If you’re having a bad day and you know you’re not really giving 100%, seek inspiration from Bowie and Jagger’s ‘Dancing in the Street.’ Here’s why it’s so great:
1) The iconic entrances
Surprise reveals in music videos aren’t even a THING – especially now with YouTube’s clear signposts, you don’t sit there thinking, “I wonder who will be in this video of Mick Jagger and David Bowie singing a song?” Mick jumps into the frame first. He is wearing a fetching colour-blocked outfit which includes an absolute gem of a sea-green blouse.
AND YET. Jagger dancing around in an actual silk shirt screaming the lyrics right at you seems like it would be an unbeatable start to a video, but then David Bowie casually JUMPS OFF A STAIRCASE IN SLOW MOTION and starts dancing next to Mick. Take notes from this. They’re not bothered they’re in a murdery warehouse straight out of ‘Luther’. They don’t care they’re wearing clothes that are just a bit too big for them. They are here. And they’re dancing. (In the street.)
2) They love each other SO MUCH
I mean…. We’ve all been there at the end of a night out, when ‘Angels’ comes on and you scream the lyrics at your mate with absolutely no semblance of shame or dignity or taste, and that’s what this whole video is. Unapologetic adoration for this bizarre project they’ve decided to collaborate on. There’s palpable chemistry between them, and the rumour mill says that Bowie and Jagger had a romance in the 1970s. Whatever happened, I think we can all be grateful that their teamwork made this whole video happen.
3) David Bowie’s dance moves
The shapes he throws in ‘Dancing in the Street’ are evidence of a true independent spirit. For instance, watch how he kicks his long, thin legs mysteriously out of a doorway while Mick Jagger dances in a slightly more conventional fashion a bit further down. The pièce de resistance comes a few moments later, with the introduction of a sort of rhythmic pointing motion Bowie decides to do. I don’t know why. I don’t know if anyone on the set of the video said anything about it. I don’t know if Mick knew it was happening. But it is unambiguously good that it DID happen. Many a dreary day can be brightened by watching this display.
4) The grand finale
You might wonder how you could end a video that consistently goes hard as hell all the way through. You’ve seen a lot of weirdness in the previous two-and-a-half minutes, and you know in your heart that something wild is about to happen.
It does.
‘Dancing in the Street’ ends on a close up of their bums (David having politely raised his coattails so we know precisely what they were going for here). A close up which then – perfectly, flawlessly, astoundingly – FADES TO WHITE. Like it’s a remembrance video or something.
Everything about this video is evidence of a vision that is executed with integrity and enthusiasm. In the metaphorical murdery riverside warehouse of our own lives, Bowie and Jagger demonstrate that really just going for it is the only way through.
Edited by Tia Ralhan