Fall Out Boy Use Their Celebrity For Good

Of all the innumerable transgressions MTV has committed in the last decade, the marginalization of music videos is perhaps the most unfortunate, especially since every once in a while a well known pop band will decide to dislodge its head from its ass and make something worthwhile. Fall Out Boy teamed up with the non-profit organization Invisible Children to make the video for their new single “Me and You” and come out smelling like roses, unlike certain other rock bands who attempt to make a statement via music video.

The video follows a young love story in the Gulu Township of Norther Uganda interrupted by warfare and forced child soldiering. It’s incredibly sad–like, make-you-renew-your-Amnesty-International-membership-sad–but almost surprisingly tasteful. The tone is a cut above “Aw, look at the poor Africans” Oprah territory, and far less self-righteous than a Bono outing. It’s a little strange to associate the–let’s be honest–frivolity of Fall Out Boy with such a weighty issue, but they stay in the background for the most part, and are seemingly pretty sincere about using their celebrity to raise awareness. Plus the song itself is damn decent. Unfortunately MTV will be too busy counting down Aly & AJ’s favorite episodes of My Super Sweet 16 to notice.

Video Premiere: Fall Out Boy, “Me & You” [PopEater]