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Thursday, July 31, 2008
Did MTV influence what you think is sexy? What about our teens?
A tribute blog to George Michael made me realize how MTV influenced my views of what is sexy. What influenced you? What will our kids/teens decide is sexy?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
(I am on vacation but I left this blog with Keith to run while I am gone because George Michael’s concert is tonight. Keith will be monitoring and responding today.)
A few weeks ago I was feeling down that I am not going to be able to attend the George Michael concert (which is tonight) so I started watching some of his old videos on my computer. I was originally just going to do a blog in tribute to George Michael and walk down memory lane with you ladies. But as I started watching them, I realized a lot of things that I think are sexy came out of his videos — and I’m sure from many of the other things I was seeing on MTV as a teenager.
I was a sophomore in high school when the “Faith” album came out in 1987. It had “Faith,” “Father Figure,” and of course “I Want Your Sex” on it — all pretty sexually explicit stuff especially for back then. (Where was my mother? Why was she letting me watch this stuff?)
What videos influenced your perceptions of what is sexy? And what in the world do our teens think is sexy based on the very graphic videos shown today on MTV? Have you ever discussed that with your teens?
Below, I have links to many of the relevant George Michael videos, as well as my thoughts as I watched them for the first time in years. Feel free to add your own commentary or add links to videos you used to think were sexy!
Main link to George Michael videos.
“Careless Whisper.” He looks so young and a little bit effeminate here. He definitely got a slightly tougher look later. I’m still not clear where he stands sexually — is he gay or bi? I thought he was so hot and just totally did not have a clue he wasn’t completely into girls! Should we have known from the double earrings? Used to love the tennis all-white look, but now wondering what’s up with that? Also, I am wondering about the bed in the opening love scene. It looks like it’s from the “Golden Girls.”
“Faith.” OK, we have to start with his butt in those jeans. It is really a very cute butt. Love the way he shakes it while playing. Also like the holes in the jeans. I believe they are acid wash. Also, his highlights look very good in this video. (Again another clue I totally was not catching!)
“Father Figure.” Love her coat in the beginning and the red lipstick. Became obsessed with garter belts and thigh-high hose from that point on even though I had no one to use them on and was way too young to be thinking about that! Wall sex scene may be better than the one in “Top Gun.” (Remember that one— I know you do!) What’s with the white ribbed T-shirt? Did we think that was sexy then? Now, not so much. This about the third video in a row that he’s wearing the gold cross earring — why?
“I Want Your Sex.” More garter belts — opening scene. I was a sophomore in high school for most of these — way too sexually explicit for a high school kid to be seeing. Where was my mother while I was watching these? Tipper Gore must have been having a heart attack. I’m still not sure that writing monogamy on the naked lady while singing about sex was the best way to convince kids to only be with one partner. Pretty sure they missed that message.
“One More Try.” Kind of a minimalist video. Was he trying to save money? It looks like the set is leftover from the “Faith” video. But I do love this song. He’s just plain hot! Please take note of the boxy jacket in silhouette (very “Miami Vice”).
“Kissing a Fool.” Not necessarily one his bigger hits but one of my favorites. It feels very old-fashioned and classy. Guess what — he can sing as well as “shake his ass.” Plus, he’s sporting the “I want your Sex” video heavy beard. (Are you into the beard or not?)
“Freedom.” Why is he bothering to show a sexy model guy? He’s sexy. We want to see him. Not some random model guy. OK, so wait, there’s some bigger point here I’m just figuring out — he didn’t want to just “shake his ass for the boys at MTV” and that’s why he’s not in the video. Whatever, I want to see him, not these models. I totally forgot he wasn’t in this one at all. Great song, but where’s George?
“Sun Going Down on Me” — with Elton John. Nothing too dated here. George looks great (I like a little more hair on him though) but I do have to wonder about Elton John’s outfit. It looks like he’s wearing drapery brocade. Seriously, check it out!
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