The power of Miami Vice
March 21, 2006Last night I was listening to the radio when Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight” started playing. Since I don’t know when, hearing this song evokes a very particular image in my mind. I see a guy driving some kind of convertible, it’s late at night, the wind’s blowing his hair, there’s a sense of real anger both from the driver and the song. The imagery is so strong it works the other way round–whenever I’m driving at night and have the windows rolled down or the sunroof open, I think of this song.
Now I thought this must be in image from the video. I mean that’s the way it works usually, videos shape the image you have of the song. But last night I decided to try and look up the Phil Collins video. Turns out the video is basically him sitting alone in a room. No car, no dark highway, none of that.
It’s actually a scene from Miami Vice. They used the song in the scene, and apparently that made such an impression on me that I’ve forever associated the song with the imagery in the TV show.
Funny thing is, I don’t remember watching that episode. In fact I don’t recall ever watching an episode of Miami Vice. I might have caught a moment or two while channel surfing but I don’t recall ever watching the show intentionally. Yet clearly I must have, since that image from the show is associated to the song in my mind.
Weird. The power of Miami Vice compels you.
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