This week, while surfing through time and Instagram, I stumbled upon a stunning visual interpretation of "Dance Monkey." You remember. Check it out here.
+ Here's the special performance on Fallon.
The catchy tune got stuck on repeat in my hippocampus, making me ponder: what makes a song addictive? What moves us? What is this strange, secret alchemy that some songs possess? Interestingly, I discovered that the original band, Tones and I, actually hates the song. This phenomenon isn't unique to them. Madonna reportedly despises "Like a Virgin." Radiohead didn't play "Creep" for years. Michael Stipe is critical of REM's "Shiny Happy People." Liam Gallagher claims to hate "Wonderwall."
It’s fascinating how some of the most iconic songs are disliked by the very artists who created them. It seems there’s a curious disconnect between the creators and their audience. The alchemy that makes a song addictive to listeners can be a double-edged sword for the artists. They may grow tired of their hits or feel pigeonholed by their success. Yet, these songs continue to resonate deeply with fans, creating a legacy that endures despite the artists’ personal feelings.
Rebecca Nicholson touches on this in her article, highlighting how Tones and I, like many artists, wish people would stop fixating on their breakout hit. It’s a compelling look at the complex relationship between artists and their most famous works. You can read more about it here: The Guardian
I know how it feels to reject or be sick of your own creative work. Yes I do. I made a feature film, a passion project, in 2012 when I sold Fatafeat to Discovery (who went on to destroy it). The film won awards at festivals around the world. I hate it, and truth be told, I haven't watched it in its entirety since I completed the edit and final screening print. Here is the trailer.
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