Mark Arminio
The Late Movies: Literal Music Videos, Take 2
by Mark Arminio - March 4, 2010 - 10:00 PM

bloghead_latemovies

Trying to think warm thoughts, I recalled last summer Ransom Riggs had a post of literal music videos, ranging from “Total Eclipse of the Heart” to Billy Idol’s “White Wedding.” Tonight, here are a few more classic takes on famous music videos.

Here is the Meatloaf classic, “I Would Do Anything For You (But I Won’t Do That).”

If you remember the band Creed, you’ll enjoy this literal translations of “With Arms Wide Open.”

Here is a take on the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Under The Bridge.” Is that Will Ferrel?

Four words: “Love Is A Battlefield.”

“One Week” by Barenades Ladies. The words are tough enough to follow without trying to do a parody.

Finally, here is everyone’s favorite, Enrique Iglesias, doing “Hero.” These videos seem to be a YouTube trend. Do you have any other favorites?

twitterbanner.jpg

« Previous Post   -   Next Post »
Click here to get a Risk-Free issue of mental_floss magazine
Comments (10)

  1. My absolute favorite is Bonnie Tyler’s Total Eclipse of the Heart. “I’ve joined the Glee Club of the Damned!”

    posted by Ron on 3-4-2010 at 10:31 pm

  2. Take on Me literal version. This was the first time I ever saw “literal” music videos. Makes me laugh no matter how many times I watch it!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HE9OQ4FnkQ

    posted by Stina on 3-5-2010 at 12:09 am

  3. The best ever is Meatloaf \I Would Do Anything\. I was laughing so hard I was crying the first time I saw that. I’ve seen it about 20 times, and I still laugh as hard.

    posted by erin on 3-5-2010 at 12:41 am

  4. i cant help but think of alternative lyrics when i hear certain songs.

    among my favorites:
    *sung to the tune of “more than a feeling”:

    i stare at the ceiling; my favorite tea is darjeeling; my piece of crap car’s not worth stealing… etc etc etc

    posted by BIGschnozz on 3-5-2010 at 1:56 am

  5. sung to the tune of: “go on, leave me breathless”:
    …go on, go on make me breakfast.

    sung to the tune of: “i need a lover who won’t drive me crazy”:
    …i need my mother for biscuits and gravy.

    posted by BIGschnozz on 3-5-2010 at 1:59 am

  6. youtube has a really funny video about the video game: “Halo” sung to the tune of red hot chili peppers Hey Snow.

    posted by BIGschnozz on 3-5-2010 at 2:03 am

  7. stina, i just checked out the “take on me” clip. tooooo funny.
    it had 7,254 responses!!!!

    (…and no they weren’t all from me :P )

    posted by BIGschnozz on 3-5-2010 at 2:17 am

  8. Great post! This is a whole new genre to me, and I see many questionably used hours in my future. :-) The Meat Load one was particularly funny, although I started with BNL and that one was hilarious too.

    @Stina – The “Take on Me” literal vid was awesome! I laughed silently at my desk until I cried just a little. :-)

    “Watch out for them / they’re gunna beat you / up with that pipe wrench…”

    posted by Roger on 3-5-2010 at 11:58 am

  9. Whoa. That should’ve read Meat LOAF. Yikes. Don’t want to see THAT video.

    posted by Roger on 3-5-2010 at 12:16 pm

  10. I like the Penny Lane and Daydream Believer ones.

    posted by holly on 3-9-2010 at 10:06 am

Comment

commenting policy