MGMT "Kids" Video

jonsalmon.net/reel/
Article about the video: www.canyon-news.com/artman2/pu...
Just to set the story straight: the facepainted kids in the video are a boy and girl from Los Angeles, two friends of mine, names Raf and Abby. MGMT was not involved in the making of this video, however, they became involved down the line.
The story goes like this:
December 2007: Rushing to make a due date for a USC Music Video class, I ask my friends Raf and Abby to appear in my video. I like the way they bounce off of each other despite completely different personality types, and think they both have interesting faces. Raf didn't want to shave so I didn't push him. We shot in one night, I cut overnight, turn it in and call it the worst thing I've done so far.
January 2008: On a whim one night while visiting home in Austin, Texas, I throw the video on KZbin just for kicks.
April 2008: Ray Tintori, who has directed 3 official videos for MGMT, finds my fan video online and invites myself and my two actors to come to New York to appear in MGMTs next official video for Electric Feel.
May 2008: We go to New York and have a great time on the set with the band and all their friends.

[@MrSpeedyAce]

I still and will always consider this as the "official" MGMT Kids video.

[@Aifvanlopez]

I am here from time to time for the same reason. The story behind this video is awesome.

[@lukejacobs2000]

Me too!!!

[@dorkanderson4963]

I only liked MGMT cause I thought this was the official video. Didn't even realize fan made videos was a thing in 2007.

[@MrSpeedyAce]

@@dorkanderson4963 Exactly right. The actual MGMT video seemed like a step down from this one.

[@catisreckless4647]

I like the other one.

[@MrJaimilly]

still the best ''fan-made'' video I've ever seen..

[@chinozerus667]

I agree. Kakkmaddafakka - Touching you is quite on that behalf aswell

[@ElGuny]

man I tought it was real video

[@thedevinefeminine]

You ever heard of Sparkmaster Tape?

[@uwillnevahno6837]

This MGMT fan vid is an amazing video I'd like to introduce you to this one Metallica's Orion set to space (sadly not the OP): kzbin.info/www/bejne/bonClIRvos50ftE

[@WaniZame]

15 years later this is still the only version of this song video that works for me. It less than a 100k views when I first saw it! Look at it now, madness.

[@johnevon3030]

Amazing being this video was a final for a collage course that was thrown together at the last minute.

[@nopancakemix570]

There's something addictive about their faces and the way they move...

[@mok0s1]

True, is like they do it for real. No adulterated

[@fallenpoj17]

IKR

[@AlejoFerrari29]

It is not by chance that this video has been viewed 16 million times more than the official

[@nopancakemix570]

Alejandro Ruhl Very true.

[@RadcoRose]

Yeah, the woman looks interesting btw... I like her face.

[@rumsfield100]

still the definitive "Kids" video... and probably the greatest fan video ever made. One of the best songs of the last 10 years and every time I hear the song this video is in mind... I remember dancing to it at an underground club in Tokyo in 2008 or 09 and they were projecting this video on the wall...

[@conor1565]

anybody still watching this? pissed at youtube for taking it off search.

[@TheSuperwaaaa]

Conor too relatable, KZbin might be going to shit but the creeators although rare are great and worth it.

[@jmckenzie962]

Yeah I'm still here in 2018, it was only the 3rd one down in the search.

[@conor1565]

yea it's currently back up.

[@littledittymusic727]

Yep.

[@pedroartico]

Yes

[@quiketnies]

this is my favorite fan-made video ever

[@MrJaimilly]

your so right..probably the 'best' fan-made video ever.!! i read your post a couple of weeks ago and my jaw dropped. I had no idea that it was fan-made..i thought for some reason they had made 2 vids..thinking the kid 1 was to scary..you learn somthing new everyday..lol

[@ilight8]

The thing is I swear that the women in the video is in another MGMT song - electric feel, you see her for a second in the same makeup. I'm probably mistaken.

[@MrJaimilly]

ilight8 yeh.!! your right..i noticed the 2 of them in the Electric Feel video..lol.maybe theyre groupies or roadies whatever they call them now..lol

[@Adrimixmi]

***** ilight8 Read the description of the video ;)

[@MrJaimilly]

Adrimixmi Right..cool...totally get it now..!!!.thanks for setting me straight..

[@newtechi]

yeap this is like 100 better than the original videoclip.

[@mredyhcapamab]

I can't believe this doesn't have like a million likes but you only posted this four days ago so okay :D

[@angelloakira]

fudge yeah it is

[@hackradt83]

1000000000000000000 better dude

[@shippy1991]

This one actually came out before the official video, but I agree this one is better. The official video's just disturbing

[@karlajaramillo8250]

Absolutelyy!!!

[@DerekBrownJ]

I thought this was the official video for the longest time, that those were their faces. I think I like it better than the official one. Something about the contrast of the one intense person and the other very happy person, it's very dramatic and engaging. Hypnotic.

[@chaddeez8446]

This is the official one

[@kemarwable]

All the flaws and the imperfections in this video - 240 p included - is why it is so awesome it's just the perfect representation of an amateur work. Really congrats to everyone involved in the making - you all did an awesome job maybe without even noticing it which is the main reason why it's that good - innocence in the process.

[@Joiset696]

She was my crush when i was a dork teenage ♥ and FIFA 09 Was the best lol

[@fj2krack]

yeesss!!!!

[@user-xn9pb3st3z]

Joiset Shell u still are a dork teenager ;P

[@duxwontobey4887]

The girl with the facepaint is incredibly beautiful omg

[@coreyharvey114]

+Amy thechubbylittlesatan really? i dont get it ._.

[@bozenovsky]

she look chicky but not beauty

[@TokiNoArk]

+Entrée Plat et Dessert Eh no, she's a she, named Abby according to the description below the video

[@Joiset696]

She is Abigail Fuller and Indeed , she is so cute look for her on Twitter She is really cute

[@ggj1987]

Her smile at 1:05 is incredibly cute

[@protogencheeseeater]

Found this when I was a teenager and loved it I'm 28 now I still love this version on the music video more than the original!!!

[@Aabb-yy9wi]

me too,i was a university student when i heard it,now I'm 35 💀❤️

[@hockeyplaya0021]

50 million views, not bad for a video that was done in a day to cram for a class lol

[@biglurch9666]

pipe99p ooj

[@rorydathomas452]

Why is this clip just so damn good? It's one of my favourite music videos of all time, almost zero production cost and just absolutely fantastic. Captures the song much better than the official music video. Dammit I love this clip.

[@smartpug967]

how

[@christianhackl474]

Also my thoughts, mostly. Agreed

[@homeiswonderland]

I remember seeing this music video years ago and could never remember what song it was! So happy to find it again!

[@brockbracken318]

Same But unfortunately it was the other music video. My dad showed it to me as a little kid and I was traumatized.

[@marksme]

A haunting song....

[@biggusdickus7417]

I remember seeing this video years ago, and loving it back then, too. Every so often I come back to it. The woman in this is absolutely beautiful, she has that "there's just something about her" element.

[@pnlrogue1]

This. It feels like you can see something of her spirit through her performance

[@BackRowB]

@@pnlrogue1 My dude - you replied to a comment 10 years old

[@pnlrogue1]

@@BackRowB yes, yes I did. And?

[@FaustTTV]

IT'S BACK!!!! OH MY GOD IT'S BACK!!!

[@Kreutz]

***** Dang, yeah. Was it taken down for a while?

[@TheKANTUS101]

Kreutz yeah for like ever it seemed like. I remember watching this when it came out.

[@thebrassmonkey100]

Admit it.....we're all back for some more of that face! she is too cute, and for those of you who dont know, the two actors (Abby and Raf) play a small cameo in the electric feel video, just watch it, you cant miss them.

[@Kristiqnsan]

at 0:15 seconds

[@nueonetwo]

So true I love that girls face, looks just like my ex

[@TheKANTUS101]

Spencer you too ??? LMFAO.

[@thesam19841]

I read an article about this once... apparently MGMT were so impressed with the video that they asked them to come and be in Electric Feel... the same article said that the girl had a crush on the guy and this that's why they did the video... it's just them painted like Kiss behind Christmas lights mixed in with clips of people dancing.... brilliantly simple, real chemistry between people who really you can tell, really enjoy the song

[@thesam19841]

@@nueonetwo same here her face looks exactly like a girl I dated a couple of times in college... there are always a few girls you just wish you had done better with

[@gonkraider]

I'm unsettled that this is 8 years + old; ugh time flies.

[@TheKANTUS101]

same here man, same here. Randomly sitting here watching videos of mgmt and had the urge to try to find this. When I saw 8 years old, I couldn't even beleive it.

[@millergqgq]

This is still "new" music in my mind. WTF?

[@kimwarnesjo539]

Le electric wprker

[@celestialthot8412]

9

[@jmckenzie962]

10 years old now, Jesus Christ I'm old

[@willy37314]

She has the most beautiful smile i ever seen

[@H2whoaMusic]

All these years later and still a perfect track. Heartbreak hidden behind a facade of playfulness.

[@lupo03]

In 2015 I understanded that this is a fan made..... In 2020 I understood that that wasnt how you spell understood

[@doyler84]

This is the original video.

[@topdavid]

Slight Sin No way, this is just the most viewed...

[@sonic10ultimate]

Rakuzan™--Older Supraball Player-- I don't want to be the grammar nazi, but it's understood.

[@jannatera7794]

Rakuzan™--Older Supraball Player-- hahaha, same thing to me

[@connorharlow6228]

+Rakuzan™--Older Supraball Player-- whatever it is it brought up my mood :P

[@StevenEveral]

I remember hearing this song at an indie club in Seoul, Korea in 2009 and this video was playing on the wall. Great times.

[@freemansteinslab]

15 years on and I still come back to this one from time to time...I wonder where Raf and Abby are now? I hope they are doing ok? 😊 Edit: Found them both on FB and they both seem to be doing just fine... ☺️

[@Mr5083]

April 23 2019 Im still here enjoying this video

[@Squinkamel]

Me too.

[@MrRockfish01]

Still awesome in 2019

[@GaiAlubinur]

The guy´s face is what makes this video work.

[@JohnnyDarko01]

Grats on getting back on youtube, I better save this to Hard drive this time

[@daniels.ikigai]

I am here listening and watching every now and then this same video since 2008... Probably one of the first gems i find back then... I didn't understand a word of English back then 😂😂

[@richardalexander302]

Never gets old in 2020

[@savvy_mj4014]

I'm so glad I found this song, I remember listening to it all the time when I was little ...... *And everything that changed in those years*....

[@aimezlafille]

This really is such an artful video. I get lost in Rafael's eyes and Abby, with her hair flying around... I don't have words. Well done.

[@undiesmarkd4eva]

My God. I've been searching for this particular video for literally my whole life! Feels so good to finally find it after all these years.

[@knifeforkandaspoon]

So much better than the official video. This should actually be the official video.

[@AkshayHD]

+knifeforkandaspoon read the description

[@jorgecmp9873]

AK27 FIFA jinb. No pz

[@jorgecmp9873]

No. B? 7@ / 0..0. ''''(

[@dirklammers7859]

I call BS on U traitor!

[@WR3ND]

Nammering plebes going on twerk jerkin. This is the official one, you twits.

[@THEGREATMAX]

He captured real emotions in this video, that's why people feel it so much. Raf was upset over wearing the face paint, and you can see his emotional pain and indifference Abby had a crush on the guy who is filming and you can see the love and attraction on her face. She was trying to sort of show off for him. But yeah, it's really a beautiful video because of those two things. Because of how real the emotions on the camera are.

[@sethmyrrh8471]

This takes me back. I wish I could go back. I really like this video. And MGMT is rad.

[@johnevon1]

I've seen a lot of cover, /fan vid remakes and this is one of the tops ever, I love abbys energy, your friends did an awesome job.

[@patmarcoux3022]

One of my favorite songs of all time. Love it .

[@haneOokame]

I can't stop lookin at them, I CAN'T STOP LOOKING AT THEM! I want to be their friend and have them paint my face as well!!

[@suzawilo]

Still one of th greatest vids on YT ❤❤❤ Much love from Finland😊

[@xtimrs]

MGMT owes me becoming a fan of them for years now to this video made by a fan. It just evokes a special sort of feeling.. it's perfect in every way, and I love it.

[@dubj5191]

From the second the dance routine starts on beat everything just feels right. Love this fan made version & always have. Always come back to it

[@primusvix]

I've had this vid for many years...absolutely a keeper. not many like this...

[@CHEDDScast]

This is fan made.. Wow GG Jon salmon

[@ashleyclubpenguin9385]

The first time I heard that song I listened from your vidoclip and I think that makew the song better! Amazing work!!! Congrats

[@wjcarl]

Just re-watched this vid as it has been added to my favs for years - gosh this is so much better than the official crappy one. Great job!

[@sertifiedjeenious1577]

Hello. The year 2020 checking in...... still the best music video ever made!!! The song is great on its own - but the video really makes it what it is. Congrats Jon (and Abby and Raf too i guess). A classic! A masterpiece! Still the best as far as i'm concerned after all these years..

[@marneyzj]

So ready for the new record from MGMT. Already have my preorder in!

[@julieaytonyates7121]

love this so much over almost 10 years, the story behind it only makes it better 🤘❤☺

[@danco2283]

I do not know everything about this world, but I know enough to tell you that your work is excellent, from the heart.

[@inagreenleaf]

So nostalgic. It's one of those videos that'll stick for a long time, and indeed better than the original.

[@traumerwall]

it's been a few years but I still can't stop love Abby and especially when it's in the make-up of this makeup emphasizes it as an interesting personality)) I would also like this girl and this is exactly the same make-up)

[@GOWZDAWG19]

YAZZZZZZ!!! They finally put this one back up! THANK YOU!!!!!

[@jasonnoel1000]

never heard or this group before i saw your download. excellant job on video a great tune. awesome' thanks for putting your video out there for all to enjoy, great job.

[@amho1]

Better video than the original !

[@LelandTien]

Mr Salmon, would love an updated link to the HD version!

[@Joker21968]

I like the energy flowing throughout the whole vid. It's sweet!

[@ZadeMeadowsLittleMouse]

This video is amazing!! I can’t believe I’m just now finding this masterpiece!! 😍💖

[@schultzjessicaa4848]

this is my favorite fan-made video ever There's something addictive about their faces and the way they move... So much better than the official video. This should actually be the official video.

[@sowtwtwt]

I am still obsessed with the face painted guy after all these years lol

[@ninaleh3524]

Thank you! Everybody's talking about the girl and I'm just drooling over the dude xD

[@kadijahsmithh]

sameeee everybody is talking about the girl like what !

[@kadijahsmithh]

Nina Leh omg sameeee

[@daa3501]

whoa! i'm so glad this is still on, i thought last time i looked for it they had it banned!!! i mean... they're IN the "Electric Feel" video, obviously MGMT is cool with them... go JSalmon!

[@93DiEgUs93]

In 2017 this is still a masterpiece and forever will be!!!

[@salientsoul]

I hear this song and it makes me think of that time in your late childhood when you get your first crush, and you believe NOTHING can go wrong. Because your heart tells you go on, don't give up, it's bound to happen. She will love you eventually. This song is from the time before that idealism shatters. The sunset full of fireflies before the darkest, most chilling night. The precious hope that love will turn out just as good as our wildest dreams. Thats why I love this song.

[@timespaice]

One of the best video ever

[@chinozerus667]

This takes me back... Awesome song and awesome video. I lobe how she is totally flipping out and having fun.

[@Khalashnikovf]

Still happy to see this when it pops out in my playlist, even at the end of 2018 :)

[@DeadPollo]

i don't know who you are but i truly hope you are feeling good right now Because only good people with genius ideas can come up with such marvelous videos.

[@jamieholmes5443]

This is rockin' my metaphoric boat.

[@Retro_Naut]

I was looking for this song for ages, so glad I found it again

[@darkpilot2]

I love this video so much! I don't even know why, but it's just so epic! Great work! :D

[@mellyflores3681]

I NEVER THOUGHT ID SEE THIS VIDEO AGAIN MY LIFE IS COMPLETE

[@TheGoodesBrothers]

I just wanna say, if you're still checking your KZbin notifications that's is, that every time I hear this song I think of every image you've laid down, from the dancing weatherman to the super-weird synchronised black and white dancing, and I thank you for that. Such and awesome song accompanied by such awesome imagery, you'll go down in KZbin history; you deserve a lot of respect mate 👍

[@slaughter81]

one of the best music videos out there!

[@Aifvanlopez]

I loved the video when I saw it 12 years ago but when I heard the story behind it...that made me love this even more.

[@wolfkiller6668]

This song is a work of art

[@IamJacksColon4]

true story i thought the painted kids were actually MGMT, one of them looks very feminine.

[@HsuFetish]

Yes, you're right - the young woman in the video looks very feminine, indeed. How very observant of you.

[@MartinRuaBooks]

What a great fan-made video. Really impressive. Bravo!

[@ThamaraLyrio]

Oh meu Deus!! Já faz 13 anos que existe esse vídeo ❤️❤️ E eu definitivamente ouço ele há 9 anos, melhor vídeo ❤️❤️❤️❤️💓💓💗💗

[@starpeep4410]

THIS is what I want to hear

[@zefi2321]

Something about that girl is pulling on my heart strings wtf, she’s so attractive

[@Villarebel]

I am still watching this video years later. Good video.

[@nomadovic]

9 years passed... still melting seeing that smile of hers :)

[@EdAlbert]

I love this song

[@markfowler21able]

"THIS IS MY DESTINY!" -John Locke

[@dreamologydept]

i love the song but really im staring at her beauty

[@elvenkind6072]

I've only seen this music video about one hundred thousand times this far. That's not abnormal is it?

[@overkraft2]

What a a nice song! I feel a deep emotion every time I heard it!

[@IzzyMarie]

When I watched this when I was younger, I thought it was the real thing, ugh its so good!

[@rebeccachesnul5948]

Omg same here back when I was in 8th

[@ToNowhereAndBeyond]

There’s something so enticing about that girl...Idk what it is but I think I’m in love

[@th3burner]

By far my favorite video for this song

[@Frazwaddell]

no matter how many times or how old this song gets i love it.

[@yuri_alba]

The best 240p video on KZbin!!!!!!

[@MrKosheen85]

That half smile @ 2:57....

[@davebj2987]

* - *

[@tomatomatotomato]

I don't know how many years I've been watching this video. Best...

[@andresperez5430]

re-upload the full HD version please!!!! Thanks for re-uploading the video though, this is by far better than the original.

[@ARTV-]

Forever grateful for this song for helping me discover this band! I just reviewed MGMT's new self titled album,check it out,its the featured video on my channel! Want to hear what everyone else thinks!

[@mgdr.official]

j'adore cette musique

[@yanisk5773]

magnifique musique j'adore

[@flappy_meal_3214]

Now THIS is straight from my young childhood, great job

[@edwardhoward-williams1692]

So much better than the stock video, as people have said probably the best fan made video ever. It just rules.