Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Someone's Gotta Write A Script For The New Kelly Clarkson Single...

Hello, Kelly-philes! Our girl is riding high on two upbeat singles from her number one album, All I Ever Wanted, and another single is rumored for release. "Already Gone" was co-written by Kelly and One Republic front man Ryan Tedder and is the best song on the album. It's a slow burning, lovely ballad that shares a drum loop and some melodic similarities to Beyonce's current hit "Halo" also written by Tedder.

Kelly really sells the vocals on the track, but it's the video I'm worried about. In case you haven't had All I Ever Wanted on a loop like I have, here is the song:



See? Good stuff from the Texas lass. Anyway, the Clarkson-verse has taken note of the lackluster videos from the new disc, and I think "Already Gone" deserves a kick-ass video. Kelly has done some great videos, even the rather pedestrian "Because Of You" video shines when she cries real tears at the end. Beside, Ms. Idol pals around with Reba McIntire all the time (even touring with her twice) and she should take a lesson from the country superstar. Reba's videos are events, with massive plots and guest stars. In fact, the ladies should pair up for the video shoot. Here's the storyline:

Shooting in black and white, the clips opens sans music, with Kelly pulling up to a stop sign on a gravel road. She's in a convertible, top down and wind whistling as it blows her hair. Camera focuses on her face and pulls back. Behind her shoulder we see a sign: MARBLE CITY: 50 MILES. She turns around briefly and shifts gear. Music starts. Flash to white.

FLASHBACK: Kelly is slow dancing with SILVER FOX. Shot is close on faces, pulls back to reveal REBA and a young gruff (DAVID COOK) at bar watching with studied nonchalance. Kelly pulls away, and walks in tight jeans and western shirt to bathroom. She gives a small smile to David as she passes, man's wallet slipping into purse. David gets up, heads out of bar. Reba walks over to Silver Fox.

OUTSIDE, DUSK: David pulls up to brick wall in alley as Kelly jumps out of window into the passenger seat of same convertible as first scene. They drive away as Kelly counts cash in wallet. Silver Fox runs out of bar in slow motion, Reba chasing. Reba screams, David is frozen. Still in slow motion, Kelly pushes him out of the way. Kelly guns car, hitting Silver Fox with car. Reba jumps in back seat, Kelly hightails it down street.

HOTEL ROOM, NIGHT: Kelly shouts at David, pulling money out of suitcase. He shouts back, she pushes him out of the way. She grabs duffel, opens door, walks out and slams door.

HALLWAY: Kelly sits on floor outside of door, which opens. Reba drops to ground next to her, cradles Kelly's head in her arms. Music hits end of "We were always meant to say goodbye" around 3:40 in song, stops. Dialogue:

REBA: He's going to turn himself in.

KELLY: He can't do that. It wasn't his fault.

REBA: He loves you. It kills him every time you dance and flirt with those guys. He knows it's not real, but it still kills him.

KELLY: I never asked him to love me, he was just supposed to drive the getaway car.

REBA: Love doesn't ask permission, baby girl.

KELLY: Neither do I, Mom.

Music starts again, Kelly jumps up and runs down hallway, duffel in hand.

PARKING LOT, NIGHTTIME: Kelly jumps in convertible and pulls out of parking lot, dust cloud behind her. She passes a sign: MARBLE CITY. Shots of David, tears in eyes and Reba holding on edge of bed.

ROADSIDE: Kelly pulls up to stop sign. She opens duffel, which has clothes, bundle of bills and a picture of Reba and Kelly with David wrapping arms around the two of them. She holds it to her chest, then rips it up and throws into the wind. She drives onto paved road.

END SCENE

How 'bout the rest of you? Think you can direct Kelly's return to "Behind These Hazel Eyes" level video making? Or do you still have old storyboards for a "Sober" video? Share 'em in the comments.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love your video Paul! But I want to play Music Executive's Advocate for a second... I think your video would actually work better for "Cry," which has a more country feel so Reba in the vid would be perfect.

Also, not to discount your selection or Tedder's songwriting ability but "Gone" sounds a lot like "Halo" to me and I worry about people being burnt out on that sound. Okay, scratch that, I'm burnt out on the sound.

It's just a thought, although I think you're right that with "Gone's" success without even being released as a single, it'll prolly be the next choice.

C. Paul Keller said...

Junior, I have been going back and forth ever since I heard that "Already Gone" was the third single. On one hand, I like the song a lot and I think it's the best ballad on the record. But you are quite right, it's just like "Halo" (only I like Kelly's voice on this sound better than Beyonce's.) I would have released the title track while waiting for "Halo" to wind down before going for adds with "Already Gone"