by Dorothy Snarker

Uh Huh Her's video for "Explode" keeps it straight

Uh huh, it's another video. Leisha Hailey and Camila Grey, the musical duo known as Uh Huh Her, released the video for “Explode” this week. The single is the second off their first full-length release Common Reaction, which came out in August.

Like in their debut video for “Not a Love Song,” the pair again turns to animation. Just don't expect any unicorns this time.

Great-looking illustrations. Fantastic, fuzzy slow-burn on the song.

But I can't be the only one who thought the video was a tad stalkerish, and — how can I put this delicately — straight?

I know I'm not alone on the first point since after she watched the video fellow AfterEllen.com blogger StuntDouble commented, “It could double as a video for The Police: every step you take, every move you make, I'll be watching you.”

As for the straight stuff, well, I realize it's not a queer artist's responsibility to depict gay relationships in all of her work. (Plus, Camila has declined to talk about her private life publicly.) But that doesn't mean we can't wish they would. What can I say? I'm greedy about the gay stuff — I always want more.

So, what do you think? Cool video? Hot song? And, is it weird to be attracted to a cartoon character?

Dorothy Snarker's blog

Submitted by

Dorothy Snarker

on October 30, 2008 - 11:00am.

TAGS ::

hmm...yes

Submitted by

gato (948 posts)

on October 30, 2008 - 11:20am.

just a tad on the stalker side..and disapointing it is on the straight side.

but what got me more is the editing of the lyrics..since when can yo not say "go down" or "inside me". Am i the only one who is baffled by this? those are some of the hawtest lyrics and they cut them...sad

________________________________________

Voogle A Voogle Plea

I was amazed by the edits!

Submitted by

invisiblegrrrl (13 posts)

on October 30, 2008 - 11:24am.

I was amazed by the edits! Since when is the word "down" explicit? Especially now that the band have explained those lyrics and apparently it's to do with going down in flames...

Uh yeah

Submitted by

Trish Bendix (13024 posts)

on October 30, 2008 - 11:54am.

Especially because I asked them about this "going down" business and they said it was nothing sexual. It's supposed to mean you'll be "going down in flames." Interesting.

What the frick?!

Submitted by

Model through it (143 posts)

on October 30, 2008 - 2:47pm.

Lil Wayne can talk about licking it like a lolly pop, and making it juicy? But they can't say "go down" and "inside me". That's reidiculous, and I think maybe I'm a little more pissed pff than I should be.

"There is homophobia in every corner and pocket of this world, but at the core ... you just love someone and want to make mixedtapes for them" -Sara Quin

Yeah I'm pissed off about

Submitted by

kate (20 posts)

on October 30, 2008 - 10:20pm.

Yeah I'm pissed off about this too. Lil Wayne, like many other rappers can say stuff like that because it conjures phallic imagery, which is accepted in our patriarchal culture. If you think about the terms "go down" and "inside me" in this context, it is very much about female sexuality, female sexuality regardless of orientation is still shrouded in mystique in our society. Makes people feel uncomfortable I guess.

______________________________________________

"Strong people don't need strong leaders" - Ella Baker

www.youtube.com/user/katejb2

eeee

Submitted by

Banany (53 posts)

on October 30, 2008 - 11:22am.

i love that song (LOVE the band to I think they're really talented and they have something) but the video...I just ...hmm... I too wish it where gayer but did it have to be SO straight? oh well... and I really didn't get it, maybe its just me but I ussualy understand at least a little bit more of the concept. It was interesting animation though, I bet they drew it.

Screencaps

Submitted by

Heather Hogan (1508 posts)

on October 30, 2008 - 11:27am.

Snarker, when you add that screencap to The Police lyrics, it's downright creepy!

yeah, I love how so many ppl

Submitted by

Clara (919 posts)

on October 31, 2008 - 11:45am.

yeah, I love how so many ppl have that song played as their first dance at their weddings without realising its about a stalker :p

yeah, the editing of "down"

Submitted by

kiwimarie (24 posts)

on October 30, 2008 - 11:32am.

yeah, the editing of "down" and "inside me" seems ridiculous.

If the straightness depresses you, just do what I do and pretend that's a tall woman he sees her with upstairs.

Interesting video. When I

Submitted by

JesseStone (43 posts)

on October 30, 2008 - 11:38am.

Interesting video.

When I pushed play on that video the first thing I noticed was- Hello boobs.

Great song though. Too bad they had to edit it.

I really like this song and

Submitted by

accidentalart (13 posts)

on October 30, 2008 - 11:40am.

I really like this song and think the animation in the video is great. But, I too was most surpised they edited the lyric. It doesn't bother me so much that it was so straight but I do think the guy was a total stalker! I kept waiting for the unicorn to pop out of a dark alley to save the girl.

i totally agree

Submitted by

kay (32 posts)

on October 30, 2008 - 5:30pm.

i keep thinking that the woman was some kind of rogue prostitute that was leading him into some unsavory part of town where her gang of prostitute friends were waiting to jump him and steal his money!

oh wait...that was Sin City right?

loved the animation.

the unicorn would of been kick ass too. he could of jumped in with the gang of bad ass prostitutes and kicked some ass too. and if the prostitutes didn't give him his cut...well then he was gonna break bad on them too. the unicorn doesn't play favorites...everyone has the potential to meet the business end of his horn. lol

oh and song editing? not cool/

~birds flyin high~

finally....

Submitted by

jc (36 posts)

on October 30, 2008 - 11:55am.

i searched all yesterday trying to find a site where i could actually view the video...so thanks. :D when i saw that the video was animated, i was pretty excited cause this is the stuff i love and study. jodi sandler did a fantastic job in my opinion on it...very cool. but on the overal scheme of things i was kinda disappointed. i felt that they almost took all the "energy" out of the song...and i agree i was peeved when they made edits to the song too...but for me explode was a powerful...rock out...energy packed song...and i didn't get that at all here. lastly i think the video was made more "straight" because they want to get a bigger audience...and unfortunately if they made it "gay" they would have possibly been limiting themselves with the crowd that already knows and likes them (for the most part). do i agree with this action...no not really, but the girls are just trying to do the best they can.

you stay. i'll stay. we'll be alone.

but Camilla might be

Submitted by

Clara (919 posts)

on October 31, 2008 - 11:57am.

but Camilla might be straight or bi.. Even if she's not its clear that most of heir fans are of Leisha's primarily (as to how they found the band even if they liked them equally now) and their shows are seen as lesbian shows and they've done nterviews on here both written and on a vlog and even if they are both gay (tho the girl in the vid looks like Camilla) its like a step away from The L Word as I guess it must get annoying a lot of people only go to gigs 'cus of that and scream at every word Leisha says and not Cam and worse stuff like "We love you Alice" :S and you know, not go foe the music so much in many cases, maybe they wanted to step away from that so it was more about the music? Its better than someone *cough Katy Perry cough*making it gay to get attention but like in a fake way with a guy in bed at the end (tho iambeginning to like aspects of that song now)

Saying that tho its pretty animation its a very drab feel for a song I imagined way differently..

Persepolis anyone?

Submitted by

FreewheelNat (120 posts)

on October 30, 2008 - 12:02pm.

In terms of graphics/animation, it really reminds me of the film/graphic novel Persepolis, don't you think so?

***** ***** *****

Taking off - the novel, coming soon. Starring Katie, a lesbian in London...

In the meanwhile, you can read reviews of films and books with lesbian/bi characters and/or taking place in London at www.takingoff.org

I agree

Submitted by

gato (948 posts)

on October 30, 2008 - 12:37pm.

I thought the same thing...the animation is beautiful.

________________________________________

Voogle A Voogle Plea

censored!?

Submitted by

AnnaRG (180 posts)

on October 30, 2008 - 12:26pm.

So i realized while watching this that they censored one of the lines that says "i've got you inside me" , the "inside me" part was censored out! That's so stupid. It could mean anything! like inside my head? or whatever. i hate censorship.

Love the song!

Submitted by

Kimmaayy..! (743 posts)

on October 30, 2008 - 12:44pm.

It has always been my favorite, but I do not like the video...I mean it's got great animation, but this song needs a bit more than this black and white walk down a snowy path. I guess it's just boring to me...

~Homosexuality is God's way of insuring that the truly gifted aren't burdened with children -Sam Austin~

They could have just left

Submitted by

lushbliss (102 posts)

on October 30, 2008 - 12:47pm.

They could have just left out the gotee and made him an "it" haha his hair is long enough. Then we could all imagine it was a woman. The way they walk freaks me out but I also flip a shit when the beatles move yellow submarine is in a 20 ft radius... creepy paper animation.

haha

Submitted by

Jodie (295 posts)

on December 12, 2008 - 3:36pm.

well I would take a woman with a gotee before a man any day.... so I might just imagine that :P

Location Paris ?

Submitted by

Green Mouse (1 post)

on October 30, 2008 - 12:59pm.

Does anyone know why the animation seems to be located in Paris : typical sideways, cars, bikes, buildings, parks... ? I'm French... that's why I think recognize Paris in the background !

I've always loved this song, I don't mind they changed the lyrics, it didn't strike me at first (my attention was too drawn on the location). And the animation is beautiful !

You're right

Submitted by

jusdo (1 post)

on October 30, 2008 - 4:58pm.

I thought it was Paris right away. After seeing the video twice I noticed the vélibs and the bottom of the ad on the wall (where it's written "télécharger") anf finally the poles along the streets.

Definitely Paris

Submitted by

lenochka (6 posts)

on October 30, 2008 - 5:48pm.

Yes that is definitely Paris.

Horrible video! Is this really how they see their song brought to life?

It's mediocre, trendy, and soul-less.

(No amount of advanced-techolonogy, combination of red/white/black or allusions to Paris can save that!)

wow

Submitted by

Nyssa (7739 posts)

on October 30, 2008 - 1:09pm.

It always saddens me when they edit sonds, but this being the first time I heard the song, I didn't Notice. It does draw you in and hooks you. Maybe it is a song of regret of what could have been, I do not know but the video does seem kinda stalkerish.

Woudl it have been better if her pusherer was a woman? would that make it creepier?

Everywhere I go the cars all follow me, I'm the girl with magnetic tights.

Voulez-vous travailler avec moi ce soir?

I thought...

Submitted by

x_Kirstie_x (43 posts)

on October 30, 2008 - 1:13pm.

The annimation is good but I don't get it...what's with the end? Why can't he walk past the grass? Why does it go fuzzy? And where is annimated Leisha? Lol.

Seriously though it's an awesome song but I'm not feeling the video, it's a bit boring aswell.

KiwiMarie, I thought the person in the window was a girl the first time. Maybe it was just me hoping...

I personally like it. I

Submitted by

Matteo (29 posts)

on October 30, 2008 - 1:16pm.

I personally like it. I think its a great work .

*wants more*

I love the song but the

Submitted by

lolcaz (48 posts)

on October 30, 2008 - 2:03pm.

I love the song but the video was just meh...
And I'd always envisioned it as a much more colourful song, personally.

Love the Video

Submitted by

LoveWord (1 post)

on October 30, 2008 - 3:05pm.

I actually love the video... from a bi perspective I see the video as the girl leading on a guy... possibly using him and then hooking up with a girl upstairs and him being crushed - try to see it that way if it's not 'gay' enough ha

The lyrics really shouldn't be taken out either!!!

This is pretty disappointing all around

Submitted by

jordan-writes (283 posts)

on October 30, 2008 - 3:21pm.

I love the song and adore the band, but what the hell? Straight? Censored? Lacking Leisha and Cam?! Lacking a unicorn? Its all too much for me to handle... Other than what its missing and its stalkerish feel, I think its a pretty good music video.

i just watched the video...

Submitted by

Jamie (84 posts)

on October 30, 2008 - 3:27pm.

i just watched the video... but on youtube (It has been posted once so far). That one wasn't edited.

Though it is possible for someone to replace the edited music with the original.

It doesn't really bother me

Submitted by

Natazzz (1113 posts)

on October 30, 2008 - 4:45pm.

The video doesn't really bother me. Because seriously, would anyone really like it better if it was a girl doing the creepy stalking?

Love the song. The censoring is stupid.

- - - - - - - - - -

-Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

I blog, therefore, I am

did you see his chin?

Submitted by

mythofthefront (109 posts)

on October 30, 2008 - 5:42pm.

How come the cartoon dude looked like Michael Jackson?

-----

The 4 winged dear with the metal tongue knows what it takes to get things done.

What the hell is up with

Submitted by

onedimpledcheek (57 posts)

on October 30, 2008 - 8:27pm.

What the hell is up with them bleeping "go down" and "inside me"? That's not even how they meant those lines to be; Cam and Leisha said it themselves.

It's straight because if you want to break into the mainstream, like they're really trying to with UHH, you've got to even things out and appeal to a more general audience. Besides, at least it's a straight stalker, and not a gay one.

Love the feel of the animation, though I prefer the wide shots of them walking because of their super tall forms. Reminds me of Kirchner's "Street, Berlin".

I hear yah

Submitted by

poprocks (113 posts)

on October 30, 2008 - 8:59pm.

"Besides, at least it's a straight stalker, and not a gay one."

I hear yah! We get enough bad P.R. as it is. Goddamn those lesbian serial-killer movies.

wat??

Submitted by

paradisesofar (113 posts)

on October 30, 2008 - 9:57pm.

I am not a fan...

The animation was too slow paced for the song, choppy flash is one thing but the lack of variation with "shots" shows (sorry i am a flash artist and i see things that normal people dont see)

N yeah when can you not say "go down" or "inside me" .Sorry its just unfare how straight people can sing about sex blatenly. but we cant even hint at it...

love the song just had a different music video running through my head :P

uh huh no..

Submitted by

scarletdiva (8 posts)

on October 30, 2008 - 9:59pm.

that was sooo anti-climatic! that is my absolute fave song at the moment - and i imagined a kick-ass video when i heard it was animated :(
For me the clip didn't need to be gay, i was more disappointed it was soo straight!!! ha ha if only the guy didn't have facial hair...

really?

Submitted by

Amii. (72 posts)

on October 30, 2008 - 10:00pm.

really? this video is disappointing, i think.

love the band, love the song

the video, however? not so much.

but, I agree, amazing animation.

just the content was meh

Freaky

Submitted by

AMN (239 posts)

on October 30, 2008 - 11:02pm.

The video was freaky in a bad way. The guy seemed to enjoy being a stalker a little too much. Little disappointed in the video, but still enjoy the song.

A cat sees no good reason to obey another animal, even if it does stand on two legs.

I like the song but not the

Submitted by

Tina's Cry (31 posts)

on October 31, 2008 - 12:34pm.

I like the song but not the animation... Is it wrong for me to think of prostitutes on a street corner when I hear this song?

AmAzInG ViDeO Love it, Love it, Love it!

Submitted by

Sultry Sara (1 post)

on October 31, 2008 - 1:06pm.

The music video has an amazing appeal. The animation fits so well with the music, Love it! I was not aware I could actually be attracted to an animated character almost carnal in desire, seduction to my core ;) As for some of the above comments can somebody say, Ultra Crusty Feminazi??? Try to realize the real depth of the video and you may actually discover more about yourself, and if that fails I suggest retail therapy. Hugssss.

you cant handle the truth...

Submitted by

myhunny (1 post)

on October 31, 2008 - 11:50pm.

The symbolism of this video is self evident--a dominant female leading a man around like a puppy dog, then dumping him for.....? Or is it running away from the "straightness".? The comments on this board about the "straightness" only proves to me that narrow mindedness is not limited to sexual persuasion.

Obviously, this work is more than visually appealing. If focuses on the mini battles we fight everyday with ourselves, our friends (and wannabe friends), and the decisions that define who we are. It is the artist's own interpretation of their inspiration--the song. Works of art have to be viewed on many levels, and the best ones make us think our own thoughts instead of the group thought that is so pervasive. Free yourself from the spam of your mind and enjoy it for what it is.

i love the song..

Submitted by

aly (60 posts)

on March 3, 2009 - 7:04pm.

but not so much the video.. i think they should've saved the animation for another song and done something really cool for Explode. i actually saw the vid a few months back on youtube and saw a video of Cam and Leisha talking about how the artist who created the video had a really specific vision and that they just gave some ideas and let her run with it.. so I guess its cool that they gave some fan that creative license...

Welcome to AfterEllen.com!

by Dorothy Snarker

Uh Huh Her's video for "Explode" keeps it straight