I've never seen a moving image with a better soundtrack in my life than the one that's in the video above of a young couple having a flailing, embarrassing public argument while an older hippy/crazy dances blissfully nearby. Not "Don't Stop Believin'" as a mulleted Charlize Theron makes out in the rain with a differently mulleted Christina Ricci. Not "Don't Stop Believin'" as Tony Soprano unwittingly awaits his fate. Not "Born Slippy" as Renton makes off with the cash. Not "Stuck in the Middle with You" during an ear amputation. Not "Oh Yeah" as a battered Principal Rooney boards the bus in Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Not "Oh Yeah" in The Secret of My Success. Or She's Out of Control. Or K-9. Or Soul Plane.
You get my point. Best soundtrack ever. Here's the description of what's going on via the source (Aaron Meyers' Tumblr):
Yesterday while seeing some of the Siren Festival at Coney Island, we detoured to Beer Island for some drinks. At the table right next to us, this couple was having the most intense fight for the entire hour and a half we were there. Meanwhile, this kind of crazy older lady comes in and starts busting all these dance moves (sometimes scandalously involving younger male patrons). Jeff caught this amazing little clip of both things happening. Just to be clear on the context, this is not a little isolated moment… these two things were both happening next to each other for a LONG TIME. Beer Island = awesome.
(via Max Silvestri)
It looked like she was the only one fighting.
Posted by: robert | July 21, 2009 at 12:49 PM
This is the best!! She looks like she's the only one fighting because that's how straight white guys fight, refusing to participate.
Posted by: Vanessa | July 21, 2009 at 01:05 PM
Best. Dancing. Ever.
Posted by: Suzy | July 21, 2009 at 02:49 PM
He must have done something BAD. He has that total look of shame guys get when they've screwed up royally & know it, and are just waiting out their girl's rant hoping she gets over it before he loses his cool and yells back.
On the plus side, crazy lady dancing looks exactly like my redneck next door neighbor. I'll never see her the same way again. Love the way she seductively lifts her shirt for a peek. Hilarious.
Nice juxtaposing.
Posted by: Vicki | July 21, 2009 at 02:58 PM
I went to see Billy Squier on Friday night (don't judge. That man still rocks. Plus, the tix were free.) I saw an awesome girl fist fight during poor John Waite's set. Then on the way out, I saw a fairly large girl posing for pix with her shirt over her head. I thought I was back in the South. Beer Island is a state of mind.
The laughter (and/or hysterical weeping) in the background at the end really complete it for me.
(two Vanessa's I see. Hello V.)
Posted by: Vanessa M | July 21, 2009 at 02:59 PM
i need to visit this island ASAP
Posted by: raymi | July 21, 2009 at 03:26 PM
Vanessa M. -the redneck neighbor I'm referring to in the above post is down here in the South. I'm a NY girl who has been transplanted, so I never got used to the redneck vibe from the people next door. It comforts me to see it in video shot in NY too.
I still *heart* Billy Squier.
Posted by: Vicki | July 21, 2009 at 03:34 PM
Born Slippy is an amazing track.
Posted by: Margaret | July 21, 2009 at 03:57 PM
When I see things like this, it reminds me how awesome life can be.
Posted by: maria c | July 21, 2009 at 05:27 PM
this video is, quite simply put, fabulous. although i hope never to be a bitchy girlfriend who is too wrapped up in arguing with her boyfriend to notice/have the will to ignore that magnificent drunk powerdancer.
Posted by: molly | July 21, 2009 at 09:18 PM
That dancing lady is my goal. Ahh, to be that chill.
Posted by: Alison | July 21, 2009 at 09:34 PM
Were you at one of my family gatherings? That about sums it up, though it's missing alot more drinking.
Posted by: rustyspigot | July 21, 2009 at 10:07 PM
Beer Island seems to bring out the best in people.
Posted by: dinah shore | July 21, 2009 at 11:47 PM
Nobody got punched in the face so it looks like a pretty good time was had by most. I'm going to try and work on my posture next time I'm fighting with my significant other, so I don't get angry-girl hunchback syndrome.
Posted by: Miss Lisa | July 22, 2009 at 01:28 AM
Fabulous. Second view here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv99VKHDYwQ
Posted by: frankie | July 22, 2009 at 01:36 AM
Holy.
Shit.
All I could think of was this song from Kenan Bell that has the line "Joy & Pain, Joy & Pain" over and over again. If I had the skillz I'd slow the video down and put that music in.
http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/2/1/723220/03%20Enjoy.mp3
Posted by: katie may | July 22, 2009 at 02:04 AM
Oh this is going viral so fast. Joy and Pain indeed.
Posted by: Sarah | July 22, 2009 at 03:06 AM
PRICELESS!almost like a crazy person talking to themselves on the street while you are doing something serious
Posted by: heidi | July 22, 2009 at 09:12 AM
THIS IS AMAZING.
Posted by: katie | July 22, 2009 at 09:49 AM
Hi Vanessa M! For most of the 70s and 80s I was the only Vanessa I ever knew so I started thinking I didn't have to identify myself further. Very self centered of me.
Oh, and the white girl angry hunchback is a direct result of the white boy argument withdrawal. He keeps pulling away and she keeps moving forward. It's so classic.
Posted by: Vanessa H | July 22, 2009 at 10:38 AM
The contrast is just slightly fabulous. I love the music, the hyperactive white girl bitching out the guy (probably for his outfit) and the fact that there are all these tables just kickin it in gravel. Oh, and the dancing "hippie".
Posted by: GraphicsDept | July 22, 2009 at 11:15 AM
Excellent. All of it.
Posted by: liz | July 22, 2009 at 12:28 PM
Vanessa H-
Hi! When I was a child, I too thought I was the only one. My parents once went on vacation and came back telling me they met another Vanessa (maybe it was you?) I thought they were lying. I truly had no conception of another one being possible. I grew up in semi-rural Kentucky where the name is not common.
No matter where we are Vicki, Beer Island is unfortunately bared midriff away. Ahh, unity.
You are right to still heart Billy. I would still do him. Fact!
Posted by: Vanessa M | July 22, 2009 at 02:44 PM
I lived in a town with about 1000 Vanessas. Nothing special.
-straight whiteboy
Posted by: Manessa | July 22, 2009 at 03:54 PM
my friends and i saw this same fight going down in this same place on beer island (minus the awesome dancing) at 11pm. we were just watching the show. at one point she took his phone and was really unhappy about someone he had been communicating with. oh man. INTENSE. then they left together.
Posted by: beerislandrules | July 22, 2009 at 04:21 PM