The best part of Carly Rae Jepsen's new song "I Really Like You" is undoubtedly the fact that Tom Hanks appears in its music video. The actor is the focal point of the entire clip, which was a wise choice since this is the same guy who captivated audiences in Cast Away. Justin Bieber shows up as well, but he's no match for a lip-syncing Hanks dancing to an infectious pop tune.
There's no current explanation as to why Hanks decided to star in the music video, but it doesn't matter. He's awesome in it. His dramatic acting chops mixed with the fluffy lyrics, which somehow are even more cheesy than "Call Me Maybe," add some much-needed humor to the video. You wouldn't want to watch the clip if it was just Jepsen prancing through the streets. But Hanks commands attention as he struts like a mayoral candidate, dapping up strangers and signing autographs along the way.
Bieber makes an appearance at the end of the video and it's a little out of place. It would have been nice to just watch Hanks and Jepsen dance without stopping to say, "Why is Justin Bieber there?" It certainly doesn't ruin the music video though. Hanks is somehow able to elevate the song itself, which will end up becoming a pop powerhouse in the coming weeks. Check out the clip below.
"I Really Like You" is the first single to follow up Jepsen's 2012 album, Kiss. The singer wrote about the inspiration for the single in a press release.
"Lyrically, it's about that time in a relationship when it's too soon to say 'I love you,' but you're well past, 'I like you' and you're at the 'I really, really like you' stage,'" she said.
Jepsen conquered pop radio three years ago when "Call Me Maybe" climbed to the top of the charts. The song became an instant blessing to her young career and a bit of curse to any future material.
"I told her that she couldn't come out with anything unless it was on the level of 'Call Me Maybe.' And now we have a new one that is on that level," manager Scooter Braun said about "I Really Like You."
