Spike Jonze Surprises Karen O With “Ooo” Music Video Feat. Elle Fanning

September 16th, 2014

Nina Corcoran

Last week, Yeah Yeah Yeahs frontwoman Karen O shared her first ever solo album, a short release filled with minute-long songs about heartbreak, love, and isolation. Even though it was released in 2014, the songs were written years ago from the comfort of her bedroom when she was much younger. To capture that spirit, her ex and famous director Spike Jonze created a music video for the album’s opening track, “Ooo,” that speaks to what Crush Songs is all about.

The video sees Elle Fanning dancing around the New York Metropolitan Opera House in childish fanfare. It nails the mood of the song, likely because Jonze knows her style well from their collaboration on the Oscar-nominated Her. Watch the music video below (via Vice).

When Jonze shared the video, he also posted the following statement:

On Sunday we made a one-act play for my friend Humberto’s company, Opening Ceremony. The idea was to do a play instead of a regular fashion show during Fashion Week, and, miraculously, we were able to do it at the New York Metropolitan Opera House. (Thank you, Peter Gelb and everyone at the Met!) Also, this week my dear friend Karen is putting out her first solo album of precious, personal love and heartache gems titled Crush Songs. They are songs made so intimately and spontaneously alone in her bedroom a few years ago that they feel more like unguarded whispers from her heart than a traditionally produced album. So on Sunday, during a ten-minute break as we were rehearsing and lighting at the Met, we made a very impromptu “music video” for Karen in the spirit of her album. It just seemed like if you have the Opera House, that song, and Elle Fanning together, you shouldn’t let the opportunity go by. So we made this as a surprise gift for Karen to congratulate her on her album. She is going to see this for the first time as you do. I hope you enjoy.