Drop-the-Cat Video Moments
By Mr. Moderator on Dec 9, 2009
Sorry, kitty...
We've all got our "Wait, wait...check it out!" musical moments, those special, super-cool points in a song that you want, no, you need your friend to hear. In all the years we've had rock videos in our lives, are there equivalent moments, which I will call drop-the-cat moments, as the sweaty, muscular factory worker in Madonna's "Express Yourself" video does when surprised to see the back of our tastefully naked, freshly milk-bathed Madge?
Despite my silly (yet sincere) example, a moment that follows in the video shortly after that cat lands on all fours, these drop-the-cat video moments need not be salacious. Whatever video moment puts you in that factory worker's state of surprise and wonder will do. Links to your video with the time at which the drop-the-cat moment occurs for you are more than welcome!
26 comments
Comment from: hrrundivbakshi [Member] 
There's a really cheeseball, mid-80s video for Hendrix's "Dolly Dagger" that features an ice sculpture of -- waitaminnit, is it Hendrix or Dolly? -- anyhow, it's a *really* bad ice likeness, and it's a "wait for it" moment for me. That's the first one that springs to mind for some reason.
Of course, there's also the moment in Lionel Richie's "Hello" where the blind girl strokes his face as she carves her not-very-good clay bust of old Lionel. meanwhile, Lionel sings (as she strokes): "Hello? Is it me you're looking for?"
There are so many of these moments.
Of course, there's also the moment in Lionel Richie's "Hello" where the blind girl strokes his face as she carves her not-very-good clay bust of old Lionel. meanwhile, Lionel sings (as she strokes): "Hello? Is it me you're looking for?"
There are so many of these moments.
12/09/09 @ 11:46
Comment from: BigSteve [Member]
This isn't quite the same thing, but remember the furor the Madonna video for Justify My Love created? That's the one that was infamously parodied in a Wayne's World sketch.
MTV wouldn't play it, so everyone wanted to know what the fuss was about. I happened to be in the French Quarter in New Orleans around that time, and a video bar that had numerous doorways opening out onto Bourbon St. started playing the video as I walked past.
Everyone in the vicinity dropped the cat to try to see what the fuss was about, and by the end of the video the entire street on both sides (the bar was on a corner) was full of people trying to watch the video.
It was a strange experience because already 19 years ago it was strange to have non-solitary cultural experiences. And it was also strange to try to be shocked while surrounded by the low-rent but actual, visceral decadence of the French Quarter.
MTV wouldn't play it, so everyone wanted to know what the fuss was about. I happened to be in the French Quarter in New Orleans around that time, and a video bar that had numerous doorways opening out onto Bourbon St. started playing the video as I walked past.
Everyone in the vicinity dropped the cat to try to see what the fuss was about, and by the end of the video the entire street on both sides (the bar was on a corner) was full of people trying to watch the video.
It was a strange experience because already 19 years ago it was strange to have non-solitary cultural experiences. And it was also strange to try to be shocked while surrounded by the low-rent but actual, visceral decadence of the French Quarter.
12/09/09 @ 12:38
Comment from: cherguevara [Member]
I surfed past a thing about Lionel Richie once, where he was talking about that video. He was saying that he complained to the director that the sculpture really wasn't very good and couldn't they fix it up, and the director said to him, "Lionel, She's *blind*"
I don't think there's anything that really excited me about any music video to meet the above description. This Feist video for "1 2 3 4"...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9D0aTSkslWY
...has a moment at the beginning where a dancer appears behind her, and I watched a few times because I wondered how they did it.
I don't think there's anything that really excited me about any music video to meet the above description. This Feist video for "1 2 3 4"...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9D0aTSkslWY
...has a moment at the beginning where a dancer appears behind her, and I watched a few times because I wondered how they did it.
12/09/09 @ 12:57
Comment from: Mr. Moderator [Member]
I was hopeful that you would get what I'm talking about. I've just remembered all the great drop-the-cat moments in The Jam's "Absolute Beginners" video, which I featured in an RTH post about a year ago. I can't remember if I ever analyzed it before, but there's also a great moment in an old Nick Cave video when he and his bandmates do some kind of goofy, "eerie" dancing. I've got to find that clip and drop-the-cat on that scene again.
12/09/09 @ 13:21
I remember calling my then-girlfriend/future ex-wife on the phone late at night (We may have already been on the phone) to look at MTV to see this video. Particularly to see the moment in the video that begins at 3:04 (the drummer).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofIBsxZnPMs
A couple of weeks later, I bought the album and the rest is history. Had it not been for that moment, I may not have ever paid attention to this band.
TB
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofIBsxZnPMs
A couple of weeks later, I bought the album and the rest is history. Had it not been for that moment, I may not have ever paid attention to this band.
TB
12/09/09 @ 13:29
Comment from: Oats [Member]
Mr. Mod, I think the Nick Cave video in question is "Fifteen Feet of Pure White Snow," which also features some choice dance moves from Jarvis Cocker.
Another Cave video, the 14-minute "Babe I'm on Fire" is loaded with drop-the-cat moments, some of which are probably NSFW.
Another Cave video, the 14-minute "Babe I'm on Fire" is loaded with drop-the-cat moments, some of which are probably NSFW.
12/09/09 @ 13:41
Comment from: joeenglishband [Member]
What about a "drop the pie" moment? The whole video is one big not so subtle double entendre. Warrant-Cherry Pie.
I remember being shocked/laughing when the "titular" pie drops on love triangle of the model at the :40 mark.
Crappy band, genius video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fU3izKFnyo
I remember being shocked/laughing when the "titular" pie drops on love triangle of the model at the :40 mark.
Crappy band, genius video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fU3izKFnyo
12/09/09 @ 14:04
Comment from: Mr. Moderator [Member]
Oats, "Do You Love Me" is the Cave video I had in mind. A quick search on YouTube didn't show that video. Bummer. Another popular video I used to dig on MTV Europe at the same time by Cave's bud, PJ Harvey, had similar dance moves (extended sequences at 2:45):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyWPvrkdhtM&feature=channel
It was much funnier when Cave and his Bad Seeds were doing these dances, though. Come to think of it, it was in a similar vein to the Wayne's World dudes doing Madonna's "Justify My Love."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyWPvrkdhtM&feature=channel
It was much funnier when Cave and his Bad Seeds were doing these dances, though. Come to think of it, it was in a similar vein to the Wayne's World dudes doing Madonna's "Justify My Love."
12/09/09 @ 14:18
Comment from: cherguevara [Member]
One band whose videos I enjoy, generally, is OK Go, so while we're on this topic, they have a new one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12zJw9varYE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12zJw9varYE
12/09/09 @ 14:29
Comment from: Mr. Moderator [Member]
Moments, cher (and all), moments are what we seek. Good video, but I want to make sure we steer clear of posts on nothing but favorite video artists, favorite videos, etc. For instance, I like that Replacements video with the static shot of the speaker, but I wouldn't nudge my friend to pay attention to a particular moment in the video.
12/09/09 @ 14:44
Comment from: hrrundivbakshi [Member]
There are, of course, a couple of big DtC moments in the JaBo "Dancing In the Streets" video. Sure, the whole thing is appalling, but Bowie's leg kick from inside the door frame, and his bossa nova shimmy when he says "on-the-streets-of-Brah-ZIL!" are waitforit moments. Oh, and Jagger's gratuitous ass shake.
Oh, WAIT! the incredibly lame duck walking during the solo section of Rod Stewart's "Hot Legs." Not to mention the very uncool bass solo by Tetsu Yamaguchi.
Speaking of "Tets," isn't he scheduled to hand out some kind of diversity award at the upcoming RTH Foyer of Fame ceremony?
Oh, WAIT! the incredibly lame duck walking during the solo section of Rod Stewart's "Hot Legs." Not to mention the very uncool bass solo by Tetsu Yamaguchi.
Speaking of "Tets," isn't he scheduled to hand out some kind of diversity award at the upcoming RTH Foyer of Fame ceremony?
12/09/09 @ 16:03
Comment from: BigSteve [Member]
This is a wait-for-it DtC moment:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GzXoTBdQRs
At the very end, starting at around the 3:00 point, there's a 'nutty boys on tour' moment. It's generally a very silly video, but the ending makes it worth waiting for.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GzXoTBdQRs
At the very end, starting at around the 3:00 point, there's a 'nutty boys on tour' moment. It's generally a very silly video, but the ending makes it worth waiting for.
12/09/09 @ 19:19
Comment from: alexmagic [Member]
In the - what, 26? - years since this first aired, one thing has stayed true: the greatest extra in music video history is, was and always will be the guy at the 2:55-2:56 mark in the video for "Dancing With Myself": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VNx78SAq8M
12/09/09 @ 20:06
Comment from: hissing fauna [Member]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPWQobdVJv4&feature=related the random, completely out of place line group dance is pretty fantastic.
12/09/09 @ 21:23
Comment from: cherguevarra [Member]
12/09/09 @ 21:26
Comment from: Mr. Moderator [Member]
You've redeemed yourself, cher, like we knew you would. Bravo!
hissing fauna, I'm going to try busting out in dance at some unexpected point tomorrow. Thanks for the idea.
hissing fauna, I'm going to try busting out in dance at some unexpected point tomorrow. Thanks for the idea.
12/09/09 @ 21:55
Comment from: cdm [Member]
Cher,
I think you've managed to pinpoint the most egregious moment in the video that single handedly destroyed an entire career. Kudos to you for making the effort to distinguish that moment from the general swanning/mincing about that takes place through out.
That video shocked me out of my low grade Squire fandom for quite some time. Now, I'll listen to him about once every other year, but it's never the same as it was pre-video.
However, I might consider giving him some more air time considering this comment on youtube:
"Squier is the Tiger Woods of Rock and Roll =the BEST!!!!!! he can take a G chord and make it GOLDEN!!!!!!!!"
I think you've managed to pinpoint the most egregious moment in the video that single handedly destroyed an entire career. Kudos to you for making the effort to distinguish that moment from the general swanning/mincing about that takes place through out.
That video shocked me out of my low grade Squire fandom for quite some time. Now, I'll listen to him about once every other year, but it's never the same as it was pre-video.
However, I might consider giving him some more air time considering this comment on youtube:
"Squier is the Tiger Woods of Rock and Roll =the BEST!!!!!! he can take a G chord and make it GOLDEN!!!!!!!!"
12/10/09 @ 09:07
Comment from: hrrundivbakshi [Member]
Alexmagic, that shit is FUNNY! You're in the lead as far as I'm concerned.
12/10/09 @ 09:40
Comment from: alexmagic [Member]
Thanks, HVB. I really do feel the need to point that guy out to people any time the video is mentioned or comes on somewhere. Which isn't enough. Directed by Tobe Hooper! Billy Idol fighting an entire city of superzombies! They should have made a movie out of that shit.
12/10/09 @ 11:14
Comment from: misterioso [Member]
Friends, by way of an initial contribution to this august forum, may I offer the largely inexplicable man bursting into flames and meandering across the stage from 4:08 to 4:20 in "Boyz Are Gonna Rock" by the Vinny Vincent Invasion? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKeMeNjofU8&feature=related
Saw this video once, probably when it came out, laughed myself sick, and never saw it again until the youtube came along.
Who is he? Why was he there? I mean the guy in flames, not Vinny. Though the same questions might well be asked of him, too.
Saw this video once, probably when it came out, laughed myself sick, and never saw it again until the youtube came along.
Who is he? Why was he there? I mean the guy in flames, not Vinny. Though the same questions might well be asked of him, too.
12/10/09 @ 16:09
Comment from: Mr. Moderator [Member]
misterioso, you have made one of the grandest entrances ever. Thanks for joining the fray!
I'm still laughing from that video and it's drop-the-cat moment. The point at 3:57, when the guitarist licks his guitar, might have been worth the price of admission alone. AWESOME!
Once I stop laughing I'm going to have to do some research on this Vinnie Vincent character. And why just one V? Would two offset, overlapping Vs for the logo behind the drummer have been confused with a W?
I'm still laughing from that video and it's drop-the-cat moment. The point at 3:57, when the guitarist licks his guitar, might have been worth the price of admission alone. AWESOME!
Once I stop laughing I'm going to have to do some research on this Vinnie Vincent character. And why just one V? Would two offset, overlapping Vs for the logo behind the drummer have been confused with a W?
12/10/09 @ 16:15
Comment from: Oats [Member]
Alexmagic and I have some conspiracy theories about Vinnie Vincent and his mysteriously truncated tenure in KISS.
12/10/09 @ 16:18
Comment from: misterioso [Member]
Signor Moderator, thank you. First, let me apologize to everyone for a major screw-up: it's "Vinnie" not "Vinny."
As for VV's comings and goings, I know not. But the Wikipedia entry on him contains the following (inadvertently comical?) statement: "Vincent was let go immediately after the tour, but was called back for 1983's Lick It Up, before being fired again from the band for alleged unethical behavior."
"Unethical behavior"?!? In KISS Kontext, what could that possibly mean?
As for VV's comings and goings, I know not. But the Wikipedia entry on him contains the following (inadvertently comical?) statement: "Vincent was let go immediately after the tour, but was called back for 1983's Lick It Up, before being fired again from the band for alleged unethical behavior."
"Unethical behavior"?!? In KISS Kontext, what could that possibly mean?
12/10/09 @ 18:33
Comment from: hrrundivbakshi [Member]
Misterioso, that shit made me laugh - out - LOUD. Truly hilarious. Seriously.
12/10/09 @ 19:28
Comment from: chickenfrank [Member]
I love the flaming man, but all the chicks in that band are really flat-chested. Kind of disappointing since they all have their shirts unbuttoned.
12/11/09 @ 22:13
Comment feed for this postComments are not allowed from anonymous visitors.
| « Hear Factor, deux: Everybody Needs Education | Favorites of the Decade? » |
