A truly great National Day song.

I've been to cities that never close down,
from New York to Rio and old London town.
But no matter how far or how wide I roam,
I still call Australia home.

I'm always traveling, I love being free,
and so I keep leavin' the sun and the sea.
But my heart lies waitin' over the foam,
I still call Australia home.

All the sons and daughters spinning 'round the world,
away from their family and friends.
But as the world gets older and colder,
it's good to know where your journey ends.

Someday we'll all be together once more,
when all of the ships come back to the shore.
I realise something I've always known,
I still call Australia home.

But no matter how far or wide I roam,
I still call Australia I still call Australia, I still call Australia home.
But no matter how far or wide I roam,
I still call Australia I still call Australia, I still call Australia home.

It's unashamedly Australian. And it certainly has its detractors. But this is a song that I'd actually listen to on the MP3 player if I could find the right version. That and the fact that the country in question is actually mentioned.

:O

There's art.

And then there's this.



There's a certain level of distaste in this video that offends even my dulled sensibilities. She's called The Geisha now?! Let me break it down here...

1. Hello! Orientalist thinking. Why on earth are we back to "Me Asian woman love you long time."? The posing, the costumes and the fact that the whole song is unintelligible. Lyrics like "When di body ready wine it up In da club on di dance in china it up" really don't reach out and say, "I'm a strong Asian woman" but instead sends the message that's more along the lines of "Me really likey strong white man. He can Chop my Suey and I'll Mushu his Pork." Have we really regressed or is this the only way that we can claw our way into the American market? And by the way, if this is to be your FIRST English album, please for the love of all that's good and holy, Speak English!
   
2. Wow. Way to show off your bod! w00t! Not. Aside from the fact that you're selling out through the gratuitous sexy barely-there oriental drapes, the massively underdressed geisha look went the way of the Fug. What possibly possessed you to wear that?! Was it an instinctual choice that told the world "you should really check out my abs" (which, admittedly, for a 37 mother is quite bleeding impressive) or was it a planned wardrobe malfunction, where the full geisha outfit was sent to the cleaners where it shrank to the size of a kleenex? Either way...Please. Beyonce's going to do it, because, well, she's young and hot enough to do so. Rihanna, I've heard, is up and coming and she's got about 20 years on you. And the Pussycat Dolls are young, talented jailbaitVery young...You get where I'm going with this. Underdressing's the territory of youth. At 37, you REALLY want to say, I've matured. I'm grown and dignified.
   
3. Nice that when people say that they grow and challenge themselves, it usually means that they're really desperate now and would like an opportunity to take off ones clothes if anybody's still watching. OK. Now say it with me. "I. Sold. Out." It's quite simple. When you're reduced to provocative music videos (even before the album's come out) and going with a producer that's more like a pimp than a producer, you really need to take on a reality check and just admit that perhaps, just perhaps, you're taking things in a direction that you never really intended to take in the first place. Take a time out. Figure out another direction.
   
4. And for goodness sakes, you're a pastorworship leader ??? of a church. Should you really be representing yourself in this way? You've got a flock that will still be "encouraged" to buy your new album when it comes out. Are you sure that the message you want to send is the message you are sending?
   

All that said. This music video's just going to be one of the many that will dazzle the MTV crowd with nary an impact. A flash at best before the next big thing hits. At least if you had only that spark, perhaps you should shine with what's best in you instead of the muck that appeals to the lowest common denominator. After all, even the youth have managed to do so.

Then maybe audience will love you long time.