Inspired by this post of Archive Guy’s, I came across this video of Extra Fancy’s cover of the Nina Simone classic “Sinnerman” (starring the pre-gender-reassigned Alexis Arquette as a closeted gay man). I’d never seen the video before, but it really struck me.
Now obviously, some of that may be because I was a closeted gay person until I finally found the strength to come out, so I identify with the video (and the interpretation of the song) on a very personal level. But it also seems to me that this is a rare example of an agenda-driven piece that still works. Sure, the subtext very quickly becomes text, all attempts at subtlety are jettisoned pretty early on, but I think that kind of metaphorically works for the subject. The video also does an admirable job of showing the hypocritical lifestyle of the Alexis Arquette character without ever seeming to judge him. It’s sympathetic to his situation, fucked up as it is.
It also seems to me to be a rare example of an artist covering a classic song that he “gets” entirely, but still managing to make it his own. Entirely.
Plus it’s a relatively daring video; I wonder if it got any real airplay?
Anyway, I liked it a lot so I thought I’d bring to others’ attention.