“King Rides By”
Cat Power
Rarely does the sports world collide Cat Power, and also with a LxL weekly theme around the same time. In addition, the remix and video for “King Rides By” came out late last year around the time we were going on hiatus for the holidays, so I never got around to writing about it.
Well all that is about to change. The Manny Pacquiao debacle of a decision a couple weeks ago versus Timothy Bradley put a further black eye on boxing. The fight and subsequent decision took one more step toward making boxing somewhat like the Grammy’s of the sports world. There is simply no rhyme or reason to deciding who is the best at this point. Now, I do have to say that in music, there is no “right way” to decide who has the best album, song, etc. There is just a difference in taste amongst people, and the taste of Grammy voters is whoever is popular or hot at the time. I can gleam from the travesty of the Pacquiao decision that decision-makers in both arenas are being unduly influenced by outside forces.
What does all this have to do with Cat Power? The video for “King Rides By” features Manny Pacquiao training ferocious under the direction of actor Giovanni Ribisi. Being reminded of this glorious video is the only thing good to come from the results of the Pacquiao fight.
What is also great about the video is that while when just described, it may seem kind of random as a pairing. But, when viewed with Cat Power’s remix of her classic track, everything falls in place. See, Cat Power is ferocious in her own way, displaying ferocity of soul and raw emotion on stage and on her albums. Knowing that the original version of “King Rides By” would not have enough kick, she really amps up the distorted reverby guitar, and then the video is timed to perfectly mesh with every note.
King of Creep Onscreen. “King Rides By” Offscreen
There is a certain beauty about the finesse and power involved in a boxer’s training. It’s almost like watching a powerful animal running after its prey. Credit should be given to Pacquiao for having the physical ability, Cat Power for having an unreal musical acumen, and Ribisi for putting it all together. Not often that three artists coincide from three distinct areas to create something so mesmerizing. Check it out, and I don’t think it’s possible to be disappointed. In addition, check out our further coverage of great female singer-songwriters tomorrow on our top ten list.
11/11
Floored. Completely.