Maybe Tonight is, hands down, my favourite Nicole Atkins song. Seeing videos for my favourite album songs always scares me because some videos alter my attitude towards the song, as odd as it may sound. In the case of Maybe Tonight, I’m indifferent – it doesn’t really add anything to the song, but at the same time, it doesn’t take anything away from it.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoenZsRxnUU]
This isn’t really what I had in mind for this video. From the looks of it, the architect behind this building that Nicole is to perform in should get sued. It takes her a whole 3 minutes plus scene changes to reach the stage from her dressing room. That’s ridiculous. Also, the staff isn’t very helpful distracting her along the way. Don’t get me wrong, they seem like nice people but come on, she’s got a show to do.
I really wanted more of a story with this video. About a love. Not necessarily destined for failure. But one where both parties had to work together to actually meet for this big date they were planning. Life throws a few wrenches in the dating machine of the two characters in the story. I’m not actually sure where that idea’s going but the more I listen to this song (I’m watching the video on repeat while writing this post), the more I’m wanting to go into a stalker type setting… or maybe one like one of those lovesick Japanese girl J-Pop songs, I forget which one I’m thinking of but I remember one talking about how this one girl waits at the train station platform for this one guy (because she stalks him and knows his schedule) just so she could see him though he doesn’t notice her. Then, the girl looks around and notices that she’s not the only one waiting there for him to appear… (The fact that other girls check out the guy had nothing to do with what I see for this music video but I had to complete the story)
“I know we’ll meet again, maybe tonight, just tell me where and when. I know it’s never sure. Maybe tonight, maybe tonight.” kinda sounds like something a lovesick girl would say in a situation like that. The verses are awfully poetic in such that I can’t quite fill in the blanks or direct the story any further without pulling things out of the air. I guess it’d have to be something I talk with Nicole about over a cup of coffee. lol.
Enough of talking about what isn’t there and time to hit up the good points of the video. Her dress is cute. Heck, anything she wears is cute. The circusy costumes are awesome and fit the whole Nicole Atkins mood. Nicole reminds me of what one of the Canadian Idol judges said to a semi-finalist from a few years back, Teresa Sokyrka. They said that it’s like there’s an old soul in the her body that comes out in her singing style which sounds so vintage and genuine. Nicole’s vocal style is definitely vintage and genuine. That’s probably why I love her so much.
So things didn’t turn out my way, oh well. The music video doesn’t particularly add anything to the Maybe Tonight experience but it doesn’t take anything away at the same time. More of a story would’ve been nice seeing the verses are so poetic. Overall, the presentation was top notch and I can’t wait for her next album and video and when she visits Toronto again. MAYBE THIS TIME, I’LL REMEMBER TO GET A PICTURE WITH HER.
