coming, a viral world of insta-video self-expression that adds richness to the pop experience. People are exposing their real emotions whether singing, dancing or cutting together animation, and there's a beautiful innocence, even of some of the civilian artists seems like they're doing some of life the hard way.
Anime Version
What I love about this one is how it makes the big-eyed anime characters seem more affecting than I'd imagine in their original movies, with their original scores and Japanese sentimentality. Here, shorn of color, to the Jamaican doo-wop beat, they're tragically moving ciphers for our modern age.
Two 12-Year Olds Version
These two girls actually sing, doing it very straight, I'm guess the computer open to the lyrics in their collective lap which they glance to occasionally. Maybe the most charming part at the end, where the song intentionally goes into a sudden slow-down-and-stop, and they break their webcam personas, exchanging glances and breaking each other up.
Stand by Me/BG "Remixxx" Version
Nice acoustic guitar version that deconstructs the Ben E. King DNA of the song by starting with it and segueing into the Sean Kingston tune.
Girl Spinning Around the Room Version
This one isn't the whole song, which is actually one of its charms. It's a young woman holding the camera very steadily on her face as she dances, spinning around her room. Like a really good shot in a Spike Lee movie. She's so unpretentious expressing her joy for the song in movement, a really good use of the camera.
Lion King Version
Mustafa and Simba, and some pretty good fake syncing along the way, you wonder how the creator got inspired with this idea.
Sleepy Guy BeatBox Version
Pretty credible wee hours solo beat-boxing to the first half of the track before our hero hits the hay.
Two Girls Chipmunk Version
Fast is good.
Three Buddies Version
Nice to see a trio: voice (ouchie as it goes on), beat-box and unplugged electric guitar. Three friends up late get an idea?
Girl Who Falls at End Version
Worst vocal, best ending.
And, if your interested in the man himself and what seems to have been a very tough life getting started, and want to see him interviewed in the non-fame way he won't have the next time:
Sean Kingston Interview Pt 1
Maybe the ultimate appeal of the song is in the first two lines:
You're way too beautiful girlHave truer words ever been sung?
That's why it'll never work
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