In the last few years, I’ve been trying to make my music catalog a little deeper. Thanks to Pandora, I’ve been able to listen to more than just the popular songs from certain groups. One of those groups was the funk/soul group, Cameo. Now, I only really knew about Cameo from their biggest hits like “Word Up” and “Candy”. What I didn’t know was that this group had quite a few hits under their belt. They started in the 70’s with a big booming band akin to most funk groups from that time. The changing music scene of the 80’s whittled that 14-member group to about five guys, but the funk persisted!
Now, the group had some wild music videos. Heck, most
artists had some wild music videos in the 80’s. Today’s is no different. “Back
and Forth” was a modest hit off from their biggest album, Word Up! I picked
this because it goes into Weirdtown in the first second. Here are just some of
things you’ll come across here:
- FLOATING CODPIECE – Seriously, the first thing you seen on screen is Larry Blackmon’s red codpiece coming at you on screen! Yeah, it lets you know to not take things seriously, but still, what the heck? It even makes cameos (no pun intended) throughout the video swinging like a pendulum!
- Sexy Dancing – If there’s one thing you’ll run into with Cameo’s videos, it’ll be a bunch of attractive people dancing. Of course, you got the women, but also get the men in on the action. Even some of the members try to dance… just try. There’s reason they stick to just singing and playing music. If you really want to see the band get down, check out one of their first videos, "Shake Your Pants."
- Romance Troubles – The song’s message is pretty simple: love is a battlefield… wait, wrong artist. Anyway, anyone who’s been in a relationship knows that it can be a lot of “back and forth” between two lovers. You end up seeing two members getting into spats with their pretty nimble ladies and then going to the club for funsies.
- Body builders? – Apparently, someone had a bit of muscle fetish because we get a couple of body building men and women here. Even Larry Blackmon tries to show off his chiseled-ness.
- MILES DAVIS? – So, you’re wondering who the dude decked in black staring deep into your soul is, well that’s the legendary jazz musician, Miles Davis. It’s definitely one of the most random cameos ever. He did some collaborations with the group, so I guess that’s why he’s here. Either way, Random! It also doesn’t help that he looks like he might fight you in the corner of a dark alley!
………………………………..
In the end, it’s just another weird music video for Cameo.
It’s not their best video or song, but it’s a good one. For me, their best song
is either “Word Up” or “Attack Me With Your Love”. Those videos are pretty wild
too. They have one that I may talk about one day because it is wild. Anyway, I’m
outta here. Peace, God Bless, and be careful out there.
Also, don’t say Miles Davis’ name in a mirror five times in a row, or you’ll be visited by him like he’s Candyman or something.
