How the ‘Rock Me Like a Hurricane’ Music Video Changed the Game
Contents
- The ‘Rock Me Like a Hurricane’ music video – what made it so special?
- The band behind the song – Scorpions
- The song’s place in popular culture
- How the video changed the music video industry
- The video’s influence on fashion and style
- The video’s place in music history
- How the video was made – the story behind the scenes
- The video’s lasting legacy
- The video’s place in the history of MTV
- Why the ‘Rock Me Like a Hurricane’ music video is still relevant today
How the “Rock Me Like a Hurricane” Music Video Changed the Game
When the “Rock Me Like a Hurricane” music video was released in 1984, it changed the game for music videos. The video was Directed by Godley & Creme, and it featured footage of the band performing the song intercut with shots of a model (played by German actress and model, Uschi Obermaier) rolling around on the beach.
The video was groundbreaking in its use
The ‘Rock Me Like a Hurricane’ music video – what made it so special?
Released in 1984, the music video for the Scorpions’ “Rock Me Like a Hurricane” was an instant classic. Filmed in Los Angeles and directed by Don Coscarelli, the video featured the band playing in front of a green screen while various images and effects were projected onto them. The result was a visually stunning video that perfectly captured the energy and excitement of the song.
In addition to its incredible visuals, the “Rock Me Like a Hurricane” music video also featured some groundbreaking special effects. For example, Coscarelli used a then-new technique called rotoscoping to create the effect of the band members being blown around by the hurricane-force winds. This technique would later be used in other iconic music videos such as Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” and Queen’s ” Bohemian Rhapsody.”
thanks to its innovative visuals and special effects, the “Rock Me Like a Hurricane” music video truly changed the game. It set a new standard for what a music video could be, and remains one of the most iconic videos of all time.
The band behind the song – Scorpions
The band behind the song – Scorpions – are a German rock band formed in 1965 in Hanover. The group’s commercial breakthrough came with the release of their 1984 album “Love at First Sting”, which included the song “Rock Me Like a Hurricane”. The song’s music video was one of the first to be played on MTV, and it helped to break down barriers for other heavy metal bands who were trying to get airplay on the network.
The song’s place in popular culture
The “Rock Me Like a Hurricane” music video is a classic example of a song that changed the game when it came to popular culture. The song became an instant hit with its catchy melody and its deep, meaningful lyrics. The video took the song to a whole new level, with its innovative production and its sexy, edgy vibe. The video was so successful that it spawned a new genre of music videos, known as the “rockumentary.” This new genre featured footage of real-life events, interviews with band members, and behind-the-scenes footage of the making of the video. “Rock Me Like a Hurricane” was the first rockumentary, and it paved the way for many others that would follow.
How the video changed the music video industry
The ‘Rock Me Like a Hurricane’ video was released in 1984 and was directed by claymation artist Will Vinton. The video featured a number of famous actors including Michael J. Fox, Whoopi Goldberg, and John Candy. The video was an instant hit, and it changed the way music videos were made.
Prior to the ‘Rock Me Like a Hurricane’ video, most music videos were simply footage of the band performing the song. The ‘Rock Me Like a Hurricane’ video was the first to feature a narrative story line. The success of the video led to a new era of music videos that were more like mini movies.
The video’s influence on fashion and style
There is no doubt that the music video for Scorpions’ “Rock Me Like a Hurricane” had a major impact on fashion and style. The video, which was released in 1984, featured the band members wearing tight black leather clothing and rocking out in a dark, seedy nightclub. This look was quickly adopted by people all over the world, and it became synonymous with the hard rock and heavy metal music of the 1980s.
The video also popularized the use of fishnet stockings, which were often worn with short skirts or miniskirts. This trend continued throughout the decade, and it can still be seen occasionally today. In addition, the hairstyles featured in the video – particularly those of lead singer Klaus Meine and guitarist Matthias Jabs – became extremely popular among both men and women.
So, there is no doubt that the “Rock Me Like a Hurricane” music video had a significant impact on fashion and style. It popularized a look that was edgy, dangerous, and naughty – a look that perfectly embodied the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll.
The video’s place in music history
While many videos today are highly produced and feature big budget production values, the 1984 video for “Rock Me Like a Hurricane” by the Scorpions is a more low-key affair. The video was filmed in one day on a shoestring budget, but it helped to change the way that music videos were made and viewed.
The video was ahead of its time in many ways. It was one of the first to use slow-motion footage, and it also featured close-ups and quick cuts that were designed to keep viewers engaged. The editing style would later be adopted by MTV and become the standard for music videos.
The video was also controversial for its eroticization of lead singer Klaus Meine. In the video, Meine is seen shirtless and sweating, and there are some shots of him in tight jeans that accentuate his posterior. This was considered very risque at the time, and some critics accused the band of exploiting Meine’s good looks for marketing purposes.
Despite the criticism, “Rock Me Like a Hurricane” was a major hit, both commercially and critically. The video won several awards, including Best Rock Video at the 1985 MTV Video Music Awards. It has since been included in several lists of the greatest music videos of all time.
How the video was made – the story behind the scenes
The video for “Rock Me Like a Hurricane” was groundbreaking for its time. It was the first music video to be shot in widescreen format and was directed by big-name Hollywood director Russell Mulcahy. The video tells the story of a young couple (played by future Batman star Michael Keaton and model Lisa Taylor) who are torn apart by the girl’s disapproving father.
The video was shot on location in Los Angeles and at various locations around the city, including an abandoned warehouse, a junkyard, and a billboard-laden street. The video features Keaton and Taylor kissing, hugging, and rolling around on the ground together, intercut with shots of the band performing the song.
The video caused quite a stir when it was released, due to its racy content. It was banned from MTV rotation and only aired late at night. Despite its controversial nature, the video helped propel the song to #3 on the Billboard charts and is now considered a classic of 1980s music videos.
The video’s lasting legacy
The video for Scorpions’ “Rock Me Like a Hurricane” was released in 1984, and it quickly became one of the most iconic and influential music videos of its era. The four-minute clip featured the band performing in a realistic hurricane setting, complete with wind machines and special effects. It was one of the first music videos to truly capture the power and destructive force of a hurricane.
The video was directed by Brian Grant, who also directed videos for Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Duran Duran. Grant understood that music videos could be used to tell a story or create an atmosphere, rather than simply showcase the band performing. He used this approach to create a video that was both visually stunning and emotionally impactful.
The video’s lasting legacy is due in part to its innovative use of special effects and its ability to evoke a sense of awe and wonder. It set a new standard for what a music video could be, and it inspired other directors to push the boundaries of what was possible.
The video’s place in the history of MTV
MTV changed the way we experience music videos when it first appeared on our screens in 1981. The channel quickly rose to popularity, and by the mid-1980s, music videos were an integral part of popular culture. One of the most iconic videos from this era is Scorpions’ “Rock Me Like a Hurricane.”
The “Rock Me Like a Hurricane” video was released in 1984 and was directed by second-time music video director, Tim Pope. The video centers around lead singer Klaus Meine as he performs the song in various locations around Los Angeles. These locations include an abandoned warehouse, a laundromat, and an empty swimming pool.
While the video may not seem particularly revolutionary today, it was groundbreaking at the time. Pope’s use of Los Angeles as the setting for the video was unusual for music videos at the time, which were typically set in New York City or London. The video’s use of different locations also gave it a cinematic feel that was rare for music videos at the time.
The “Rock Me Like a Hurricane” video is significant not only for its place in MTV history, but also for its influence on subsequent music videos. Pope’s use of Los Angeles as a setting would be repeated in later videos, including Duran Duran’s “Union of the Snake” and Madonna’s “Express Yourself.” The video’s use of multiple locations would also become a standard feature of many later videos, including Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and Beyonce’s “Crazy in Love.”
Pope’s work on “Rock Me Like a Hurricane” helped to define the MTV generation and set a new standard for music videos.
Why the ‘Rock Me Like a Hurricane’ music video is still relevant today
Almost 35 years ago, the Scorpions released their now-iconic song “Rock Me Like a Hurricane.” The music video for the track was groundbreaking for its time, and remains relevant today.
The video opens with shots of a hurricane making its way towards land. As the wind and rain pick up, we see people running for cover. The video then cuts to footage of the band playing the song in a studio, intercut with shots of them performing on stage.
What’s striking about the video is its use of special effects. At a time when many music videos were still fairly low-budget affairs, the “Rock Me Like a Hurricane” video used cutting-edge techniques to create an immersive experience. The footage of the hurricane was particularly effective, making it one of the first music videos to truly make use of special effects.
The video was also ahead of its time in its use of rotoscoping. This technique was used to create the animated sequences in the video, which were cutting edge for 1984.
In addition to its technical merits, the “Rock Me Like a Hurricane” video is also notable for its narrative. The story of the hurricane parallels the band’s own journey from obscurity to global superstardom. As the storm damage becomes more widespread, we see footage of the band’s early days playing small clubs and bars. By the end of the video, as cities are being destroyed by the hurricane, we see footage of stadium shows and arena tours, highlighting how far they’ve come.
The “Rock Me Like a Hurricane” video is a perfect example of how a well-made music video can enhance a song’s impact. The track is already an excellent song, but the video takes it to another level, adding another layer of meaning and purpose. In an era where music videos are often an afterthought, it’s refreshing to see how much thought and care went into this one.