Four of the five videos I picked for this week’s theme have a storyline of one sort or another. This one is the exception.
I’d like to know who the genius was who said to Robert Palmer: “Why don’t you just sing the song in front of five hot chicks in black dresses and mime makeup?” It’s the simplest idea yet one of the indelible images of the early MTV era.
I remember watching this one (and most of this week’s videos) with my parents, and they were as taken with it as I was. Some credit goes to the song itself, which is an addictive (heh) work of white-man funk, but most of it goes to the video.
Now, forgive me for being a bit shallow. I’ve always been most attracted to the keyboardist… she’s by far the beauty of the bunch. But I never understood why, given the hundreds of women who must have auditioned for this video, they wound up choosing the woman on the far right. She is distinctly mannish in appearance, with legs about as thick around as the others’ waists. I mean, it’s not like they needed somebody to actually play the guitar… why did they pick her? Maybe she knew somebody.
Meet Me In Montauk 
How many times has this video been parodied? I wonder if my students have ever actually even seen the original? Certainly the video is beyond effective, but I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss the song. You could only get away with a video this simple if the song can carry it. This one can. As for the “mannish” guitar player, perhaps Robert Palmer wanted to appeal to all the audience members out there, not just the heterosexual teenage boys. I’m sure “she” has her fans.
My old/ex friend Ron Kurtz, who loved this video, would often and repeatedly point out that the woman in the video were intended to resemble a Nagal painting. So, perhaps one of the Nagal women was a bit thick on the bottom? Who knows?
Anyway, it is a great song and video. I’m enjoying this week a great deal. Wonderful nostalgia for my days of watching WAY too much MTV for my own good:)
love the song, love the video, even after all these years. Thanks, a bright moment needed in this stinko economic enviornment!