I had the pleasure of going to the UMG showcase at the Ryman during the Country Radio Seminar (CRS) week back in February. It is one of the coolest events I've ever been to and an interesting peek into the business. It was a star-studded lineup that featured one great performance after another with a few that managed to outshine all the others. Not an easy thing to accomplish at this showcase! One of these standouts was Mr. Eric Paslay. Now I saw Eric at 3rd and Lindsley here in Nashville a few years ago and really liked him. Great voice, great songwriter and comes across as a cool guy. I was looking forward to seeing him again, even if it was only one song. As is the case at the UMG showcase. All but one of the perfomers (Keith Urban being the exception; he did a second song to close out the show) only did one song. The whole point of the showcase is to entice radio to play all these artists. It's kind of part concert and part boardroom meeting. It's a pretty fascinating event to attend.
Given the energy of both the song and Eric himself, I was expecting this video to be a blast to watch and I was right. Check it out.
"High Class" seems to have taken a lot of people by surprise and I think that's a good thing. Eric's gotten some criticism for this song that I feel is unwarranted. I mean, if you don't like it, you don't like it. But at least take it for what it is. A fun, upbeat song that makes people (most, at least) want to get up and dance along. It's not supposed to be "He Stopped Loving Her Today", y'all. Just had to get that out of my system.
In any event, I was looking forward to seeing Eric. I figured he'd be good. I did not expect him to completely blow my mind. Nor did the majority of the audience. There were a whole lot of people buzzing about it afterwards and for good reason. The song was "High Class". The performance was high energy. And the audience lost their minds. Turns out that Eric Paslay's got some moves! My jaw actually dropped. There's some videos of the performance floating around online and they're worth looking for, but they only give a taste of what the crowd reaction was like. Y'all, he lit that place up! I can't even describe just how much fun it was to watch. I was thoroughly entertained and didn't want him to leave. He had that audience in the palm of his hands and there's a lot of artists out there who could learn a few things from that. Namely, that incredible things happen when you project energy into the audience. Not just to the first few rows either, but throughout the entire venue. It's so infectious. Energetic performers will always be my favorite kind. Always.
Given the energy of both the song and Eric himself, I was expecting this video to be a blast to watch and I was right. Check it out.
I feel that the video is the perfect complement for the song. I like the way it starts off with Eric in regular clothes in first the alley and then the kitchen and then the transformation at the mirror. Great idea that was executed very well. "Tonight we class class", indeed. The video has a bit of a throwback feel with all the cool outfits that I love. Seriously, I'm really not all that into fashion, but I just love the way everyone looks in this. Plus this kind of dancing is so much fun to watch. Everyone looks like they're genuinely enjoying themselves which really makes the song come alive. It's not often that a music video gives off this much energy and that is probably my favorite thing about it.
It's impossible for me to watch this without tapping my foot at the very least or outright dancing along which is more often the case. Well, attempting to if I'm being honest. A great dancer, I ain't. But you know what? That's okay. "High Class" is all about having a good time and if you're having fun, that's what matters. Like the cameos by Maddie & Tae, Charles Kelley and Kristian Bush. Don't think I'm missing anyone. Did you catch them all? Go back and watch, if you didn't. I always like it when you see other artists in a video. It gives it a little something extra.
It's impossible for me to watch this without tapping my foot at the very least or outright dancing along which is more often the case. Well, attempting to if I'm being honest. A great dancer, I ain't. But you know what? That's okay. "High Class" is all about having a good time and if you're having fun, that's what matters. Like the cameos by Maddie & Tae, Charles Kelley and Kristian Bush. Don't think I'm missing anyone. Did you catch them all? Go back and watch, if you didn't. I always like it when you see other artists in a video. It gives it a little something extra.
Energetic song with an entertaining video. Works for me! If it works for you as well, keep up with Eric here:
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