Scarlett Johansson's 'Falling Down' video unveiled
...And it plays out like a DVD outtake of Scarlett behind the scenes.
While it's cute to see Johansson become Hollywood-ready by having her forearm tattoo painted over, it's a surprisingly direct video for "Falling Down," a song focused so heavily on muddled-up production, courtesy of TV On the Radio's Dave Sitek.
Widely distributed by Yahoo first thing Tuesday morning, the clip likely won't change anyone's mind on the song. While the slow-and-heavy production begs for headphone listening, Johansson takes a rather direct and uniform approach to the vocals in the cut, which seem to needlessly ground the atmospherics.
Ultimately, it's the background instrumentation -- a plucky banjo here, or a smattering of xylophone-like chimes over there -- that cuts through the swirl, and pulls the emphasis away from the star vocalist.
"Falling Down" is the first single from Johansson's May 20 album -- largely composed of of Tom Waits covers -- "Anywhere I Lay My Head."
I don't get the video. Is she complaining about being a famous movie star? Isn't that sort of a privilege? I wish I could make a ton of money by being filmed for a couple of weeks. Other than being annoyed by what appears to be her complaining about success, I think the sound editors did a good job. I hope to see her in some more photo shoots.
Posted by: Unsure | April 29, 2008 at 05:44 PM
I don't know what's wrong with me, but I actually like the song. Not so much the video, but her voice is very unique.
Posted by: kmac | April 29, 2008 at 06:02 PM
I didn't want to like it, but I'm into it.
http://songspeak.com/scarlett-johansson-covers-album-of-tom-waits-songs/
Posted by: Matt | April 29, 2008 at 09:17 PM
sounds like she listened to Nico and 1980's era- sinead o'connor. but that is not a bad thing.
Posted by: andyvillager | April 30, 2008 at 05:13 AM
Okay, I was expecting something much worse than this. She has a beautiful voice. I really liked this song. If she wasn't a movie star I would still like it. Very impressed :)
Posted by: Tam | April 30, 2008 at 09:15 AM
Why is Salman Rushdie in the video? And why is that shoegazer aesthetic so resurgent? I'll be buying the record.
Posted by: D P W | April 30, 2008 at 10:08 AM
If you listen to the original 3-4 times in a row, you can just about erase the memory of this performance from your mind.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksbaPmRDa60
Posted by: Jimmy | April 30, 2008 at 02:55 PM
Wow she's as poisonous to music as she is to movies.
This girl is pretty, but really has no acting or singing ability.
Posted by: Jared Lorz | April 30, 2008 at 06:15 PM
She sounds so much like Sinead O'Connor........It's kinda CREEPY........but i really don't get the song....But I have been waiting to see this video, cause I truly thought she would have something BETTER then THIS:S.....Your not Sinead, Scarlett.......Stick to the Films!!
Posted by: Crystal | May 20, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Holy crap. I mean that's what this is...crap!
This is boring. A bad karaoke attempt at best. My dog could do better. It's like a bad trip to a hypnotist. Pah-leeze, stick to show biz.
Posted by: joanie | May 21, 2008 at 06:02 AM
I don't like her voice at all. The song doesn't do much for me either. I can't see her being successful.
Posted by: Michelle | May 21, 2008 at 07:47 AM
I don't like her voice at all. The song doesn't do much for me either. I can't see her being successful as a singer.
Posted by: Michelle | May 21, 2008 at 07:49 AM
Well, I didn't expect to hear a voice like that to come out. It was an utter mess. It almost put me to sleep. The falling down part continued to annoy me throughout the whole song, and the voice was flat and irritating, not to mention that it sounded as if she was having a bad karaoke night. I can't even say that at least the song was good but it just wasn't. It was complete mess. It was a huge mistake altogether.
Posted by: Kristy | May 30, 2008 at 04:41 PM
I'm sorry, but that sounded terrible. She needs to stick to acting. The song sounded too low for her voice. She did not sound on key most of the song. And I'm no expert, but I don't want to hear that while I'm driving.
Posted by: Christina | July 29, 2008 at 03:27 PM