History of Music Videos

Bob Dylan Subterranean Homesick Blues

Known as the first music video ever, it is a simple 2.18 minute long production that doesn't stick to any of the main typical conventions we see today. We see the artist Bob dylan to the side of the mid-shot, holding a series of cards with the lyrics written on, he puts the cards in order to the song. So when we hear the song lyrics we see them too. A simple idea that worked well.

The key ideas that led the increase of the music promo were TV music programmes such as 'Top of the Pops' this was shown on TV every week and would show performance from chart based music with with either live or mimed performances, short films were used to fill band absences, this is what started the music promo and from there is grew to billion dollor industry.

 

Michael Jackson Thriller 1984

The full music video lasted an epic 14 minutes and is high regarded to many that it is the greatest music video of all time due to the exciting revolution it give to the industry.

Although in many ways it isn’t a convention music video it does still stick to typical elements they you would expect to see for example the clear relationship between the lyrics and the visuals in the video. Even just looking at the name of the song you can instantly see and know the genre is pop/horror as a result they expect those types of elements in the promo. Especially in this video the visuals and lyrics play an important part in making it unique and different. We see the use of close ups of the lead singer which is a popular convention of most music videos. But there is another reason not just to highlight the pop star instead it makes it easy for the audience to see the visual change in his appearance which is relevant in the lyrics. (From a human being to a zombie) The use of long shots are almost used in a similar way to a movie, it almost has a similar feel--the shots are designed to give the audience a wider picture, to see the mise-en-scene used. This helps to set the gothic horror scene for the audience.

Narrative plays a huge part in the music video right from the start we are shown two main characters, in a setting that features gothic, horror elements. The use of backing dancers adds depth and features the iconic routine of Michael Jackson. It is interesting to see there is a clear link between him and his routines throughout all his music videos

Queen Bohemian Rhapsoy 1975

One if that the most influential music video of its time it truly changed the way we see music video and how they are produced. With a total of 6:07 it was very long at the time of history--not sticking to the traditional 3 and half minute long this was different. As a result it broke expectations.

The first shot we see is a mid-shot of all four band mates in near darkness with a single vertical light the shines slightly over their faces to reveal a small amount of them. Allowing the audience to just make out which band member is who but still maintaining a sense of mystery and hiddenness to the video. It is interesting to think about, because it shows that they weren’t famous or didn’t see themselves as famous because of their looks. In contrast to popular music video out now the band is in every single shot. The editing of the video uses cross-fades in particular a close up of Freddie Mercury, this continues the mysterious theme as we can’t properly see his eyes--almost making it unnerving to the audience. Technically this was new to the time so the use of it was very significant. Through this editing technique it allowed the audience to see who the lead singer is and is still used in today’s music videos. Proving it is very much ahead of its time, is still used as inspiration to today’s artists. The use of live footage of the band play there instruments, it gives the impression that they are real musicians and that you’re almost are a Queen concert. Again this is another typical convention that is used by today’s music videos. This convention can almost work in the band favor and intrige the audience to want to go to their concert or not want to see the artist performance. A brave move but worked extremely well within the music video. The use of close ups ealling give a real sense of the passion in the eyes of Freddie Mercury and he is the creative mind behind the band. It is interesting to consider that he is not the prettiest artist but it wasn’t about that-it was about the music in contract to today’s society where image is extremely important and sometimes take over the music.
 

Britney Spears Baby one for time 2000s

Baby One More Time was among the best-selling albums of 1999; the single sold 500,000 copies on its release day and is to this date one of the most successful songs ever released by a teenager.

 This song signaled the rise of the pop princess. It’s been so often parodied.  It was pure pop drivel, but it was perfectly marketed and served its purpose well.

This iconic 90s music video emphasis fashion trends through the outfits we see the lead singer in, crop tops, jogging bottoms, short skirt and knee high sock. This gives me the impression that this music video is very commercial driven and the music isn’t the main focus to the artist or the potential fans that might me watching. This creates contrast with the Queen’s music video where the main feature is Mercury’s voice not on looks. This shows the development that the music industry has been through in particular were music videos are concerned.  The whole promo seems glamourized and fake, the use backing dancers and cut away of images of hot boys make a truly stereotypical pop video. The use of close up of the lead singer give the impression she is the star and the audiences main focus the attention is on her. This is a very typical convention used continually throughout the years of music video making and will carry on to the future—especially in the pop gene as it is very image driven. The setting of a school is something that most people can relate to, she is playing the role of the “popular girl” which allows the audience to dream to be like, and they believe they want to be her. This is a key example of playing to all the cliché pop stereotypes. To reinforce this theme we see a shot of Britney running with everyone following her also giving the impression she is desired and wanted. Looking over recent music video we learn that this is a very convention pop video the use of backing dancers, extreme close ups of the lead singer, the use of glamourizing reality a huge contrast with the early Beatles and Queen. This not only shows the development in the music video but how people’s attitude and how society changed our deception of what a musician should be like. It interesting to think that the way music is represented today would the Beatles and Bob Dylan still appeal to the audience