Here’s something really cool to play at your Mad Men finale party: The VideosRecordedLive YouTube account uploaded their first video, a single shot live performance of a Mad Men theme song and “Nature Boy” mash-up. According to their YouTube page, this all came about because they “wanted to put lyrics” to what I consider to be the best theme song currently on television. Nat King Cole’s “Nature Boy,” they felt, was the “perfect fit” for the theme song, “A Beautiful Mine” by RJD2, and I have to agree (watch a video of Nat King Cole performing the original “Nature Boy” here to refresh your memory). I think I like this treatment of “Nature Boy” even more than the one made famous in Moulin Rouge, but maybe I’m just on Mad Men overload right now.
Normally for me when I think mash-ups, I tend to think of something a little bit more Biggie and Miley — which does have a special place in my heart — but it certainly has a different vibe than this Mad Men theme song/”Nature Boy” twist. The “A Beautiful Mine” RJD2 song and the cover of Cole’s “Nature Boy” compliment each other perfectly, and the ’60s style live performance component fits not only both the songs, but the whole Mad Men vibe as well. Even the lyrics have me thinking about Don Draper — he certainly does feel “a little shy and sad of eye but very wise” this season. But in its famous lyrical ending, “Nature Boy” ends with “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.” Now this doesn’t seem like wisdom that will spew from the lips of Don Draper anytime soon — or ever — but maybe is advice that he really needs to hear.
This is only VideosRecordedLive’s first YouTube hit, but they promise that more videos will be coming soon. And judging by the talent in this one, and the refreshing lack of auto-tune, dubbing, and cuts, I can’t wait to see what they have in store. What do you think, PopWatchers? Do you like this version or are you a purist of the originals?
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Um, how did you fail to mention that the singer is Brian Williams of NBC’s daughter?
I discovered this yesterday and love it! Fun Factoid (which I find refreshingly absent from the qualities making the video awesome): the classy, lovely and talented lady front and center is none other than Allison “Daughter of Brian”/”My New Crush” Williams.
Huh, really? That IS a fun factoid! (I kind of really LOVE fun factoids. Maybe too much)
Thanks, Mole!
Okay, I just watched the vid. THAT WAS AWESOME. Good job, Allison “Mole’s New Crush” Williams and friends!
I’m more impressed by the fact that the video is done entirely in one shot. As for the song? Meh. Brian Williams’ daughter sang an old standard over the Mad Men opening. I was hoping for original lyrics. This is tantamount to someone rapping “Gangsta’s Paradise” over the Jeopardy theme.
So refreshing to not hear autotuning. And the single shot filming is terrific in this day of way too many quick cuts.
That was awesome! Her voice is amazing. Totally made my evening. Thanks!
Okay, that was HOT!!☺
It’s a very difficult process for them to mash up two songs like that. It had to match with the character on the show. I believe they’re focusing more on the melody and arrangements of both songs of the matchup and avoiding Autotune. You don’t Autotune to much older songs.
That was pretty good actually.