Hello ’90s: A still from the music video for “Everybody Everybody” by Black Box
When did you first realize the ’80s were on their way out? Did you notice an abundance of music video mavens with thick eyebrows, red lipstick and a fitted black wardrobe? Or perhaps you experienced a retro revival as clothing and jewelry began featuring patterns and motifs from the ’60s and ’70s. And while house music was brewing well before the ’90s, maybe you turned on the radio and heard the first mainstream evidence of this “new” genre that featured soulful singing and prominent piano chords. Guess what? For today, Mirror80 becomes Mirror90 with a music video that features all of the elements mentioned above!
Yes, the year was 1990, and Black Box released “Everybody Everybody” with vocals by the talented Martha Wash. Do you remember seeing the music video and thinking that the group’s lead vocalist was built like a model? That’s because the woman in the video WAS a model–Katrin Quinol. But she wasn’t the group’s lead vocalist. That’s right–in music videos and live performances, Quinol lip-synced prerecorded lyrics by Martha Wash. Which eventually didn’t sit well with the uncredited Wash, who later sued for proper recognition.
If you recognize her voice, it’s probably because you’ve heard her on other tracks like the C+C Music Factory’s “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now).” Also, she was one half of The Weather Girls, responsible for hits like “It’s Raining Men.”
Other ’90s house staples in today’s video: buff dudes in muscle shirts doing the running man, crazy background graphics, and LOTS of gyrating. So much that it was nearly impossible to get a screen shot for the top of the post. About that transition from ’80s to ’90s–many ’80s enthusiasts preferred mainstream ’90s house to the Seattle Sound, as electronic beats were more similar to the peppy 1980s dance tracks they were used to. Even ’80s bands like ABC released a house album, Abracadabra, making a seamless adjustment to the new decade. Other ’80s bands that did well with the shift: New Order and Pet Shop Boys.
Enjoy today’s video…and Happy Friday!
This song was playing at the roller rink when my friend decided to skate backwards, and lost her balance. Her feet went out from under her, and she went down, and smacked her head really hard. She’s OK, though. I always think of that when I hear this song, even to this day.
Wow–that sounds dangerous, Jan! I’ll always remember the time I was thrown from a treadmill when I hear the song “Good Thing” by Fine Young Cannibals, which was playing at that moment. And probably everyone else in the gym at that time feels the same way!