Cher. Beavis. Butt-Head. Yes.
America, 1993.
A lost nation, uncertain of its identity in the wake of a recently ended Cold War, found itself torn by various generations. The Boomers had left their Flower Children past behind, embraced the “Me Decade” of the ‘80s…but what would the 1990s hold for them? And what of their children, Generation X? Growing up in a world where most of societal foundations had been exposed as corrupt and vulnerable had left them sardonic but still caring about larger issues while they defined themselves upon entering adulthood. Could anything bring these seemingly bloodsworn enemies together?
Yes—A living legend collaborating with two masturbation enthusiasts (who also dabbled in music appreciation and pyromania).
The lead single from The Beavis And Butt-head Experience album from the animated delinquents of MTV, “I Got You Babe” was released in November 1993 and it done changed the game. Not really, but it was thoroughly entertaining and a nice moment where jackass millennials like me, and ironic slackers of GenX, and recovering hippies of the Baby Boom generation could all sing along and giggle together. It would play on the radio or at a school dance, and people of all ages would nod as if to say “this is nice for all of us.”
1993 was a big year for “I Got You Babe” as it was featured prominently in February’s GROUNDHOG DAY (it even played a key expository role!). Cher was moving from her mesh jumpsuit, leather outfit era of the late ‘80s but was still decades away from re-emerging as the Grand Dame of Dance with “Believe.” The video makes it seem fun without selling out or despoiling one of her great hits—though it is appreciated that she admits Sonny turned out to be more than a bit of a narc.
The blending of cartoon and live-action has that feel of MARY POPPINS, 1992’s COOL WORLD, 1988’s WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT, but its low budget adds to the appeal. And the video was directed by Tamra Davis, who has probably directed episodes of some of your favorite CW shows and some sitcoms in the past decade. And she made a bunch of music videos in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Oh, and she also directed BILLY MADISON, HALF BAKED, and CROSSROADS. (The Britney Spears one not the Ralph Macchio swing-and-a-miss.)
CROSSROADS!
For those unfamiliar with Beavis and Butt-Head, this video gives a pretty good indication of their vibe: pop culture jokes, horny teenagers, clear power dynamic, the very high energy of Beavis, and while being kind of low brow and weird…it never felt mean. Mike Judge does excellent work in his dual roles playing off Cher, making the novelty song (and the video) not feel like a cashgrab. Which is impressive.
The Beavis And Butt-Head Experience is available on Spotify and I forgot all of the bands that appear on it (performing with the titular characters): Nirvana, Sir Mix-A-Lot, Red Hot Chili Peppers (covering The Stooges), Anthrax, Megadeath, and more. It’s…a ridiculously tight line-up. But now I really want a King Of The Hill album with Hank singing alternative hits from the past 30 years with the original artists. The heart of Arlen, Texas, in a duet with Lisa Loeb? We deserve it but, more importantly, we need it.