It’s a rare occasion that I have to be into work early on a Monday and since tomorrow is one of these rare occasions, I thought I’d give back to all the hard working people in the world and help you combat that bad case of the Mondays. Let me set you at ease before you continue on, nowhere on this list is Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” I’d like to think this list compiles some less obvious and much less annoying choices for videos that just put a smile on your face and a tingling in your tummy.
10.Frontier Psychologist by The Avalanches.
This is a good pick for a number 10 because this video will either brighten your day or give you nightmares for the next 2 weeks. This is one of my favorite videos and I'm confident that the shear originality of the clip will get you going, plus its got a beat...and a ghost chorus. At 2:16 is probably the greatest moment in music video history.
9.Buddy Holly by Weezer.
Ok, maybe this one is a little obvious, but c'mon, this video has it all; a catchy tune, Pat Morita, and Fonzy dancing like a Russian schoolgirl. After a few minutes with Anson Williams, you'll swear you were back in 1993.
8.Humpty Dance by The Digital Underground.
This is probably the greatest song ever. I have no idea what happened to this guy or why he's not still rapping, but I guess if you can have a group of ladies hold the mic for you while you rhyme, everything else is just gravy. If anyone knows where I can go to a club like this, please let me know immediately.
7.Can't Tell Me Nothin' by Kanye West.
Zach Galifinakis is hysterical. He barely even does anything here and thats pretty much whats so funny. I had a tough time choosing between this video and Fiona Apple's "Not About Love", but Galifinakis gets the job done here moreso than in the Apple clip. You get bonus points if you can keep a straight face when Kanye name checks the Cosbys and Hillman.
6.Gay Bar by Electric Six.
I happen to know for a fact that the Lincoln administration was exactly like this. Lincoln filled his cabinet with physically fit, look-alike bodyguards as a safety measure…it didn’t work. Enjoy the awkward homosexual innuendos!
5.Around the World by Daft Punk.
You can't have a list of music videos without a little Michael Gondry. This is another one of my all time favorite videos, based mostly on the fact that I think the song is pretty boring, but the video is so much damned fun I'll watch it just to get my dancing robot fix for the day. BTW, if anyone wants to get together and dress up in these costumes and dance, I'm game.
4.It’s Oh So Quiet by Bjork
I think most anyone can relate to this video. To feel so nuts for someone that you just feel like your life was one big Technicolor musical. Its ok, I know I've wanted to dance with strangers in the streets more than once...I gotta quit drinkin'. I bet this is also very similar to the feeling of coming out of the closet. Either/or.
3.Today by Smashing Pumpkins
The music video that introduced me and the world to my fav band. The ol’ Corgan sarcasm makes this one of the most misinterpreted songs of the 90’s, but everything about the video is straightforward; say "to hell" with your job and go off and have some fun. This video gets points for having something of an actual story arc. Also, it should be noted that James Iha in a dress is still one of the most confusing things from my youth. Much like the others, if anyone wants to stage a recreation...
2.The Nature Anthem by Grandaddy.
If this video doesn’t warm your soul, you’ve probably already sold it to Satan. By the time the children’s chorus kicks in you should be ready to grab an animal costume and go backpacking in the woods. Not only does it entertain, it teaches. I think this video does it for me because it reminds me of that old Winnie the Pooh show with the actors in bad costumes.
1.Call Me Al by Paul Simon.
I can watch Paul Simon’s facial expressions in this all day. Theres something else very interesting that happens here; without doing much, these two give the impression of being best friends, which serves the song perfectly. This video is also historic because it marks the last time that Chevy Chase did something funny.
Well, thats what I put together. Honorable mentions to "Big Me", "Here it Goes", "Weapon of Choice", and "Groove is in the Heart." I really hope I did my part to brighten your day. Let me know if I left off any videos that put a smile on your face.
Posts
