A THREE-WAY CHART-TOPPING FEAT! Wo-hoo!

——————-

THE MYX CHALLENGE – WANNA MAKE HISTORY?

There seems to be some confusion re the challenge given to Archies wrt the release of Forevermore.

Not only are we being asked to make Forevermore MV #1 in Pinoy MYX Countdown, we also need to re-instate WAIT on the charts and make it #1 on MYX International Top (MIT) 20.

To be #1 on Pinoy MYX Countdown, MYX Hit Chart & MIT 20 , one has to lord over the MYX Daily Top Ten. Hence the daily vote is essential. In effect, the ranking in both Pinoy MYX Countdown and MYX Hit Chart is only a consequence of the MYX Daily Top Ten for OPM releases. The ranking in MIT20 is a consequence of the ranking on MYX Daily Top Ten for international releases.

The difference between the MYX Hit Chart and Pinoy MYX Countdown? The former covers both local & international releases while the latter is purely OPM. Meanwhile MIT20 is purely international releases.

Since Forevermore is a local release, it cannot qualify for MIT 20.

Why the challenge:Cos it has never been done before! David is in a unique position, straddling both local and international charts.

He is the only international artist who currently has both local and international releases and could potentially occupy the top spot at the same time.

That’s why this challenge is being asked of us.

One could argue that if we follow the natural pattern of a release, that WAIT may be over the hump. But I suppose that’s why it is called a challenge?

So as far as the challenge is concerned, we are just halfway through.

CAN WE DO IT?

Let me hear your thoughts!

———————-

Forevermore seats at the top slot on MYX Daily Top 10 for 10 consecutive days! Kati thanks us with a pic –

Congratulations David & Archies!

David’s Forevermore MV maintained its #1 ranking the whole week at MYX Daily Top Ten!

As a bonus, dear Kari sent us this BTS pic

Meanwhile, Nandito Ako and Forevermore continue to rule the MyMusicStore Chart

Continue voting dear FanFam!

Oh and if you want to revisit his OPM Album Presscon, don’t forget that TDC has an exclusive coverage of the whole event! You can check it out here -

[TDC Exclusive] OPM Album Full PressCon Coverage

THE STORE DISPLAY

The view from outside; Forever merch prominently displayed

Left side of the store entrance

Huge standee tobe raffled off later, located at the entrance

A table with a minis standee and more CD displays where people can buy or for those who pre-ordered,claim their posters

And this is what greets you at right smack in the middle of the aisle entrance!

So………. people have been tweeting/emailing me if I got a copy of the music video. Sorry to dIsappoint you folks… We were requested not to Ustream or record.

BUT I GOT SOME SCREENCAPS

READY? HAVE YOUR DEFIB ON STANDBY, OK?

The music video was playing w/o sound prior to the unveiling. When it was time to play it, the store turned on the flat screen displayed to the right side of the entrance, just beside the table I mentioned earlier.

And blasted away with Forevermore BLA-GA-DAG.

MYX & Yahoo will premiere the music video tomorrow so international fans will have access to an HD version of the video.

I tell ya: BLA-GA-DAG.

Archie go-getters! Early @ Astroplus DESPITE the huge rain that caused flooding & massive traffic. Thanks @JennaArchie for the pic

~ JR

ps: Had to leave early. Wasnt able to bond w/ my co-archies cause I was to complete something special that day. Hope my “little project” turn out well

——————————–

ONLINE PREMIERE OF FOREVEMORE

In his final video blog before he goes on a spiritual mission in South America, David Archuleta thanked his family, friends and fans who supported him throughout his career.

“I wouldn’t be here without all of you guys doing what you do. You guys have brought me on this journey. I appreciate being able to share what I’ve learned with you guys because of you guys,” he said.

And with that, David Archuleta leaves his avid followers an inspiring song that somehow summarizes his love for his mission and love for his fans.

Here’s the online premiere of David Archuleta’s newest music video “Forevermore” courtesy of Ivory Music and Video.

FOREVERMORE HQ – DAVID ARCHULETA

Finally! From theofficialarchuleta

———————

FOREVERMORE ALBUM DEBUTS @ #1 w/ ASTROPLUS!

From @Good4nothing

FOREVERMORE MV DEBUTS @ #4 on MYXph!

BTS PIX from Pin Antonio

Pilipina Antonio ‏ @pinantonio
❤hey friends! Buy David’s cd and they used our home❤..I did his hair and make up on this album❤ http://instagr.am/p/I4h4R1mjmU/

FINALLY AFTER A WEEK, FOREVERMORE MV GETS THE TOP SPOT @ MYXPH!

Congrats @DavidArchie & thanks to my tireless co-Archies! Let's keep this up!

It’s funny how things turn out. David announces a 2-year break from his showbiz career to answer his heart’s calling and ends up generating buzz that could rival his post-Idol days.

The mission announcement and the very concept of someone putting his career on hold to go on a mission, unknowingly gave David something that he has not had for a couple years now – heightened & widespread media/public attention.

And instead of winding down his showbiz affairs as everyone expected, what did the future Elder Archuleta do? Make waves with the Philippine entertainment industry! And in the process, leave his Archies with a treasure trove of gifts that would help the fandom during his two-year hiatus.

MyMusicStorePH notes:

With the success of his television miniseries Nandito Ako (Here I Am), David Archuleta sure made his mark in the Philippine entertainment industry and the hearts of Filipinos.

Nandito Ako is a story about Josh Bradley, a Filipino-American international singer who returns to the Philippines to search for his mother who was separated from him during a hotel fire when he was six, and presumed to be dead. In his search, he meets two very different girls – Anya Dionisio and Holly Posadas, and their lives become entangled as they seek out the truth.

Together with this miniseries, Archuleta also recorded a studio album that features Filipino songs. In this OPM album, Archuleta sang all-time hits such as “You Are My Song” originally by Martin Nievera, “Rainbow” by South Border, and “Tell Me” by Joey Albert.

The album Forevermore will be released in record stores this March. Several songs from that album such as the carrier track “Forevermore” and the miniseries theme song “Nandito Ako” are already available at MyMusicStore.com.ph.

Worldwide trend

He is currently back home in the United States but he keeps in contact with his Filipino fans and friends via social network sites such as Twitter.

Every week, his fans would post status messages about Nandito Ako episodes and these would trend worldwide.

During Nandito Ako’s mid-season run, “Nandito Ako Goes To Batangas” and “Road Trip with Josh Bradley” became number 4 and 5 worldwide Twitter trends.

“You guys are trending machines,” he told his fans in his account.

Now that the series in its final week, he posted another message, saying that he hopes everyone will enjoy the ending.

Two-year break

Nandito Ako and Forevermore are actually two of his last projects before he goes on a mission to serve The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This mission will take him about two years in which he would temporarily take a break from the entertainment industry.

Archuleta made the announcement on December 2011 in Utah, the second to the last stop in his “My Kind of Christmas” concert tour.

“It’s not because someone told me that I’m supposed to do it, and not because I no longer want to do music, but because it’s the feeling that I’ve felt I need to do this with my life,” Archuleta said during the concert.

“It’s just the same feeling that I’ve always tried to follow in my life. It’s the feeling that has allowed me to have the opportunities I’ve had–the challenges I’ve overcome, and the blessings too. And I’ve learned to trust that feeling and learned to answer when it calls. That’s the reason why I know I have to do this in my life,” he continued.

While fans are disappointed that they won’t be able to hear their idol for quite a while, they have expressed their support of his mission, as well as their eagerness for his comeback.

Meanwhile, Ivory Records, in cooperation with AstroPlus & Odyssey, is set to officially launch Forevermore Album & Music Video with a David Archuleta Fans’ Day this coming weekend. Manila Bulletin reports

To celebrate the release of David Archuleta’s latest album, “David Archuleta… Forevermore,” last March 26, David Archuleta fan gatherings will be held in select partner music stores in the Philippines on March 31. Fans who visit the designated stores on that day will get the chance to be one of the first to view David’s newest music video, “Forevermore.” Lots of exciting activities are in store for fans who will visit the designated stores. There will also be exclusive freebies, lots of fan interaction and of course the “Forevermore” album!

The fan gatherings will be held at Astroplus The Block at SM City North EDSA, and at Odyssey at SM Megamall.

More, AstroPlus is offering local and international shipping for online orders of “Forevermore” through its official Multiply account. David’s songs are also available for download online and through mobile phones.

Meanwhile, On April 1, David Archuleta’s video for “Forevermore” will premiere locally on MYX. For fans outside the Philippines, you can catch the online premiere on the same day (Manila Time) on Yahoo! Philippines.

“David Archuleta… Forevermore,” released by Ivory Music & Video and is touted as “what could be David Archuleta’s last album before his intended two-year break from the business to embark on an important spiritual mission,” is a collection of all original Filipino classic love songs written in English and composed by some of the Philippines renowned songwriters like Ogie Alcasid, Louie Ocampo, Jay Durias, Jimmy Antiporda, Cecil Azarcon, among others. The collection showcases some of the best love songs the country has produced. The songs will definitely invoke feelings of love and hope in every listener.

“Forevermore” and “Hold On” (both by Side A), “You Are My Song” (Martin Nievera) “I’ll Never Go” (Nexxus), “Tell Me” (Joey Albert), “Reaching Out,” (Gary Valenciano), and “Rainbow” (South Border) are some of the songs included in the album. The album pays tribute to not only OPM (Original Pilipino Music) but also to his countless fans who have been loyal throughout his career. The album is a gift and labor of love to his devoted fans. David wants his fans to know that he loves and appreciates them wherever he may go, “Forevermore.”

“I wouldn’t say that I sound better than the original singers because the singers here are so amazing. But I would hope that I could pay tribute to them with this album,” David said at the press conference for the album.

As an added treat to David’s fans, the album also includes “Nandito Ako”, from the TV5 mini-series of the same name, as a bonus track.

Who would’ve thought

Who would have thought that a mini-soap could turn into a global sensation? That it would showcase an untapped natural thespian in David?

That it could afford the fans a glimpse of the never-before-seen side of David — dramatic, sassy, romantic, angry, fist-fighting-hero-to-the-rescue — thereby fulfilling a thousand & one fantasies and wishes of the fandom! Who would’ve thought, eh? REALLY!

Topping the digital charts

The carrier single “Forevermore & the album’s bonus track “Nandito Ako” had been available for download from MyMusicStore for two weeks now.

For more than a week, both songs have occupied the top 2 spots of the MyMusicStore Charts.

The trend is similar for WOWHD & Amazon. The Forevermore CD is #1 at the WowHD site for the US & Canada; #2 in Australia and it is #9 in Japan, China, France and Hong Kong.

Overall across all sites, it is #7 and has been #7 for the past 30 days.

High note indeed

Career Boost

The dreaded absence from the limelight may turn out to be a blessing in disguise, literally. His decision to go on his mission could be a much needed turning point in his career and a defining moment for him as a celebrity cos seriously, who does that?

I think that when he comes back, people will be more curious about him. Media and the market may want to see what he will offer at that time, how the mission impacted him, how he has matured, how he will sound by then, what changes he will be prepared to make.

So, going away may well turn out to be the re-boot his career in the US needs as it paves the way for a smoother transition from a teenage heartthrob to an adult artist. As an aside, can you imagine what his voice will sound like by then? CHILLS!

It is the same re-boot he has achieved when he stayed in Manila for 38 days and virtually amped his game by playing lead in a romantic-drama series, modelling for Bench/Fix, singing a Tagalog song and recording a full OPM album of mushy & heart-rending love songs. The reluctant love crooner making goo-goo eyes plus courting a hug-fest with two leading ladies and then tackling a full-on romantic album which he wrapped in a record time of 4 days! Once more with feelings, WHO DOES THAT?! All for the love of his Archies & Arch Angels

Working till the 11th hour

And yet, he is not done. He is bent on finishing another album, back in the US, this time of the inspirational variety. So, if there is any proof of how hardworking David is, just look at the pictures below, posted today by Kari & Deseret Book, on the eve of his departure!

David has declared countless times — “I WILL COME BACK!” David will return to music… to us. As the song Rainbow says, “… my faith in you is clear.” So I know he will make good on that promise.

See you in two years, Elder Archuleta! Vaya con Dios dearest.

~JR
#DA2014

BTS Recording US album cr kari

BTS Recording US album cr Deseret

Deseret Book David Archuleta worked with Kurt Bestor and a string orchestra. Sounded incredible!

Deseret Book Here you can tell David is singing his heart out. Deseret Book was grateful to be able to spend these moments with David before he leaves on his mission and we wish him well!

Deseret Book Kurt provides a little comedy just before David leaves the studio.

Richard Parkinson family with David, as posted in FOD

@DavidArchie with Miriam Mayorga Cauley and Reina Mayorga Deliz Photo credit to @missitii91

———————–

David’s Farewell Vlog – It’s Not Goodbye!

Elder Archuleta Leaving for MTC Provo posted @ FOD live chat

MEDIA BUZZ

ABC4News on DA entering MTC (28 Mar)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFsvzi2JWU8

DA starts his 2-yr mission @ KSLNews (28 Mar)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uF1uZxoOCPI

KSL Special Feature in DA (28 Mar)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US01eovkuMU

KSLNews’ 5-on-5: Why Utahns Love DA (28 Mar)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pt8BCg8uPvU

Another coverage, this time from Fox25, Boston MA (28 Mar)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGqm7e4CUy0

from GTU TableTalk (29 Mar)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTt2JmOGv5U

From ClevverTV (29 Mar)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tKn_saQRGU

Enews (29 Mar)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40H3uhFzAWw

Fox16 News, Little Rock (30 Mar)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bOSsDycCGQ

Fox13 News, Utah mentions DA (02 Apr)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ND602tTTpl0

photo credit to emily4archie

Setlist
01 SBL
02 STR
03 ALTNOY
04 TOSOD
05 MKOP
06 ELEVATOR
07 FALLING STARS
08 ZERO GRAVITY
09 CRUSH
Plus PICTURES!

PERFORMANCES

01 SBL HD thanks to ShelleyFOD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yy4aXTn6bsU

01 SBL thanks to gurligurl3555

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jscKMR0XJRU

01 SBL thanks to vivalaglambert

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hl7mcuSTQ58

01 SBL thanks to davisthegecko

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0ywMR3s_ck

02 STR HD thanks to ShelleyFOD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ev4uIp3GkrI

02 STR HD thanks to jonerzz

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3rXuemy2Y8

02 STR thanks to gurligurl3555

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jx3uOxKT4c0

02 STR thanks to sparklystephhhh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4n5TvdGZnY

02 STR thanks to davisthegecko

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvDHw-CEXoM

03 ALTNOY FRONT&CENTER thanks to 8throwcenter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oi-Iszz-KfM

03 ALTNOY thanks to gurligurl3555

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9qSNg-GLWQ

03 ALTNOY thanks to joshuazgirl128

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_qePsoBcnw

03 ALTNOY thanks to davisthegecko

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE1DqVdwzro

04 TOSOD HD w/ Intro UPCLOSE thanks to ShelleyFOD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PalwHFrZBC0

04 TOSOD w/ Intro UPCLOSE thanks to emilyluvsarchie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJLOz00hopE

04 TOSOD FRONT & CENTER thanks to 8throwcenter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9relwIJyFgo

04 TOSOD w/ Intro thanks to gurligurl3555

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUCmntVmjOk

04 TOSOD thanks to joshuazgirl128

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKecz9cGgcQ

04 TOSOD thanks to sparklystephhhh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuugMtQO-H0

04 TOSOD w/ Intro thanks to davisthegecko

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_X2-lW3EYOY

04 MKOP HD UPCLOSE w/ INTRO thanks to ShelleyFOD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YktHAii9e3o

04 MKOP UPCLOSE w/ INTRO thanks to emilyluvsarchie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSlu-vKTD6I

05 MKOP FRONT&CENTER thanks to 8throwcenter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qqQ9lV4qLY

05 MKOP thanks to gurligurl3555

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9y1xIjev-o

05 MKOP thanks to joshuazgirl128

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KP6TqSUCDlE

05 MKOP thanks to vivalaglambert

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75P2oGMipPI

05 MKOP thanks to spraklystephhhh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgpGOoU9NLo

05 MKOP thanks to davisthegecko

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BRYfHSXZ0U

06 ELEVATOR HD thanks to ShelleyFOD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHkwZDFuPqs

06 ELEVATOR UPCLOSE thanks to 8throwcenter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLUj88db69U

06 ELEVATOR thanks to gurligurl3555

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqdVaG3OZnY

06 ELEVATOR thanks to davisthegecko

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zn7PUavJuu4

07 FALLING STARS HD thanks to ShelleyFOD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8VheUxTCmA

07 FALLING STARS thanks to gurligurl3555

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDF8WxUnr7g

07 FALLING STARS thanks to spraklystephhhh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPvHS5jFQfA

07 FALLING STARS thanks to davisthegecko

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPWiRyg-lq8

08 ZERO GRAVITY thanks to gurligurl3555

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSKGnxVDH7U

08 ZERO GRAVITY thanks to davisthegecko

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSgKi05jOMQ

09 CRUSH thanks to gurligurl3555

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTkx6cwWsCA

09 CRUSH thanks to davisthegecko

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dxe9wM1MsTs

ENHANCED AUDIO of Albany Show thanks to StarryNites01

PICTURES

01 Slideshow of IceCreamKPie
02 Gorgeous Pix thanks to Zammie255
03 More goooooorgoeus pics from Beth
04 Cathy_Kay’s Alabany Pix
05 SuttyGal’s Albany Montage
06 Rockstar’s Photobucket – all front row pix

It is David’s passion for what he loves that makes him the larger-than-life person he becomes on stage. Without this passion, his superlative voice would still be well worth listening to, but we would not have ODD. It is his passion that imbues his voice with the power to connect his heart to ours, and is, I believe, his true genius.

My first attempt at making a video was a playful experiment. I wanted to see what I could do and have fun in the process. It is a tongue firmly planted in cheek attempt to portray David’s sensual nature as something that must be reckoned with. In Christina Aguilera’s “Ain’t No Other Man,” the lyrics demanded a sensual charisma that David is more than capable of satisfying.

For my second video, I had a difficult time choosing the song. Then David sent out a blog and handed me the song I had been looking for: Matt Dukes’ “Rabbit.” I loved it from the start. On repeated listening, I heard the lines, “all your broken bones in a heap,” and “all your blood and guts are exposed,” as a reference to the sacrifice and courage an artist endures to bring their gift to the world.

My latest effort was to Sade’s “I Couldn’t Love You More.” As always, the song tells me what to do. The slow, soulful, sultry, groove of Sade seemed to demand that the video be done for the most part in slow motion. This, and only this, was my reason for using the effect.

In fact, many of the clips, when played back in real time, were more sensual and powerful that way than in slow motion. David has the gift of scintillating soul in his voice and movements that will, I believe and hope, become even more evident in his performances as he matures. Lyrically, it is an ode to ODD, of how absolutely and completely his fans love him. To those of us blessed to get him, he is pure, unadulterated joy.

~ Angelica

Video #1: “Ain’t No Other Man”

Video #2: “Rabbit”

Video #3: “I Couldn’t Love You More”

I don’t really know how it’s possible to take the adoration, the frenzy, the sheer manic passion that accompanies a David Archuleta concert and turn it into a tepid and lifeless snooze of a video, but gosh dang-it if Jive didn’t figure out a way to do just that.

Look, I can process the idea that Jive won’t do anything imaginative or interesting for David, I’ve accepted the fact that they want their payday and they’re gonna get it in the most efficient and economical way possible, but do they have to work against him? I mean, you have to really try to make footage of an Archuleta concert seem as contrived and soporific as this video does (I almost used the word colorless, until I realized that they meant to do that… talk about an unfortunate metaphor).

When this was first leaked by an Asia-based blog site, I thought at first — hoped, in fact — that it was a fan video. And certainly not one of the better ones. But I had my doubts even then. No fan, no matter how technically challenged, could make David seem so… milquetoast. The irony, of course, is that David is anything but milquetoast in concert.

This video conveys nothing of the David Archuleta we’ve seen in concert over the course of this year, nothing of the diversity of his audience, and — inexplicably — nothing of the real and sometimes frightening delirium to which many of his young fans often succumb. No, this is Safety David. A nice boy, a lovely singer, and evidently a performer of no real consequence.

This is the danger when you give the responsibility of an artists’ image to production people who don’t understand the artist or their work. They bring their preconceptions, misapprehensions, and cynicism into the edit room and turn out a product that reflects precisely the narrow-minded assumptions they had going in.

But I remain content! This too shall pass. And one day, David will meet producers and production people who get him… Who will not only capture the magic he creates in a theater, but who are able to retain and even augment that magic with their own skills and creativity such that the music and video that emerge from David 2.5 or 3.1 will be so much more resonant of David himself. All artists are challenged in their ability to find production people who get it. That’s why when artists finally do, they cling to them for dear life.

In the meantime, back to YouTube.

To the ladies (and a few gentlemen) of notingDavid: Please arrange for a strategically-placed floor pillow so that you don’t hit your head on the way down. I’m already hearing thuds and thwacks all over Archuland; the Archulemergency room is gonna be crowded tonight…

By allowing him to build the songs on his own, the setting does offer a greater glimpse of the true scope of David’s vocal prowess, and provides evidence of capabilities that were often truncated, compromised, or unrecognized in the studio production rush. But even though they are eminently preferable to the overblown studio treatments, the more holistic band-backed versions do tend to point up the rather insipid nature of most of the writing. David soars but the material sinks, which results in a fairly low altitude overall. In what is quickly becoming an obvious trend, the numbers on which David had a hand in writing are here again the most successful.

I feel like I am still watching potential more than execution with David. And some of it, quite frankly, is his own fault, however exacerbated by limiting circumstances like accelerated studio schedules or live performances that live people can only see recordings of. The truth is that there is a lid on this kid that we’ve only seen blown off in rare instances: finale night, Utah concerts, Tulsa. The lid has yet to be even cracked in the studio.

In the performing arts, there is a delicate dance between control and abandon. Because music has so far been the only dimension in David’s young life where he has allowed himself any abandon at all, most of his performances are both utterly thrilling and ultimately frustrating, as they remain at some level subject to the limitations he imposes on himself in other areas. Far be it from me to imply that David should relinquish his treasured incorruptibility, but a life led with the lid on isn’t likely to be abandoned in its entirety on the stage, in the studio, or anywhere in-between.

Ever since the Crush video leaked, there have been numerous threads throughput the web veering in all kinds of directions based on a suggestion in various blogs and forums that there was perhaps some ambiguity in the video, in a couple of shots, about who the main character (please note the use of the phrase main character, we’ll be seeing this again) was crushing on. I have commented on this on several occasions; there was long discussion about it here on notingDavid in a previous post; even David’s father made a remark about such comments. I felt it was time to go on the official record with some perspective. I think it’s important.

What I want to make clear about this question–and not just about the video–will already be familiar to most of notingDavid’s regular commentators and readers, because what I feel needs to be addressed are some persistent misunderstandings and unfortunate assumptions of the type that tend to emerge more often on other sites with broader memberships and more varied commentators. For better or worse, discussions here at notingDavid tend to be of a, shall we say, more theoretical nature. We try to keep the drama at a minimum (although gushing is tolerated!) and the respect at a premium. Still, I hope it will helpful for all to review some basics about this topic.

David is Separate From His Work
I explored this notion in a previous post, so please investigate that for more detail, but the point is very relevant here. The original questions about the video for Crush had nothing whatsoever to do with David’s own sexuality. They posed a question about a certain ambiguity that quite a few people saw in the video, which is a work of film fiction in which David is playing a character. Inevitably, some comments that followed this perfectly legitimate and interesting question sought to blur the line between the work and the person in irrelevant and disrespectful ways. It is important for those who feel compelled to defend David that they steer the discussion back to the premise–not to engage so-called haters, who usually want nothing other than to wreak havoc by getting people to react angrily.

David’s Personal Life is Not for Discussion
Attempts to “defend” David by insisting he is straight are no different than attempts to say he is gay.  They are equally invasive. It’s one of the reasons that his most thoughtful and caring fans cringe when clueless, vulgar reporters ask him about kissing or about girlfriends or about crushes. That crosses a line from discussions about David the artist to discussions about David the private person in precisely the same manner as if a reporter were to ask if he had a boyfriend. It’s no different. It involves assumptions about things that David has not chosen to put into the public discourse, and it is disrespectful to engage him or anyone else about it in discussion. Even more problematic is that well-intentioned fans who vociferously try to “defend David’s honor” by insisting he is straight are inadvertently supporting a persistent cultural prejudice that being gay is inherently wrong.

It Is Wise to Cultivate An Ambiguous Appeal
Let’s say for the sake of argument that there was some intentional ambiguity as to who the character in the video has a crush on. It’s David’s work, and so he might be reaching out to his gay fans to say, ‘hey, you guys have crushes, too.’ (Incidentally, on the gay blogs where this topic was brought up, the overwhelming conclusion in the comments was that there was no intentional gay subtext at all.) If David’s work now or in the future contains indications of ambiguous sexuality, then it means that he is being very smart about the diversity of his fan base, about what his cultural position and responsibilities are, and about conveying a broad and compassionate world view. There are many artists who do this with a great deal of conscious intention. And if the line between the artist and the person gets blurred (as it will inevitably be by less sophisticated minds), so what? If anything, it makes the person more interesting and more appealing to a larger and more diverse audience.

Finally, I think it is very interesting to consider that precisely because David chooses to avoid explicit expressions of romance or sensuality in his work–in stark contrast to most of his artistic peers–that the question of orientation (in the work) is likely to be more open than it would otherwise be. In other words, David’s commitment to reserve in this matter may, in and of itself, leave the door open wider for different interpretations by his diverse audience. Personally, I think that’s a pretty cool consequence of a preference for wholesomeness.