I love music videos.
I genuinely love music videos.
There is an art to it.
If done right…
They can make tangible something as intangible as music.
They can take something so abstract and make it concrete.
They amplify your emotions by tying a whole new sensation, vision, to music.
They just have a way of making music that much more powerful.
What happened to the music video?
It has all but disappeared.
What was once the mainstay of MTV barely exists today.
It’s been relocated to home movie projects and high school video assignments.
In many ways, it is due to the fact that they no longer have a place to live.
Of course there is youtube and myspace.
But what serious artists wants youtube to be the sole display of their work?
Who wants to place their art on myspace next to “<3 Just 4 da luv <3s “ self portraits?
Making music videos is no longer a respected form of expression.
Before legitimate film makers and artists would produce videos.
Today there is no need for them.
You are not going to hire Spike Lee to film 3 minutes of booty claps.
Though he might enjoy it.
Think back for a second to all the music videos you love.
How many of them were done after ’99?
Probably no more than one or two.
It’s Not because there hasn’t been good music produced.
There obviously has.
It’s just a dying art form.
In an attempt to revive music videos I’ve made a list.
A list to show how well they can work if they are done right.
A list of some of the best music videos… And one commercial.
Smashing Pumpkins – 1979
Anyone who saw this video when it first came out was absolutely certain that their teenage years would fucking kick ass. While most of us didn’t have this sweet of a childhood, this video is still really good.
Beastie Boys – Sabotage
I think there are few videos that capture the feel and vibe of a song as well as this one does. If you don’t like this video you probably are not very much fun to hang out with and I am glad we aren’t friends.
Fatboy Slim – Praise You
This video is proof that it doesn’t take a lot of money to make a great music video. I remember watching this video when I was young and thinking that even the weirdest people in the world could be totally cool people. Shows that just being yourself can really make you happy (even for nerds).
Bjork – All is full of love
This is quite possibly the best music videos ever done. The music is extremely cold sounding and ambient. The visuals are very dark and mechanic. Yet there is no way to stop from being entirely overwhelmed by it. I vividly remember the first time I ever watched this, and am jealous of anyone who gets to see it for the first time now.
VW Cabriolet Commercial (Nick Drake- Pink Moon)
While I know it is not a music video per se, I think this video show how even the appropriate pairing of music and visuals can be. It’s makes you feel as if that song wouldn’t make sense with any other video. I saw it once in 1998 and when asked to name my favorite ad in 2007 this is what came to my head.
Browse Timeline
- « Obituary: Original Video Ho Finds Out If Heaven Got A Ghetto
- » All I really need to know I learned from music videos.
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