"Talking Heads: Blind" is the perfect example of music video that should be taught as not only an example of great and
masterful artistic clip but also for its use of images, messages, references and the whole discussion it brings related to politics,
a highly effective satire to cause some stir and get some well deserved laughs (it is funny but it's also dark). Also should be seen
for the song, one of the most effective and most inspired compositions from the criminally underrated album "Naked", their very final
release. It's a funky song that uses many instruments of world music, with many percussion and the way David Byrne uses his words gives
a somewhat rap vibes to his lyrics.
The duo Morton & Jankel (1988's "DOA" and "Super Mario Bros." fame) create one of the most elaborated music videos of all time. One
of those videos you have to pay attention and keep coming back over and over as the cryptic nature of its story can make audiences to pay
attention to the big picture rather than details, and the details are what impresses the most in order to give you a full view of what's it
about. It's a satire on political campaigns and how voters can be easily affected for all they can hear and see but paying no attention
to what a specific candidate's agenda actually covers, or the people behind the scenes who create those populist characters who charm
audiences but might have a sinister plan on their sleeves. It throws punches on political lobbysts, marketers, candidates on both sides
(remember, this was done at the height of Bush vs. Dukakis election, and the world hasn't gone better from then on) and also plays some
jabs on voters and their cult enthusiam while supporting future leaders.
The candidate in question is a wrench and from the very first shot we are told that the world wrench also means deceit. The drooling
wrench stays behind the podium spewing words and saliva to an excited audience who loves to hear everything it has so say. There's half-naked
girls throwing stereos to the audience, seducting the voters, and the frantic observation of security staff to all that happens in the
ballroom. It all changes when a kid spots something in the back, below the wrench on the podium and what moves on is a case of political
assassination attempts to fool the audience in not seeing that something deeper is behind the wrench candidate.
Watching "Blind" is like seeing absolute cinema happening in front of your eyes (no pun intended). I was always intrigued and
fascinated by the powers of its images, the bizarre appearance of Byrne and his band mates without their shirts and with their faces
appearing through blurry effects, but also the whole political presentation of rallies, crowds and commotion in those events, it's insanely
accurate and hilarious. And it took countless watches over the years to finally find what was hidden inside its enimagtic scenes and edits.
It's all about a major parcel of population who devote their times in voting without actually seeing who's the candidate, what he stands
for, and the collective blindness that allows acceptance of division, contempt and exclusion of the ones who think differently, a full
criticism on blind idelogies who follow a candidate whatever it takes. To the Heads' I'll say, the world is more blind than ever, it's not just America. 9/10.
