MUSIC VIDEO TIMELINE
We first need to establish what a MUSIC VIDEO is. It can simply be just a song and a video mixed together, it could be a story, an animation, or just lyrics on the screen as music is playing. These are just a few of the different styles of music videos according to Epik Music Videos. If you listen closely to the songs and pay attention to the lyrics of the songs throughout the MUSIC VIDEO, one might be able to understand the message the artist is trying to portray in their work if it isn’t just a live performance. Even through lyric videos one might be able to understand the meaning behind a song lyric if the lyric’s text is emphasized in a certain way. This example correlates to project 7 in Language, Text & Technology because typography was the key focus and the goal of this project was to think of a song lyric and think about the different media platforms that might be used to display and distribute the chosen text. Next we focused on how typography alone and how it might be used to facilitate scanning and understanding the content we had chosen. Targeting typography and whitespace to promote hierarchy and contrast to convey the structure of our lyric.
A great example of a lyric video that is one of the most popular is Justin Bieber’s – Sorry (Lyric Video). This MUSIC VIDEO is a multimedia video because it includes the song, lyrics, and a narrative. Throughout this video we get an idea of the basis of the song just through the lyrics alone. But the way that the lyrics are displayed on screen and the typography of the text becomes noticeable almost immediately when we realize that this song is almost sang as a letter that was written to someone. By just listening to the song, you might not notice this at all. But with the help of the lyric video it becomes apparent to what the artist was really trying to display
TIMELINE
The Buggles - Video Killed The Radio Star
The first MUSIC VIDEO to air on national television on MTV in 1981.
Michael Jackson - Thriller
Thriller is a 14 minute long short-film/MUSIC VIDEO with a production cost of $1,000,000
a-ha -Take On Me (1985)
This MUSIC VIDEO was one of the first to involve animation with real life video.
Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer (1986)
Using still images to create a MUSIC VIDEO.
Nirvana - Smells Like Team Spirit (1991)
Set in a high school gym, the video’s premise is an anarchist pep rally. Nirvana fans volunteered to fill the bleachers but after being on set for 12 hours, they were irritated and restless. Near the end of shooting, Cobain suggested they trash the set and the iconic footage reflecting raw teen angst and destruction was captured. While the single wasn’t expected to be a hit, audiences immediately responded to the song and requested the video so often Nirvana ended up winning Best New Artist and Best Alternative Group at the MTV Music Video Awards.
Jamiroquai - Virtual Insanity (1996)
This mind-bending MUSIC VIDEO blew the MTV Music Video Awards away with 10 nominations and four wins including Breakthrough Video, Video of the Year, Best Cinematography and Best Special Effects.
Eminem - My Name Is (1999)
One of the most controversial entertainers in music history, Eminem released this MUSIC VIDEO with his debut single. viewers got the first taste of Eminem’s unapologetic abrasiveness. Released in 1999, the video acts as a mini 1990s time capsule with its references to Primus, Nine Inch Nails, Spice Girls, Pamela Lee (Anderson), Marilyn Manson, Usher and Bill Clinton.
Beyoncé - Single Ladies (2008)
The Single Ladies MUSIC VIDEO lies in its simplicity: Three identical dancers, clad in leotards and heels, effortlessly present some of the best choreography of the decade which won Video of the Year in 2009 at the VMA's.
Rihanna - Disturbia (2008)
Being a Pop singer you wouldn't expect a MUSIC VIDEO like this to gain so much attention. Chains, spiders, chambers, etc., aren't the norm for a Pop MUSIC VIDEO. Rihanna created an edgy image for herself in this video demonstrating the true meaning behind the song.
PSY - Gangam Style (2012)
This MUSIC VIDEO changed the internet forever. You're never going to forget this video. The horsey dance and other nonsensical theatrics sparked a viral sensation of epic proportions, one that grew so big it broke YouTube. Gangam Style was the first video to hit 1 billion views on YouTube. To date it has over 3 billion views.
Miley Cyrus - Wrecking Ball (2013)
This MUSIC VIDEO introduced the world to Miley Cyrus 2.0. This intense, heart breaking, and powerful MUSIC VIDEO made this song bigger and have a stronger meaning behind the lyrics.
Enrique Iglesias - Bailando (2014)
Bailando was the first Spanish MUSIC VIDEO that ever reached 1 billion views on YouTube. This video shows how fun the hispanic culture really is!
Luis Fonsi - Despacito ft. Daddy Yankee (2017)
The MUSIC VIDEO that reigns as the king of YouTube. With almost 6 billion views, Despacito is the most viewed video on YouTube by a long shot.