Starts off like a 70’s German Porn Film with many innuendo names such as ‘Huu Jarrs’ etc. This is also hinted at with the grainy effect, adding to the seediness of the opening. Opening the music video like this helps to set the mood for the how George Michael is clearly setting out to shock with this video. The setting of a public toilet reflects George Michael’s personal life at that time and this is revisited further into the video. Opening with a relatively old fictional clip from a porn film also links into the song’s lyrics with how sex and how people’s sexual habits are evolving from what they were (thus opening with the past).
The video as a whole is extremely voyeuristic as the audience are shown images having sex in public, mostly from the view of CCTV. These images reflect the lyrics and the title of the track, ‘Come Outside’. The video itself is quite shocking and definitely challenges both stereotypes and the public’s view, not least of George Michael. The video definitely challenges views on what ‘macho’ is, and this is demonstrated with the two bodybuilders who turn out to be homosexuals and the camp portrayal of the police (seen as a ‘macho’ job).
The last set piece of the video is set in a toilet (again a reference to George Michael’s private life) which transforms into a disco, with George dressed as an American policeman with mirrored Aviators. Not only is this reminiscent of the ‘Village People’ (going with the 70s Disco theme) but also reflects this being the first track released after George came out. The video therefore marks a change of image for George after his squeaky clean image in ‘WHAM!’. The police image at this point is turned into a homosexual connotation, by the uniform being very figure hugging, as well as the manner in which George suggestively swings his police baton. The video at this point becomes performance based as George sings and dances to the music in time. It is also important at this point as the video speeds up with the music.
The video as a whole is extremely voyeuristic as the audience are shown images having sex in public, mostly from the view of CCTV. These images reflect the lyrics and the title of the track, ‘Come Outside’. The video itself is quite shocking and definitely challenges both stereotypes and the public’s view, not least of George Michael. The video definitely challenges views on what ‘macho’ is, and this is demonstrated with the two bodybuilders who turn out to be homosexuals and the camp portrayal of the police (seen as a ‘macho’ job).
The last set piece of the video is set in a toilet (again a reference to George Michael’s private life) which transforms into a disco, with George dressed as an American policeman with mirrored Aviators. Not only is this reminiscent of the ‘Village People’ (going with the 70s Disco theme) but also reflects this being the first track released after George came out. The video therefore marks a change of image for George after his squeaky clean image in ‘WHAM!’. The police image at this point is turned into a homosexual connotation, by the uniform being very figure hugging, as well as the manner in which George suggestively swings his police baton. The video at this point becomes performance based as George sings and dances to the music in time. It is also important at this point as the video speeds up with the music.
(The 'George Michael' Toilet)
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