Elton John - A Word In Spanish [HQ]

What this video is

Released in 1988 as part of Elton John's Reg Strikes Back — his self-described comeback album following a period of throat surgery and personal turmoil. The single reached No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was described by Cash Box as 'a Spanish-guitar tinged ballad' recalling the originality of the classic John-Taupin catalogue. The video's Latin street-culture aesthetic and choreographed romantic rivalry…

Why it matters

Represents the mature phase of the MTV promo-video format, where adult-contemporary ballads were given full narrative short-film treatment. Documents the late-80s convergence of choreographed storytelling, Latin cultural signifiers, and theatrical pop production — a distinct strand of British rock…

The director

Born 23 June 1953, Melbourne, Australia. Pioneer music video director who helmed the first video aired on MTV (The Buggles' 'Video Killed the Radio Star', 1979). Directed landmark videos for Duran Duran, Bonnie Tyler, Elton John, Billy Joel, and Fleetwood…