Sunday, January 13, 2008

What Do You Think of This? Will Oldham and Kanye West

I was so excited the first time I saw this--Will Oldham in a Kanye West video! At first, I found it very funny and entertaining, and still do to some extent. But the problem is that I REALLY like this song and think that the lyrics are brilliant. One of my students even wrote a kick-ass essay on it last semester. After thinking through the lyrics and watching the video again, I just really don't like it (the video that is) all that much. This particular brand of kool indie dude everything is so funny and we are so detached humor just does not work for me in this context. Yes, Kanye is ironic and funny, but in a very different way--and the video seems to detract from the song, turn it into something "just funny" that two really cool (of course we all know they are) white dudes both mock and, perhaps, still appreciate. Hmmm. I think there is a lot more to say on this strange juxtapostion--I need to think about it a bit more. Maybe my mind will change on this one--am curious to know what anyone else thinks.

I think I am going to ask my classes what they think about it tomorrow, especially the girl who wrote the essay. They probably have no idea who either one of the guys in the video are.

1 comment:

Bill Donovan said...

well, I think it is very interesting. It makes me think about what symbols are used in popular culture, and how symbols/signs take on different meaning when in a new context - that's for sure.