Cradle Song
Music Video Concept/Script
By
Rico Lamoureux
Song
By
Rob Thomas
All Rights Reserved
FADE IN:
In his small living quarters Rob puts on his coat and hat (back to camera) and wraps a scarf around his neck (turning to camera) as he leaves…
He closes the door to his humble room and starts to head down the hall…
MATCH CUT:
Breathing out the night’s cool crisp air Rob walks down a quiet street, only a few souls out.
DISSOLVE TO:
A homeless guy with squeegee and towel tries to offer a window cleaning to a stopped car, but it drives off.
As Rob passes he places one hand on the poor man’s shoulder while slipping some money into his palm as they shake hands.
Speechless, the guy holds up his squeegee but can’t offer anything, placing his hand over his heart in gratitude as the two smile at each other.
LYRICS
Everybody’s got a different story
Everybody wanna give their selves away
But I’m still afraid
DISSOLVE TO:
From extreme close-up we fall back on Rob as he puts on a pair of hole-filled shoes, the nearby homeless man that is brought into frame staring up at him with a look of question, Rob’s warm shiny boots beside him.
With a nod that his swapped shoes fit Rob places his hat on the man’s head as he continues on his way.
LYRICS
If we can stay out of their field of vision
If we can keep ourselves a half a world away
Ah honey
We’ll be okay
DISSOLVE TO:
Atop some wide open outside steps Rob sings with mic/mic stand… (Background out of focus/floating camera covering him)
LYRICS
(Rob singing)
The world can be so cruel
but I will sing for you
This cradlesong
all night long
DISSOLVE TO:
Handed some take-out at an all-night food stand Rob continues on his way.
LYRICS
Everybody’s got their own opinion
Everybody’s got a place where they belong
Like a favorite song
DISSOLVE TO:
He hands off the bag of food to an old veteran beggar in a wheelchair.
LYRICS
And I don’t wanna be a faded memory
I don’t wanna be the ghost that you can’t shake
I wanna be the real thing
Turns back long enough to give him a friendly salute as he keeps walking.
LYRICS
The world can be so cruel
but I will sing for you
This cradlesong
all night long
Yeah
all night long
Yeah
all night long
DISSOLVE TO:
Rob atop the stairs.
LYRICS
(Rob singing)
No one said that we were victims
honey
No one said we had to keep the things we get
There ain’t no regrets
DURING INSTRUMENTAL SECTION Rob stands with a doctor outside a patient’s room as he’s given the status.
He turns and looks towards the ill-fated woman inside.
Now at the side of the dying cancer patient and with his consoling hands embracing hers he keeps his eyes locked onto hers to provide some solace as she leaves this life.
Lips pressed together in deep emotion he nods his head that it’s all right for her to move on.
DISSOLVE TO:
Rob continuing on down a lonely night’s street.
LYRICS
And all our friends
they moved to Hollywood
But we ain’t that desperate yet
Oh no
Oh ain’t nothin’ like the real thing
DISSOLVE TO:
He arrives at the foot of those outside steps, a bunch of people gathered around to warmly greet him (including some familiar faces) as he makes his way up to the top where a mic/mic stand waits for him…
LYRICS
The world can be so cruel
Let me sing to you
This cradlesong
all night long
As he starts to sing into the mic he begins to remove his scarf…
And jacket…
Revealing the priest garb which lies beneath it.
He really starts to get into his performance, which provides some joy to those whose lives he has touched.
LYRICS
(Rob singing)
The world can be so cruel
but I was sing for you
This cradlesong
all night long
This cradlesong
This cradlesong
Yeah
all night long
Sing it all night long
Yeah
all night long
Sing it all night long
all night long…
We slowly fall back, revealing the steps they stand upon belongs to that of a church.
Higher we go, showing the city they live in…
The country…
The planet, the landmasses coming together to form a hand in need being embraced by a hand of mercy.
FADE OUT:
