I think videos that portray exactly what the lyrics of a song say are pointless in most cases. However, videos that have little or nothing to do with the actual message of a song are even more aimless. I have always wanted to see a video that can balance these two extremes and still be enjoyable to watch. "Death for My Birthday" already has visual lyrics with an endearing sense of levity so, as i was listening to it i had some ideas for a video. The basic concept was that max, for whatever reason, could not die. So in the video i wanted the viewer to see him tempting death in various ways without any success. With these thoughts in mind, this is my video idea for "Death for My Birthday".

There is an opening shot of max on the roof of a high rise in New York City or Los Angeles. He takes a deep breath and steps off the building and begins to fall with his back towards the pavement. We see his body smash into the roof of a car, hearing the enormous crash. After a moment's pause he gets up dusts himself off and the song begins.

As max is walking down various avenues and singing it becomes apparent that he is somehow immune to death.

Max makes his way to the door of an apartment and nails a scroll to the door reading, "I Want Death For My Birthday."

As soon as max has turned the corner a man (god) comes out the apartment and reads the note.

Now, in a split screen view, we see max (still singing and walking) and god on the phone with the grim reaper.

Next shot, still in split screen view, we see max making his way to his apartment and the grim reaper trying to catch a plane to wherever max is (and also the grim reaper on the plane with an in-flight magazine).

Next shot, in single view, max opening the door to his apartment to find a surprise party.
Meanwhile the grim reaper is in a cab on his way to max's apartment.
Cut back to max at his party, actually enjoying himself with the many people in attendance.

When the last section of the song begins ("oh sweet day his heart ceased to be..."), we see max in his apartment making his way to the balcony and as the crowd parts he sees the grim reaper standing there alone. Max walks up to the grim reaper, smiles and hugs him.

the end