Don't Say You(tube) Love Me

For your viewing pleasure, ten takes on "Don't Say You Love Me" by M2M, featured prominently in an upcoming column on twin-pop that I may expand on here, especially since seeing Marion Raven's video for "End of Me," which uses every visual trick in the book to make it look as though there are two or more of her. But no! Marion's persona is unified and confident; she's gone in the same diva direction she displays in (at least) one video here, where she basically flaunts her new pipes while Marit takes on the role of bandleader.

Here's the playlist link.



1. "Don't Say You Love Me" original audio and video

The Pokemon tie-in is pretty forced, the video is pretty fun. Even in their first video, Marion is positioned as the "primary" member M2M, with Marit standing off to the side. Or maybe the guitar just didn't fit in the car.

2. "Don't Say You Love Me" original video, acoustic audio

Pretty seamless swap of a later acoustic version of "DSYLM" with the original video. Significant for providing a link between M1 (to Marit's M2, far more difficult to distinguish their voices) and MARION RAVEN. This acoustic version was included on an import version of Shades of Purple (I think) and the M's voices cease to blur. Marion tries to steal the show but hasn't quite succeeded in overpowering Marit yet...

3. "Don't Say You Love Me" original video, karaoke audio!

This is so much fun! I sang along to it three times today already!

4. Interview: Marit and Marion discuss the "Don't Say You Love Me" video shoot.

Holy jeez, they are YOUNG. Have tensions already begun to rise? Why does Marion get to hold the mic?

5. "Don't Say You Love Me" backstage at a Toronto concert

Lovely impromptu acoustic performance. This relates somewhat to a theory I'v been trying to develop, that one thing that twin-pop, or maybe double-pop or duality-pop or secret sharer-pop, does is (appear to) prove the sort of "authenticity" the R-word demands. Part of the attraction is that they're singing at the same time -- there's (seemingly) nothing to hide, no overdub trickery required for harmonies. And beyond that, several twin-poppish groups play their own instruments -- M2M, Aly and AJ, Smoosh -- what more do you people want??? CANONIZE THESE GIRLS!

6. Marit Larsen performs "Don't Say You Love Me" solo

Already shared this one, but here it is again. Funny that Marit can get away with this cover and Marion probably couldn't touring her solo material.

7. "Don't Say You Love Me" live

Don't know where this is, but a pretty good performance. Marion tries to hype the crowd while Marit strums diligently. Cuts off before the last note, reminds me of a funny bit my dad did when we were kids, sing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" but at the "1-2-3 strikes you're out" part, skip "1" and hit the final "old ball game" a note early. Hilarity ensues.

8 and 9. Obligatory webcam singalong

Is there a buzzword for this phenomenon yet? Funny, in these two videos we get a pair of Marions (8) and a pair of Marits (9). Actually, they get the dynamic about right in the first video, but Marit's showing off a little too much (best moment is when they pick up a clock for "give me some time," second place is cradle motion for "you don't even know me baby").

10. "Don't Say You Love Me" by Sandy & Junior

WELL ARE THEY TWINS OR AREN'T THEY? NB: This is not the M2M song. I'm guessing the guy is Junior, he seems to be singing the higher parts!