Than Words - Extreme - More

Collaborative creation of CGTarian team and DreamWorks Animation Studios specialists.

The music video played a crucial role in the song's ascent. Shot in stark black and white, it featured Cherone and Bettencourt sitting on stools, surrounded by their "idling" bandmates who were reading magazines or simply hanging out. This visual choice emphasized the song's intimacy and reinforced the idea that the band was taking a deliberate break from their loud, high-energy persona to share something vulnerable. It became an MTV staple, cementing the image of the long-haired rock star with a sensitive soul. Cultural Legacy and "The Blessing and the Curse"

Lyrically, the song is a philosophical plea for authenticity. It challenges the cliché of saying "I love you," arguing that the phrase has become a hollow social reflex. The narrator posits that true affection is found in "the things you do," rather than the words you speak. It is an anthem of "show, don't tell." This message resonated deeply with a generation seeking emotional depth, turning the song into a universal soundtrack for high school proms, weddings, and late-night radio dedications. The Visual Identity

Despite this, the song’s legacy is undeniable. It paved the way for the "Unplugged" era of the 1990s and remains a masterclass in songwriting and harmony. Decades later, its opening chords are instantly recognizable, proving that sometimes, the quietest songs make the loudest impact.

The 1990 ballad "More Than Words" by the Boston-based rock band Extreme is a rare example of a song that both defined and transcended its era. While the early 90s were dominated by the heavy distortion of hair metal and the impending arrival of grunge, Extreme—a band known for their technical funk-metal prowess—achieved global immortality through a simple, two-part acoustic harmony. A Departure from Form

To understand the impact of "More Than Words," one must look at Extreme’s broader identity. The band, led by vocalist Gary Cherone and virtuoso guitarist Nuno Bettencourt, was deeply rooted in complex arrangements and heavy riffs. However, "More Than Words" stripped everything away. Eschewing drums, bass, and electric amplification, the song relies entirely on Bettencourt’s percussive acoustic guitar style and the duo's seamless vocal blend. This minimalism was a bold move for a "rock" band, yet it provided a necessary breath of fresh air in a saturated media landscape. The Lyrical Argument

The success of "More Than Words" was a double-edged sword for Extreme. It catapulted their album, Pornograffitti , to multi-platinum status and made them household names. However, it also pigeonholed them as a "ballad band" in the eyes of the general public. Many fans who bought the album for its acoustic softness were surprised to find a record filled with aggressive, rhythmically complex hard rock.

Ray Rig Video Tutorials

Below you will find video tutorials that will help you to get to know Ray and it's functionality.

Ray Rig Introduction

Get to know Ray

In this video Dreamworks' animator and CGTarian online school mentor Mike Saffianoff introduces a rig of Ray character and shows its functionality.

Naturalistic blink

Character Close-Up: Crafting a Believable Face course.

This video fragment of Mike Safianoff's (Dreamworks) lecture tells us how to create natural blinking animation.

Expressive Eyes

Character Close-Up: Crafting a Believable Face course.

Another piece of Mike Safianoff's (Dreamworks) lecture, where he tells how to create expressive eye animation.

Eye movements

Character Close-Up: Crafting a Believable Face course.

In this video Mike Safianoff's (Dreamworks) shows us important points in eye movement animation.

Ray is not working?

Feed him, chat to him, let him rest and if Ray still refuses to work - please report to us.

We accept Ray's malfunctioning reports, but do not provide personal assistance.
Reported malfunctioning may be fixed at different times.

Report Rays' malfunctioning


By completing this form I agree with conditions stated on the left and give my permission to be emailed Ray character, discount codes and other CGTarian messages.