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Music Video Musings from the Treadmill
Buttonz? Yodeling? Paul Wall? If I am at all current on the music kids are listening to these days — and my niece Phoenix will be the first to say I am not — it's only because my weekend routine finds me watching VH1 videos while doing cardio (and reading the latest periodicals, because I'm such the multi-tasker) at the local health club. Herewith are my thoughts on some of today's heavily-played "tracks," in no particular order other than how they pop into my mind:
"About Us," Brooke Hogan (with the aforementioned Paul Wall)
So, this is Hulk's daughter, eh? I read something somewhere about how she whipped herself into shape for this, partly via mad amounts of jump-roping, hence (I can only assume) the activity's inclusion in the vid. Mr. Wall's orthodontic issues aside, it's a catchy tune, though I must opine that Brooke and her posse get served in the video's dance-off at the end. I mean, did you see that one chick's crazy leg moves? It's like she has no femur.
"My Love," Justin Timberlake (featuring T.I.)
Cool black-and-white color scheme.
"Hurt," Christina Aguilera... by herself! How old school!
I do love her exemplary pipes, but please, spare me her acting. Yes, Xtina was surprisingly good that time on SNL, but in this vid, when she's doing the flashbacky "autograph signing," mugging for the flashbulbs and stuff, it's like she's a low-rent sidewalk mime. Makes Britney's bathtub suicide ("Everytime") look like Meryl Streep.
"Wind It Up," Gwen Stefani
I had heard about the yodeling, but now I have actually heard it. Um, interesting. But I have really taken a shine to Gwen's stylings, she sure knows how to churn out a memorable ditty. And to think I didn't notice at first that the Harajuku girls were playing the "children"!
"London Bridge" and "Fergalicious," Fergie
The former is so unapologetically derivative of "Hollaback Girl," I simply can't hold it against Ms. Ferguson, who struts through the vid in all her hardcore, arm-folding poser glory. The latter and more recent single fell a bit short for me in execution, though how exactly does one illustrate Fergaliciousness? (Shameless plug: Coming up in Friday's Interviews & Features, my Q&A with Las Vegas' Josh Duhamel, aka the dude who wakes up to Fergie many a morning.)
"Buttonz," The Pussycat Dolls with Snoop Dogg
My problem with the otherwise highly watchable PCD videos: All I can think about is the backstage, behind-the-back grumbling that must go on between the Dolls who aren't Nicole Scherzinger. It's bad enough that she is painted as the only one actually singing (purring?), but the director seldom dwells on anyone else for longer than a half a second. I think they have another vid out now ("Wait a Minute," this time with Timbaland), and eureka! One of the gals actually gets discernable face/lip time. She must be so happy. (Me, I thank the PCDs for the image of an MTA subway car where pretty girls pole-dance. Now that'd be worth a $2 fare.)
"White and Nerdy," Weird Al
Yes, it's true: This is one of the two songs I have thus far downloaded onto my new iPod shuffle. And yes, it's also true: I was humming it the other day when, while walking through the theater district, I passed — wait for it — Donny Osmond himself. I felt so... guilty.
"How to Save a Life," The Fray
What, no Izzy? No Burke? Opportunity missed.
"Save Room," John Legend
Pulse rate... dropping. "Calories Burned" stats at risk. Must... change... channel.
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Nov 28, 2006 12:39 PM
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I'm 23 and I feel old already.
I have never listened to any of those songs. I only know The Fray's song, and that's, of course, thanks to Grey's Anatomy.
I never watch MTV or VH1, so it must be that. Of course I know some of the artists, but that's definitely not the music I listen to.
But something weird that I realized is that when I exercise, I like to listen to Marilyn Manson's Lest We Forget (not my type of music either). It really puts me in the mood (if it's ever possible to be in the mood for exercise).
So that's my suggestion, if anyone wants to try it while running in the treadmill. 
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Nov 28, 2006 1:05 PM
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MTV and VH1 are definitely aimed at the pre-teen/teenage crowd. I haven't watched it in a few years. (i'm 24) Once in awhile I'll watch real world or something, but even though the cast and location change, it's always the same show.
And i've heard of some of these people, but I don't listen to the radio, so I don't know their songs.
How is it that a vegas act (pcd) gets a record deal??? I saw them on the AMA's and they just looked like grown women making fools of themselves dancing around barely in clothes.
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Nov 28, 2006 2:15 PM
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I'm a music fanatic...I'm 23 & I kno all of these artists but I dont watch MTV, BET, VH1, or Fuse. MTV is no longer music television so maybe they should consider a name change. The Real World..I watched almost every season but they need a little help in the casting dept. Diff't city, same type of people..BORING!!! A niice channel is MTV Hits..so if I get bored and I'm in the mood to see a vid I go there bcuz they mostly only play videos.
When I was younger I used to be a video freak...it was all I watched practically. Now I prefer to watch the vids online and listen to the music rather than wait for MTV to actually play a vid or have sum1's boobs or booty in my face lol.
My fav vid outta those listed is JT & TI's..great song & vid!!
PCD..I dunno how they got a record deal but Nicole has a great voice and she's comin out w/ a solo CD. I think to be in the PCD u have to b able to somewhat carry a tune but those othr grls dont get anywhere as much face time as Nicole which I would be mad about if I was them. But hey if they get a niiice check..mayb its worth it lol 
When I decide to use my gym memebership lol...I always listen to hip hop..some yung jeezy or TI always does the trick! Just a suggestion lol
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Nov 28, 2006 3:15 PM
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Well, I'm 36, and I do watch VH1 quite often, expecially on the weekend when they do the top twenty countdown...although, what happened to Mat Pinfield hosting? I loved that they brought him back, and then he suddenly wasn't there anymore.
I'm one of the people who was actually watching when MTV first aired. Yes, I did see the very first video on MTV, the Buggles "Video Killed the Radio Star" and I thought it was great. Of course, it was 1981. I miss the days when MTV actually was *music* television. I don't watch the Real World or Road Rules or any of the myriad shows they air now. I miss the music.
I do feel old sometimes when I watch VH1. I don't understand the yodeling, but I do enjoy Gwen Stefani, and not just because her name's the same as mine. I still love working out to Hollaback Girl. And I feel almost bad about it, since I didn't like him when he was in 'Nsync, but JT is sooooo hot now and I enjoy seeing and listening to him. Fergie is a lot of fun to jog to, too, but I still haven't quite figured out if I like her songs or not. And if I start saying that I'm "Gwenalicious" please put me out of my misery.
I also feel bad about myself for kind of liking PCD's music. I know I shouldn't, but it is really catchy, and what I wouldn't give to have a body like them. And of course, Weird Al....I've been a fan of him since the "I Lost on Jeopardy" and "Fat" days and am really glad that he's so popular now for "White and Nerdy." My kids tell me that it's my new theme song, replacing "1985" by Bowling For Soup. And I really loe that you were humming it while passing Donny Osmond...if it had been me, I think I would have had to start singing it really loudly when I saw him...lol.
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Nov 29, 2006 8:05 AM
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How is it that a vegas act (pcd) gets a record deal??? I saw them on the AMA's and they looked like grown women making fools of themselves dancing around barely in clothes.
Not that there's anything wrong with that 
Nicole has a great voice and she's comin out w/ a solo CD.
Yeah, I heard that. I wonder if CW's upcoming PCD reality series is to replace her? Again, I'd be peeved if I was one of the background gals and wasn't offered a shot at the lead.
I watch VH1 quite often, expecially on the weekend when they do the top twenty countdown...although, what happened to Mat Pinfield hosting?
Is that the stout bald guy? Or did he replace Mat? That show has been through so many hosts over my years on the Precor....
Donny Osmond...if it had been me, I think I would have had to start singing it really loudly when I saw him
I tell you, I almost did, but D.O. recently turned us down for a features Q&A, so I thought that maybe he has had his fill of white-and-nerdydom.
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Nov 29, 2006 12:04 PM
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