With the phenomenal budgets sometimes granted to some stars to shoot their clips, I ask myself the question: why a parking lot?
While I was in the middle of a 2000's revival and wondering if Trump could have been elected in a world where Britney and Justin had continued to match their outfits (let's never forget), I came across a rather interesting phenomenon. Indeed, while I was scrolling through the various videos recalling the good years of MTV, I realized that very often, stars of the American song liked to stage themselves in parking lots, surrounded by many cars and people who liked to make vroum-vroum with their engines.
Not to mention the clips illustrating the different Fast & Furious (we got to the same number, there?), it seems that many video directors arrived in the meeting room, surrounded by a team of artistic experts, that they put their feet on the table saying "Guys, we have a concept there. I see cars, smoke, girls rubbing against his cars… and then music and dance, what. Are you okay with that? Bah impeccable, we program it tomorrow on the parking lot of the McDonald's!". Frankly, that's how I imagine these meetings. And let me believe that it happened in the parking lot of a McDonald's.
To illustrate my point, I have selected a few examples. Day and night, between carefully crafted choreographies and lascivious poses, here are clips smelling of leather cleaner and motor oil.
*NSYNC – Girlfriend
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saxnXiBKEaY
Right from the start, the huge monster truck wheel sets the tone. The five members of the group met to pack the young lady in distress (especially the one who found herself stuck in the famous wheel …) and to look at beautiful vintage cars. All surrounded by mechanics with tattooed arms who seem to want to tax Timberlake's pumps. This could well bother him during the famous moment of dancing on the roofs of cars. Yes, we must still think practical, my friends!
Justin Timberlake – Like I love you
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ3slUz7Jo8
What did you believe? The concept had worked at the time of *NSYNC, and it had even allowed him to get rid of his image of "boyfriend of… ". So you can imagine that the young Justin, then at the beginning of his solo career, was not going to deprive to drive the nail with a few steps to the Jackson in a supermarket parking lot. And of course, while courting a young woman nonchalantly leaning on a vehicle. Well, as it must have been a little cold and the supermarket was going to close, we also allowed all these little people to go crazy in a bar. I warned you, concept.
Jason Derulo – In My Head
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyG1FG3H6rY
A few years after Like I Love You, another pop/r'n'b artist was tempted by the post-race flirting of the week.Thus, in 2010, we discovered Jason Derulo and his In My Head (which, for once, really remains in the lead). The young American even seems to have pushed the vice to take exactly the same parking lot as his elder Timberlake-aux-bouclettes. After spotting a young woman coming out of the store, Jason Derulo blocks her for more than 3 minutes to explain everything that comes to mind when he sees her. Personally, when I go to the supermarket and come out empty-handed because I did not find what I was looking for, I am able to gouge out the eyes of the first person who would dare to ask me the time. So, all my admiration goes to this young woman who suffers this musical attack, and who in addition has to hit the show of Jason and friends who leave in full flash mob.
Nelly Furtado – Parking Lot
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3m80lgmrS-4
Let's finish this little overview with Parking Lot, by Nelly Furtado. Let's say that here, we push the cork a little far. The American singer still dedicates a title to her parking lot!I told you, there is a special link between these pop stars and parking places. I don't know why, it must go back to a childhood on the road, or too many episodes of the Magic Bus at snack time. In any case, Nelly Furtado imposes here the parking as THE place to be if you want to flirt, and declares that it's super cool to shoot for hours to find a place. Obviously…
Simple budget problem, real lack of creativity or real adoration for the automobile, the question remains open. But, the next time you suddenly want to sway between two white lines in the Carrefour car park, let go. And film yourself. And send us the videos:D
