“Wild, Wild West.” (1988, #1) Ushered-in a new decade worshipping unabashed sensuality and rebellion (Ye old sex, drugs, & rock-and-roll trope. Yawn…). The checklist: casual sex, drugs, cop-bashing, rebellion, parades celebrating sin, etc. Sound familiar? Also, and I just remembered, the references to the number, 47, but that’s probably just a coincidence? The video featured disembodied, genderless arms and legs, which pointed to where this was all heading; I remember finding the video hard to watch. Here's an early single review.
“I’ll Be There.” (1991, #8) Epitomized the God-ignoring, man-as-his-own-god, pseudo-spirituality of the modern era, with the dead protagonist promising to play the role of God for their still-living loved one: I’ll be there, watching you from above, I may have died, but I’ve gone nowhere. The video featured a drowned woman, who seemed to be desperately suggesting, “this is fine,” which is pretty much how sin works. I’m guessing Oprah enjoyed this one. Bonus "ugh" points for the album cover’s artsy depiction of male ejaculate.
Tipper Gore, all is forgiven.
