Are Modern Music Videos Just Ads? Which Era Had the Best Visuals?

byFrankB-1

6.4K followers

Updated 2 days ago

(Title image by DALL-E 3)

Hi WA Friends!

Here's my question for you today: Music videos have changed a lot over the years, but which era had the best ones?

Every decade has brought something new and exciting to music videos. Some people love the classic style of older videos, while others like the sleek, modern look of today’s videos.

The 80s - The Birth of MTV

(MTV Logo)

The 80s were a turning point for music videos, marked by the launch of MTV on August 1, 1981.

I remember the first day MTV came on the air. I was a medical student and watched the opening "moon landing" video on a hospital TV with a group of other physicians. You can see it here:

https://youtu.be/182oUgBfoLE?si=JGEOGZ8_AfrrJ-F0

Do you remember Max Headroom?

https://youtu.be/6epzmRZk6UU?si=EDaMqe9rhCdOTUkf

The voice of Max was played by Matthew George Frewer, a Canadian-American actor and comedian.

MTV completely changed the music industry by making music videos a key part of promoting songs and artists. Suddenly, it wasn't just about listening - you could now watch artists perform in creative and visually captivating ways.

This gave artists like Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Prince a new way to reach audiences, turning them into global superstars. Music videos became a powerful form of entertainment that shaped pop culture, with iconic visuals like Michael Jackson's "Thriller" bringing stories to life with bright colors, flashy outfits, and unforgettable scenes!

The 90s - Pushing Creative Boundaries

The 90s took what the 80s started and made it even more creative. This was the decade when music videos got artsy and different.

Nirvana’s "Smells Like Teen Spirit" was raw, grungy, and full of that rebellious 90s energy. Directors like Spike Jonze and Michel Gondry brought crazy ideas and creative storytelling to videos like the Beastie Boys' "Sabotage" and Björk's "Human Behaviour."

The 90s were all about experimenting with special effects and cool camera tricks. Music videos became an art form, not just a way to promote music.

The 2000s - High-Quality Productions and New Trends

In the 2000s, music videos got bigger budgets and started to look like mini-movies. High-definition cameras and advanced production techniques made the videos look super polished.

Artists like Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, and Beyoncé had highly choreographed dances, big sets, and high fashion. Videos like OutKast’s "Hey Ya!" were colorful, fun, and full of personality, while Eminem’s videos brought humor and social commentary.

The 2000s were all about making videos that could go viral - even before viral videos were really a thing!

Present Day - Technology Meets Social Media

Today’s music videos are all about using the newest technology and getting attention on social media.

Artists like Billie Eilish, Doja Cat, and The Weeknd use CGI, surreal images, and tons of symbols to make eye-catching videos. These videos are designed to go viral, whether on YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram. The focus is on creating moments people want to share - like cool visual effects or surprising plot twists. Videos like Childish Gambino’s "This Is America" use visuals to make powerful statements.

Today, music videos aren’t just for TV - they’re made for people to watch, like, and share over and over.

What are the MTV Awards?

The MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) started in 1984 to celebrate the best music videos of the year. The event became famous for its wild performances, shocking moments, and unforgettable pop culture highlights. Artists like Madonna, Lady Gaga, and Kanye West have all had iconic moments at the VMAs.

The VMAs include awards like Video of the Year, Best New Artist, and Best Collaboration, recognizing artists across different genres. The first MTV Awards show featured some of the biggest names in music, kicking off an annual celebration of talent and creativity.

Winning a VMA is a big deal for artists, boosting their careers and showcasing their work. The show isn't just about awards - it's also about celebrating stars, new trends, and memorable performances!

My Memories of Music Videos Over the Years

I've watched music videos evolve and change in so many ways. During that time, more than a few MTV videos have caught my eye!

Here are a few examples.

AC⚡️DC Surprise - I remember the first AC/DC video I saw on MTV like it was yesterday. Angus Young came onstage in his schoolboy uniform, complete with a book pack on his back, a hat with horns, and a Gibson SG guitar. I said to my friend, "Who is this idiot; can he actually play anything on that SG?" When he started playing, my eyeballs popped out of my head. It was beyond amazing guitar! Sorry, Angus! Hahaha 😂

I couldn't find that video clip, but here's the official MTV "Heatseeker" video. I love it when Angus comes out of the missile! Lol 🤣

https://youtu.be/cvIqRxb5CAQ?si=rPOeixDmqsx09OXX

Z Z Top and the Spinning Guitars - Then, there's the fabulous Z Z Top with the "fluffy" spinning guitars on the MTV "Legs" video. They still take these guitars on tour to do the Legs tune!

https://youtu.be/eUDcTLaWJuo?si=u2lpe2mSW02vVHeu

Robert Palmer: Addicted To Love - This is the video with the four girls all dressed in black playing all-white instruments (three guitars and one keyboard). Very cool presentation!

https://youtu.be/XcATvu5f9vE?si=2kCsnXzd9WczAEsM

Tell Me What You Think

Are you a music video fan?

Do you think that today's music videos are more about selling songs than art?

So, which era had the best music videos?

• 80s
• 90s
• 2000s
• Present Day
• Other

Let me know in the comments, AND...

Keep On Rockin' It! 🤘

(Pin made with DALL-E 3; Happy Halloween!)

Frank 🎸

~ 70% Human-written content.