PAUL MCDONALD IS GAMBLIN’ WITH A WILDCARD IN HIS NEW MUSIC VIDEO
Music Video Review: Paul McDonald Wildcard
My mom grew up in the 60s and 70s. Like just about everybody, she was a big Beatles fan. She and her best friend Mary used to wear buttons on their jackets that said “I love John” and “I love Paul”. Well, now it’s 2018 and I can’t help but wonder where that darn pin went because I could really use it right about now.
‘Cause… um… I love Paul.
McDonald. Not McCartney.
I mean, McCartney’s ‘alright’ (note sarcasm), but Beatlemania is over.
You should love Paul, too, btw.
‘Cause this guy is crazy good.
Paul McDonald probably doesn’t know I exist, so I highly doubt he loves me back <sigh>. But I’m sure he loves his fans, of which I can now say I am one. So, I’ll take solace in whatever pittance of love I can get from this incredibly talented (and… ahem… sexy) man.
DARLIN’, SHE’S A WILDCARD
Paul’s latest single, “Wildcard”, one of 14 tracks off his new LP Modern Hearts – a ‘breakup’ album out June 1 – is a fun, catchy alt-rock tune with plucky guitar and rhythm about a woman who broke his heart and can’t seem to make up her damn mind.
Wildcard: a person or thing whose influence is unpredictable or whose qualities are uncertain.
In the chorus, Paul sings:
Darling you’re a wildcard / You say you love me and you’re wrecking my heart / You’re so confusing and you’re hard to find / But when you want some loving then you’re right by my side / Darling you’re a wildcard / You say you love me, but right now you’re just breakin’ my heart
Make up yo’ damn mind, girl! Quit givin’ him the runaround! (Sorry… I get a little worked up when someone wrongs ‘my’ man).
ROSE-COLORED GLASSES
All jokes aside, the music video for “Wildcard” (directed by Jason Lee Denton) is visually very appealing thanks to Paul’s unique, free-flowing dance moves, and a ‘dirty’ film quality that utilizes an intentional blurriness and crackle-y texture that are somehow reminiscent of both a Barbara Walters ‘20/20’ interview and home video footage from the 80s. But it’s the less than subliminal red imagery deliberately inserted into every scene that really got my attention.
From the cherry blossom-esque backdrop in the car wash scene, the grass that looks more like the poppy field in The Wizard of Oz , the color of his guitar, socks, and tie, it seems everything has a rosy tint to it. What was once green is now a shade of red thanks to some clever color correction. It’s almost as if the viewer is seeing the world through a rose-colored lens.
Funny… Paul is literally wearing rose-colored sunglasses in the video. Think that was intentional? I’m willing to bet.
The literal meets the figurative in “Wildcard”. Paul may literally be seeing the world through rose-tinted lenses, but he is figuratively seeing his former lover like that, too.
When one sees through rose-colored glasses, s/he has an optimistic perception of someone or something, often seeing it in a better light than it actually is. I think Paul is seeing his ex like that. One day she’s hot, the next she’s cold. One day she loves him, the next day she’s leavin’. She doesn’t know what she wants and she’s frustratingly non-committal. For the outsider looking in, she sounds like someone you DON’T want to date, nevermind keep giving a chance over and over again. But Paul loved (loves?) her and love is like wearing rose-colored glasses. Love makes us highlight the good in people and relationships, and downplay the bad. Love makes us hang on sometimes a little too long and makes letting go a little more difficult. It makes us blind.
Good thing he’s got those glasses on, right?! You know… to help him see better? Oh, nevermind.
ROLLIN’ THE DICE
In the opening scene of the music video, Paul literally and figuratively rolls the dice on the dream of some semblance of a committed relationship with is ‘wildcard’ ex. He keeps gambling on her knowing the odds are against him. In the next scene, we see the King of Clubs. Is that supposed to be you, Paul? You been clubbin’ a bit too much, perhaps? Finally, the last scene shows us the Queen of Hearts, thus demonstrating that no matter how much of a game she plays with him, she will always be in (or have control of?) his heart.
Now, Paul has had a rather public life as a musician, but I won’t speculate as to who his ‘wildcard’ is. It might be an easy bet if you want to venture a guess, but I’ll choose to leave the answer unconfirmed.
HE’S GOT THE MOVES LIKE…
Paul McDonald is a true talent with a voice as distinct as his dance moves. To continue the card game analogy, I’m willing to bet he’s gotten comparisons to Rod Stewart both in his tenor vocal tone and raspy timbre, as well as his looks. That overgrown, tousled blonde hair, that swagger, that retro rock look complete with white leisure suit, round sunglasses, and pussy bow. Wait, did I just describe Elton John? Eh, who cares. I don’t think he’d mind either comparison anyway.
Paul McDonald is the shit, you guys. His songs are fantastic, his videos are smart and well-made, and despite comparisons, his voice remains one-of-a-kind.
ALBUM RELEASE
If you’re like me and find yourself wanting an “I love Paul” pin, but can’t have one (hint hint for possible merch?), then at the very least be sure to get a copy of Paul McDonald’s album Modern Hearts out June 1. Better yet, get yourself a ticket to his album release show on June 2 at Analog at the Hutton Hotel in Nashville. Tickets are only $10.
You can follow this Alabama native and current East Nashvillian on all the websites and social media, too.
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Paul McDonald Wildcard – Paul McDonald Wildcard – Paul McDonald Wildcard – Paul McDonald Wildcard
