Literal Video – The Endless Charm of Stating the Obvious

09/1/09  Print This Post Print This Post    8 Comments   Popular   Written by Kate Sedgwick
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The first literal video I saw was this A-Ha “Take on Me” spoof.

I couldn’t stop laughing. It touched a chord. So often you or I might sing a snippet in the spirit of the literal video, but to do it so seamlessly and for the length of the entire song, well, you have to admit that it takes talent.

Among the many YouTube users now posting their own literal videos, many mention Dusty McNeato whom they credit as being the originator of literal video. Apparently due to copyright laws, the original literal A-Ha video was taken off and in its absence others stepped into its place, including a Dutch version of the same video.

A quick search of Dusty McNeato reveals his personal website and YouTube Channel.

The following are some recent gems of the genre.

It’s easy to hate Total Eclipse of the Heart, the tune that’s mocked at least once a night at any Karaoke throughout the U.S. You’ve been overexposed and are now suffering from Eclipse poisoning. Never fear. Get your mock on with this critical and observational jewel of snark and goofiness.

I added this one simply because, though the singing is far from convincing, the lyrics are true to the form and though I think we’ve all been Rick-Rolled, I don’t know that more than a handful of us have been literally Rick-Rolled. Perhaps Rick-Rolling has had its day, but if you want to surprise someone with some Rick, I think this is the way it must be done hence forth.


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About the Author

Kate Sedgwick

Kate Sedgwick co-edits Matador Nights from Buenos Aires where she teaches English, learns Spanish and thoroughly enjoys herself. Her art and writing have appeared in print and on-line publications and her novel in progress will be received with prurient glee by critics of American culture if it ever gets into their grubby little hands. Find out more about her than you ever wanted to know here. (Author photo by Sebastian Santana).

8 Comments... join the discussion!

  • Paul Sullivan replied on September 1, 2009

    Great work Kate. Plenty of genuine LOL moments here. Superb.

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  • Michelle replied on September 1, 2009

    Hilarious.

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  • FichenDich replied on September 2, 2009

    OMG! My face hurts ! I died laughing !

    I suppose when I recover I’ll wax nostalgic for the 80s.

    Let us hope this goes viral. I’ll begin by forwarding the link to this page.

    PS The girl in the Ah Ha video is Bunty Bailey.

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    • Kate Sedgwick replied to FichenDich on September 2, 2009

      Thanks! This is the sort of thing you can come back to time and again for a good laugh. These folks are doing the lord’s work!

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  • Carlo Alcos replied on September 3, 2009

    Haha…too funny. It’s also funny to think of these people writing the lyrics and then performing them.

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  • kathy replied on September 9, 2009

    Nice article kate! It is really a total eclipse of the heart! :)

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