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INTERVIEWS, REVIEWS, CULTURE PIECES, MUSICAL RAMBLINGS.
The Forgotten Borough's Unforgettable Staple: The Ferry's Impact On Music Videos From All Over8/3/2018 I'll never forget the following story I was told by a fellow Staten Island pal a while ago. While they were waiting for the Staten Island Ferry to pick them up and take them to Manhattan so they could carry out their usual day, they noticed a tourist couple and their young son by the deli in the terminal. They were holding a postcard with the iconic orange boat on it, smiling, and repeating "We're here, we're really here!" This tale is laughable to ANY S.I. native, especially one who uses The Ferry on a regular basis. Nothing's really that special about it when you've been on it so many times. Late at night, at the crack of dawn, at peak rush hour and all the sightseers crowd the Statue of Liberty side, on a class trip, when it's cold, when it's warm. It's become so normal in my life that I completely forget that people from around the world actually see it as some sort of famous landmark. Despite all of this, I still get a little excited when I see it anywhere. Maybe that's just a Staten Island thing, since we ARE dubbed the "forgotten borough." TV Shows, a celebrity's Instagram, and, the most important to me, music videos. Many artists seem to portray it in detail in their videos, especially ones that are from around here. I have to admit, even though it's just a normal boat to me at this point, I can see how it can be utilized as an artsy background, and it HAS, successfully, in the videos I've seen it in. Listen, I'll take any Staten Island reference that isn't Pete and Ariana at this point. We'll start off with the shorter Ferry spotting, in New York-based indie rocker Sam Evian's video for his single "I Need A Man." Even though most of the video is set in Lower Manhattan, where Sam strolls through some of its well-known areas, the opening lyrics with the fencing that I've leaned on rebelliously many times before behind both a panda and an anime girl sets the strangely somber mood. Behind the fence are the two attractions that are part of every NYC tourist's wet ferry dream-Lady Liberty and a killer view of Manhattan. Like I suggested earlier, the Ferry is a pretty solid photoshoot place, and its highlights are exemplified here. It's a cool color, there's lots of room, and, of course, there's the whole ocean that you can pose in front of. Even though it makes a quick appearance, it's an important part of this video, and of NYC, an underrated one to anyone outside the city, which is why I'm happy that a known indie artist included it. After all, the side of the ferry is a good place to reflect while gazing deeply into the pretty waters of the New York Harbor...do I really need a man? Or is society and the pressure from couples being happy together on social media getting to me? We're moving up in the world! We have lyrics about us in this one! "On that Staten Island Ferry, I was with you, my friend." The ride from Manhattan back to Staten Island on the ferry is about a half hour. That's a little while! During these relaxing trips, usually taking place around dinner time after a long city day, I find myself having sleepy conversations with my friends or family, reflecting on how good the day was and how thankful we all should be that we live so close to a place many strive to make it in. When these talks drift to an end, I stare at happy strangers and wonder what their story is. Sometimes, as rare as it might be for ANY New Yorker, I even TALK to them. It's all that walking catching up to me. The point is, deep chats aren't rare for an evening ferry ride. From the information I've gathered from the BODEGA Instagram, "Charlie" is named after a dear friend of the singer Ben, who, unfortunately, passed away. This reference surprised me at first, but then left me intrigued - Did the ferry play a role in their friendship? What did they talk about on there? Did they share a significant moment on it like many Staten Islanders can relate to? This lyric fills me with S.I. pride, but at the same time, makes me sad. Sure, it's a depressing subject to begin with, but the fact that I personally know what the ferry is like makes me sympathize with the feelings expressed in this song even more. I would like to give a shoutout to my 10th grade Theology teacher for making me aware of this video. Miss you Mr. J! Not only does this video take place on the ferry; The majority of it actually IS on Staten Island! Of course, the age of the video makes some little details outdated (What attractive teen guys work as car mechanics anymore?), but the inaccuracy of the "romantic" ferry scene levels with it. There are various musical acts that make appearances in both terminals, but I have never in my life seen a full on DANCE MONTAGE accompanied with an ORCHESTRA NUMBER break out on the main floor. Even though the subject matter is extremely controversial, the cozy, versatile North Shore makes it easy for anyone, urban or suburban, to relate to this video in some way, shape, or form. Despite the whole, you know, teen pregnancy thing, the family and characters are familiar faces you COULD find here. Besides that one unrealistic first ferry date scene, the video is pretty spot-on when it comes to capturing SI life. Although, I WILL admit it is funny to see the comment section swooning over the ferry scene. If only they knew what it was really like... Staten Island is a very interesting place to have grown up in. We're a half hour away from Manhattan, a couple minutes away from Jersey, The Wu-Tang Clan lived on my school's street, our dump is infamous, and we're known for a tiny orange boat. If artists want to glamorize it, though, like these three have, they're totally welcome to. It fills me, and I'm sure everyone else here, with pride. We're so unique in so many ways. If I ever get bored here, I just have to remind myself...we have been in so many ICONIC music videos. And hey, at least I'm not living in some place like....Wyoming. It's all about perspective.
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