Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Now we know why she left.

"Steve M" left a comment at JasonHare.com two weeks ago that mentioned Daryl Hall & John Oates's video for 1973's "She's Gone," one of their first big hits and still a great song. I use the term "video" loosely, however, because videos from the '70s don't look anything like videos from the '80s, after the creation of MTV made everyone try a lot harder.

I found it impossible to turn away from the "She's Gone" video, and that's saying something, because most videos or movie trailers that I see on YouTube, even the ones that bring back memories of my childhood, can only hold my attention for about a minute. I just don't like watching videos on my computer. Then again, I sit at an uncomfortable desk at home. And I don't have Wi-Fi, so don't say, "Move to the couch, fool."

"She's Gone" really is something else. We see an eyebrow-free Daryl Hall in his androgynous "Ziggy Stardust impersonator" phase, practically nodding off during his close-ups (because he's also a heroin addict impersonator) and not even bothering to lip-synch some of his lines. We also see John Oates in a sleeveless tuxedo shirt; by the end of the video he's put the penguin in "penguin suit."

I love how the duo seem to be on the set of a public-access "community views"-type talk show. This week's topic
: "Abandoned luncheonettes: Should we earmark them for historical preservation or blow them up real good in lieu of a Fourth of July fireworks display?" (Next week's topic: "Adult education: Oh yeah! Oh yeah!") The appearance of Hall & Oates's very special unholy guest makes you realize they are in on the joke, but I’m not sure if I laughed for the right reasons.

5 comments:

  1. I meant to look at this video the other day, but completely forgot. I'm glad I caught it here. Sort of. I just don't get it. Why does Daryl Hall refuse to sing any of his solo lines? Why does Oates come off as the lead singer? What's with the tux jacket sleeves? What were they smoking? I just don't understand.

    ReplyDelete
  2. You know, I watched this video before bed last night and woke up singing "She's Gone" this morning.

    I am not sure if this is a good way or bad way to start the day.

    ReplyDelete
  3. It's a good way, Jodi. If you woke up to Daryl Hall's recent interview with Pitchfork, that'd be a bad way to start the day.

    Jason, I think Oates IS the lead singer for "She's Gone." It sounds like Daryl handles the pre-chorus himself and the chorus with Hall. But maybe I'm wrong. I don't get this video either, but I don't get most David Lynch movies, and I still find them fascinating as well.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Is that Kevin Spacey playing the devil whom it takes to replace her? And why is Oates playing his guitar solo wearing oven mitts?

    Wonderful song, and a classic video.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Because it's a hot solo, of course! (It took me almost five years to come up with that reply.)

    ReplyDelete