'Needing/Getting' video features a heavily tricked-out Chevy Sonic. By James Montgomery
At this point, after all the treadmills,Rube Goldberg machines, dogs on Ikea furniture, choreographed dance routines, color-coordinated jumpsuits and, uh, toast, you're probably wondering whatOK Go could possibly do for their next music video.
Well, now we know the answer. In their new "Needing/Getting" video — which premiered Sunday (February 5) on MTV.com and will also be seen in a Chevy commercial during tonight's Super Bowl XLVI — OK Go stage a full-blown vehicular spectacular. Part Baja rally, part demolition derby, all ingenious, it features the fearless quartet speeding along a desert track, making hair-pin turns, and very nearly wrecking — all while using the car itself to bash out the tune.
The band and director Brian L. Perkins (who directed an early version of their "This Too Shall Pass" clip) used more than 1,100 homemade instruments — plus 55 pianos and countless guitars — a painstakingly plotted road course and a bevy of appendages bolted onto a Chevy Sonic (they probably don't come standard) to make the whole project fly. It's the kind of "How did they do that?!?" clip that OK Go have come to be known for. The mind boggles at just how many takes it took to get the whole thing right, and the fact that they're using corporate sponsorship to do it (much like they did with the equally eye-catching "Pass," which was subtly sponsored by State Farm) makes it even more brilliant.
In a way, it's OK Go gaming the system, taking full advantage of a benevolent car manufacturer to make their dreams a reality. But, really, that's all high-minded thought for another day. Right now, I'm going to watch "Needing/Getting" again, and marvel how a band can keep pushing the envelope this far. And I will say this: If I were to buy a musical car, it would probably be a Chevy Sonic. So, in that regard too, this clip's a winner.
Share your thoughts on the "Needing/Getting" video in the comments below!
Super Bowl 46: Timbaland Picks Patriots For Win
Hitmaker produced a song dedicated to Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski ahead of tonight's Big Game against Big Blue. By Rob Markman, with reporting by Ricky Louis
Timbaland Photo: Jason Campbell/MTV
The biggest sporting event of the year is just a few hours away, and in the moments leading up to Super Bowl XLVI, everyone seems to be picking a side. Multiplatinum producer Timbaland, who's looking for the New England Patriots to defeat the New York Giants on Sunday night (February 5), decided to make a song about it.
"I just did it almost to be playing around, just to do it," Timbaland told MTV News on Friday from his home in Miami. "It turned out bigger than what I thought."
The song, which is dedicated to Patriots tight end Rob "Gronk" Gronkowski was uploaded to YouTube last week with the football star's name as its title. The track was produced by Virginia native Tim and Wizz Dumb, but it's newcomer Brasco who rhymes on the energetic tune. "They're yelling, 'Touchdown, touchdown, 87, 87," he raps, referring to Gronk's number.
Gronkowski has 90 catches and 17 touchdowns this season but after suffering a high-ankle sprain, #87 is listed as questionable and may not play in the Super Bowl, though multiple sources tell ESPN that Gronkowski is doing better and is expected to play.
Whether or not Gronk plays, Timbaland is rooting for New England.
"I've always been a Tom Brady fan," he said of the Pats' quarterback and biggest star. "I've always liked the Patriots, how they move, how the coach coaches, how the players — you don't hear too much about their business in the media."
The last time these two teams faced off for the championship was in 2008's Super Bowl XLII, and the Giants came out on top. So for New England and their faithful following, Sunday's big game is a chance at redemption. "It's like a fight. You get one up, the Giants got one up so, of course, the Patriots gotta win," Timbaland said. "If the Patriots win, it'll be a tie. ... Hopefully, they'll win. I think they're ready."
Who are you rooting for in Super Bowl XLVI? Tell us on our Facebook page!
MTV News has gathered up everything you need to know before Madonna takes the stage on Sunday during the Super Bowl. By Jocelyn Vena
Madonna Photo: PictureGroup/ Evan Agostini
From the moment that it was announced back in December that Madonna would be taking the stage during the Super Bowl halftime show, everyone has been buzzing about what the Queen of Pop will do when she performs.
In the two months since the announcement, she has been teasing fans about what they will see for those several minutes when she interrupts the matchup between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants.
Madonna recently told Anderson Cooper on his talk show that "I have to put on the greatest show on earth, in the middle of the greatest show on earth. I have eight minutes to set it up and seven minutes to take it down and 12 minutes to put on the greatest show on earth. That's a lot of pressure."
Wondering what might happen? Well, MTV News has compiled a little Super Bowl halftime cheat sheet.
The Guests M.I.A. confirmed that she'll be on the stage alongside Madonna, and Nicki Minaj tweeted on Thursday night about being in Indianapolis with Madonna rehearsing for the show. "Omfg. Madonna's show is about to murdaaaa everything movinggg. Wow. Such a surreal moment."
There are also rumors that Cee Lo Green may appear during her set, as well as party rockers LMFAO. The whole show will also get an assist from Cirque du Soleil and Madonna's longtime choreographer and creative director Jamie King.
The Look If Madonna's "Give Me All Your Luvin' " video is any indication, the gig will certainly have a cheerleader vibe to it. When MTV News caught up with her at her "W.E." premiere she coyly teased that "pom poms" would play heavily into the theme of the show.
In an interview with ABC News, she shared one idea she had for the performance: "I actually wanted to have 100 drummers come from the ceiling, a drumline from the ceiling."
The Songs There'll be something old and something new. "I promise I will be singing three old songs and one new one," Madonna said at a press conference. With M.I.A. and Nicki already on the ground, it seems that she'll definitely be performing "Give Me" (the lead single off her March album, MDNA). With rumors flying about what those other songs could be, the word is that she'll also perform "Vogue," "Music" and "Ray of Light."
The Stage In photos teased online, the halftime stage is full of LED lights in various shades of blue, green, pink, purple and red and includes various designs including the word "Vogue" (yep, like the song), kooky-looking eyes and a heart-shaped design.
Who Will Be Watching? Besides like seven-bajillion people? Well, the Pussycat Dolls say that despite a heated matchup between the Giants and the Patriots, there's only one team they'll be rooting for.
"I definitely say Madonna," PCD creator Robin Antin told MTV News. "We'll be watching for the [Go Daddy] commercial ... and Madonna. It's exciting. Well, hopefully the Pussycat Dolls will be on the next Super Bowl performing, you know?"
Lady Gaga has already admitted that she'll be tuning in on Sunday night. "Looking forward to seeing the Superbowl! The halftime show will be wonderful, I'm sure," she tweeted on Tuesday. "An excuse to drink beer+watch boys in tights. #yes."
What songs do you want Madonna to perform during the halftime show? Leave your comment below.
Ron Paul comes in third in latest GOP contest. By Gil Kaufman
Mitt Romney Photo: Joe Raedle/ Getty Images
Just four days after notching his most convincing win of the primary season so far, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney made it two in a row by taking Saturday night's Republican caucus in Nevada with 47.6 percent of the vote. In a season where three different candidates have won the first four contests, that gives Romney the distinction of being the first to grab two consecutive wins.
"This is not the first time you've given me your vote of confidence, and this time I'm going to take it to the White House," a clearly excited Romney said at a victory speech, where he once again turned his attention away from his Republican opponents and on President Obama.
Unlike Florida, where Representative Ron Paul didn't compete in order to focus on Nevada and other upcoming states, and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum was forced to suspend his campaigning to deal with a sick child, all four remaining candidates worked the road in the first Western contest of the season.
After coming in 14 points behind Romney in Florida, Newt Gingrich was hoping for a solid comeback but could not rely on a strong debate performance, as there was not one in advance of the latest battle. On Saturday night he finished well behind Romney, rolling up just 22.7 percent of the vote (with 71 percent of precincts reporting at press time). While Romney took to the stage in a room full of cheering supporters, the Gingrich headquarters was a stark contrast, an empty room where the former House Speaker spoke to reporters via television. "I am a candidate for president of the United States," Gingrich said. "I will be the candidate of the president of the United States."
Romney won Nevada handily in 2008, taking 51 percent of the vote because his rivals in the last GOP primary race basically let him run unopposed assuming the state's large Mormon population would ensure Romney — who is Mormon — a win. Though Mormons only account for 7 percent of the state's population (around 180,000), they are rabid voters and reliably make up one-quarter of Republican caucus-goers.
But it wasn't it as clear-cut this time. Even Santorum, who has moved to the back of the pack since his recount win in Iowa a month ago, put up a strong battle, though he ended up in fourth place with just 11.1 percent. And Paul, who was counting on the state's vocal Tea Party contingent and independent voters to come out for him, had a decent showing in third place with 18.6 percent.
As he did in Florida, Romney came in with a much bigger ground game than the rest of the field, a record of visiting the state often over the past year-and-a-half and, for what it's worth, the endorsement of real-estate mogul and once-potential candidate Donald Trump.
Regardless of the results, unlike winner-take-all Florida, no actual delegates will be awarded following the Nevada caucus. As in Iowa, delegates will be elected to go to the county convention and then to a state gathering, who will then decide where the state's 34 delegates go to the GOP convention in Tampa. It's possible the delegates who go to Florida in late August may not reflect the final results of Saturday's vote.
Voting also began Saturday in Maine's caucus, whose vote will take place over the next week. More voters go to the polls on Tuesday, when Colorado and Minnesota also caucus.
Check back for up-to-the-minute coverage of the primaries and stick with PowerOf12.org throughout the 2012 presidential election season.
Will Madonna Join Ranks Of Best Super Bowl Halftime Shows?
From the King of Pop to the Boss, the Super Bowl stage has played host to some memorable performances; MTV News looks back on the best. By James Montgomery
Madonna Photo: Martin Fraser/ Getty Images
On Sunday night, Madonna will join an exclusive club that includes the likes of Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, Diana Ross and, uh, Up With People when she performs at halftime of Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis.
Yes, you'd be hard-pressed to find a bigger stage than the big game — last year's Super Bowl was watched by some 111 million Americans — which is why the producers of the halftime festivities always recruit the biggest stars to perform (except for 1999, when Big Bad Voodoo Daddy inexplicably found their way into the proceedings). And Madonna most certainly fits that bill, which is why, while we're not quite sure what she'll bring to the Super Bowl stage — aside from her promise that it'll be "the greatest show on earth" — we're reasonably confident that it'll be a performance folks will be talking about on Monday. And probably Tuesday too.
Of course, if Madge wants to secure her spot among the all-time greatest Super Bowl halftime performances, well, she'll definitely have to deliver the goods. Over the years, some of the most prodigious talents have gotten lost in all of the ephemera that comes with a Super Bowl slot (lasers, explosions, confetti, marching bands, will.i.am), but still others have risen to the challenge, delivering performances that have thrilled, chilled and even made us forget about the game itself. Here's a look at our favorite Super Bowl halftime performances.
Diana Ross, Super Bowl XXX: The dynamic Diana stole the show in 1996 with a classy, brassy performance that featured nearly as many of her biggest hits as it did costume changes. Her voice was in prime form, powerful enough to outshine a full gospel choir, an army of tuxedo-clad dancers and, of course, end-zone pyrotechnics. But it was her exit — lifted from the stage via helicopter, while blowing kisses as the chorus of "Take Me Higher" blasted through the stadium — that truly put this one over the top.
Prince, Super Bowl XLI: Not even a near-constant downpour could dampen this 2007 performance from the Purple One, who stalked across a custom "symbol" stage (while wearing a kerchief tied around his head), wailed on approximately 46 guitar solos, begged the audience to "take my picture," out-watted the famed FAMU marching band, covered the Foo Fighters and even managed to freak out network censors by casting a lengthy (and quite phallic) shadow from behind a piece of fabric. So, you know, it was just your average Prince show. Oh, and then he did "Purple Rain" in the rain. Meta.
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Super Bowl XLIII: They opened with Springsteen leaning on Clarence Clemons (a nod to the cover of 1975's Born to Run), begged the viewing audience to "put down the chicken fingers," and then absolutely, positively destroyed the stage in Tampa with a set that featured classics like "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out," "Born to Run" and "Glory Days." And then Springsteen finished things off by shouting, "I'm going to Disneyland!"As several fans have come to say, this wasn't a halftime performance, it was a football game played around a Springsteen concert. As an added bonus, this is also the performance that gave us the now-immortal meme.
Michael Jackson, Super Bowl XXVII: It started with the late, great King of Pop magically leaping from the Rose Bowl scoreboards to his stage on the 50-yard line, featured a staggering 3,000 dancers, some killer choreography (the Moonwalk!) and a career-spanning medley of Jackson's hits (everything from "Billie Jean" to "Black or White"). And as if MJ's performance wasn't testament to his superstardom, how about the 90-second ovation he received before ever singing a word? It was almost enough to make one young writer forget the Bills were on their way to losing a third-straight Super Bowl. Almost.
U2, Super Bowl XXXVI: If there is another band on the planet more capable of seizing the moment than U2, well, we'd like to meet them. In this case, that meant performing at the first Super Bowl since the 9/11 attacks, before an audience of millions still reeling and recovering. And, in typical form, Bono and company didn't shrink from the spotlight. Though there were more than a few highlights, their solemn, spiritual performance of "Where the Streets Have No Name" — which saw the names of all the victims of 9/11 projected behind them — was not only the most memorable of the night, it's without a doubt the most memorable (and chill-inducing) in Super Bowl history. And then, to top it all off, Bono pulled back his jacket to reveal an American flag. Game over.
What songs do you want Madonna to perform during the halftime show? Leave your comments on our Facebook page!
