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CosmicMouse
Jamirotalk mum
Joined: 10 Feb 2002
Posts: 4821
Location: Germany
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 Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2010 06:42 |
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Analyzing the 2 videos - WKR & BS
Hi Jamily,
in the recent discussion about the new released videos White Knuckle Ride and Blue Skies some of us came up with interpretations about the story behind them. I think the fact that both videos are sequential, like a continuing story and the symbolism of the "vehicles" made us thinking deeper and trying to find what Jay wants to express with those symbols, and to show that it's not (only) been a shooting for fun, to fly his chopper.
The lyrics are the link to the real story and the message behind the videos.
So because of some good feedback to my and Catalyste's interpretation, and because I really feel that some people found it helpful to understand and enjoy the videos and songs better, I thought it is worth to open a new thread for interpretations. I am sure you can have your own story that fits into the pictures.
So here comes a copy and paste of the two analysings of the videos.
Feel free to add your thoughts, discuss them or let us know what the videos mean to YOU.
I feel much better now that I seem to understand Jay's message behind it. I can enjoy the songs much more - it all makes more sense to me now, and I see them both as a bridge to that what will follow. I still do not agree with some promotion steps and the cover "art".. but that doesn't really affect my excitement for the album. 
Mouse
Last edited by CosmicMouse on Fri Oct 29, 2010 08:30; edited 2 times in total |
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CosmicMouse
Jamirotalk mum
Joined: 10 Feb 2002
Posts: 4821
Location: Germany
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| Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2010 06:45 |
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Here is Catalyste's interpretation - copied from funkin.com
(I invited him/her to join us, but for now I have the permission to quote him/her)
Both videos are part of 1 story.
Sure White Knuckle Ride seems a bit confusing at first because you have Jay flying a helicopter over this sports car. The video ends in a cliffhanger where instead of getting out of the helicopter to drive off in the car, he instead looks at the dusty sports model and continues to fly off.
But then you have Blue Skies. JK comes back riding a motorcycle, takes a brief moment to look at the abandoned car again, and drives off. His time on the road and the scenes where he's off the motorcycle overlooking the land and tossing rocks are moments of deep introspection. By the end of the video Jay heads back into the helicopter and takes a moment to look at the motorcycle before flying away towards another level in his life.
When you understand Blue Skies, the concept and meaning of White Knuckle Ride becomes clearer. You begin to understand the symbolism behind the sports car, the motorcycle, and the helicopter.
In White Knuckle Ride, Jay is not chasing the car, but instead a much needed perspective on the sort of "fast life" he's lead. He's observing the life he used to lead. When he finally catches up to the stopped car, he sees that it was empty. Symbolizing the "empty" and "stagnant" lifestyle he used to lead.
In Blue Skies, the motorcycle represents his journey. He's taking into account what he's been doing and the influences that were around him during those days. Its a journey he does alone. I'm not sure if the desert area was a deliberate choice, but deserts are know to be used for a Spirit Walk when a person is trying to find their path in life.
After his choice has been made, Jay abandons the motorcycle and leaves in the helicopter ready to take on his new lease on life. He looks at the motorcycle because he's remembering the long lonesome journey and finally leaves.
I'm absolutely proud of Jay. These videos, when viewed together, represent a mature perspective on a man who's realized that the appeal of living the fast life is nothing more than a facade, a mere show, and that it amounted to nothing substantial in his life.
I think for a man who's publicly known to have fast cars, love em 'n' leave 'em attitude, and thumpin' songs (with depressing lyrics...), that this song is a true milestone of growth. This is a song that shallow onlookers will never understand as the concept is outside of their expectations for what Jamiroquai should be. This lack of understanding is why those fans will be left in the dark.
Sure Jay said White Knuckle Ride is about the pressures of the industry. However I find that if people cannot take a moment to listen and give their own take on what a song means, then they're not listening or involving themselves in the perspective of the artist. To me, people like this don't bother listening to the song as a whole, but just want something to react to and idolize.
The videos for White Knuckle Ride and Blue Skies tell a story of a man who grew up amidst the hollow litany of onlookers, sycophants, and tabloid hunters who cast a blind eye and a deaf ear towards him whenever he tried to say something meaningful about his life.
Its a coming of age story and I'm glad he did it.
Comment by Catalyste |
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CosmicMouse
Jamirotalk mum
Joined: 10 Feb 2002
Posts: 4821
Location: Germany
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| Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2010 06:47 |
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CosmicMouse's interpretation of the two videos:
Jay is telling us a story here and it is so obvious, when you think about it!
Jay is flying in a helicopter, chasing a fast car. The helicopter is his vehicle, it is SONY. It's a big and mighty vehicle and allows him to fly high, to move fast. He pursues a fast car which stands for his passion. But he is flying and flying but can't reach the car. It's a "white knuckle ride", a nerve-racking journey. In the end, the car stopps at a bridge - a bridge is something that brings you to another place, another level. Jay finds the car empty at the bridge. His passion is "empty". Jay is watching this, turns around and flies away.
This video shows us the situation with Sony, the music business, the pressure... always on the run, chasing something you cannot reach.
Sooo... now the next video starts.
Jay now without big vehicle (the helicopter). He is driving a motorbike which symbolizes freedom. That's the time without record label. He can do what he wants, he can relax, but the same time he seems to feel a bit undecided, throwing stones, he seems to be pondering, thinking a lot... in the end another helicopter comes to pick him up. This helicopter stands for the new record label (Universal/Mercury) which gives him the opportunity to lift up again, it is a vehicle which allows him to fly high. He has to leave the bike which gave him most freedom, though. The last scene shows this, when he comes back, flying the helicopter on his own now, having a last view of the bike. But then heading off with the helicopter to the sky.
It makes so much sense now, I can't believe it that it took so long for me to see it!!!! |
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iranterres
Joined: 02 Apr 2008
Posts: 422
Location: Brasil
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| Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2010 21:33 |
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It all makes sense from those points of view. Maybe all that was a kind of preparation for the "other" side of the album?
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At the speed of cheeba, you and I go deeper... |
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Javis
Joined: 31 Oct 2006
Posts: 1530
Location: Córdoba, Argentina
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| Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2010 21:50 |
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These interpretations are a nice trying of explain the videos, and makes sense too. But I can't help the feeling that maybe we're just overthinking tho whole thing, and that they maybe just shoot the videos, just like they did with Cosmic Girl, without a specific purpose. |
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Jay_F
Joined: 21 Mar 2008
Posts: 682
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| Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2010 21:57 |
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| Javis wrote: |
| These interpretations are a nice trying of explain the videos, and makes sense too. But I can't help the feeling that maybe we're just overthinking tho whole thing, and that they maybe just shoot the videos, just like they did with Cosmic Girl, without a specific purpose. |
i guess it is as how thos interpretations are, cause as mr. kay said, he wants to make little stories from his music clips instead of walking on a flashin discofloor, so i think they had that in mind of what is posted in here, and i see it very well, had to think a bit, but since i read this it's all perfectly clear to me as how meike posted
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Javis
Joined: 31 Oct 2006
Posts: 1530
Location: Córdoba, Argentina
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| Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2010 22:04 |
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| Jay_F wrote: |
| Javis wrote: |
| These interpretations are a nice trying of explain the videos, and makes sense too. But I can't help the feeling that maybe we're just overthinking tho whole thing, and that they maybe just shoot the videos, just like they did with Cosmic Girl, without a specific purpose. |
i guess it is as how thos interpretations are, cause as mr. kay said, he wants to make little stories from his music clips instead of walking on a flashin discofloor, so i think they had that in mind of what is posted in here, and i see it very well, had to think a bit, but since i read this it's all perfectly clear to me as how meike posted |
well, it's always a probability and an interpretation, we should ask the guys or even to Jay to see if it was his intention. |
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Tlum
Joined: 12 Sep 2004
Posts: 627
Location: Prague, Czech Republic
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| Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2010 00:39 |
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I start 2 believe that it really ALL make sense in November and not earlier. So I completelly stop thinking about what in real world is called marketing and C what happens then.. |
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mindblower
Joined: 18 Aug 2010
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2010 11:38 |
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Will there be a big manual with the album for ordinary guys like me who just like to dance, have fun and like to enjoy good music? I didn't know that I have to do complicated analysis to understand and enjoy music. For me all this sounds more like a drowning man who catches the last straw he can get. No album before had needed some ridiculous justifications and apologies. You guys never heard about the aphorism "music speaks for itself"? And you all heard it so far - that there is no speaking as far as we heard all the new tracks. Maybe very very low speaking between the notes but please all stop these ridiculous excuses. Jay Kay is a grown man and should know what he's doing... |
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Lorryquai
Joined: 02 Jun 2006
Posts: 34
Location: Sweden
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| Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 10:42 |
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Just showed the videos to my wife, who only follows mainstream music, such as MTV etc.
She didnt had a clue what it was about. When the both videos ended she asked me - "whats the point of this, i didnt get the storyline".
I fear that nobody will ever understand these videos and they will fade away faster than the evening sun.
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Butterfly in June
Joined: 21 May 2002
Posts: 972
Location: Germany
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| Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 14:19 |
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...just a little "off question": is the bike a Moto Guzzi California??  It looks like one but I'm not sure....  |
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mr.az
Joined: 01 Sep 2005
Posts: 2421
Location: rallying
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| Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 15:21 |
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you are right meike
i love the WKR video¡¡¡¡
i have seen nearly the complete video, and i love it¡¡¡¡¡
and i swear many will not get it, because in fact for a car nutt like me is enough perfect, but many dont look the video the way i do 
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Cristina
Joined: 14 Feb 2002
Posts: 256
Location: Luxemburg
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mr.az
Joined: 01 Sep 2005
Posts: 2421
Location: rallying
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| Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 15:36 |
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| Cristina wrote: |
http://blog.mtvmusic.com/2010/09/27/two-ridiculous-videos-from-jamiroquai/?xrs=share_twitter
No comments |
mtv, one more time, says bullshit 
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Only a fool can walk away from me this time
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Javis
Joined: 31 Oct 2006
Posts: 1530
Location: Córdoba, Argentina
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| Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 15:38 |
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What can I say, they are right... |
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