Remember lip syncing?

[greatbear]

Many of you might remember the little "lip-sync meme" that blew through LJ, where so many of us entertained each other with our own versions of various tunes and skits, all inspired by the rotund kid dubbing "Numa Numa." It was huge fun, back in the heyday of LJ. Unfortunately, many participants have moved away from the LJ platform, and, sadder still, some are no longer with us. I'd like to think that perhaps a couple people involved in this slightly more involved version might have been inspired by our musical foray (not "foyer"). This time, it's not just a few people at home, but a whole city. Grand Rapids, Michigan, to be exact. This amazing bit of work was shot in one continuous take, with everyone right on cue. So, if I may have a mere ten minutes of your time, I think you'll come away smiling. Presenting: The Grand Rapids Lip Dub.

My only wish was to not show the chopper at the end. The camera effect would have been a lot more magical.

Comments

[cop4cbt.livejournal.com]

Roger Ebert has called it the "Greatest Music Video Ever Made". I personally have a special connection to that part of Michigan and still own a place few miles down the road from Grand Rapids.

The video was made in response to Newsweek declaring Grand Rapids as one of the top 10 dying cities in the United States.

A newspaper, I forget which, had a wonderful commentary on the video. Paraphrasing from what I remember, it said that although one can look at facts and figures to determine which cities are dying and which are growing, this video starkly shows that behind those figures are real human beings. Cities are not made of simply buildings and streets but the collective lives and experiences of its inhabitants By declaring a city "dying", you're actually talking about the future of each and every one of those in the video.

[dan4behr.livejournal.com]

Ever see this one, on independence for Catalonia? I think it still holds a record for number of participants and the political and cultural references are pretty awesome:


What all those dances, props and costumes? Xavi did a wonderful job of explaining it all in his entry a while back:http://gorkabear.livejournal.com/414770.html

[dan4behr.livejournal.com]

One other things about this one. Notice when the lyrics 'drove my Chevy to the levy, but the levy was dry' take place, there's usually a Ford in the shot!

[franklanguage.livejournal.com]

Whenever I hear American Pie, all I can think about is New Rochelle, NY; because in fact the song is full of references to New Rochelle. (This from a guy who was from New Rochelle and knew Don McLean; I don't know this specifically.)

[detailbear.livejournal.com]

I really like this kind of video. Somehow says "community", even the ones like Good Morning America's.

This also reminds me how many cute bearish men there are in Grand Rapids.

[cpj.livejournal.com]

Decent video. Still wouldn't want to live in that town.

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

Fascinating, and I pass through it almost every day!


I had no idea.

[wander.livejournal.com]

The pyro was awesome and right on time. How I miss the heady early days of LiveJournal!

W

[teddyb.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much for posting this.

I really needed a smile today, and this was just the right thing.

Thanks again, and big hugs to you, Phil!