Singer/songwriter Neil Young has certainly never backed down from a debate or fight, and he has been outspoken on any number of topics, including the poor state of music streaming quality. Back in 1988, he released the video for “This Note’s for You,” the title track to his 16th album. The song satirized how big money had been infecting rock ‘n’ roll during the decade of decadence. As an artist who came of age in the ’60s, his slant made complete sense, and the video would become prophetic.
Unfortunately for Young, the suits at MTV became nervous because they worried that his representations of Michael Jackson and Bud Light canine spokes-pet Spuds McKenzie might inspire copyright infringement lawsuits. Jackson’s lawyers allegedly made legal threats. Let’s face it—the Gloved One drew in legions of viewers to the network and had more clout.
“Corporate sponsorship had become rampant in rock and roll. The Rolling Stones were sponsored by Jovan perfume, Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood were selling beer, Michael Jackson had been bought by Pepsi for $15 million. And Young, to the dismay of MTV and some of his peers, decided to poke fun at it.
“The video was directed by Julien Temple, who would create Young’s slickest videos in the years to come. Temple matched the tone of the lyric perfectly. The spot opens with Young somberly walking the streets, mimicking Clapton’s beer commercial. As Young croons about having ‘the real thing,’ ghoulish celebrity look-alikes prance about, with Whitney Houston using a brew” – (actually, what looks like a can of Pepsi) – “to put out a fire on Michael Jackson’s head. Then comes a devastating parody of Calvin Klein’s obtuse perfume ads: ‘Neil Young’s Concession for men.’ Finally a sardonic Young peers into the camera, exhibiting a beer can labeled SPONSORED BY NOBODY.”
https://americansongwriter.com/the-neil-young-video-that-was-banned-for-criticizing-corporate-america/
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