Posted by Nate Jones on 08/30/2012 at 9:32 PM News

The Popdust Files: music videos, taylor swift, We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together

There’s a lot to like about Taylor Swift’s video for “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” from the one-take sleight-of-hand trickery, to the Michel Gondry-style cardboard sets, to the love interest looking just enough like Adam Levine to not be a total Jake Gyllenhaal stand-in. But the clear highlight, as least for us, is Taylor Swift’s backing band, who spend the entire video dressed in ridiculous animals costumes. If you’ve seen the video, you probably love them too. But which one is the best? Well, that’s what our Official Guide to the Woodland Creatures of “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” is for.




Fun facts about the “We Are Never” music video: it’s all in one take, shot with one camera, 5 costume changes, and woodland creatures.

— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) August 30, 2012

THE RACCOON

Instrument: Guitar

Demeanor: Attention-starved

Special skills: An unyielding hamminess that’s impossible to ignore

Our thoughts: When we said up top that we loved all the woodland creatures, we were lying. We do not like the Raccoon. There’s just something unsettling about him, like he has devil-eyes.

THE BEAR

Instrument: Autoharp

Demeanor: Cool

Special Skills: Strumming away without a care in the world in the middle of a crowded club

Our thoughts: If we can ever grow up to be as awesome as this guy, we will have done something right.

THE GORILLA

Instrument: Bass

Demeanor: Stoic, then “wacky”

Special Skills: A Great Stone Face to rival Buster Keaton

Our thoughts: We like him, but we don’t trust him.

THE MOOSE

Instrument: Keytar

Demeanor: Would you understand us if we said “Elvis Costello-ish”?

Special Skills: Not shaving

Our thoughts: Why is this guy hanging around in the margins? Put him front and center next time, Swift!

THE DONKEY

Instrument: Guitar

Demeanor: “Aw, shucks”

Special Skills: Being shy, getting down with the ladies

Our thoughts: Whoever chose this guy’s costume was right on the money.

THE SQUIRREL

Instrument: Violin

Demeanor: Crazed

Special Skills: Jumping up on couches to the beat of the song

Our thoughts: We want to party with this lady.

THE … THIS GUY ON THE LEFT

Instrument: ?

Demeanor: ??

Special Skills: ???

Our thoughts: Who is this guy?

What do you think of the video? Who’s’ your favorite furry creature?