Plot

Countdown is the 1st single and video from Lindsey Buckingham's 3rd solo album - Out of the Cradle, released in 1992.

The video shows Lindsey in an almost constant state of movement. The lyrics talk about waiting on the countdown and things about to turn around. This is echoed by the sense of anticipation in the storyline - the hyperactivity that we often display when we are anxiously waiting for something to happen There is a somewhat frenetic pace to the video, with numerous unrelated activities, suggesting that while Lindsey is waiting to change, he is unsure about what actions to take to make it happen..

The video opens with Lindsey standing and playing the guitar in front of a mottled, sepia coloured backdrop. The camera cuts between three-quarter shots of Lindsey, close-ups of his guitar, with flashes of a close-up of Lindsey's face wearing sunglasses. He is dressed all in black - an open neck shirt with sleeves rolled up, black pants and bare feet.

The scene then shifts quickly to Lindsey leaning against a door playing the guitar, then to him in a hammock swinging to and fro then to him dancing barefoot on the grass. In all of these shots, he is dressed in a grey button-down shirt, a patterned vest and blue jeans. The scene then reverts to Lindsey in front of the initial backdrop, running his hands through his hair. There is a close-up of his fingers as he plays the guitar, then he is shown playing the drums, except that instead of the traditional drum kit, the set-up it is made up of percussion instruments.

There are a number of scenes set in a long corridor. Lindsey is seen on his hands and knees going backwards and forwards down the hallway. He is also seen walking along the corridor playing his guitar, while people lean against one wall.

Lindsey is also seen climbing a tree barefoot with his guitar lying on the ground beside the tree, and an array of shots of Lindsey dancing barefoot while playing the guitar.

The long final sequence begins with Lindsey walking backwards down the corridor while playing the guitar. The background then changes to a roller coaster, so that it appears that he is standing in one of the roller coaster cars as it zooms around the track. The background changes again to a winding street view as seen from a moving car, then to an urban scene of streets and alleyways, then back to the roller coaster.

The scene ends with Lindsey again swinging in the hammock, then he is seen lurching around on the grass as you do when you have spun in a circle for too long and can no longer maintain your balance.