Yep, Billy Idol’s single “Rock the Cradle of Love” from his 4th album (Charmed Life) turns 21 years old this year. The song rocketed to #2 on the Billboard charts in 1990. And like many other hot singles of the time period, it also doubled as a theme to a movie – The Adventures of Ford Fairlane.
You remember that one, right? Andrew Dice Clay plays a rock & roll detective. This cinematic Meh-fest also stars Wayne Newton, Lauren Holly, Morris Day, Ed O’ Neil, Robert Englund and a slew of cameos.
OH AND WE CAN’T FORGET THE VIDEO…
Idol’s video basically centers around an older male socialite trying to resist the urge to fool around with another socialite’s hot younger daughter in his apartment. Ford Fairlane clips are peppered throughout the film. Idol also makes a stunning appearance by moving from painting to Warhol-esque painting in the man’s apartment.
For the time period, it rocked in the special effects department. So much so that it won the MTV award for best movie video song.
BTW…Betsy Lynn George plays the girl in the video.
And yes, she was of age at the time of filming (20 years to be exact). Oh, and check out that classic mac used in the video. I actually owned one.
Ok, I’ll shutup now so you can take in this dazzling display of 90’s high concept with an infectious beat.
I miss the days when Mtv played videos all day. This was one of my favorites back in the day.
ReplyDeleteThe first time I saw this video I fell in lust with Betsy and her lap dance talents. When this song, video and movie broke I was a producer at an MTV style music video station. We played this one to death, along with "White Wedding," "Rebel Yell," "Eyes w/o a Face" and "Flesh for Fantasy."
ReplyDeleteThat was such a hot video. I loved it. The Dice Man certainly ran out of steam didn't he? Good times, Good times.
ReplyDelete@Justsayin' - I am so with you on that. I totally miss the days when MTV was all about the music and not so much the shows. Happily, they show a lot of those classic videos over on VH1 Classic now!
ReplyDeleteWhy did you have to remind me of that movie? Horrible...
ReplyDeleteHaha it looks like a crappy movie..I wonder how I didn´t see it!...Great song btw
ReplyDeleteGreetings
Andy
The Black Label
Well thanks for this...I feel a slight bit older now. ;)
ReplyDeleteKids today have no clue that MTV used to actually play music instead of tv shows of fake tanned, fake quido, whores.
ReplyDeleteAgree with Oilfield - they have no idea. Ford Fairlane - koala chips and koala dip!
ReplyDeleteWow, knew the song, didn't know the movie.
ReplyDeleteford fairlane :)
ReplyDeleteeveryone is having a flashback saturday wow
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought of this song in years. It was awesome back then. not sure I care to remember it now.
ReplyDeleteLOL, crazy flashback. Good video =D sexy
ReplyDeleteLove it!
ReplyDeleteBilly Idol has an uncanny resemblance to the replicant dude from Blade Runner too o.0
90s nostalgia
ReplyDeleteargh, i thought this post was leading up to 'whatever became of betsy lynn george'! i was totally ready to put my money on robbed a liquor store...
ReplyDeletethis is gay.
ReplyDeleteI think I missed a lot of those early 90's movies. Crap...was that really twenty years ago already?!!!
ReplyDelete