Animotion - "Obsession"

(Debuted January 26, 1985, Peaked #6, 18 Weeks on the Chart)

In earlier entries of this blog, I've mentioned how fashion sometimes ages really badly. When it comes to 80s style, the bright colors and gravity-defying hairstyles that seemed "cool" back then aren't as trendy today. That's not isolated to the 80s, of course; every decade has had its share of similar fads and trends that weren't so interesting after they faded. "Obsession" is a prime example: the video and song are full of things that may have seemed cool back in 1985, but are a little difficult to explain today if our children ask, "why did you do that?!"

It's not like very many of us are going to say it was the cocaine talking. Even in the cases where that might have been true.

In hindsight, the song was catchy enough, but in the MTV age a new band needed to stand out with a memorable video. So, the members of the band staged a costume party. There was Antony and Cleopatra, an Arabian sheik who arched his brow, a guy dressed as a court jester, and even an astronaut. The video was shot in front of the famed "Hollywood" sign, which only added to the absurdity.

That said, I remember wanting to watch that video when it came on. Even today, I remember the video more than I do the song. In that respect, it must have worked.

Animotion had some membership issues after "Obsession" fell off the charts. When they finally shed the dreaded "One-Hit Wonder" status with 1989's "Room To Move" they had a very different lineup, including two different lead singers.