I just watched Erykah Badu's new video for "Window Seat," and if you haven't heard about it yet, I'm sure you will. In the video, she parks her car and plugs the meter in downtown Dallas, then strips as she walks to the JFK Memorial site. Yes strips, totally and completely, walking with the word "Evolving" written on her back. She reportedly did not get filming permits for this, didn't have extras - the reactions you see from the throng of tourists at the site are real. I was surprised to see so few reactions though - it was almost funny to see eyes fixed upward toward the Book Depository even with a beautiful naked woman and a film crew walking by.
The song is beautiful and the video is beautiful, and I can understand evolving and shedding the outer skin and not caring about what the people around you think, I just don't get the JFK connection. Why does she get shot at the end, at the same spot where Kennedy was shot? The words "group think" bleed out of her head after she is shot, and I get that in relation to evolving, too, but I'm feeling a little stupid about the association with the Kennedy assassination. What's the connection? Anyone out there know?
For those of you just hearing about this, you can see the video on her site. Again, there is nudity in there, so don't blame us if you get offended - just don't watch it.
If you have watched it though, tell me what the JFK thing is!.
I think she is saying that we as a society are killing individuality. Historically if we don't understand or agree with someones views, society (or individuals) would rather they die than infect the masses.
Kelly that totally makes sense. Thinking about it that way I can see the relevance not only to JFK but to current political craziness...thanks for helping the knot in my brain unravel. :)
I guess I'm jaded, but I don't look at these types of stunts as "social commentaries" anymore, just one more way to shock the artists way into the news and garner publicity.
Yeah Amy, I think a lot of times it is just a publicity stunt. I so love Erykah and her music that I hope it isn't, with this one! She rocks.