I squeed like a 15-year-old girl this afternoon. I read an article at Just Jared that John Mayer released a new video for the single “Heartbreak Warfare” off his upcoming album, Battle Studies.
This music video is one of the first to feature JM’s version of “augmented reality.” It’s definition according to HowStuffWorks.com is a way for “researchers plan to pull graphics out of your television screen or computer display and integrate them into real-world environments.” It uses your webcam to transmit images from what the camera sees to the browser online. Creepy? At first I thought so, but after experiencing augmented reality on JM’s site, I was really excited.
Here’s a video from TheWired.com where Mayer explains his version of augmented reality:
You can see an example of “augmented reality” at JM’s site. He has instructions to print off a piece of paper with this image:
Next, you hold this image, after you print it, up to your webcam. You have to line the image up with the camera precisely. It’s a bit annoying, but you can see the reflection of the picture in the window showing you how to line it up. You hold up the image until John Mayer appears and begins to sing. Soon, you’ll see yourself in the background of the music video.
Here’s a picture of me attempting to do this. You can see my face on the right side and my hand on the left. It’s a bit dark, so look carefully.
I suggest anyone do this just to give it a shot. It’s worth the frustration!
Now, as for the song’s content, it’s about heartbreak and how that correlates to warfare. Heartbreak is one of the most horrid feelings in the world, but we all get through it. It’s like… your heart aches, physically aches because it hurts too much to think about that other person. Was that was JM was feeling when he wrote this song? There have been rumors online that this song is about JM’s ex-girlfriend, Jennifer Ainston. There’s been no official responses from JM or Jennifer, but I thought I’d mention it. I’m really in love with this song, not only because of the music, but the lyrics.
Lyrics:
Lighting strikes inside
My chest keep me up at night
Dream of ways to make you want to stay in my room
Clouds of sulfur in the air
Bombs are falling everywhere
It’s heartbreak warfare
Once you want it to begin
No one really ever wins
In heartbreak warfare
If you want more love
why don’t you say so
If you want more love
why don’t you say so
Drop his name, push it in and twist the knife again.
Watch my face as I pretend to feel no pain, pain, pain.
Clouds of sulfur in the air
Bombs are falling everywhere
It’s heartbreak warfare
Once you want it to begin
No one really ever wins
In heartbeak warfare
If you want more love
Why don’t you say so
If you want more love
Why don’t you say so
Just say so
How come the only way you know
How high to get me
Is to see how far I fall
God only knows how much
I’d love you if you let me
But I can’t break free at all
It’s heart, heartbreak warfare
I don’t care if we don’t sleep at all tonight
Let’s just fix this whole thing now
I swear to god we’re gonna get it right
If you put your weapons down
Red wine and ambien, you’re talking shit again
You’re talking shit again
It’s heartbreak warfare
Good to know its all a game
Disappointment has a name
It’s heartbreak, heartbreak
It’s heartbreak warfare
It’s heartbreak warfare
What do you all think of this new interaction? Is it awesome, creepy or just plain weird? Is it the way interactive media will be going?
♥ – Erin
