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MAHNSTAAHR

                                             March 17, 2014

Over here I describe a music
video I was really impressed with:

   HYPERDOLLS                         (In retrospect, it might've seemed
                                      remarkable that this obscure source
                                      came up with music and choreography
                                      that seemed that engaging...)


     More recently, I've gotten interested
     in Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, but I was somewhat
     disappointed in the song "Fashion Monster",    KYARY
     which had elements that seemed totally
     ripped off from the Hyper-Dolls video:

     Singing the word "monster" and rising
     up with outstretched hand representing
     the monster's claw...


         Then one day listening to Dr. Kelp's
         show, she happened to mention an         KELP
         early, very popular "idol" group
         named "Pink Lady", and I began to
         trace that lead.
                                                       WALKING_BACKWARDS
         Imagine my stunned amazement when
         I learned that the song "Monster"
         was originally a "Pink Lady" hit,        http://www.popscreen.com/v/6ltzK/Pink-Lady-Monster-2005-Dance-v
         the number 3 single in Japan in
         1978.   From videos available on         Even down to an extemely
         line, I see that the choreography        puzzling move I still don't
         used by the Hyper-Dolls was identical.   understand at all: you reach
                                                  up over your head, then drop
                                                  that hand down behind your
    Now, I no longer feel like                    head, grab your earlobe from
    Kyary was doing a rip-off.                    behind, and jiggle it.

    Why?                                          With the Hyper-Dolls,
                                                  I thought it might be
    I think this is because                       a reference to their
    Hyper-Dolls seemed tremendously               power earrings...
    obscure, and the audience was                 ("The Star Earring
    unlikely to know where the                     will show no mercy!").
    gesture came from.  But Kyary
    must've expected everyone to                  Now I'm completely lost.
    know-- this makes it a hip
    reference, not a rip-off.                         PINK_LADY

         And a reference to
         something that was
         cool before she was
         born, at that--
         it's practically a
         display of erudition,
         an acknowledgment of
         her elders.



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