Introduction

I’ve debated starting this theme for a few weeks, and I ultimately decided I would as it would encourage me to looks for options that actually fit what I’m aiming for. If one pays too much attention to Top 40 type music you tend to see a dearth of creativity in the music video form. The music video is spawned from short films and can be as creative if not more so than their predecessor. Far too often it does just become singing heads. I want to try and buck that trend and find ones both new and old that do something somewhat outside the box, at the very least have some sort of visual narrative. Here we go.

Billy Gilman – Say You Will

In all honesty as I saw this video I didn’t think it’d be one to qualify save for some establishing shots, and disparate backdrops against which Gilman sings and hides jump cuts. However, the last shot changes that, and it’s not merely for the fact that one part of the frame where color breaking the monochrome (now an old-hat trick). However, combining that with the meta touch of his name on the marquee it actually ascribes, in my loose interpretation, an additional layer of meaning to the song’s final verse:

Say you will
Wade out into the water
Breathe in, breathe out with me
You’d be the words to an unwritten song
I’d be the melody
Don’t let your lips be still
Say you will
Wade out into the water
Breathe in with me (say you will)
I’d be the melody
Don’t let your lips be still
Don’t let your lips be still
Say you will
Say you will

Now on the surface this is but a love song, made more an artistic interpretation based on Gilman’s recent coming out; playing contrary to gender or orientation in songs is not new, but always brave. With the added visuals (the marquee, as well as Gilman performing on an empty stage) combined with these closing lyrics the lyrics play a bit more like request that his fan base stick with him, and then thanking them for coming through with the announcement of a sold out show. Based on some of his comments about past showcases it’s not that big a stretch.

I have been a longtime fan and was excited for the video and was glad to see an overarcing message to the video. Enjoy!