Recently I noticed these “literalist” videos being passed around the Internet quite a bit.  The form consists of taking a music video and replacing all the original words with a humorously direct description of exactly what is being shown in any given scene.  Good for a laugh, you’ll find, but the format also gives us something to think about.  When you deflate the symbolism out of symbolic scenes, you gain a new appreciation for the video filming process, however brilliant or tacky.  From storyboard to editing room, the efforts expended on most music videos are immense, yet frequently not so well thought up or executed.  The literalist video movement, in it’s own genius way, re-invigorates redundant visual cliches like the casting out of white doves or wind blowing through drapes.  The literalist versions are even more inspiring to look at because they’re absurd without apology, modern, and clever.  My conclusion: when you take something old and tired and bring it back to life through creativity and style, you’re Killin’ It.