The year is 1989. The month is August.
You’re about two weeks removed from perhaps the most embarrassing moment in music history. On July 21, 1989, during a live performance at the Lake Compounce theme park in Bristol, Connecticut, the pop duo Milli Vanilli is caught lip syncing. There is no denying what happened—while (not) singing their hit, “Girl You Know it’s True,” the words and music keep repeating. And repeating. And repeating. Here’s the clip.
So, again, now it’s August. And while the vast majority of people have kicked Milli Vanilli to the curb; have thrown away their records and torn up their posters—you refuse. You are steadfast in your belief that—proof me damned—the two members of Milli Vanilla are singing. You saw their lips move. You know, deep down, they’re artists.
You believe.
So you turn out for the next gig, a sucker in a largely empty arena.
A sucker there for the show.
•••
Tonight, Donald Trump spoke in Minneapolis.
