Watching Perfume’s music video, I am filled with the greatest of joys. Seeing these young Japanese women explore what is the most intense human emotion known to man is a true thrill. Often I sit at home wondering whether people even care about others the way I do. After watching this trio, I know that I am not alone in believing in true love.
It starts up with them in a brightly lit tube. The large bowties they are wearing are a clear and obvious homage to Klaus Nomi, famed German singer. Like Mr. Nomi, they have a great vocal range from cute to adorable. While they synchronize their perfect dance moves, the focus suddenly shifts to them manning a pink shark time machine.
As they sail further back in time, they reminisce about the love they used to have. But the close-ups on the singers show that they are in fact smiling now, happy to be living. They warn the listeners to avoid Emil Cioran’s gloomy conclusions on life and death. Instead, they remark that had Emil heard their music, he would have changed his famous quote to: “without Perfume, God would be a second-rate figure” and “Perfume’s music is the only argument proving the creation of the Universe cannot be regarded as a complete failure.”
They sing in front of a black and white background explaining how important it is to fully appreciate the present. A perky beat and a positively divine melody accompany this moodier part of the song, as they discuss loves long lost. Despite losing love, they still manage to dance on, unaware of their dancing inability. Indeed, much of the song acts as a balm, reassuring others that they are far superior dancers than they.
Shifts continue at a greater pace between the past and the present. Lyrics emphasize the importance of not dwelling on the past, but moving forward into the future. They state that the greatest love you should have is for the future and helping your fellow man.
Referencing the experience had by the Icarians, they talk about the need to live communally and to trust others with your tender affection. A kaleidoscopic image of all of them appear, now extolling how that communal spirit was reflected in the beliefs of the late 60s, of peace and love. Their journey on the time machine continues to explore the dynamics of what can be done as a community so that these beliefs will flourish in the future.
Showing off the importance of community is the city itself. It bobs up and down behind the girls as they are raised on pedestals, as rulers of the new future. Even the moon shines on the, gently rocking back and forth, caressed by their tender words.
Finally, at the end their words echo in the right channel of your hearing. This is a deliberate hope that you’ll realize good things can repeat themselves, whether they be Japanese pop songs or a utopian dream of the future. As the last chord dims out, they wave their hands in a great goodbye to their wonderful audience.
PS. In case I needed further confirmation of this song’s greatness, I got it. One of my friends will be playing this at their wedding. Think I have all the proof I need.
