Happy Hump Day! Once again, I’m filling in for Don Durito and continuing my theme of music nominated at awards shows. This week, I’m sharing the music videos nominated at the Costume Designers Guild Awards. In addition to featuring well designed clothes, all of them make a social point.
I begin with my favorite nominee, Katy Perry’s “Chained to the Rhythm” with costumes designed by B. Akerlund.
Official video for “Chained to the Rhythm” directed by Mathew Cullen, produced by Danny Lockwood, Rob Newman, Ben Leiser & Javier Jimenez. Filmed at Six Flags Magic Mountain, California, “The Thrill Capital of the World”, January 2017.
Bustle points out that this song is expressly political, a big change from the escapism of Perry’s earlier work.
Just in time for her performance at the 2017 Grammys, Katy Perry released “Chained To The Rhythm,” a brand new single. On the surface, the song sounds like an ode to dancing filled with all of the bubblegum sweetness that the public has come to expect from Perry. However, once you listen to the “Chained to the Rhythm” lyrics, you’ll realize that this pop star is using her new song to be politically subversive.
Knowing that the singer was an incredibly vocal supporter of Hillary Clinton puts the lyrics of “Chained to the Rhythm” into some serious context. On Twitter, Perry herself called the song “purposeful pop,” and it’s absolutely commentary on life in the time of President Donald Trump. Sure, it sounds like she’s simply encouraging you to dance and drink like “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)” or something, but she’s actually being critical of the apathetic and escapist nature of humans in these troubling times.
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So, when you find yourself singing and dancing along to the earworm that is “Chained to the Rhythm,” know that Perry didn’t intend for it to be enjoyed as pure entertainment. “Chained to the Rhythm” is satire and Perry wants you to feel her scorn.
Skip Marley, the grandson of Bob Marley, makes a cameo in the video as well.
Follow over the jump for the other nominees, including the winner.
Don Durito and I have talked about the glaring social and economic inequality of Los Angeles. That forms the background to the next nominee, Elton John – Tiny Dancer (Official Music Video), although L.A.’s car culture is even more prominent than the desperation of broken dreams.
Building on Elton John and Bernie Taupin’s Californian inspiration, Max Weiland filmed a video for “Tiny Dancer” that reflects on life in Los Angeles from a dozen different perspectives. The Cut, proudly supported by YouTube, invited filmmakers to create the first official music videos for three of Elton’s most famous songs…
Yes, Marilyn Manson makes an appearance. That’s him with the snake.
Finally, here’s the winner of Excellence in Short Form Design, P!NK’s “Beautiful Trauma” with costumes designed by Kim Bowen. Watch as it has fun with gender roles.
If nothing else, Channing Tatum certainly can dance!
