Watch 'Puttin' on the Ritz' as a psychedelic, Mad Men–era fever dream
Pomplamoose/YouTube


I want to say maybe this is like an episode of Mad Men — or I Love Lucy, for that matter — as reinterpreted by a puppeteer tripping on psychedelics? In what's apparently becoming a trend — a welcome one — the band Pomplamoose just released a visually arresting video for an irresistibly catchy cover version of a classic song as a form of self-promotion. In this case, the song is Irving Berlin's "Puttin' On the Ritz," fair game ever since Taco covered the song in 1982.
Neither cover has much to do with Fred Astair's iconic rendition, but Pomplamoose — duo Jack Conte and Nataly Dawn — do a nice job with the oddly timeless 1929 tribute to gawking at the super-rich:
Here Taco's version, trippy in its own way. --Peter Weber
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Antigua's disturbing disappearances
Under the Radar Worried families, baffled authorities, and growing concern as the island searches for answers to its missing persons epidemic
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Chappell Roan and those parenting comments
Talking Point Gen Z popstar’s claim that parents are unhappy has been widely criticised
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Space ads could be coming to a sky near you
Under the radar Making space for commercial profits
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wife
speed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster show
Speed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar take top Grammys
Speed Read Beyoncé took home album of the year for 'Cowboy Carter' and Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us' won five awards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Louvre is giving 'Mona Lisa' her own room
Speed Read The world's most-visited art museum is getting a major renovation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published