The History of music videos

1. The history of music
video
1960 - 2016

2. 1960’s music video
Johnny Cash – I saw the light
Features on this video:
■ Singing live on stage and into camera.
■ The singer being centre stage/shot.
■ Shots of the audience.
■ Focus lighting on the singer.
■ Low quality images and audio.
This is a very good music video as it is a powerful by the use of centre frame images as well as having
shots of the audience. Also the use background lighting to focus on Johnny Cash is great as it acts a
pull focus on him.
https://youtu.be/iLlw8p1usg4
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3. 1970’s music video
Wild Cherry – Play That Funky Music
Features from the video:
■ Lots of artificial bright colours.
■ Shots of all the band.
■ Fast paced tempo.
■ Shot reverse shot.
■ Different transition effects.
■ Shots of the audience.
This video is similar to modern music videos as it is entirely scenes of them performing live. Also in includes shots reverse shots of the
crowd and them singing along with the song as well as shots of the band performing their back-up singing. This video shows how
technology had changed and developed from the 1960’s as the audio and visual quality is noticeably different.
https://youtu.be/qe1ScoePqVA
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4. 1980’s music videos
U2 – With or Without you
Features within this video:
■ Use of Over-Cranking.
■ Use of black and white.
■ Lyrics tell a story accompanied by the video.
■ Use of costume and props.
■ Artificial light.
■ Match cuts.
■ Stereotypes.
I like this video as it shows a clear relationship between the lyrics and video by the use of match cuts. Technology has improved through out the time of music
as more techniques have been used like for instance the use of over cranking to emphasis the emotion shown in the lyrics. The use of props and costume
shown in the video are powerful as the lead singer is seen wearing a black leather sleeveless vest works well with the use of him carrying a guitar gives the
stereotype of a rocker.
https://youtu.be/XmSdTa9kaiQ
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5. 1990’s music video
The Verve – Bitter Sweet Symphony
Features in this video:
■ Relationship between lyrics and visuals.
■ Tracking.
■ Singing into camera.
■ Range of shot types.
■ Costume.
This video shows development as there is a use of tracking the lead singer from there being a fixed camera whist the singer
sings into camera. The costume used within the video is fitting for the video as he is seen wearing a black leather jacket
which represents the genre of rock; this can apply to Dyer as star is seen as an image, not a real person. The lyrics are
perfect as it produces a melancholy atmosphere which cohesions perfectly with the video which makes a great relationship
between the two.
https://youtu.be/1lyu1KKwC74

6. 2000’s music video
The Fray – How to save a life
Features within this video;
■ Symbolic messages.
■ Shot types.
■ Perfect relationship between lyrics and video.
■ Pull focuses.
This video shows how incredibly developed videos are as this video has symbolic messages for instance; the
use of a caterpillar at the start to show the end of a life when it cocoons. The story fits the lyrics perfectly as
towards the end of the song, when the lyrics start becoming upbeat and happy a butterfly is shown which
symbolises that every caterpillar turns into a butterfly. The use of pull focuses within shot types is important at
it shows the relationship between the characters in the story and lyrics.
https://youtu.be/1lyu1KKwC74

7. 2010’s to 2016
Milky Chance – Down By The River
Features in this video;
■ Great story telling.
■ Tracking.
■ Clear quality of sound and visuals.
■ Lots of transitions.
■ Uses of editing skills.
■ Vibrant colours.
■ Costume.
I feel that music has come so far with the use of technology as for instance; within this video they use a wide range of shot
types like close ups which are great as they show pure emotion. The use of wide range is great as it can show the location off
as well as the whole band or actors within the video. The many uses of transitions like fade, gives the video a fluent motion
making it a successful video. The use of costumes gives a clear representation of the genre as within this video, he is seen
wearing a jumper and jeans which could represent a indie rock look. Technology has changed from the 1960’s to modern day
as newer software and hardware allows techniques like over-cranking to show off certain scenes in major detail. https://
youtu.be/qlGQoxzdwP4