Notes On Music Videos

Music videos are a marketing device used by record companies so the aim is to create record sales through making the song popular. Music videos have only been main stream since the 1980's. It could be argued that 'The Beatles' contributed to the music video. As in 1964, the film 'A hard days night' contains songs with 'The Beatles' and some narrative was attempted. Therefore, it was a musical sequence rather than a video. In 1965 'The Beatles' began to produce film inserts as a promotional tool. Other bands began to follow suit 'The Beatles' lead the way with 'Strawberry Fields Forever' and 'Penny Lane' both of which being produced by Peter Goldman and were considered avant-garde, slow motion and unusual camera work. Through experimentation they were more sophisticated than previous musical sequences. In the 1980's, music videos became mainstream with the launch of MTV in 1981, with the first song being aired 'Video Killed the Radio Star'. Music videos became standard for bands and artists as they could be cheaply produced with hi-tech equipment and effects such as the chroma key.

Censorship

Products need to be censored. Music videos are moderated by the BBFC. Music Videos are mini films which is why the BBFC regulate them. Censorship much be considered when making a music video. In 1991, Michael Jackson's 'Black or White' video was censored as Michael Jackson was said to have inappropriately touch himself. Other videos have also been censored such as The Prodigy's 'Smack My Bitch Up' video and also Robbie Williams' 'Rock DJ' video.

Music Video Theory

Some would argue that music videos have made pop superficially based on image. Are pop songs enough on their own to make meaning and pleasure for the audience.



"A good music video is a clip that responds
to the pleasure of music, and in which that
the music is made visual, either in new ways
or in a way that accentuates existing
visual associations." - Andrew Goodwin (1992)


1) Music Videos demonstrates genre characteristics such as dance routines shown in girl/boy band music videos.
2) the relationship between lyrics and visuals either contradicts or illustrates the lyrics.
3) The relationships between the music and visuals will either illustrate, amplify or contradicts whats happening on screen.
4) The demands of the record label will include lots of close ups of the artist(s) may develop motifs which reoccur across the style and video.
5) Frequent reference to the notion of looking voyeurism of the female body.