Splitsider is thrilled to offer our first digital download, The Exquisite Corpse Project, a fantastic film from the former members of legendary sketch group Olde English. I recently sat down with the guys to look through some of their classic Olde English sketches. Here, the group (with insight from the film’s producer Joanna Popik) looked back at a classic music video.
Adam: One that I think is interesting is a music video called Don’t Dance. I think the initial idea was, most dance songs are about telling you to dance in some way or another, so this should be a dance song that tells you not to dance. It’s just a dance song where the chorus is, “Don’t dance.” Which I think is pretty funny. Years later I’m like, that’s like pretty funny, but mostly the video is really over the top in how much time and energy it took, versus how funny it is. That’s what like sticks out to me. It’s not something that’ll leave you laughing every minute, but I spent like, a month and a half…
Ben: So it sounds like your comment on this video is like, “Check out those backgrounds.”
Adam: Yeah, basically. It was a really involved shooting process. We like rented a club to shoot in, we commissioned like a really good dance track by our friend Jesse Novak. And the visual effects on it took an incredibly long time. When we do a music video we like it to be a good music video. It’s a better music video than it is a comedy sketch. I think.
Caleb: But people really like it. I’m not sure which of those things. I think they meet in a really wonderful way. People are like, This is fun and I love watching it. And maybe I’m not laughing out loud, but it’s just great to watch. People really appreciate it.
Joanna: But I also know people who put that song on their iPod on their workout mix. I have friends who listen to “Don’t Dance” as a song and not a video.
Adam: That’s what I’m saying.
Joanna: That happens. And maybe you weren’t even aware, because they were embarassed to tell you that, but people are doing it.
Adam: I wasn’t aware of that.
Joanna: It was catchy.
Caleb: And because of how good the singing was, probably.
Adam: Yeah. Caleb sang very well.
The Exquisite Corpse Project is available for download for $5 from Splitsider Presents.
