I was watching a tv show and a scene used a song that I recognized. It stuck with me and I racked my brain to think who had sung it. A google search revealed the song was “Breakout” by Swing Out Sister. Watching the video was a revelation. I was instantly taken back to some middle school form of me, transfixed by this cool, aloof, but joyful beautiful woman. I realized I must of had the incredible hots for Corinne Drewery circa 1986.
First off, it’s a great video. It has just enough narrative, classic lip sync, and variety in scenes and imagery to keep it interesting. Drewery, with her mod bob haircut, graceful neck, and bright lipstick just pops off the screen. She’s adorably awkward. It’s almost like I can hear the director telling her to use her hands more, so she does, and feels silly for it. But who cares! She’s so cool anyway.
One thing that I always require in a good music video is saving something for last. Don’t give up all your imagery upfront. Afterall, it’s basically a short film and the viewer deserves an ending. This video delivers in a glorious saxophone sweep to a final key change. Sweet strings brim with uplifting harmonies and out from behind the curtain comes Drewery, finally outfitted to match all her glamour. A fan fetchingly blows her hair this way and that, jewelry sparkling atop bare shoulders. It’s the most skin we’ll see and it’s just enough.
“Breakout” is my favorite song from SOS. They are not a go-to band for me although certainly they’ve a place in pop jazz. “Forever Blue” isa great tune and sounds like a classic standard. For me “Breakout” wins for its synth pop flavor, an area where the English shine and have full right to own. So I would like a SOS that dwelled there longer.
I’m sure they could care fuck all for what I think of their music, and it’s not important because one song is enough. Let’s listen to it, and in this case, let me watch this video again and again and again.
So I did just that, and here I will admit that I tried masturbating while thinking of the video to no avail. It’s curious because there is no doubt I desire to brush my cheek across her clavicle as Drewery emerges upon the catwalk, shoulders bare for all to see. But this desire did not translate into orgasm. I suppose because the whole video is just too wholesome and other SOS videos sought out didn’t deliver any punch. Not because Drewery is any less beautiful. She seems to have aged well and must be in her 60’s by now. The other videos don’t deliver because I didn’t see them at the tender young age when I first saw and absorbed “Breakout”. Nostalgia shapes our desires but it’s not a person. Nostalgia is not even the song. It’s the moment, the feeling I had back at that time. A wonderful brew of desiring and admiring. Then there’s the added complication inherit to desire in wanting to “be” that person too. That’s part of possessing someone and a twisted element of love. Maybe this is only a thing for gay people who can share clothes with their partners. Who knows?
In any case I understand Drewery’s partner is Andy Connell (on the left) and it warms my heart to see couples in love and music together.
