Back in the late eighties I found myself working at MusiquePlus in Montreal,
the Quebec version of MTV. There, not only did we have access to the
standard new video releases of the day, but also a library full of an
amazing videos from Quebec, France and other Francophone sources. Many
treasures indeed but, in my mind, nothing has ever come close to the
majesty of Pierre Nadeau's "Girls Boys." Years from now, when
civilization has crumbled and our Ape masters ask "what was the video
age all about?" this will be the answer:
I know what you're thinking: all this plus Simmons drums and a Korg keytar as well? I know-it boggles the mind. My favorite part is the big chorus after the breakdown (about 3:27) where Pierre is rocking out heavily with the keytar: folks this is how it's done! There's a bit of a followup story to this video. A few years ago MusiquePlus featured it in a show called "DollarClip" where they ended up doing a re-make in the vein of the "Becoming..." shows ie: "Becoming Pierre Nadeau." They called it "Dans Le Speedo de Pierre Nadeau." They ended up tracking him down and he was very good natured about his belated recognition. There's a two-part documentary on this (in French) on Youtube which can be seen here and here.
I know what you're thinking: all this plus Simmons drums and a Korg keytar as well? I know-it boggles the mind. My favorite part is the big chorus after the breakdown (about 3:27) where Pierre is rocking out heavily with the keytar: folks this is how it's done! There's a bit of a followup story to this video. A few years ago MusiquePlus featured it in a show called "DollarClip" where they ended up doing a re-make in the vein of the "Becoming..." shows ie: "Becoming Pierre Nadeau." They called it "Dans Le Speedo de Pierre Nadeau." They ended up tracking him down and he was very good natured about his belated recognition. There's a two-part documentary on this (in French) on Youtube which can be seen here and here.
YES.
Posted by: Joe | January 23, 2009 at 03:18 AM
Wow. It just never lets up... Every time you think the joke's over- BAM! More genius!
Posted by: Alex | January 23, 2009 at 08:11 AM
Another one of the secret pleasures of this video is its default YouTube screenshot. Every time I glance at it, for some reason I see a slightly menacing gorilla. When it is only, of course, two finely coiffed Canadian heads locked in a sunset embrace.
Posted by: benito | January 23, 2009 at 11:40 AM
My eyes hurt.
Posted by: protogenes | January 23, 2009 at 11:48 AM
More Genius. Indeed. I thought the visible boom mics in the shots (1:46-2:00) was funny, but that's nuthin!
Posted by: Brian C. | January 23, 2009 at 11:52 AM
Awesome! I need this song
Posted by: Paco | January 23, 2009 at 03:30 PM
It is indeed some kind of perfect '80s apotheosis. I need that keytar.
Posted by: Listener Rick | January 23, 2009 at 05:55 PM
they aren't really boom mics, and they are supposed to be there--if you think about it, why would they be recording sound for the video? they aren't--it's supposed to look like the song is being recorded on the beach. but it's so clumsily done that it does register as a mistake...
Posted by: andy | January 23, 2009 at 08:44 PM
I believe this was shot at Old Orchard Beach, Maine. I went there few times as a kid in the 80's. I very well could have been there on the day this video was shot...a brush with greatness.
Posted by: Gordito | January 23, 2009 at 10:11 PM
this is almost as good as Sondra Prill
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sondra_Prill
maybe a mashup is in order...:)
Posted by: davo | January 24, 2009 at 12:23 PM
Not perfect! I see no designer jeans, nor Members Only jackets. But very good, every other trope is in attendance.
Posted by: K | January 24, 2009 at 12:24 PM
Alfred Molina in "Boogie Nights."
Posted by: EH | January 24, 2009 at 12:28 PM