Say you’re a terrific new artist with a crazy-catchy single, but your eclectic sound almost guarantees you the "big in Europe" curse of Robbie Williams, Anastacia, and Scissor Sisters. You have a budget of roughly $11 to create a video that will take America by storm. What do you do? What. Do. You. Do? Let’s take a peek at Mika’s new clip for "Grace Kelly" (now streaming at AOL Music) and try to determine how (and how well) he’s dealt with this not altogether uncommon dilemma.
No money? No problem. Somebody at your label has a friend with a fabulous loft apartment (piano included), and she’s crazy about the idea of immortalizing her pad in video form. As for the lack of money for a choreographer, that can be easily disguised by having your dancers/friends hold industrial lighting fixtures.
You’re gonna have to give up the dream of getting Scarlett Johansson to costar in the clip (maybe on your next single, if this one takes off?), so for now, we’re gonna go with a couple of local kids. They’ll work for first dibs at the craft services table. And they’re cute. And anyway, that clip of dialogue in the song doesn’t sound like it’s the real Grace Kelly either, so who cares?
"Why don’t you like me? Why don’t you like me?" But Mika, we do like you!Your song is like a whole packet of Smarties — colorful and tart –and I’m not even mad at you for your ability to pull off skinny pantsin a variety of colors. Mildly annoyed, maybe, but let’s get back tothe video.
Put some chick in rags, have her do the Stevie Nicks twirl. Worksevery time. Other household items that look good on camera: Umbrellas!Vegetable platters! Old ladies! Now break out the bags of confetti andglitter — practically free at the dollar store — have your mates actthe fool, and hey, that’s a wrap! What do you think, PopWatchers? DidMika act like a Tim Gunn disciple and make it work, or is this thinghardly working?
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sweet song….totally love it
WOW!!!! I started hating, then was ambivalent about it, but by the caching, I was dancing all over my room. OKAY, I am heading to ITUNES right now… MUST HAVE GRACE KELLY.
WHEN WHEN WHEN is his album coming to the US??? I’ve bought the only two singles (boo) available on iTunes: Grace Kelly and Love Today. I heard Feb 5th, but suspect this is Europe’s launch date, as it’s a Monday and not a Tuesday. Somebody on here must know the US release date!!! And dates for a possibly tour? His music makes my soul happy…
Finally I know who sings this song!! I’ve been listening to it for weeks now,at a clothing store ( I won’t mention name). I just downloaded 4 more songs from the upcoming CD. I love his style.I don’t know why but his voice remind sometimes a little to Freddy Mercury, from Queen, i don’t know maybe not. Good music tho.
Hey Kristen me too! Shame on iTunes America. The UK version has more singles. He has a myspace page with some other songs, ‘Billy Brown’ is good too. I, too am interested in the US release date. I’ve heard the Freddy Mercury comparison before about him and I agree but he has his own style. He’s wacky fun!! Slezak was actually the one who turned me on to him in another blog.
Mika’s debut cd drops on U.S. shores on Tuesday March 27th, sorry to be the one to have to tell y’all this. I think the song is catchy but the video is part of the appeal kinda like the Ok Go “Her We Go Again” song. The video was a hit but very few radio stations supported the song, and I see this video being a hit since its quirky, but the song really doesn’t hit on the current Top 40 radio niche. That doesn’t mean I don’t like “Grace Kelly”… I just think it’ll have a difficult time finding a home next to Diddy, Akon and Justin Timberlake on terrestrial radio. The song “Grace Kelly” is available on iTunes, it was released last week, but suspiciously was not listed on the New Releases section…go support Mika, if you want this song to be any kind of radio hit, its going to need digital sales to get the ball rolling…
I don’t really care what the video is, the song is so good it doesn’t matter!
My sister found this song a week ago and i have been playing it nonstop since then. my roomate got really annoyed after i put it on loop and played it for nearly half an hour straight (or more).
Well, to be honest I’m really not feeling this song. But it is so refreshing to hear someone reference Anastacia. She is such an AMAZING woman with an outrageous voice. Knowing that she hasn’t been able to make it big in the states just makes me plain ashamed to be American.
the song….musical perfection
the video….stunningly infectious
The song is growing on me, but he’s a lot more attractive in photographs than in video…
I love it! When I heard his song a few weeks ago (clued in by our very own PopWatch), I didn’t really care for it… it was okay, but a little zany for me.
But the video totally sells me on it! Hee, it’s fun and crazy and catchy and I like it.
Lora – I totally disagree, I think he’s gorgeous… even more in the video then in pictures. that hair! sigh…
Slezak, WTF? How can you compare this guy to Robbie Williams? This Mika dude, is awful. His voice reminds of a cat being choked to death. UGH! And the video….uh, no.
I think he sounds like Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury. Maybe it’s just me, but I really like this guy/song.
The Freddy Mercury comparison is on purpose. He actually says in the lyrics “Then I tried a little Freddy”. BTW this song has been played alot on channel 29 on XM U-POP
The only way I heard that Grace Kelly was released was by adding him to my contact list on iTunes – they sent me an email. I like Grace Kelly, but I like Love Today and Relax much better. I saw him live in LA last week and he was AWESOME!!!!! I have no idea if he will take off here in the uS, but I for one am a huge fan (Thanks SLEZAK for bringin him to my attention). I also noticed that Mtv is using Love Today in some of their promos, so who knows mayeb he will take off. Oh, and if you search “Mika” on yahoo (or was it google?) there is a place where you can download “Relax” which is my favorite of his songs so far. Oh, and yes, according to my Mika poster that I stole at his concert the cd comes out on March 27th – SO BUY IT!!!!!!!
PS – At his show he said that “Grace Kelly” had just gone to #1 on the pop charts in thr Uk, so that’s a good thing. However the list of artists that don’t cross over is huge, so that doesn’t necessarily mean anything. For me it comes down to the fact that his songs are completely catchy – in fact my 17 year old son who hates pop music had me put 2 of his songs on his iPod because I played them in my car so much. I think he has a good chance if his lable can get him played on a few stations and his videos on VH1 or Mtv.
The song was catchy and odd and the music video was just great. The great thing about doing a music video for nothing is that it’s a labor of love, so you can tell everyone in it is having the time of their lives. MORE than makes up for the lack of polish in my opinion!
I’ve forced at least a dozen people to watch this infectious video on YouTube. Most then went out an purchased the single.
Also, this video is in rotation on the MTV Wake-Up list and has been for at least the past 15 days.
and yeah he totally rocks those dark skinny pants with the inside stripe.
umm… the video’s directed by Sophie Muller — not some random film student trying to score a loft. Wanna bet someone put a lot of thought into the look of the thing?
umm… the video’s directed by Sophie Muller — not some random film student trying to score a loft. Wanna bet someone put a lot of thought into the look of the thing?
mells – I completely agree – I think he sounds like Freddie Mercury and the song even sounds a little like Queen to me. I love it! But it’s been stuck in my head for over two days…
I’m 42, and i just got my 11 yr old son interested in the Mika video and song for Grace Kelly. We’ve been watching it on MTV in the morning while we’re getting ready for school. we LOVE it. (my son thinks it’s cool and kinda crazy). i love his voice, look, energy! He does remind me of Freddy Mercury alot, but definitely has his own style. The video is creative and infectious. Can’t wait til the cd comes out! Although he may not fit the “top 40″ mold, alot of the top 40 stuff is pretty unoriginal. Mika’s definitely different and refreshing. I hope he does well in the U.S.
ur new song is bad i think u have the best song in the would i and a biggest fan
I ansolutly love MIKA!!!!!!!
<3
He is an amazing singer…..similar to Queen but more modern-ish.
I love his looks too!
It stinks though…I live in the US and can only purchase 2 of his songs!!
His voice is beyond beautiful in “Grace Kelly”.
BEST WISHES TOO YOU MIKA!!
i think it is nice to hear someone who can actually sing. but i don’t want a whole bunch of people to hear him on MTV, buy some poster and pretend to like him and them forget his a month later. i hate that. anyway… i think the cd is comeing out on May in the US, but i could be wrong. he is so original.
i saw his video this morning,
and he reminds me of Freddie Mercury for his voice,and the way he sounds so happy and flirty when he sings.
quite nice,and if im not mistaken,
when he says
“so i try a little freddie. Ive gone identity mad!” is an obvious reference to Freddie Mercury.i adore queen,and i sure adore this song.the end.
Mika is a great sound thats reminds me of the sound of Paul McCartney during his Wings days. the guy can sing and the arrangements appear flawless.
Mika – one word…legend. Mika’s song ‘Billy Brown’ fetured on his new album is now one of my fav songs, along with Grace Kelly and Relax, Take It Easy.
I’m 50 and wish I was Mika’s mother. I love this song – I’m totally rapt. I feel 19 again when I listen to it…….