Dearest Soldiers,
A hearty apology for getting today’s Sparkle Video posted so late. Due to an emergency, I got a bit sidetracked as one can. However, as always, I have promised to never, ever let a sparkling Friday go by without a dazzling clip! So here we have the luminous Miss Kate and Miss Cindy from one of my all-time favorite groups, The B-52’s in various assortments of glitter and sequins, shaking and grooving in a way that always makes me smile. I hope it does for you too!
Today’s Sparkle Video is a bit of a departure from our usual favorites, rock n’ roll and disco. It’s a funky soul groove featuring that masked superhero of sexually explicit music, Blowfly. “Shake Your Ass” features Mr. Fly, aka Clarence Reid, in various scenarios urging people to “get on up” and dance. As always, he’s dressed in his trademark shimmering gold outfit, undercover mask and required fabulous cape- all accented by glorious sparking sequins. I’ve seen him perform live a couple of times and he never disappoints in both sparkle and shock factors. In fact, this is the only clip I could have chosen for today because all of the others are triple X-rated! You’ll have to look those up on your own Soldiers, ’cause Da General likes to keep it squeaky clean around here… sort of.
Today’s Sparkle Video is a continuing celebration of the fabulous 80’s and each member of this group represents visual details of this decade that was so fun and exciting. Asymmetrical hairstyles, baggy pants and Keytars for boys and belted over-sized blouses on top of leggings accented by mismatched fingerless gloves and a multitude of bracelets for the girls. These elements plus a good steady dance beat make Lian Ross’s “Fantasy” more than a just time capsule – it’s the totally 80’s package!
I’m not sure how I made it through the 80’s learned about all the fabulous music from the 80’s without ever hearing this song, but now that I’ve found it I will never let go because I’m OBSESSED. Sure, sure- there’s gobs of flashing lights, outfits of metallic brocade amongst other supreme 80’s fashion and even a gong, but I’m smitten with today’s Sparkle Video from Fox on Fox for other reasons. One is that they’re an obvious precursor to Army of Lovers, of whom I’m also a fan, but also because “Precious Little Diamonds” has truly latched on to me like no other song. Perhaps there’s no way to not love a song about diamonds, but I think it’s more about the down-tempo groove laying sensuously below falsetto vocals and a heavy bass line. Yup- that’s it.
Today’s Sparkle Video is truly of those classics that everyone knows. That’s because “It Feels Like I’m in Love” is bubbly like a sparkling glass of champagne and an an instant mood-lifter for whatever ails you. Especially with visuals of Kelly Marie, who’s rocking early 80’s fashion in a jumpsuit accented with a glittering silver belt (not enough, I know) and a coiffed crown of gloriously crimped hair. Yes, Soldiers, it really was all the rage back then and I hear it’s coming back so get thee on ebay soon! Now, let’s talk about what makes this video so special: the backup dancers. All I can say is that as soon as I post this, I’m heading out to buy a lottery ticket and if I win, I will employ two men to dance just like this and most important, dress just like this and they’ll be with me at all times. Armed with my “Squad of Fabulous”, it will be impossible to ever have a bad day because one glimpse at those snappy hips covered in shimmering spandex and I’ll be giddy with happiness. In fact, I’m pretty sure I can write this off as an expense, being Da General and all.
Today’s Sparkle Video is a visual onslaught of disco outer space madness equipped with magical flashing light-up stairs. A word of caution however, as the ladies of “Babe” seem like they’re getting ready to take off into what sounds like a classic disco track and then: BOOM! At 15 seconds, the vintage Euro-pop kicks in. It’s at this point I suggest you turn down the volume and put on some Patrick Cowley or Sylvester or anything that puts this situation right. While it’s baffling as to why the producer of “The Kiss” made such an odd decision, it was so long ago it doesn’t really matter because the gift of this fabulous scenery enhanced by three gorgeous blonds dressed entirely in metallic gold more than makes up for it.
It’s International Women’s Day, but more important- it’s Sparkle Video Day and that’s why today’s clip is the embodiment of this spectacular combo. Let’s celebrate our accomplishments as the fairer sex while we watch the stunning Madleen Kane slink around the stage in a full length red sequin backless gown and modeling her “supreme tribute to hot rollers” hair. Plus- she’s singing about every girl’s best friend: Diamonds! She’s the personification of disco fabulous from head to toe and that includes her perfect makeup and glossy red lips. If could look like this for one day, I’d wish for more days so I could look like this always.
I vowed to never post a video from YouTube’s Vevo because they can’t be viewed in some areas around the world. That’s something I find totally unacceptable as our Soldiers are global and intergalactic. However, one look at this video from Diamond Rings and I melted like glitter covered butter! How could I resist the charms of this tall, blonde mysterious man who proudly wears space outfits, lives among gobs of smoke, wears glasses tiled with broken mirrors and taunts me with eons of laser beams? Top top it off, any song called “I’m Just Me” that espouses a “no excuse/no apologies” attitude about being who you are will always become my new favorite instantly.
It’s very important to acknowledge the people who made being fabulous part of every day life and today’s Sparkle Video features such a man. A man who bucked the trends of his genre and truly lived, breathed, performed and dressed “More is More”. This footage shows Little Richard singing “Good Golly Miss Molly” wearing one of his dazzling mirror-tiled ensembles (and I say “one of”‘ because it’s certainly not his only one). We can also bask in adoration of his raven colored pompadour, dark eyeliner and trademark thin mustache that became his trademark look. I’m not sure, but I think this is from around 1973, a few years before disco fashion came to be, but surely Little Richard and his glittering style must have had influence on dance floors everywhere. It’s no wonder we love both kinds of music!
Today’s Sparkle Video starts and ends a bit choppy, but all that really matters is what’s in between anyway. This classic disco medley is from a 70’s variety show featuring The Carpenters and guests surrounded by dancers clad in dazzling outfits embellished with mirror tiles. I think this was supposed to be a take on outer space or possibly a futuristic concept judging by the addition of the two “white” guys grooving at tables in the back. An interesting touch I might add.
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