Art of Noise (also The Art of Noise) were an avant-garde synthpop group for… Read Full Bio ↴Art of Noise (also The Art of Noise) were an avant-garde synthpop group formed in 1983 by engineer/producer Gary Langan, programmer JJ Jeczalik, along with arranger Anne Dudley, producer Trevor Horn and music journalist Paul Morley. The group's mostly instrumental compositions were novel melodic sound collages based on digital sampler technology, which was new at the time. Inspired by turn-of-the-century revolutions in music, the Art of Noise were initially packaged as a faceless anti- or non-group, blurring the distinction between the art and its creators. The band is noted for innovative use of electronics and computers in pop music and particularly for innovative use of sampling.

The name of the group alludes to the essay The Art of Noises by noted futurist Luigi Russolo. From the earliest releases on ZTT, the band referred to themselves as both Art of Noise and The Art of Noise. Official and unofficial releases and press material use both versions.

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The Art of Noise Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hey! Yeah!

Dum! Dum!

Tra la la

Clo-clo-clo-close
To to to to the edge

To to to to the edge

To be in England
In the summertime

With my love
Close to the edge

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Art of Noise's song "Close" are short and repetitive, yet hold a deeper meaning with their ambiguous nature. The opening "Hey! Yeah!" serves as an attention grabber, leading into a drum beat of "Dum! Dum!" that provides a sense of urgency. The following "Tra la la" creates a playful and carefree tone that contrasts with the tense drumming.

"Clo-clo-clo-close" is the main focus of the lyrics, being repeated twice before adding "To to to to the edge" four times. This line could be interpreted in a variety of ways, possibly referencing the feeling of being on the edge of a cliff or the end of a relationship. The repetition of "To to to to the edge" emphasizes a sense of danger or excitement.

The final line "To be in England in the summertime with my love close to the edge" adds more context to the otherwise ambiguous lyrics. The mention of England in the summertime conjures images of idyllic landscapes and happy memories. However, the mention of being "close to the edge" once again adds an element of danger or uncertainty. The lyrics may be representing the complex emotions of being in love, experiencing both joy and fear simultaneously.

Line by Line Meaning

Hey! Yeah!
Greetings! Listen up!

Dum! Dum!
The pulsating beat of excitement.

Tra la la
The carefree melody of joy.

Clo-clo-clo-close
Drawing nearer and nearer.

To to to to the edge
Pushing boundaries and taking risks.

To to to to the edge
Going beyond what is familiar and safe.

To be in England
A desire to be in a specific place.

In the summertime
During a warm and carefree season.

With my love
Being accompanied by a significant other.

Close to the edge
Living fully in the moment and experiencing intense emotions.

Lyrics © Ultra Tunes, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DURRELL BABBS, C. N DUDLEY, J. N FRANKLIN, M. N HARVEY, B. N STRINGFIELD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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01The Power of Love3:53

02You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)1:32

03White Wedding3:12

04I'm Your Man6:53

05Take On Me3:31

06A View to a Kill3:34

07Alive and Kicking4:45

08Obsession3:58

09Walls Come Tumbling Down3:24

10close4:03

PT4M3S

Art of Noise

11Welcome to the Pleasuredome4:21

12Duel4:45

13Love Like Blood7:02

14Inbetween Days3:15

15Cities in Dust

16Grimly Fiendish3:49

24Love Is Just The Great Pretender4:20

25Rhythm of the Night3:50

26I Can Dream About You4:11

27Everybody Wants to Rule the World4:13

28Come To Milton Keynes3:01

29Rebel Yell4:47

30Close to Me3:25

31Something About You3:43

32Be Near Me3:29

33Hangin' On A String (Contemplating)3:36

34I'll Be Good5:20

35The Lodgers3:42

36Don't Break My Heart3:50

37The Power of Love6:01

38Don't You (Forget About Me)4:20

39Saving All My Love for You3:57

40I Want to Know What Love Is - Remastered5:04

41I Know Him So Well4:15

46Head Over Heels4:14

47Slave to Love4:13

48Don Quixote4:49

49Brand New Friend4:45

50Single Life4:00

51Body Rock4:07

52Change Your Mind8:25

53Love & Pride3:20

54I Got You Babe3:08

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@Del-Lebo

2y↑1

Again!... Brilliance and art! I had to comment again!

Oh my..... I was working at a record shop sophomore year in

high-school...in a mall..when this came out! It was funny... a lot of
break dancers bought the album and were very disappointed ...I was Full
of glee...knowing that this was brilliant...ground breaking avant-garde
electronic dance music. It changed the world with a whispering Punch
that very few people even comprehend. At 56 years old and owning many
Art Of Noise LPs and Cassettes and CDs..and digital! Brilliance and
creativity will never die!!!!!!! Well done !

All comments from YouTube:

@carlbowles1808

4y↑400

The spirit of 1984 here. The best time to be a teenager or twenty something. I was 23 and still love it in 2020. Thanks to these guys the 80's still rule. We had It good.

@Areljay06

4y↑7

I was 17 and a senior in high school. Loved loved loved the Art of Noise, Beat Box, moments in love, just a great group and a great time in music

@mattvewfindlay2228

3y↑6

I was 13 and bought this on vinyl,totally changed my musical outlook and influences

@mike-xt7qi

3y↑7

Yep just before greed is good kicked in.

@imdjc4

3y↑5

All music genres we're well represented back then...running forward on all 8 cylinders!

@garyroberts1496

2y↑2

Yes completely agree

27 More Replies...

@kyrkosekaterinaris1328

3y↑584

Art of Noise, Yello, Laurie Anderson... the decade when you could make entirely unique, experimental music AND be in the charts.

@wgaule

3y↑18

Charts the in be AND music experimental, unique entirely make could you when decade the ... Anderson Laurie, Yello, Noise of Art.

@kyrkosekaterinaris1328

3y↑9

@@wgaule agree absolutely I

@fatandsassy1510

3y↑16

@Kyrkos Ekaterinaris Happy to meet another Yello fan. Found them on Youtube then bought most of their discography

@Del-Lebo

3y↑18

My life back in the 70's and '80's. 55 Years old and still loving this stuff!!!!

@funkrocker8011

3y↑5

Very much so!👍

36 More Replies...

@michaellarge4189

2y↑14

Ooh, home of the original 'Hey' for the Prodigy's Firestarter 🤩

@Dirty_Squirrell

2y↑66

I dressed up as this little girl for Halloween one year in the 80s. Best party ever!

@lanabuttacavoli9619

22w↑3

I did too

@Edward-bd8iy

Anyone recognize the costume? And, anyone else watched New Wave Theater with Peter Ivers?

@trinadagriff1140

4y↑97

These videos are like well kept secrets just between us 80's kids who had the privilege to watch hours of these cool ass videos! I'm feeling especially lucky!

@victorsandoval1060

30w↑3

I first discovered this video in the year two thousand. I’m not a time traveler or anything like that.

@Jim26D

13w

I was an 80s kid and only saw it once when take young, wasn't until Beavis and butt head watched it that I remember it. It's one of those weird things you saw and wondered if you dreamed it.

@RasAlHaq

46w↑103

This video is the whole 80s New Wave/Punk scene, compressed into a few short minutes. Absolute genius.

@gkroll8467

39w↑6

That’s one angry chick

@Wally-H

36w↑6

This I believe, is the original video for the track that was rejected by the record company - they didn't like it!

@Edward-bd8iy

8w↑1

Saw it on Night Flight on USA Network... I worked nights washing dishes and barback downtown back then (1983) and our greedy little cable company had MTV on the premium tier, took the converter box on top of the TV and cost huge money. They were, however, "kind" enough to put USA Network on an empty sub-basic channel Friday and Saturday nights. We would come home early morning and watch The Video Artist, vids and interviews with Musical Youth, Devo and the like. Tom Corbett Space Cadet episodes. And...New Wave Theater with Peter Ivers, the Ghost Host. Don't be a gherkin, now!

@plymouthbiker

43w↑42

Love this track. This is the art of noise to me. This one track. It's just so unique and my memory of the 80s as a young kid. ❤️

@CarlScripter

2y↑79

You have to imagine this little girl's experience during this video shoot -- she was on top of the world 🔥🔥

@stacyalderman2352

1y↑8

A little mini Cyndi Lauper for sure!

@deco2gogo

41w↑8

She was amazing in that video. She kinda reminded me of the "Feral Kid" from "The Road Warrior".

@justynakowalska3221

28w↑6

That little girl is director's (Zbigniew Rybczyński) daughter.

@justynakowalska3221

20w↑2

@@lanabuttacavoli9619 Come on. That dog also was belonging to Rybczyński.

@lanabuttacavoli9619

20w↑1

What are you talking about

6 More Replies...

@lindavangalder879

2y↑81

I was 18 when this video came out and was a newlywed living in a small apartment and MTV had just come out and I remember being mesmerized by each video. This one particularly had me on the edge of my seat with my mouth open. Wow! it takes me back. Wish I was young again and was seeing this for the first time!

@RoastBeefQueefSniffer

Why did you get married at 18?

@ATACXGYMCAPOEIRA

1y↑2

I was 17 in 1987. Senior in HS. When I ran across them. By that time? They'd already been out 1-2 years. Being a kid, life-long hiphop head, and from the hood in Long Beach CA around that time who never heard of punk music or anything like it, I always thought the little girl was a bit disturbing. Lol.

Now? I just miss certain things about the '80's. Like genuinely artistic, innovative music. Like...The Art of Noise.

@kennethlee2278

4y↑154

Out of all the videos that have been played on MTV over the years, this is easily one of the most surreal.

@yogsothoth4005

3y↑6

This. And Bowie's Ashes to Ashes.

@mhildack

3y↑6

Rockit

@markberryhill2715

3y↑2

One of my 80s faves! Craaaazy!

@RocStarr913

2y↑6

This was the peak of how just about anything went on MTV as far as the music videos they played. The music was often songs most American radio stations at the time would have never touched otherwise because the major labels in conjunction with the big radio stations in America always set the tone for what was played there, outside of influential outlier radio stations like WLIR in Long Island, NY.

@geoffreylogsdon162

2y↑8

Rybczynski also did a wonderful video for Stereotomy by the Alan Parsons Project. He had an amazing gift for translating music into incredibly arresting, inventive, visual pieces of art in their own right.

8 More Replies...

@djstarsign

5y↑76

I was obsessed with this video. I only saw it once. I was about the same age as the kid in the video and I’d never seen or heard anything like it. I was a bit scared, confused, excited, and it struck me as something so unique, I wanted to see more stuff like this. I never saw the video again until YouTube, haha. It’s interesting the things that spark imagination and leave a lasting impression.

@chantekiddo2293

2y↑2

Dude, same!!

@TommySaaf

Good for you.

@Dirty_Squirrell

2y↑1

Late teens then and even I was freaked out. I remember the first time I saw it and every time after, I tried to figure what the heck they were doing and why, but none of it makes sense and that's okay. lol

@KayipYildiz

A similar video might be michael.jackson s leave me alone

@BruceAlarie

51w

the past builds the present;the present makes the future

1 More Replies...

@dondee5439

1y↑20

Brilliant. Still watchable many decades later (38 years from then 1984 to now 2022).

@deco2gogo

4y↑82

In 1985, after "Who's Afraid of the Art of Noise?" had recently been released, I happened to be living in London. One day I was walking through a hallway to get on the tube. Someone walking just a few moments ahead of me had apparently just purchased this on cassette tape at the HMW and dropped it practically at my feet. I couldn't find its owner, so I brought it home with me and was pleasantly surprised when I played this wondrous album. As a young teen, I was used to hearing the likes of Duran and Wham, so this was a refreshingly different and rebellious punk rock/synthpop anthem that got me to open my mind to more experimental bands. Thanks to whoever it was who dropped that brand new cassette in a London tube station hallway!

@Pauldjreadman

3y↑4

Completely agree on the innovate sound, funny I was well into Duran Duran as well. I love the beat they created.

@frazzleface753

2y↑13

It was ME! Give it back!! 😁

@booblikon

1y↑3

@deco2gogo you're welcome!

@charleysays2753

42w↑1

HMV...

@speeta

6y↑14

I remember exploring the abandoned High Line in winter 1988. The wrecked piano was still where they left it.

@veronicasmyth3830

2y↑43

I miss seeing gems like THIS. I want my MTV....

@ANDROLOMA

2y↑2

YouTube is better. Videos on demand, instead of random selections.

@LesLabbauf

This was part of a concert that I watched as it aired LIVE on MTV, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EC5XTz-S8k0

@ArcienPlaysGames

2y↑3

@@ANDROLOMA Sometimes those random selections are what makes you discover new music. That said, MTV ain't what it used to be lmao.

@ANDROLOMA

2y↑1

@@ArcienPlaysGames Too true.

@alexkx8599

2y↑1

@@ANDROLOMA TOTALLY agree. I was thinking about how significant that is today!

1 More Replies...

@ralphroe5625

1y↑24

Sadly you will never see anything like this on Amercan Idol. Or hear it on FM radio. This piece has stayed with me -- haunted me -- close to 40 years now. Art has the power to stay with us.

@foxfirej2

8y↑604

Winner of the "Best Experimental Music Video Award" at the 1985 MTV Video Music Awards....back when they used to show groundbreaking videos like this.

@Karakane27

8y↑27

I can't tell You how much I miss those days

@Karakane27

8y↑22

I miss those days

@porflepopnecker4376

7y↑1

https://www.facebook.com/groups/obscuremtv/1838376846385573/?notif_t=like&notif_id=1482858915302407

@ohh2215

7y↑25

MTV is the 80s was wonderful..I miss it:(

@BettyJoBialofski

6y↑11

Back when the "M" stood for something.

26 More Replies...

@partimepete.7777

2y↑2

Absolute Respect to those listening in 2022

@mssinocent

34w↑13

I first heard this song back in 1984 and after ALL these years it STILL kicks ass!!!

@jeffchacon5781

1y↑57

This video is both beautiful and nightmarish at the same time. I was 13 when it came out and even now the little girl frightens me. It's as though she's the puppet master of these three men to do her bidding, and that her frailty should not be underestimated. The technique used in this video gives it somewhat of a stop motion effect making it look very surrealistic which also adds to its already disturbing visuals. I absolutely love it.

@ericjanssen394

43w↑3

Zbignew Rybczyński was a BIG thing in MTV videos at the time, having just gotten an Oscar for his human stop-motion in his short "Tango".
It was always a treat to see Zbignew's cartoony motion or never-ending lines show up in videos like Lou Reed's "The Original Wrapper" or Pet Shop Boys' "Opportunities": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1Am45JrwQ4

@carcinusmeanus

35w

I think it was edited to be in tune with the video - hence the staccato effects - but I see what you mean.

@lanabuttacavoli9619

29w

Your stupid

@lanabuttacavoli9619

25w

The girl is not a puppet she's really you are an idiot

@tperk

23w↑4

Destroying objects with power tools and edited to the beat. Love it. I think about this video whenever I go to Home Depot. It is the only way I can tolerate walking into that place.

2 More Replies...

@declanhughes981

5y↑13

I read an interview with a member of Art of Noise about the car bit in this song. They were in the offices of Sarm Studios sometime in 1982 when they heard someone struggling to start a car in the lane outside the building. They stuck a mike into a recorder and caught about 45 seconds of it , transferred it into in their sampler and the rest is history.

@Uniblab9000

3y↑5

And in a Guardian piece Anne Dudley mentions that it was a VW Golf.

@johnchristian3779

12w

Cool lil tid bit. Thanks for sharing. Those specific sound effects and what they’ve done with them are one of my fav parts of the song.

@michaelcristel3060

4y↑71

Director: Just pick up the sheet music and throw it around
Child actor: Why?
Director: You'll understand in about 12-15 years.

@graemeyoung3678

12w↑6

This song is an absolute masterpiece, enough said😊

@FrisbeeGirl

15w↑3

I was 14 when this came out and when I heard it - and then saw it on MTV - my brain basically melted at its sheer awesomeness. 40 years later, nothing has changed.

@brealistic1970

7y↑546

And this was the last time the music store allowed them to rent instruments,

@jamelljones5430

4y↑4

😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅 that's all I have to say.

@jamesmartin9401

4y↑3

IKR? 🤣🤣🤣

@videono1

4y↑2

😂😂😂😂😂

@jenniferschaake9089

4y↑3

How funny!

@woldsy7960

3y↑4

🤣👍

18 More Replies...

@rolloutred852

8y↑98

I remember seeing this on night tracks on TBS back in the mid 80's and it freaked me out then and here i am damn near 50 and it still freaks me out.

@ccat71

4y↑1

RollOut Red 😆right?

@b.lonewolf417

4y↑1

It really reminds me of stop-motion -- only with live people

@kathrynswezy5430

3y↑2

Me too. I saw it way late at night and got really spooked.

@agargoyle12345

3y↑2

@@b.lonewolf417 EXACTLY. It freaked me out the first time I saw it, trying to work out what was off about the movement. It's creepy

@b.lonewolf417

3y↑2

@@agargoyle12345 I know, right? Personally, I've always thought the horror genre should make more extensive use of stop-motion, in general...and *claymation*, in particular! :-D

9 More Replies...

@paulv2394

2y↑12

This will NEVER stop being BRILLIANT!!! WOW.

@jamiec2263

5y↑122

It’s 2019.. Art Of Noise still playing in my home!!

@williamhall2978

Always

@andybryant9105

4y↑5

It's 2020 now and I love this track so who's with me on this

@insearchothetruth

4y↑4

@@andybryant9105 Yep, playing now.

@johnwarner39

4y↑2

2020.

@Marlonandhisvideos

3y↑2

2021 people!

3 More Replies...

@trombone7

8y↑185

whoa.
I totally just got this.
It's really about deconstructing traditional music.
So is the video.

@soaribb32

5y↑12

There was no traditional music video at that time. Early MTV was balls to the walls and it changed with the time.

@pby1000

4y↑12

And replace it with trash...

@seethransom

@@soaribb32 sooooo true.

@johnwatson6541

4y↑6

Thank you!! That video makes sense now

@gregthebaritone

3y↑2

@@pby1000 At least they succeeded in the noise part...

7 More Replies...

@samsonhendrixiii3308

1y↑1

This was another Favorite of mine growing up in Germany 🇩🇪… Black American kid in Deutschland, Mein Liebe❤

@Choices2aa

2y↑6

Yello Art Of Noise Sunscreem 03 The Shamen Pet Shop Boys Electronic Music 80s and 90s were the best. Art Of Noise did so many good albums and I have their albums and Yello. I miss the 80s and 90s Art of Noise and Yello were ahead of their time and so were so many other good artists like Madonna

@nikiddeal

8y↑407

Art Of Noise, Close and Herbie Hancock, Rockit were groundbreaking

@cubdukat

7y↑13

And mostly, if not entirely, Fairlight-driven...

@GroovyZombieGaming

6y↑4

Two of my favorite songs/videos as a kid. Still love them to this day.

@krlm2280

5y↑10

Don't forget Peter Gabriel and George Harrison

@mr.pavone9719

4y↑9

You forgot Pump Up The Volume by MARRS

@blackirishrose4040

4y↑2

FACTS 💯💯💯

13 More Replies...

@carlbowles1808

4y↑21

The 🥁 drums and bass are awesome sending the song into overdrive. Decades later I still love this song.👍🏆😎💘

@xtarheelinutah

Amen!!!

@lanabuttacavoli9619

22w

Yep

@brentstevens6228

2y↑10

Art of Noise affected hip hop, rap, alternative, new wave, rock, funk and jazz fans. #salute

@emilyspector2728

9w↑2

I remember watching this video like at 10 or 11 years old and loved it then!

@joecrean9546

Absolutely i agree i was about 23or 24 back in 1984 now in my 60,s this track still kicks ass 😛 art of noise rules

@tackyman2011

8y↑139

Watching in 2016. This NEVER gets old!

@apalmtree2258

8y↑3

Yep

@chrispage2761

8y↑4

loved this song and loved the video.

@lugiakane470

7y↑7

tackyman2011 2017

@SoUtHMeMpHis

6y↑3

tackyman2011 Feb.2018 2a.m

@antonystringfellow5152

6y↑1

tackyman2011 Watching in 2018, these days from my home in Brazil... never gets old!

4 More Replies...

@petemc5070

15w↑4

Thrilling music and video, and easy to imagine just down the tracks, in a tunnel, are the Prodigy...

@terebi916

9y↑294

This song is so damn tight - it's timeless.

@airsoft4598

9y↑3

+Jemiah Jefferson well going to the 80s

@JulieDodgshon

7y↑5

Analog!! They probably had .1% of the tech they have now & thats why it sounds so good!

@butternutcrunch

6y↑6

Julie Dodgshon It was actually all about the Fairlight CMI. Check it out.

@kimberlybrabson6944

It's slick!

@stevelumby8260

5y↑2

I agree

8 More Replies...

@izzyjones7108

2y↑4

I miss these days...watching this on MTV when they actually played music videos

@sebastienseb919

2y↑7

Music beyond what was to come. Here in 2022, this is WAY to much for modern minds to grasp. Bravo if you tell me!!

@duketogo204

3y↑1

DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY YEARS IVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR THIS! TO FIND IT IN 2021 Awesome 😎

@brionity

10y↑96

My entire musical life changed the moment I heard this on the radio while living in Germany in 1984. Everything changed.

@patriciahealey2927

5y↑3

My husband is with a German label the guys who own an run it say this track changed their life!

@1953beetle

4y↑2

@@patriciahealey2927 ☺👍

@nmgn

3y↑2

And now we are back in 1984. Greetings from 2021.

@dannyzuehlsdorf3697

was hitler still running the show back then?

@chrissoller9751

and not for the better

1 More Replies...

@astridhendrix9924

2y↑6

Was watching venture brothers where they reference this. I couldn't remember who it was, I just remember a Beavis and butthead episode where they had this. Husband found it for me💕💕

@pacer2165

3y↑11

So ahead of their time. After 30 years, I feel like I'm rediscovering them again for the first time and loving it.

@DJWerkz

3y↑1

When this first came out in 1984 B-Boys and mime artists had already been dancing to Beatbox and Moments in Love,...rest of the world started to catch on...

@fafafofo2

2y↑2

One of the best videos EVER!

@janvdBrink

1y↑2

It's 2023, and even now records of the art of noise and others from ZTT are on my recordtable. Moments in love is my fav.

@ErikaTBus

15w↑3

I very randomly get this song stuck in my head. Even if I haven't heard it in years, I'll be walking around like 'bum. bum. badumdumdumdum.......la la LA!'

@lanabuttacavoli9619

14w↑1

Oh yeah

@dederobinson3819

6y↑2

My first ghetto blaster for Xmas 16 .years old a must was this .still love it memory lane of the 80s.😎

@robotnutz3601

8y↑209

I remember watching this on Night Flight when I was a kid.

@wesrogers7630

7y↑12

Luke Brody what a great show Night Flight. Saw some very bizarre videos when I was a kid on Night Flight. Brings back memories

@drewhunkins7192

7y↑25

Night Flight was one of the best television shows ever to appear on American commercial television. It was groundbreaking in that it ran all night long -- essentially from about 9 p.m. through 5 a.m. every Friday and Saturday night throughout the entire decade of the 1980s -- showing avant-garde stuff from cutting edge music videos to indie films, and interviews with artists, writers, musicians, wild B movies, obscure docu films, film shorts etc. Night Flight was an absolute treasure.

@bitzofdataz

6y↑1

or nightmares...

@shmuvvy

6y↑3

Gozilla meets Bambi

@Aramanth

6y↑7

Yes Night Flight! Loved it! Banned music videos and trippy films!! I remember MTV would not show "Hot in the city" 1987 version by Billy Idol but Night Flight did!

22 More Replies...

@ravingrays248

15w↑1

I was child when i saw this on mtv in the 80s & i remember when my dad saw this video he was reading he was sitting on his chair glasses on reading the mail when the video came on & he put down the paper lowered his glasses a little & said what the h**l wonderful & funny memories!

@Steve-vz5ur

8y↑35

Great stuff, ground breaking in its day and still totally original. Moments of love is a beautiful track.

@nicolethompson8613

Remember this song from our dance recital as a youth, haven't heard it in decades, had to check it out again to remember what the fuss was about 😊

@melissaallen5169

3y↑6

They were geniuses..the layers of sounds were Amazing

@taylorjsmith6510

2y↑2

I remember this video as a child.

MTV was my babysitter

@MrBigcityal

8y↑144

This really got big MTV play actually.

@RocStarr913

This music video alone deserved MTV having their own awards for music.

@BruceAlarie

51w

@@RocStarr913 i understand MTV rather sucks now

@Del-Lebo

3y↑1

LOL!!! Going through my Records...I'm 55 years old and worked in a Record store in 1981 to 1987n(lucky Chappy). I love that people thought this was break dancing music...and got pissed off that it wasn't. (Avant garde Electronica new wave!)and tried to return the record. BOO!

@mrsescobedo6164

6y↑1

I have been looking for this song for quite a while. Found it a few years back. Played the mess out of it all up through the night til morning. One day decided "hey let's hear this song"....forgot the name of the song an artist....my search began again. Nooo more. I have it locked in and down all that jazzyness.

Thanks a heaping. 😉👍😁

@gilbertbrown1342

4y↑2

We were jamming this at Studio 57 in Glyfada, Greece. I'm 58 now, but I still love the music of the 80s.

@angelaracy7544

10y↑8

Art of Noise is super tight!!! I remember this jam when I was seventeen and L.L Kool J was rocking the bells! You know what, these kind of jams make really miss back in the day! Do your thang, Art of Noise!!!

@lorenabeserra8229

27w↑2

Holy cannoli! The first I’ve ever witnessed this was Beavis and butthead episode and it’s taken me about that long to find this❤❤

@dawnmguzman

51w↑1

Brilliant, unappreciated then and still is overlooked. It's my ringtone. (Class of '85, yessir)

@theonlyonestanding8079

2y↑2

I was 16yrs old when this came out in 1984....I was like what the Hell is this ? I was fascinated with this music...Is this rock or rap ? I didn't know🤔🤔🤔

@elnino9666

7y↑2

I'm a millenial and I appreciate this song just as much as anyone! I love music especially from the 60's 70's 80's 90's 00's !!!

@bt4350

Too bad your worthless generation can't produce anything worthwhile of your own to be proud of.

@robertvaid7199

2y↑39

There was simply nothing like the Art of Noise, when we were break dancing at Yonge and Dundas with a piece of cardboard, they were the best of the hard bass and snare drowning out the Noise

@pseudonayme7717

Aye, we couldn't afford lino back then eh 😛

@RobertSmith-js2kz

43w

Dude! Fellow Canuck here. What you just said is EVERYTHING. The craze was far reaching. We were down at our local strip mall (in front of Beckers) in MISSISSAUGA (Meadowvale) with the cardboard, in our nylon (slippery) track suits, ghetto blaster pumping out this song. Midnight Star - "Freakazoid" was another one we used a LOT. Big up! The burbs were in on it too :)

@kennydoomster

8y↑132

reminds me of being a kid in the 80s :)

@JohnnyJohn116

8y↑11

I use to get so excited when it aired on MTV

@NickSBailey

8y↑8

Still great, remember hearing this for the first time and thinking now anything was possible.

@jacquelineiona1996

8y↑1

+JohnnyJohn116 hahahaha...me too dude

@harveylee51

8y↑4

that was some childhood i had in ENGLAND as well !! when brilliant music ruled the airwaves !! though i didn't have quite as colourful a costume!! CHEERS!!

@JohnnyJohn116

8y↑1

+Harvey Lee God, it was so brilliant!

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@rickdawson4339

44w↑4

I loved this cut ..but when I saw the video, it just made the cut even better...still till this day ,I jam this hit 😊😊😊

@Borg4of11

7y↑17

I remember when MTV played this video in heavy rotation...LOVE!

@oldskoolpaul89

5y↑24

To be in England in the summer time with my love is close to the edge . Love that lyric part.

@michaelbarbarelli3764

3y↑1

It really hits home for me as well. If you've been in England during the Summer, you know. Priceless and rare sunny days scattered throughout the Summer months. Sunrise at 4AM, sunset at 10PM.

@oldskoolpaul89

3y↑2

@@michaelbarbarelli3764 Yes it did for me back in the day , London Essex one happy chappy . Now I live on in the south west Arctic NWT Canada 🙄 lol

@ApMadog

@@oldskoolpaul89 Harlow

@g-online-scribler

2y↑3

This is my favorite music video. Zbigniew Rybczynski was a genius of the medium.

@Bernhard2024

29w

Winner of 2 MTV Video Music Awards in 1985: Best Experimental Video and Best Editing in a Video.

@richwoodster

2y↑5

My first purchase single record. Wow. still so original. Love it.

@rebels42wynn83

1y↑1

I was thirteen in 1984 and this cut was playing at every cookout during Labor Day of that year. I still love this video and cut after all of these beautiful years.❤

@moonroxxx

So good . Classic . still one of the best Videos . 80ssss

@aaronisadore7863

3y↑1

Classic MTV ahead of it's time man I missed the 80s

@djresource717

49w↑1

1984 was such a great year for music..I love 1984...dispite me being 7.

@djresource717

49w

I love Art of noise.

@sandrahernandez-alley7601

5y↑2

I have been looking for this video FOR EVER! Thanks to my brother, who is 7 years younger, knew the artist when I described the video to him. Wow, I'm so happy.

@JKlatinagirl

8y↑50

Hello 1984! ❤️

@chrispage2761

8y↑3

love this video!

@royalnass1029

hello i like latina girls

@jamestaylor4345

3y↑1

this is the shit.i use to mix this

@jamestaylor4345

3y↑1

on the turntables

@sheilastirling6045

8y↑7

I have periodically pictured this in my mind since 1985 and just now thought to look it up. So happy to see this very odd and memorable video again. Loved my MTV back in the day! Thank you for posting this!!!

@robertreynolds1044

2y↑3

One of the best music videos ever. My name is Bicycle Bob and I approved this message and now I'm going to destroy a musical instrument that has served it's purpose.

@gioknows

2y↑2

Decades later this music video remains one of the most memorable of all time. Brilliant. I was hooked the first time I saw it when it came out.

@glamgirlatl

2y↑2

I absolutely love this video and this little girl was my best friend in my head😂😂

@tabernacestee2403

3y↑21

Director to the little girl: Okay we're going dress you up like a punk rocker and let your break stuff. Girl: Okay! :D

@mhks68

The girls parents “Were gonna get paid for this right?!?”

@hawkshybuffalo5820

3y↑2

Fun fact that’s the director’s daughter

@beamifrend

More like - Director to Anne Dudley: Okay we're going dress you up like a punk rocker and let your break classical instruments. Anne Dudley: Yeah, i'm not doing that. Director: Shit, now what am I going to do, it's too late to recast.

@brittbug877

3y↑23

This song just reminds me of my dad 🖤
I’m so thankful to have been raised on, and introduced to such interesting and experimental music.

Love you dad. Your music will always live on through me ✨

@JMikelle27

27w↑1

I used to love this video as a kid. I miss the 80s and MTV

@liverush24

41w↑9

Nobody sounded more '80s than The Art of Noise.

@Sigueme1

17w

Trans X?? Living on Video ? 🤷

@AutPen38

Claude Debussy was just inventing impressionist classical music in the '80s. Oh, you mean the nineteen-eighties. I think the synth-poppers of that decade are more stuck in their time. The Art of Noise were obviously very reliant on 1980s technology but made music that is somehow timeless.

@Zizzyyzz

4y↑25

That little girl used to scare me as a child. But, I never forgot this song or video. So cool.

@BruceAlarie

1y↑1

little pat benetar

@devarni

2y↑1

Thank you Trevor Horn, master of the 80s

@frankalfar

4y↑29

Whole album is like nothing else then or since. The other side of the sound of Art of Noise was Moments In Love.

@rww910

3y↑3

I totally agree. Played this album to death. Moments in love is such a beautiful tune.

@imdjc4

4y↑3

There were many earth-shattering moments defining my youth during this musical era where I had to pull over in the car just to get the details of the track I just heard. I still listen to college radio stations in anticipation....but nothing yet. Maybe I'm just old.

@tonymaimone1826

33w↑1

Zbigniew Rybczynski is a great director. Back in 1980-81 he did that fantastic Talking Heads video with people floating. You can see a lot of his work from the 1970's onward by searching his name in youtube

@DarkMessiah499

16w

Just have to figure out how to copy his name or go back and forth for 15 minutes trying to transcribe it. 😅

@protectorofillinois3

8y↑124

I never, ever get tired of this dance classic at all. I loved it back then, and I still love it now. The ending @ 4:03 tho.

@ZER0--

6y↑2

How do you dance to this?

@butternutcrunch

6y↑12

ZER0 How do YOU not dance to this?

@ZER0--

6y↑1

Cos I'M shy and awkward. But I do love the song.

@tonyorsini5255

protectorofillinois3 Actually, it's early industrial. Industrial music back then contained a lot of synthesized sound, as opposed to later variations.

@ModeratelyAmused

6y↑1

@butternutcrunch Bought this CD when it first came out and in 30 years, never thought of Art of Noise music as "dance tunes."

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@lapinchetele

3y↑1

Oscar winner Zbigniew Rybczyński...

@Del-Lebo

2y↑1

@bigave9949

I’ve been searching for this video forever ....!!!! Finally finally found it... I remember watching this as a kid

@tgnomercy

8y↑4

For all those watching the garbage on MTV now..... there was a time it was about breaking barriers of music of every type you could imagine. The entire network was actually about MUSIC.............. imagine that... Odd, different, no matter....if it was music it was on MTV..... must suck to have missed growing up in the 80's...... glad i was there.... :P

@sebastienseb919

1y↑28

Epic to say the least. Absolute freedom of creativity. These times are gone.

@darktrooper2099

26w

But never forgotten !

@alexmelnick8024

4y↑10

This blew my mind back in the day. It hadn't occurred to me that you could have a video that wasn't the band playing the song. Using weird noises as percussion was amazing, too.