Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Caught on Tape: Journey - "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)"

The 1983 music video for Journey's single "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" has often been acknowledged as one of the worst music videos of all time; with Mtv even having hosted a show that ranked it among the top of the slop. And why is this? Not to let my personal love for the band complicate the issue, but I think this animosity is simply because everyone else is jealous of Journey. Jealous of the sheer degree of power that is portrayed in the short 4 1/2 minutes of godliness that was infinitely captured by some astute lens. Envious of the band's ability to rock - regardless of whether they possess any instruments or not (which they continually demonstrate through the use of air-guitar, air-drums and air-keyboard). Perhaps it is the overwhelming sex appeal of vocalist Steve Perry's form-fitting tank top and jeans that pushes some people over the edge? Or maybe these naive critics were thrown off by the band's intense facial expressions and body language?

When Perry sings, the brilliant light that surrounds his flowing locks of hair causes his body to buckle and curl inward under the pressure. In his effort to refute the pain, we see Perry attack a corrugated metal building down by the wharf. And even after all of this, the band is able to play on. Those covetous folk who dare criticize the masterpiece that is Journey's "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" video are likely no different from the high-heeled lass in the video - haunted at night by the radiant beacon of energy that is Journey. This is understandable; yet, we should not let it distract us from that fact that this video is nothing short of magnificant.



Exercise caution as you view...Probably the Best Music Video I've Ever Seen




3 comments:

Anonymous said...

The video that most closely resembles a parody of itself...

flip said...

The video that most closely resembles the video that most closely resembles a parody of itself.

Anonymous said...

It looks a bit funny.