Pitchfork Forkcast: Video: Robyn: "Be Mine"

Video: Robyn: "Be Mine"

More than two years after the original Swedish release of Robyn's self-titled album, the Stockholm-residing singer's plan for world domination is quite clear. Basically, re-issue everything, and then put out a new video for each new market. While the proper U.S. arrival of Robyn is finally set for soon-ish, Ms. Robin Carlsson is already on her fourth single over in England. Now, she's re-done the video for brave, tender, beats-laden "Be Mine" to see if the song can follow the British release of Kleerup collaboration "With Every Heartbeat" to the top of the UK charts.

The widescreen romance, the close-up heartbreak, the tug of the strings, or that casually crestfallen spoken-word bridge: There are many reasons "Be Mine" wound up at #21 on Pitchfork's top 50 singles of 2005. The original video was something pretty spectacular, too, artfully backing up Robyn's assertion on "Who's That Girl" (a song title that establishes a link with Madonna, among others) that "I'm only sexy when I say it's OK." Directed by Max Vitali, the new video takes a more literal approach. Still showing off dark eyebrows to contrast with her blond hair, Robyn is shown more or less acting out the song's lyrics. She'll still cut you in half "like I'm a magician," as she brags on "Konichiwa Bitches", but if it's a new "Be Mine" video you want, check out this piano-based version from Swedish TV.