Why does our 9 month old love the Gangam Style music video?
December 2, 2014 6:31 AM Subscribe
Psy just blows it out of the park with the really young female crowd apparently, or is it a selection bias of sorts? You know what I'm sayin'!
So, I'm sure that Gangam Style - type videos are something that toddlers can be enthralled by, or at least enjoy in their own little way. But this video in particular can capture her attention, keep her attention, and even draw her attention away from other activities more than anything comparable.
Obviously the
1) bright colors,
2) somewhat rapid-fire cuts,
3) expressive movements,
4) constant lyrics, and
5) sizzling backbeat
have something to do with it.
However, I've tried finding other videos that she enjoys as much. Daft Punk, Macklemore, Fraggle Rock music, Muppet Show episodes/segments, other Psy videos, etc, etc, etc. No luck. Nothing even close really.
So I can't figure out what it is about that song and video that is drawing her in so well. ... probably says something about the ungodly number of views the video has.
Anyway, anyone have clues or similar experiences that might explain her love of the Gangam? Or other videos I could try that might scratch a similar itch or add to the evidence we have to go by?
ps - Not trying to direct the answering too much, but I'd prefer anyone to keep any "you're doing the parenting thing wrong, how could you let her listen to this at her age, she's being damaged" responses limited to memail. Honestly I welcome them if they have more than a modicum of scientific reason, or even personal experience, backing. So, yea, that.
So, I'm sure that Gangam Style - type videos are something that toddlers can be enthralled by, or at least enjoy in their own little way. But this video in particular can capture her attention, keep her attention, and even draw her attention away from other activities more than anything comparable.
Obviously the
1) bright colors,
2) somewhat rapid-fire cuts,
3) expressive movements,
4) constant lyrics, and
5) sizzling backbeat
have something to do with it.
However, I've tried finding other videos that she enjoys as much. Daft Punk, Macklemore, Fraggle Rock music, Muppet Show episodes/segments, other Psy videos, etc, etc, etc. No luck. Nothing even close really.
So I can't figure out what it is about that song and video that is drawing her in so well. ... probably says something about the ungodly number of views the video has.
Anyway, anyone have clues or similar experiences that might explain her love of the Gangam? Or other videos I could try that might scratch a similar itch or add to the evidence we have to go by?
ps - Not trying to direct the answering too much, but I'd prefer anyone to keep any "you're doing the parenting thing wrong, how could you let her listen to this at her age, she's being damaged" responses limited to memail. Honestly I welcome them if they have more than a modicum of scientific reason, or even personal experience, backing. So, yea, that.
Response by poster: Metroid Baby: Yea, I saw that other question but hoped this one might be geared more towards isolating the 'why' of her Gangam Style absorption.
For what it's worth we've watched a few of those, but by no means all, since we got back from traveling over the thanksgiving holiday and they didn't scratch the itch. I'll report back if any do.
posted by RolandOfEld at 6:41 AM on December 2, 2014
For what it's worth we've watched a few of those, but by no means all, since we got back from traveling over the thanksgiving holiday and they didn't scratch the itch. I'll report back if any do.
posted by RolandOfEld at 6:41 AM on December 2, 2014
Not sure whether you mean the video specifically or the song in general, but here are a few ideas:
- The video is very visually dynamic. Close ups, wide shots, explosions, interesting camera movements and stuff going on onscreen at all times. There is ALWAYS something to look at, in every frame, even if it's just an elevator opening or that crazy tall dude in the sharp suit dancing.
- The song itself has an obvious beat that even a baby can pick up on. I similarly had an apparent love of "My Girl Likes To Party All The Time" as a toddler. Big rhythms. When you're a baby, it's like OH THIS IS MUSIC OH OK SURE I LIKE THIS MUSIC THING.
- I'm kind of wondering if the fact that the lyrics are in Korean (assuming you guys do not speak Korean at home) has something to do with it. Either she's hearing sounds she otherwise wouldn't, or the lyrics are mostly just omnipresent interesting nonsense that doesn't prevent her from enjoying the sheer beat of it. And, again, LOTS going on, lots to process, and something that is both visually and aurally very interesting.
Most videos for babies just don't have all that much going on. Either it's a quiet lyrical melody, very simple words, or mostly just one thing to look at onscreen the whole time. I was going to suggest that old Muppets song Mahna Mahna for comparable rhythm and nonsense lyrics, but the video is just those two puppets dancing the whole time, so not really visually comparable at all.
But IDK Mahna Mahna is awesome, so you guys should watch that video anyway.
posted by Sara C. at 6:42 AM on December 2, 2014 [4 favorites]
- The video is very visually dynamic. Close ups, wide shots, explosions, interesting camera movements and stuff going on onscreen at all times. There is ALWAYS something to look at, in every frame, even if it's just an elevator opening or that crazy tall dude in the sharp suit dancing.
- The song itself has an obvious beat that even a baby can pick up on. I similarly had an apparent love of "My Girl Likes To Party All The Time" as a toddler. Big rhythms. When you're a baby, it's like OH THIS IS MUSIC OH OK SURE I LIKE THIS MUSIC THING.
- I'm kind of wondering if the fact that the lyrics are in Korean (assuming you guys do not speak Korean at home) has something to do with it. Either she's hearing sounds she otherwise wouldn't, or the lyrics are mostly just omnipresent interesting nonsense that doesn't prevent her from enjoying the sheer beat of it. And, again, LOTS going on, lots to process, and something that is both visually and aurally very interesting.
Most videos for babies just don't have all that much going on. Either it's a quiet lyrical melody, very simple words, or mostly just one thing to look at onscreen the whole time. I was going to suggest that old Muppets song Mahna Mahna for comparable rhythm and nonsense lyrics, but the video is just those two puppets dancing the whole time, so not really visually comparable at all.
But IDK Mahna Mahna is awesome, so you guys should watch that video anyway.
posted by Sara C. at 6:42 AM on December 2, 2014 [4 favorites]
Response by poster: She especially didn't like any of the OK Go videos.
I'm pretty sure she's still my child. I think...
posted by RolandOfEld at 6:42 AM on December 2, 2014 [2 favorites]
I'm pretty sure she's still my child. I think...
posted by RolandOfEld at 6:42 AM on December 2, 2014 [2 favorites]
And I MUST also recommend, Sean Banan, Copacabanana
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 6:43 AM on December 2, 2014
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 6:43 AM on December 2, 2014
Response by poster: Not sure whether you mean the video specifically or the song in general,
I'm focusing on the video here.
assuming you guys do not speak Korean at home
We are an exclusively english speaking household.
I was going to suggest that old Muppets song Mahna Mahna for comparable rhythm and nonsense lyrics, but the video is just those two puppets dancing the whole time, so not really visually comparable at all.
My love of Mahna Mahna thanks you but, as suspected, it didn't hold her interest at all. I tried that one early on, believe me.
posted by RolandOfEld at 6:44 AM on December 2, 2014
I'm focusing on the video here.
assuming you guys do not speak Korean at home
We are an exclusively english speaking household.
I was going to suggest that old Muppets song Mahna Mahna for comparable rhythm and nonsense lyrics, but the video is just those two puppets dancing the whole time, so not really visually comparable at all.
My love of Mahna Mahna thanks you but, as suspected, it didn't hold her interest at all. I tried that one early on, believe me.
posted by RolandOfEld at 6:44 AM on December 2, 2014
While OK Go videos have a lot going on in them, they rely on the viewer already understanding certain visual cues, and constant callbacks and variations on a theme. Which is super cool.
What Gangnam Style has is just a giant kitchen sink grab bag of DIFFERENT stuff, constantly changing, with no real ability to guess what new imagery is going to come next.
posted by Sara C. at 6:45 AM on December 2, 2014 [1 favorite]
What Gangnam Style has is just a giant kitchen sink grab bag of DIFFERENT stuff, constantly changing, with no real ability to guess what new imagery is going to come next.
posted by Sara C. at 6:45 AM on December 2, 2014 [1 favorite]
My kid loved, loved, loved Gangnam Style at the same age, but we never let her watch the video. So there's definitely something about the song itself. I think the tune is easy to bounce along to, and the break is endlessly entertaining. Seriously - that break - so infectious! It's like an updated pop goes the weasel.
posted by stowaway at 7:19 AM on December 2, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by stowaway at 7:19 AM on December 2, 2014 [3 favorites]
To me the closest thing to Gangnam Style in all aspects is LMFAO - Sexy and I Know It. You've got the bright colors, costumes, silly dancing with a signature move, strong 4/4 beat, buzzy techno synths, lots of bass, and simple melodic hooks and phrase structure.
(And I think it's only as age-appropriate as Gangnam Style is, so...)
posted by capricorn at 7:21 AM on December 2, 2014
(And I think it's only as age-appropriate as Gangnam Style is, so...)
posted by capricorn at 7:21 AM on December 2, 2014
What makes the OK Go videos cool is that you have a whole set of visual expectations about how the world works, and those videos violate them and keep you guessing. A baby hasn't built up those expectations yet. At 9 months you don't have a firm grasp of object permanence yet (like if I drop this thing from my high chair it continues to exist somewhere on the floor even if I can't see it). What they are engaged by is movement and colors and figuring out how stuff works. Gangnam Style has lots of "how it works" visuals; people dancing, doors opening, swooping in and swooping out, etc. That may be part of the appeal.
Now, if you'd like to join my experiment, please play "All the Single Ladies" for your babe. I have yet to meet the baby that can resist bouncing to that song. It's baby magic for whatever reason.
posted by goggie at 7:49 AM on December 2, 2014 [3 favorites]
Now, if you'd like to join my experiment, please play "All the Single Ladies" for your babe. I have yet to meet the baby that can resist bouncing to that song. It's baby magic for whatever reason.
posted by goggie at 7:49 AM on December 2, 2014 [3 favorites]
A lot of Gangnam Style is dancing, but (maybe) more importantly it's *silly* dancing. Psy makes over-the-top expressions and is just generally acting as a caricature (like a cartoon, even). Maybe that contributes? Plus all the bright primary colors and general visual noise and non-English lyrics to grab the curious mind.
Or maybe it's just that dude in the cowboy hat in the elevator. Lord knows I watch the video just for that, because he makes me laugh every time.
posted by ashirys at 8:25 AM on December 2, 2014 [2 favorites]
Or maybe it's just that dude in the cowboy hat in the elevator. Lord knows I watch the video just for that, because he makes me laugh every time.
posted by ashirys at 8:25 AM on December 2, 2014 [2 favorites]
correct answer: babies are weird.
every one of them seems to fixate on some favorite stimulus that could be just about any stupid thing. ours had a "crack rattle" that made her go crazy; other parents have had other fixations. who knows whether it was just something distinct enough to be memorable, or something that was unexpected in ways having to do with underdeveloped cognition, or just something catchy. The World Will Never Know!
:))
posted by acm at 8:29 AM on December 2, 2014 [2 favorites]
every one of them seems to fixate on some favorite stimulus that could be just about any stupid thing. ours had a "crack rattle" that made her go crazy; other parents have had other fixations. who knows whether it was just something distinct enough to be memorable, or something that was unexpected in ways having to do with underdeveloped cognition, or just something catchy. The World Will Never Know!
:))
posted by acm at 8:29 AM on December 2, 2014 [2 favorites]
A kid I know who loved Gangnam Style also went nuts (possibly more so) for Crazy Frog. Techno sound, silly lyrics (ring ding ding!), and a funny little frog flying around a future-scape. And now it's stuck in my head for the rest of the day...
posted by lakemarie at 8:30 AM on December 2, 2014
posted by lakemarie at 8:30 AM on December 2, 2014
what does the fox say
Babies be hypnotized.
posted by Marinara at 9:08 AM on December 2, 2014 [4 favorites]
Babies be hypnotized.
posted by Marinara at 9:08 AM on December 2, 2014 [4 favorites]
Another thing the video has that my kid liked at that early age was seeing lots of expressive faces.
Have you looked at other K-pop or J-pop? I'm not deeply into it, but when I watched Gangnam Style, it didn't strike me as being too far from the goofy mainstream videos I've seen. If it's color + beat + non-English phonemes, that might give you some other avenues to try. The other thing, though, is that if the Gangnam Style video could be broken down into the components that make it so popular, everyone would be able to do it. It's lightning in a bottle.
posted by tchemgrrl at 9:22 AM on December 2, 2014 [1 favorite]
Have you looked at other K-pop or J-pop? I'm not deeply into it, but when I watched Gangnam Style, it didn't strike me as being too far from the goofy mainstream videos I've seen. If it's color + beat + non-English phonemes, that might give you some other avenues to try. The other thing, though, is that if the Gangnam Style video could be broken down into the components that make it so popular, everyone would be able to do it. It's lightning in a bottle.
posted by tchemgrrl at 9:22 AM on December 2, 2014 [1 favorite]
Have you tried any Hindi film songs (Bollywood)? Give "Dhoom Tana" from Om Shanti Om a whirl, see if she likes that. Lots of eye candy (dancing, costumes, scene changes) and a strong beat.
posted by mylittlepoppet at 9:26 AM on December 2, 2014
posted by mylittlepoppet at 9:26 AM on December 2, 2014
Response by poster: Thanks for all the pointers, some results from ideas listed in the thread. Testing continues but I may as well mention what we've watched this morning before I forget her reactions to these efforts. I didn't run all these at once, but probably in the course of a few hours.
Copacabanana - Mild to no interest. 20 seconds perhaps, never returned. Maybe not enough going on visually? That's a guess.
Sexy and I know it - Mild interest, still gave up after about 45 seconds. I expected this one to work perfectly, alas.
All the Single Ladies - Mild interest, watched intently for 30 seconds but lacked the visual stimulation I think she's used to.
Crazy Frog - Nada. I even tried to sell her on the vision and got nowhere.
What does the Fox Say - This was probably the most successful of the bunch. She arm-danced a bit and was enthralled for a while but lost interest about the second chorus.
I followed What does the Fox Say by Gangam as a bit of an attempt at a control figuring she might just be tired and not interested in *any* videos at this point in her day-nap-wake cycle.
Nope, she watched it all the way thru and even foot danced and pulled at her socks in joy.
Just reporting in.
posted by RolandOfEld at 10:36 AM on December 2, 2014 [1 favorite]
Copacabanana - Mild to no interest. 20 seconds perhaps, never returned. Maybe not enough going on visually? That's a guess.
Sexy and I know it - Mild interest, still gave up after about 45 seconds. I expected this one to work perfectly, alas.
All the Single Ladies - Mild interest, watched intently for 30 seconds but lacked the visual stimulation I think she's used to.
Crazy Frog - Nada. I even tried to sell her on the vision and got nowhere.
What does the Fox Say - This was probably the most successful of the bunch. She arm-danced a bit and was enthralled for a while but lost interest about the second chorus.
I followed What does the Fox Say by Gangam as a bit of an attempt at a control figuring she might just be tired and not interested in *any* videos at this point in her day-nap-wake cycle.
Nope, she watched it all the way thru and even foot danced and pulled at her socks in joy.
Just reporting in.
posted by RolandOfEld at 10:36 AM on December 2, 2014 [1 favorite]
Musically and visually, what I thought of was Everybody Dance Now, by C & C Music Factory.
posted by MexicanYenta at 12:31 PM on December 2, 2014
posted by MexicanYenta at 12:31 PM on December 2, 2014
Crazy Frog - Nada. I even tried to sell her on the vision and got nowhere.
I've just re-watched Psy's video and have no more clue than you, but I'd like to favorite this mental image as fantastic.
posted by deludingmyself at 1:44 PM on December 2, 2014
I've just re-watched Psy's video and have no more clue than you, but I'd like to favorite this mental image as fantastic.
posted by deludingmyself at 1:44 PM on December 2, 2014
Gettin' all methodical about it, I'm really really curious what would happen if:
A.) you show her the Gangnam Style video on mute
B.) you play the Gangnam Style audio with no video
C.) you show her the Gangnam Style video with alternate audio
D.) you play the Gangnam Style audio over an alternate video
that might help you figure out if she's responding to the gestalt or if it's more the visual than auditory, etc.
posted by komara at 2:16 PM on December 2, 2014 [8 favorites]
A.) you show her the Gangnam Style video on mute
B.) you play the Gangnam Style audio with no video
C.) you show her the Gangnam Style video with alternate audio
D.) you play the Gangnam Style audio over an alternate video
that might help you figure out if she's responding to the gestalt or if it's more the visual than auditory, etc.
posted by komara at 2:16 PM on December 2, 2014 [8 favorites]
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yzC4hFK5P3g
Pon Pon might do the trick. I'm 30 and can never look away
posted by Chrysalis at 2:33 PM on December 2, 2014
Pon Pon might do the trick. I'm 30 and can never look away
posted by Chrysalis at 2:33 PM on December 2, 2014
How about some Plastic Bertrand? Ca Plane Pour Moi is bouncy, colourful and pretty bonkers.
posted by prettypretty at 3:42 PM on December 2, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by prettypretty at 3:42 PM on December 2, 2014 [1 favorite]
My kid adores MIA Bad Girls, song and that one time someone played her the video (without realising that she'd only ever heard it). She's a bit older, but that's her jam. When she was a wee baby she loved the Weezer Pork & Beans video. I used to put it on while I trimmer her hair (she wasn't much of a dancer, but she was enthralled).
I think there is something about the bass and the repetition. The video is focused a lot on Psy's face while he pulls face too, which can be a mirror thing for little kids.
posted by geek anachronism at 4:01 PM on December 2, 2014
I think there is something about the bass and the repetition. The video is focused a lot on Psy's face while he pulls face too, which can be a mirror thing for little kids.
posted by geek anachronism at 4:01 PM on December 2, 2014
I wonder if some Lady Gaga might work? Bad Romance and Telephone (you'll want the radio edit of Telephone, the extended video has lots of no-music parts) come to mind for the rapid cut, dancing, weird visuals, closeup on singer's face, catchy beats, etc. About the same level of risqué as LMFAO Sexy and I Know It. (Sorry no links, iPad is acting up.)
posted by mon-ma-tron at 8:54 PM on December 2, 2014
posted by mon-ma-tron at 8:54 PM on December 2, 2014
Response by poster: I've only had time to try two today. And she's in a good mood overall which may be skewing things.
Bertrand's Ca Plane Pour Moi - This has been the most successful one yet. It kept her attention for 90% of the video. Not quite GS levels but almost.
MiA Bad Girls (and one more that I clicked on after it was over) - Nothing. Not a second glance. I think not visually stimulating enough.
Both of these were followed by a pseudo-control viewing of GS which was, as always, successful. It even broke her away from trying to steal a bite of my sandwich.
komara : I'll maybe try the sound/vid/swap when I get some observation time.
posted by RolandOfEld at 10:48 AM on December 3, 2014
Bertrand's Ca Plane Pour Moi - This has been the most successful one yet. It kept her attention for 90% of the video. Not quite GS levels but almost.
MiA Bad Girls (and one more that I clicked on after it was over) - Nothing. Not a second glance. I think not visually stimulating enough.
Both of these were followed by a pseudo-control viewing of GS which was, as always, successful. It even broke her away from trying to steal a bite of my sandwich.
komara : I'll maybe try the sound/vid/swap when I get some observation time.
posted by RolandOfEld at 10:48 AM on December 3, 2014
No idea how you feel about inappropriate imagery--some nudity in here: Laziest Men on Mars -- Invasion of the Gabber Robots (All Your Base) (skip the first 30 seconds, it's a long lead in).
Mike Phirman -- Chicken Monkey Duck
posted by anaelith at 9:36 AM on December 6, 2014
Mike Phirman -- Chicken Monkey Duck
posted by anaelith at 9:36 AM on December 6, 2014
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posted by Metroid Baby at 6:36 AM on December 2, 2014