Apr 15 2010 03:31 PM ET

Hanson and Weird Al invoke spirit of 'The Blues Brothers' for new video. How does this not suck?

If you’d told me yesterday that I would like the video for Hanson’s new single, “Thinkin’ Bout Something,” then I would have said, “I’m fairly sure that’s not true, because I don’t particularly care for them.” And if you’d tried to persuade me otherwise by saying that the clip pays homage to the Ray Charles sequence from the Blues Brothers then I would have suggested that that actually makes it less likely I’m going to enjoy it. And if you’d added that the video also features Weird Al Yankovic playing tambourine in a sexually suggestive fashion then I would have testily remarked upon how this whole conversation was a complete, and rather inexplicable, waste of my valuable time.

But I would have been wrong! The video is a delight, partly because the song itself is a delicious, catchy slice of pop-soul, and partly because some considerable effort has clearly gone into recreating the Blues Brothers scene. For a second, I really thought that was the great Steve Cropper on guitar. Weird Al’s gyrations I could do without, but there you go.

Anyway, check out the video—which is from their June 8-released CD Shout it Out—and then take a look at the  relevant movie clip, which you’ll find after the break. Compare, contrast, and tell us what you think!

(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter @EWMusicMix.)

More from EW.com’s Music Mix:
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Maxwell keeps it retro in ‘Fistful of Tears’ video: Watch it here
Roky Erickson: The psychedelic rock legend talks about his first CD in 15 years
Why is Sir Ian McKellen muttering about “sexual gladiators” on the new Scissor Sisters single?
Broadway star Laura Bell Bundy kicks off her ‘crazy’ country career: A Music Mix Q&A

Comments (43 total) Add your comment
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  • Wickeddoll

    Video? Very cute – song, not so great.

    • snarkle

      IT’S HORRIFIC!

  • Mimi

    I couldn’t take my eyes off Weird Al’s spastic gyrations…

  • Jean Genie

    Hanson is another band that should be more successful than they are? Have they ever been approached for a reality show?

  • Jean Genie

    Hanson is another band that should be more popular. They certainly don’t look or sound like girls anymore. Why don’t they have a reality show or whatever?

    • stella

      they were, and they filmed part for a&e. hanson likes to be very (veryveryveryvery) selective about their lives, and how they portray themselves- something you can’t really do with a tv crew

    • Allyson

      Tell their fans that their not popular. Go to a Hanson concert and you will see for yourself that Hanson is still very relevant in the hearts and minds of their fans. But as an independent band managing their own label, they have chosen to focus on the music over the media hype generated by the industry. It is a respectable endeavor and not easily executed. Hanson has made a very smooth transition to the world of independence, if you ask me. And they have the fan base to prove it… and defend them until the end of time.

      • zac delariva

        oh really? hanson fans never give up anytime anywhere that’s why our idol is always succesful is becuz we are all united form idol to fans and our idol is really down to earth…

      • Kristin

        SO true that going to a Hanson concert will prove to any skeptics how relevant this band still is. I went to a show this past Satuday and even as a loyal fan, I wasn’t really expecting to have to deal with a huge crowd. How very very wrong I was, and how very very happy it made me. I’ve seen dozens of BIG NAME artists play this particular venue over the years, and Hanson brought in the largest crowd I’ve ever seen there. Just an amazing experience.

  • Winona

    Love the song – REALLY love the video!

  • harry

    awesoooooooooooome!!!

  • pr

    that was pretty cute, and they sound good. better than those Jonas kids, and they are all around the same age I wonder why Hanson doesn’t have the same success. interesting. Oh and Clark as far as the weird Al movements you see more gyrations in the Single Ladies video. what the heck were you watching LOL

    • Stacy

      LOl the Hanson boys are much older than the Jonas Brothers, plus they all are married with kids :) (It kind of blows your mind, right?)

    • Annika

      Sweetie, Hanson has been more successful than the Jonas Brothers. This is their “laying low stage”. Been there, done that. It’s like they’re retired fellas, really. But of course, they’re about 30, 27, and 24 years old, married with kids… these guys are just living the life!

      And yes, what a refreshing music video from REAL musicians! Way better than the autotuned crap we’re constantly fed each day. More power to you, Hanson!

    • Allyson

      Haha that’s cute. Hanson has been around for 13 years (when the Jonas Brothers were still wetting the bed). And they have a very loyal fan base still. All the extras in that video? They are fans coming from all over the country just for the chance at being in a Hanson music video.

      • Kristin

        Let’s not forget those of us who flew from Canada for the weekend, to dance in the video. Hanson’s got one of the strongest worldwide fan bases of all bands to date. We’ve lived through the adversity of people criticizing the music we love, and we’ve continued to support them to this day. So glad this new music is getting so much attention. Too bad it took the rest of the world this long to realize how great they are.

  • YBKGirl

    I, too, am shocked that this is as good as it is. Great song. I am now sitting here wondering how they aren’t more popular, and how they don’t have their own show.

    • jessie

      When Hanson started 3CG records, they decided they wouldn’t license their work to any station owned by Clearchannel or any other outlet that accepted payola. So I ask you not judge them just because you haven’t heard from them in a while. They knew they would sell fewer discs, but they did it out of principle.

  • Kate

    excited to see this article bc Hanson is a really great band..I have every single one of their albums, they are my favorite.

  • Mal

    Great, catchy song, really fun video. I hope this gets Hanson some much-deserved recognition!

  • Sara

    Love the new video and can’t wait to get their new album! One day I hope they start getting the respect they deserve.

  • Stacy

    I unabashadly love Hanson, and have for a long time. This video and song are awesome, (as is a lot that they do) and I hope they can finally live down their awkward years as “girls.”

  • Heidi Ponting

    Awesome clip!!! Great job guys :)

  • jessie

    Since we all know certain emo know-it-alls will decend upon this comments page in snarkastic glee, let me just hit you all with a preumptive “Haters can suck it!” Also, it’s been 13 years & 5 albums later. They make better/smarter music now. Can we finally agree as a society to no longer treat them like Menudo?

  • Sherri

    When I heard the concept…and then heard there was DANCING I feared the worst. This is totally not the disaster I was expecting. I was surprised I liked it, and that I watched it again.

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