Sia’s Elastic Heart video–creepy or artistic

Sia charmed with another hit, “Elastic Heart,” released this year.

As the song floated through my mind, blaring on high from my Pandora app, I pictured Sia or some actress singing, looking into the camera with big, blue-crying eyes with  rain slowly falling down a  grey backdrop.

The whole scene would suddenly burst into color and fire and she proclaims, “Well, I’ve got thick skin and an elastic heart, But your blade it might be too sharp,I’m like a rubber band until you pull too hard, I may snap and I move fast, But you won’t see me fall apart, Cause I’ve got an elastic heart.”

Instead, there is a white backdrop filled with a huge cage, a little girl in a platinum wig and a shirtless Shia LaBeouf.

I did not picture a little kid from “Dance Moms” and the boy I watched grow up on-screen  from “Even Stevens,” “Holes” and “Transformers” to be running around in an iron cage. It reminded me of Miley Cyrus’ “Can’t Be Tamed” video, except that was just teasing fun.

The beat is catchy and pulsing, with sincere, saccharine, and rebellious lyrics in equal parts. Sia croons, “And another one bites the dust, Oh why can I not conquer love?” Later adding,“Yeah, let’s be clear, I’ll trust no one.”

I felt as though this video was borderline creepy; although I am sure there is some profound meaning.

Music videos rarely make sense. I don’t think I’m the only one that listens to a song and instantly wants to star in my own elaborate music video for it.

Sia is almost forty-years-old and is (semi) claiming the spotlight this year. She does not appear in her music videos, and when singing live, refuses to face the audience.Sia is the same voice that sang David Guetta’s “Titanium”, made immortal by the movie “Pitch Perfect.”

Although I love the “Chandelier” song, the video has the same strange atmosphere that “Elastic Heart” follows.

“I’m going to swing from the chandelier” is a  popular line, played on repeat this summer from songtress Sia. No, the song is not about a party gone too far and ornate crystal lighting. Her dark party anthem “Chandelier” is about drinking and trying to pick up the pieces, when everything seems to be falling apart.

Maddie Ziegler spins, leaps, splits and plies in a tan colored leotard around a dingy looking apartment. At one point, she holds curtains across her face, looking as though she will strangle herself.

In the song, Sia sings, “But I’m holding on for dear life, won’t look down, and won’t open my eyes, Keep my glass full until morning light, ‘cause I’m just holding on for tonight.”

Are the videos just creating depth for the content or are they going too far? Are people just uncomfortable that the video is not the typical movie kind of a situation? Is it too artsy and obscure?

Sia is an incredible artist, and I give credit to a songwriter who adored “Chandelier” so much that she felt compelled to sing it and make it her own (even though it was intended for Rihanna.)

I just wish that the videos could have had an alternate ending, or go in an entirely different creative direction. Maybe I could help her plan it?

Regardless, the songs are catchy and deserve their place on the radio. Beneath the irresistible beat are meaningful lyrics that need to be sung.