Music Videos
This is where I talk about the music videos of *NSYNC. These are just reviews on the music videos itself; If you want info on the songs, you'll have to go to the pages listed above the titles. Here they are, in no particular order.
*Tearin' Up My Heart: Despite loving the song, the video didn't do much for me...I mean, it's just five guys going around taking pictures of each other and dancing, which was a tad fruity for me. And the Justin bed scene...I was just like, "Uh uh, don't even try it. Who do you think you are!?" But I got used to him:). Basically, the first time I ever saw *NSYNC, and I remember thinking that they couldn't possibly do those dance moves and sing at the same time. I was pleasantly wronged. But next time, Timberlake, warn us before you go and do something like this?
*U Drive Me Crazy: Uh...this one is so freaky. Obviously made on one of their drunker days. In the words of Lance, "That was really great, but...wow." Still, it's funny and just shows what fun people *NSYNC can be. I think Johnny Wright and Lou Pearlman also appear as themselves, but I'm not really sure.
*God Must Have Spent a Little More Time on You: This would be the thing that got me into *NSYNC. It's just so pleasant and shows what ingenuity they have. How can it be that on the TV there are angels? It's a miracle. Well, no, not really, but this video just raised my respect for them so much. Really, I don't see how anyone can not. It tells a great story, which we haven't seen in a music video in such a long time. It's sad and sweet and original and positive, and I'm running out of things to type about it.
*I Drive Myself Crazy(Thinking of You): AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA:) Really, what would we do without *NSYNC? I think I like JC's sequence the best, even if it looked like he was humping the guy. And we all know about the Dale cameo. Lance just looked like a really out-of-it guy, picking at his flowers. To my surprise, Chris didn't really act crazy at all. Just a little weird.
*Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays: Awwwwwwwww...wook at aw doj wittle childwen being all happy cuj *NSYNC ij just sho nish an' shweet for giwing dem Chwistmahsh. Obviously, not a lot happens in this video; Most of it consists of *NSYNC and a lot of other folks dancing around and being happy, but that's all good. And it was basically all worth it to see Joey pilot that sled(I have this theory which claims Joseph Fatone Jr. is a direct descendant of the original St. Nicholas himself, but I won't go into that).
*Music of My Heart: YES. Thank you God, *NSYNC, and Gloria Estefan, for You have done good. This video just touched me so much because the best moments I recall of my musical career is when I was able to perform in front of my classmate, my peers. And seeing them doing the song in the school hallways and in the gym is just so refreshing and immense.
*On the Line: Teheheheheheheheheheheheheheheahkfffdflks. Okay, it's not the greatest and most astounding music video in the world, but you know...it's fun. And really it gives everyone a nice and fuzzy feeling. Watching all these folks, all of whom I like(well I don't know True Vibe but still)come together to make something fun and enjoyable is just very...fun and enjoyable! And of course, Lance and Joey. Lance. And. Joey. Teheheheheheheheheheheheheheheasdfaaaaaaaaa. Honestly this whole thing came together very well and fit with the movie too.
Mandy looked sweeeeeeet. As did Emmanuelle. I liked the intro, where she kinda steps onto the train and suddenly it's all magicaled. All-star, baby.
*What's Going On(Both "Versions"): But of course...if you're gonna talk all-stars, this takes the cake by far, and grants a whole other level of the "nice and fuzzy."
Let me just say this first to get it out of the way...I liked the TRL "September 11" version of the video more than I like the official music video. There's no real clear reason for it; just certain elements add up to make the first version of the video(it's technically not really a music video at all, more like a montage tribute)a bit more appealing to me than the official one.
Okay, I really like both, I don't want to make it sound as if I don't. I think they both carry strong messages that should reach everyone, especially the Official video. I don't kid myself...the TRL rendition was mostly made as a tribute, in respect, something to make people feel better. The official one with the blindfolds and all carried the message and the worth; it was the ambassador, and the original intent under which the song was recorded, even though of course the lyrics almost eerily fit in with the WTC attacks. But this page isn't where release unabashedly pent-up emotions about these things...this is where I analyze videos. And analyze them I will.
Case in point...and thanks to Mici for pointing this out to me...the first one was more about unity, I think...it more promoted the idea of all these artists getting together for a single, worthy cause, coming together as human beings wanting to help out. It showed them in the studio, doing their work, doing their thing...one by one each doing a little bit to contribute...it showed their spirit and their unity and their desire and efforts to help. When my brother saw this, he just stared silently at the TV screen through the entire video, and when it was done he left without a word. There was just something so reverent about its unity that is universal in its ability to speak volumes about the song itself and its cause.
Now the Official Video...as I said this carried the message. This was the announcement. It spoke to us direct about the problem and it asked us direct, "Why aren't we doing anything about it?" In my point of view, if I had to choose which video to show to get people to understand the problems in the world better and to do something about it, I would choose this official version as opposed to the TRL tribute version without a moment's hesitation, because it just holds the message. The blindfolds with the words on them were very symbolic and a very deserving contribution, carried a very powerful tone very well. But I have to give my utmost honest opinion of this one...it wasn't very well put together, not as a video. As a message of concern and charity yes, it achieved its point, and maybe that was all the point the creators wanted it to achieve, but as a video it wasn't very well put together...it looked messy. The blindfolds, while a great idea, were handled a bit distractedly and took away from the flow and power of the song and lyrics itself as the artists unwrapped them a bit distractedly. None of the artists were ever shown together, taking away from the unity of the cause a bit. As a whole, it just didn't feel "complete," almost as if the entire reverence and awe that should be associated with the cause, with the problem, is somehow not given the attention and respect that it should be given. As I said it accomplished what it set out to do, but...you almost get the feeling that the video, that the song itself and what it represents, should be owed more. That they deserve more than this.
As I said however, I like both videos and see both their worth. Both major, beautiful accomplishments.
*Bye Bye Bye: Did I say that *NSYNC is ingenius yet? I did? Well, they are. The marionette sequences are immense as is the dancing and the idea and the things and the things. Ah, yes, Kim Smith(Is that a pseudonym? Sorry to all Kim Smiths of the world, but it just sounds like one). I'd let myself get run down by her dogs:) Heh heh. Heh heh. But seriously, if a hecka foine girl was chasing after you in her foine@$$ vehicle, wouldn't you let yourself get caught? Oh, and I may be mistaken, but when Justin starts his solo, it looks like he's flicking us off and there's a big flash of light where his finger should be. I'm dead serious. Also, I'm almost absolutely certain that they play the final chorus one too many times; You hear Justin do the "Oh-oh!" twice and JC finish it off twice.
* It's Gonna be Me: Did I say that *NSYNC is ingenius yet? I did? Well, they are. This is so good. I mean, it's so creative and Toy Story, and the guys really look like they're having fun. The toy sequences are so well done, I thought it was all done on computer animation until I saw Making the Video. You know, if *NSYNC really wants to make a lot of money(Not like they need it, but...), they should make real marionette toys of themselves and have it for sale. I mean, no one would accuse them of cheap marketing franchises because it's what people would expect(And you know, they're probably in the proccess of doing this anyway). And Kim is back. No, I'm not complaining, feel free have Kim come back as often as you like. In fact, I encourage it. No, don't you even dare to have her not come back. I have gorillas and I will unleash them.
*This I Promise You: Okay, so fine, Kim didn't come back. Sigh.
When you look up the word "beauty" on dictionary.com or whatever, there should be an mov. file of this music video running over and over...redwoods, redwoods, redwoods...
Oh I mean, please don't think that I'm bragging about the fact that *NSYNC chose to do one of their most visually impressive videos to date in my very own neighborhood of San Francisco. I mean, just because I get to drive by that big silver Bay Bridge featured in the video every other week and most probably have laid shoes on that very place where the little girl was blowin' her bubbles...
Okay, so to be more objective, I wasn't able to follow the storylines if there was one 'cause of all the random clips of couples they featured. I mean I liked the clips, they were just hard to follow. So people lookin' for a high-energy, no soft moments video would be disappointed, and they wouldn't be wrong at all. I said that this was their most visually astounding video and really I do love it, but I usually go for the more high-energy ones. Also I wish there was a "Making the Video" of this, if only so I can drive down to the very spots they've mentioned and worship the ground there...nevermind.
Some people don't like the "sittin' down to eat" end of it, but I really have no qualms wit it...the thing is SF is usually so much more crowded and trafficky(Not a word...), it's rare to find a day where people wouldn't be cramming past you and spilling Joey's ketchup onto JC weirdo pants("Get yo' mind outta da gutta, BW!"). Other than that, two big thumbs up, look for another *NSYNC TRL reign.
*I'll Never Stop: Ah. No. Please. No. I'm sorry, this video is so drastically like "The One." It's so sad too, because I really liked this song. Well, at least they didn't actually try and make this popular in the states, like the BSB, which means that most people will probably never see it, which is a good. And also, if that's how real *NSYNC fans act around the house, I may have to go and release my gorillas. See, if they had Kim Smith in the video they might've saved it. I'm almost convinced that a bunch of people just went behind *NSYNC's backs and made this video while they weren't paying attention.
*Pop: YES!
Okay, okay, okay, I don't like this as much as Bye Bye Bye either. Sorry! But I still like it a lot. It's very flashy and stylish and original and fun and spectacular-like in true *NSYNC fashion and it totally blew me away:).
And hey hey hey, can I hear a round of props for Joey? Watch Making the Video. Joey is God. All hail Him. After all he's been through he still pulled through for some of the shots. And to comment on the Wade thing...it did work somewhat. I don't like it one bit but I see the necessity and everyone was a good sport about it, including Wayne and everyone else. So yeah, props to Joey and Wade.
Chris as DJ! YES:D!
On the other hand...even though I've gotten so I actually really like listening to Justin's beatbox part, I still don't like watching it lol.
Still, props to Pop!
*Gone: Ah...Gone. Gone Gone Gone Gone Gone. The infamous song/video that caused so much controversy amoung *NSYNC fans.
I love it.
I really, really, really do not even come close to caring that Justin gets the screentime or story. I really don't. Honest to God, it doesn't even affect me in the slightest. People who do...well, trying to say this in the nicest way: That's their issue to deal with, not mine. Nor *NSYNC's.
The video is beautifully shot. Artistic and expressive in the way it carries the message. Setting, design, camera work, and tone. Justin did an incredible...no, a prodigious job portraying the emotions that well, he designed in the first place.
This is art.
*huge smile* So y'all excuse me if I don't particularly feel like thinking ill of this masterpiece simply because *extreme tone of sarcasm* poor victimized JC doesn't get to sing as often as he "should," mmkay
?
Seriously y'all...I doubt *NSYNC would have done this video the way it was done unless they had no problems with it. Let's give them a little more credit and faith than that.
That said, I luff this video.
*Girlfriend: Dancing on top of cars. TIGHT.
So, this is what they meant when they wanted to do Grease 3;).
And nope, they weren't kidding when they said that it's largely Fast and the Furious...which is all the better, of course, since I loved that movie! Very hardcore. Very tight.
This whole thing, it's so mellow and laid back, but it's also very intense and focused and sharp as well, all just like the song. Very fitting.
I think, once I've seen this a few more times, Girlfriend may turn out to be my favorite or at the very least my second favorite *NSYNC video(O_O). It surprised me too really...I'ma be the first to admit that hey, I'm not very urban. But something about this...it flirts with a rougher image, but is unabrasive about it. It's shameless about its urge to fit in with another genre than that is atypical of them, but it does so in a playful yet direct manner that seems almost fitting and natural for them, even if it goes against what we know of *NSYNC.
That, and the girls weren't bad;).
Major, major props.
(Though I do have to add something quick...I'm the very first to admit that Joey is the biggest hunk of sex on the planet, but whoever told him that his outfit in this video made him look more "urban" was seriously smokin' some ill s**t, yo. Word
)
*NEW Like I Love You: I like this video...it was simple, it was groovy, and it fit in almost seamlessly with the song.
But then, vibe-wise, it was almost a complete duplicate of Girlfriend lol.
I know the whole "If it ain't broken, don't fix it" deal, and I agree it works more often than we give it credit for, but obviously not in this case;).
Which isn't to say that I don't like this video! Like I said I think it's good and flows great and have a nice groove to it all, but rehashes are rehashes, no way around them:).
*NEW Cry Me a River: Now this is what I'm talkin' about!
This is cool. This has got it all. Groove, feeling, flow, cinematography, excellent motion, and excellent song to boot! I love the gloomy and sullen tones that go perfectly with the song and Justin's sneaky, almost dangerous state of mind through it all, which he acts out perfectly. Very good work. Almost disturbing. (^_^). The rain and overall colorscaling of the mansion and of the settings were really nice touches. A great video, all-around.
Is it honestly about Britney? Or is it as Justin says, just a gig to make people talk more? I honestly wouldn't be able to tell you. At first glance, it's obvious that the model he used in the video is meant to be Britney...she's got her style, her hair, her hat, even her strut down pat. But is it art imitating life or life imitating art? Hard to say, honestly.
*Collaborations with other artists.