by Duckie 1
Member since:
May 30, 2007

Dustin McLean's "Take On Me"

October 10, 2008 09:54 AM UTC (Updated: October 10, 2008 10:30 AM UTC)
views: 0 | comments: 33

 

 

On MSNBC's Technology & Science page today, a YouTube satire video was highlighted prominently. The work of Dustin McLean, a California-based animator/film maker/musician, it is receiving a phenomenal number of hits and views. The video is a lyrically literalized version of a-ha's beloved 1985 video, "Take On Me."

 

In the words of the young generation, it is "awesomeness, dude!"

Comments: 33

Sue * Oct 10, 2008, 10:27am UTC
Well, that was very cool....oh, to have talent.
Debbie G. Oct 10, 2008, 10:39am UTC
Creative, very creative!
Tonia, who hugs trees G. Oct 10, 2008, 10:47am UTC
I remember this video from my teen years so it was fun to see this new "adaption".
Duckie 1 Oct 10, 2008, 10:55am UTC
The catchy tune is fun and memorable isn't it? A new generation of kids are re-discovering it now thru the help of this video.
I was the targeted audience for this song (I was a HS sophomore in '85. Day-um, I am old.) That said -- I HATED "TAKE ON ME". They might well kick me out of my own generation for saying that, but everything about the song annoyed me to pieces. Just hearing it again made me want to chew on my own teeth.

But, this was REALLY, REALLY funny and IMO, the only redemption this song could ever hope for in my book.
Joseph H. Oct 10, 2008, 11:22am UTC
that is very cool.
Joseph H. Oct 10, 2008, 11:23am UTC
on the other hand, I might have to disconnect from Joy after learning she hated that song.
Joseph H. Oct 10, 2008, 11:23am UTC
(not really, but, you get my point)
Joseph, arguably -- the VIDEO was the best (and only redemptive) thing about this song. Admit it. I also hope that you enjoy the same sort of day that I'm facing down: One in which the Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo of the keyboard is stuck in my head on an endless loop.

GAAAAAK!! It's World Cultures class all over again!!
M O. Oct 10, 2008, 11:55am UTC
I remember this video. It was considered pretty cutting edge for its time. The song's not bad, considering the bulk of total crap recorded during that particular low point in the history of music.

The thing I find revolting though, being able to look back on this through the lens of history, is the style of the period - clothes, hair, etc. Ugh. WHAT were fashion leaders thinking? I really cannot think of more unflattering styles throughout all of history. I feel bad for people who spent the best years of their lives looking like this.
The Fine Art of C.C. Miranda Oct 10, 2008, 12:42pm UTC
sheryl, i actually liked a lot of the clothes of that time. not all mind you, but there were some cool stuff. much better than the nothingness of the 90's that for sure. and watch out, the clothes are coming back cause the current people in charge of the fashion industry went to high school in the 80's.
The Fine Art of C.C. Miranda Oct 10, 2008, 12:42pm UTC
and from an artist standpoint. best video ever.
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Oct 10, 2008, 12:44pm UTC
Loved this Joseph, even with the new lyrics!
M O. Oct 10, 2008, 1:00pm UTC
Well, CC, from what i can see, it's a lot of super big, teased, dried-out, permed hair, HUGE shoulder pads, leggings, oversized sweaters, and scrunchies. Even the best of figures looks bizarre and misshapen. I really don't get it.
Dame Ruth, Chief Executive Elitist D. Oct 10, 2008, 1:01pm UTC
There are advantages to being three generations removed from this sort of "music"...indifference then, indifference now. Nevertheless,
Thank you for posting to this group whose only purpose is to thank you for posting to this group.
The Fine Art of C.C. Miranda Oct 10, 2008, 1:11pm UTC
well when you have really big hair to begin with (without having to do any teasing) it was great! i love oversized sweaters (i prefer men's xxx).

the high fashion end of it had a much more glamorous look than what most people wore though, harking back to the 40's style.

there was a lot of ew, don't get me wrong, but there was a lot of fun with it too.
Kris M. Oct 10, 2008, 2:48pm UTC
I hated this song with all the loathing in my teenage heart, which, I can assure you, was plenty. I hope this band is somewhere right now cleaning the fryers at a Norwegian outpost of McDonald's.
Hmm...It didn't do much for me. Maybe I need to know the original.
Wilhelmine E. Oct 10, 2008, 3:09pm UTC
Well! Goodness me. This is amazing.
Duckie 1 Oct 10, 2008, 3:31pm UTC
Wow... I love this! I posted this as an oddity and had to go do some real life things for a bit... and came back to a surprising abundance of comments.

Only on Gather can such a wide range of reaction be expressed over what I thought was a simple 'artistic find', on a technical page, no less. This is grreat!
Ina ♥ ♥ Oct 10, 2008, 4:54pm UTC
That was way cool, Duckie! I can't wait for Kevin to see it!
Granny Janny Oct 10, 2008, 6:00pm UTC
First time I have seen this...I do remember the song but never understood the lyrics until now. First rate video.
Grems 'gremlin' Oct 10, 2008, 7:58pm UTC
I do remember this and ooohhh it was cool then. I still think the graphics are good, but I need the song out of my head.
Duckie 1 Oct 10, 2008, 8:17pm UTC
A-Ha's original lyrics for:




Take On Me



We're talking away
I don't know what
I'm to say I'll say it anyway
Today's another day to find you
Shying away
I'll be coming for your love, OK?

Take on me, take me on
I'll be gone
In a day or two

So needless to say
I'm odds and ends
But that's me stumbling away
Slowly learning that life is OK.
Say after me
It's no better to be safe than sorry

Take on me, take me on
I'll be gone
In a day or two

Oh the things that you say
Is it life or
Just a play my worries away
You're all the things I've got to
remember
You're shying away
I'll be coming for you anyway

Take on me, take me on
I'll be gone
In a day or two
The Fine Art of C.C. Miranda Oct 10, 2008, 8:29pm UTC
i actually have the sheet music to play this on piano btw.
The Fine Art of C.C. Miranda Oct 10, 2008, 8:32pm UTC
kudos to that guy for managing to hit all those high notes though. i used to sing high soprano and couldn't hit them.
Duckie 1 Oct 10, 2008, 8:49pm UTC
CC, you play the piano besides painting awesome art? You're one talented lady!


The way I understand it, McLean himself did the vocals for the video... one talented guy, himself!
Kris M. Oct 10, 2008, 8:56pm UTC
Hey Duckie, just wanted to clarify -- I didn't want you to think I was giving you grief for posting this! I just have flashbacks to 10th grade whenever I think of that song. (You can understand that might be traumatic!...)
☆ Scott ☆ A. ☆ Oct 10, 2008, 9:18pm UTC
When god closes a door, he opens a window
Duckie 1 Oct 11, 2008, 9:28am UTC
Kris, no need for clarification... I knew what you meant and I was quite glad people came to give their honest assessment of the video --- pro, con or indifferent! The discussion this brought on was a pleasant surprise for me!
Andrea "slackermom" R. Oct 11, 2008, 3:59pm UTC
Very cool. I enjoyed this.

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