Sexy Song of the Week: Wicked Game

Posted by Josh Toney on October 13, 2008 
Filed Under Sexy Song of the Week

Wicked GameThis week we feature “Wicked Game”, a 1989 song by Chris Isaak from his album Heart Shaped World. The song became a hit after it was featured in the 1990 David Lynch film Wild at Heart. The video won several MTV Video Music Awards and is often featured on VH1 countdowns of the sexiest songs and videos of all time. The video features former Victoria’s Secret model Helena Christensen.

While the song is primarily remembered for the famous black and white video featuring Christensen and Isaak, it is Isaak’s haunting melody and desperate lyrics that make the song unique. In the song Isaak expresses his struggle to resist the femme fatale, Christensen, and the effect this struggle has on his feelings about love.  In the song’s first verse Isaak introduces us to the root of his struggle revealing that, “I never dreamed that I’d meet somebody like you /And I never dreamed that I’d lose somebody like you”.  Later, in the chorus, we hear his increasing resistance to his would be lover’s allure, as he sings, “No, I don’t want to fall in love/with you”, while a voice (his instinct?) is saying, “This love is only gonna break your heart.”

As he attempts to resolve the contradiction between his need and his disdain for his lover, he simultaneously finds fault in her for “making” him fall in love even as she tells him she doesn’t feel the same way he does, singing,” What a wicked game you play/To make me feel this way /What a wicked thing to do/To let me dream of you /What a wicked thing to say /You never felt this way”. This classic portrayal of a mans encounter with a femme fatale ends with the chorus and Isaak’s final depressing conclusion that, “Nobody loves no one”.

How can such a sexy video portray such a seemingly depressing revelation? Is this sexy? As you listen to this and watch the video do you find any similarities to the Muddy Waters song and video that we featured? How are suggestive or symbolic tools used in the video (the crashing waves or the rising clouds, for example)?  Does Christensen seem interested in Isaak or is he chasing after her hopelessly?

Finally, is Isaak suggesting that love is a “wicked game” or that the actions of his lover are wicked? Can you relate to these emotions? How does Isaak’s portrayal of love relate to this week’s readings and lecture material about theories of love?

Comments

One Response to “Sexy Song of the Week: Wicked Game”

  1. Stephanie on October 14th, 2008 2:52 pm

    Dude. This is a great song….super sexy….great choice!!!

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