A revelation

[yendi]

So, I just saw the latest in faux-rebellion from Avril Lavigne, and it finally clicked for me:

Avril Lavigne today is Starship, circa 1985, with "We Built This City." It's all about rebellion if you just read the lyrics, but the complete package is all about conformity, with the rebellion merely there as a cover.

Of course, Avril didn't have a songmaster like Bernie Taupin at her disposal (or years of actual cred, as Grace Slick did), so she's not quite as subtle.

(Avril video after the cut tag)

Comments

[firebirdgrrl.livejournal.com]

Oh my brain and oh my ears. Your analysis is correct.

(Also, I am wondering-outside of movies or tv has any woman ever dressed up in a man's shirt over her underthings? I never have (since sweeties do not wear button downs nearly enough for me to put them on)--but does this really happen or is it a fantasy?)

[monkeyfetus.livejournal.com]

I do sometimes when my boyfriend is travelling for work, but outside that, not really

[phantom_wolfboy]

You overestimate Avril with the comparison to Starship.

There was a period when she seemed to be focusing on modeling and making commercials, and I hoped that she might have given up on music.

Alas.

[pixelfish.livejournal.com]

That's supposed to be rebellion? I mean, I suppose there is anti-social, amoral, selfish behaviour in there, but that's not necessarily rebellious. Seems to me one would be modelling a consumerist norm. The shot of the apartment is pretty....um....loaded with consumer hooks, signs of status, etc.

Also I really really really love We Built This City. It reeks of the weird 80s optimism and I get why some folks dislike it, but I still love it.

[readingthedark.livejournal.com]

When she first appeared, I joked that she was the first singer in history whose clothes rocked harder than she did, as if pressing mute made her music sound heavier.

[gothwalk.livejournal.com]

That's some rather impressive product placement going on there.

[raidingparty.livejournal.com]

De-finitely.

[yendi]

Well, the video clearly had to find a way to pay for those high production values.