Looking at different properties of Music Videos

1. Music Video Summer
Research
By Will Moseling

2. The Devil in I
• Name of video: The Devil in I
• Artist: Slipknot
• Genre: Metal
• Type of video: Conceptual
• Purpose of Music Video: To outline the bands deep emotion,
four years after their bassist, and co-founder of the band, died
of a drug overdose. The video is designed to show fans that the
band, as a whole, have faced what happened, and have
overcome it.
• What’s inspirational: The way the band showed their anger in
the video. Some of the scenes were very violent, but also very
moving, especially if you’re a fan of the band and know the
background of the song, and what the group have gone through
together. It’s very creative, but also very high budget video, so
would be tough to compete with.

3. Love & Meth
• Name of video: Love & Meth
• Artist: Korn
• Genre: Metal
• Type of video: Performance/Conceptual
• Purpose of Music Video: ‘Meth’ was the drug that all, except
one, of the members, had problems with at that time. This
song and music video was released in their latest album, and
was designed to represent the problems the individual
members, and the band as a whole, had with
methamphetamine.
• What’s inspirational: The use of the ‘puppet’ theme, among
others, to show how powerless they were to the drug, and
how the drug was warping reality for them, it creates a
powerful aura around the song, and the horrors that the band
members had to deal with during the band’s dark times.

4. Lose Yourself
• Name of video: Lose Yourself
• Artist: Eminem
• Genre: Rap/Hip-Hop
• Type of video: Performance/Narrative
• Purpose of Music Video: The song and the Music video were both
released along with the film ‘8 Mile’. All three of these releases were
designed to show Eminem’s rise to the top, whilst also showing the
adversity he has had to overcome in his life. No doubt though, this
video was predominantly made to advertise ‘8 Mile’.
• What’s inspirational: The frequent snapshots of hardships in
Eminem’s life add a lot of depth to the message he is trying to get
through. Also, the way he focuses on the camera during parts of the
video makes it a lot more personal to the watcher, as oppose to if he
was rapping to a crowd, for instance.

5. Hurt
• Name of video: Hurt
• Artist: Johnny Cash
• Genre: Acoustic Rock/Country
• Type of video: Narrative (Amplification)/Conceptual (Symbolic)
• Purpose of Music Video: To hammer home the message Cash was
trying to get across. The song is about the imminence of death and
the regrets that Cash has about what he has done in the past. The
video focuses a lot on the friends he has outlived, and he tries to
understand how it would feel to be dead, and to some extent, how it
would feel to be pure again.
• What’s inspirational: The flashbacks to his past. They reinforce the
idea that he led a life he enjoyed at the time, but looking back on it,
maybe wasn’t as clean as he would of liked. The video itself is
powerful due to the melancholic and reminiscent atmosphere Cash’s
vocals create, coupled with powerful scenery, such as Cash pouring
wine on the floor, signifying time running out for him in one way or
another.

6. Last Friday Night
• Name of video: Last Friday Night
• Artist: Katy Perry
• Genre: Pop
• Type of video: Performance/Narrative (Illustration)
• Purpose of Music Video: Definitely to promote herself,
possibly as a party animal. Maybe to show people she knew in
the past that she is completely different now, compared to
how she was back then.
• What’s inspirational: The multiple shots with Perry at the
forefront, with lots of people in the background. This
reinforces the idea of a party atmosphere. Also, the excessive
use of props at the beginning of the video, creates the idea of
a hectic night.

7. Bad Blood
• Name of video: Bad Blood
• Artist: Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar
• Genre: Pop/R&B
• Type of video: Performance/Narrative (Amplification)
• Purpose of Music Video: To promote herself, and to also show
her creativity to a certain extent. The song is about the
betrayal of a close friend of hers, and the video very much
echoes this.
• What’s inspirational: The amount of creativity that went into
this was massive. Unfortunately, on a very low budget, we
won’t be able to recreate the special effects, but the amount
of work that clearly went into this is very inspirational.

8. Candy Shop
• Name of video: Candy Shop
• Artist: 50 Cent
• Genre: Hip-Hop
• Type of video: Performance/Conceptual (Thematic)
• Purpose of Music Video: Self-promotion mainly, but, the
video does have a slight story to it. This song was one of the
main songs on the album, and the video was made to show 50
Cent’s riches, as well as his allure towards women.
• What’s inspirational: The way he mocks himself at the end of
the video, showing that it was all just a dream. It added
humour and made the video more effective as a whole.

9. Single Ladies
• Name of video: Single Ladies
• Artist: Beyoncé
• Genre: R&B/Pop
• Type of video: Performance
• Purpose of Music Video: Beyoncé wanted to create a simple,
effective, and easy to dance to music video.
• What’s inspirational: The simplicity of the video still earned a
lot of awards, and it shows that it doesn’t have to include
complex imagery to be successful.

10. Just
• Name of video: Just
• Artist: Radiohead
• Genre: Alternative Rock
• Type of video: Narrative/Performance
(Disjuncture)/Conceptual (Symbolic)
• Purpose of Music Video: Radiohead were known to be very
enigmatic, and loved to create ambiguous songs. This music
video is so hard to decipher, in terms of what is actually going
on, but it is one of the best music videos I have ever seen, and
so mysterious.
• What’s inspirational: The ambiguity of what’s going on in the
video, as well as the lyrics. The lyrics, at least I think, don’t
relate much to the video, which is inspirational in itself, as it
shows you can have two massive messages in one song.

11. Black Hole Sun
• Name of Video: Black Hole Sun
• Artist: Soundgarden
• Genre: Grunge/Rock
• Type of Music Video: Narrative (Amplification)/ Conceptual
(Symbolic)
• Purpose of Music Video: Another very ambiguous video, Black
Hole Sun confronts the typical happy American Lifestyle, and
gives it a very dark undertone, in a very creative way.
• What’s inspirational: The way it confronts reality, using
themes that are very close to home for some viewers. Even
though it is very absurd, it is still incredibly powerful, which is
inspirational in itself.

12. Telephone
• Name of Video: Telephone
• Artist: Lady Gaga
• Genre: Pop
• Type of Music Video: Narrative (Disjuncture)
• Purpose of Music Video: Gaga wanted to create a Music
Video that picked up where her other song, ‘Paparazzi’, left
off. However, there is also a subliminal meaning. Gaga stated
that the video is a “commentary on the kind of country
America is”.
• What’s inspirational: The pure, story-like scenes make the
video a lot more interesting to watch, and also, because the
lyrics don’t follow the scenes in the video, it’s inspiring to try
and figure out what the subliminal message of the video is,
and this challenge no doubt will grip certain audiences.

13. Turn the Page
• Name of Video: Turn the Page
• Artist: Metallica
• Genre: Metal/Rock
• Type of Music Video: Narrative (Amplification)
• Purpose of Music Video: In my opinion, the message of the
video was to support people who make money in horrible
ways, to raise children, and to ultimately survive. The video
was very powerful, and gave the audience more clues as to
what the song was about.
• What’s inspirational: The powerful emotion in the video,
culminating in a tender hug between the mother and
daughter, creates a powerful video, and one that audiences
will remember.

14. Heart Shaped Box
• Name of Video: Heart Shaped Box
• Artist: Nirvana
• Genre: Grunge
• Type of Music Video: Conceptual (Symbolic)
• Purpose of Music Video: To gain exposure to the song, which
it did, winning multiple awards, and being included in various
lists outlining the best music videos in the world.
• What’s inspirational: The funky, colourful, Wizard of Oz type
imagery, coupled with disturbing scenes, creates a strange
conflict, but works brilliantly.

15. We are Young
• Name of Video: We are Young
• Artist: LofeLive
• Genre: Indie Dance Music
• Type of Music Video: Conceptual (Symbolic)
• Purpose of Music Video: To gain exposure to their song.
Maybe, to also advertise their song as a way for older people
to rediscover their youth.
• What’s inspirational: The contrasts between the younger
people and the older people are so powerful. Also, there are
lots of different shots used throughout the video, which
makes it very exciting to watch.

16. Save Me Now
• Name of Video: Save Me Now
• Artist: Toyboy & Robin
• Genre: Indie Dance Music
• Type of Music Video: Conceptual (Symbolic)
• Purpose of Music Video: For Indie artists, music videos are
about gaining exposure. This one outlines the simple yet
creative side of the group, and is all round an excellent video
for what it wants to achieve.
• What’s inspirational: The simple, free-hand drawing designs,
that make it simple but appealing. It shows that you don’t
have to pile on expensive stunts and effects, and can achieve a
great video on a low budget.

17. Fantasia
• Name of Video: Fantasia
• Artist: Fur Voice
• Genre: Indie Pop/Dance
• Type of Music Video: Narrative (Amplification)
• Purpose of Music Video: Again, to promote their song. It is
also used to promote their creativity, and the strange themes
within their songs.
• What’s Inspirational: The pure creativity. The video is so
abstract and I really don’t understand what’s going on. This is
good, as it gets people guessing, and talking about the video.
But, it can also be bad, because if it is too confusing, it might
put people off your music.

18. The Gambler
• Name of Video: The Gambler
• Artist: Kenny Rogers
• Genre: Country
• Type of Music Video: Performance
• Purpose of Music Video: Self-Promotion. Also, to promote his
lifestyle? He seems to know a lot about gambling.
• What’s Inspirational: The big, uncut, shots that show him just
sitting there singing. They establish a sort of bond between
him and the viewer, as it’s like you are having a conversation
with him. The video is incredibly personal, as it’s about a man
sharing knowledge with Rogers, and it culminates in Rogers
sharing knowledge with us.

19. Rollercoaster
• Name of Video: Rollercoaster
• Artist: Luke Bryan
• Genre: Country Rock
• Type of Music Video: Narrative (Illustration)
• Purpose of Music Video: Self promotion. To get across how he
felt during that time of his life. A video often helps to solidify
the message the song is trying to get across, and this video
definitely does this.
• What’s Inspirational: The number of temporal extensions help
to extend the video, and make it seem more memorable to
the artist, and therefore, more memorable to the viewer. This
is inspirational as it creates a lot more emotion, compared to
just a standard video.

20. Never Never
• Name of Video: Never Never
• Artist: Korn
• Genre: Alternative Rock
• Type of Music Video: Conceptual (Symbolic)
• Purpose of Music Video: The lead singer of the band stated that the
song was about love, and how many times you have to fall in love,
before you realise that you never want to fall in love again. The
singer had reached that point, and the song was made. The video
was made shortly after the song was released, and was designed to
help listeners understand the meaning of the song better
• What’s Inspirational: Some of the symbolism, such as the clock
smashing (picture), and the darker lighting later on in the video,
paint an emotionally unstable picture within the relationship.

21. Skeletons
• Name of Video: Skeletons
• Artist: Heartist
• Genre: Metalcore
• Type of Music Video: Narrative (amplification)
• Purpose of Music Video: Heartist are quite a small band, so made
this video to headline their new album. This video gained them a lot
of exposure, especially considering they were advertised on large
YouTube channels, such as Roadrunner Records. This video,
however, was posted on the band’s official YouTube channel, and
attracted fans of Roadrunner Records.
• What’s Inspirational: The way they portray the feeling of being
trapped. Using scenery like big cliffs, damp walls, and dirty floors to
get across the horror the character was feeling at the time. Also, the
dark, shadowy lighting creates amazing effects, and really hits home
the idea of the character being ‘haunted’.

22. My Life
• Name of Video: My Life
• Artist: The Game ft. Lil’ Wayne
• Genre: Hip Hop
• Type of Music Video: Conceptual (Thematic)
• Purpose of Music Video: Promotion. In the Video, a lot of
Mainstream Hip Hop artists make short cameos. This not only gives
The Game exposure, but also promotes these rappers to The Game’s
fan base.
• What’s Inspirational: The overall mood of the video shows a very
controversial side to the streets, where crimes are being committed
left, right, and center, and therefore, people that the Artists know
are being killed. It is very much a video that takes advantage of free
speech. It is this free speech that is so inspirational, as the artist
wasn’t afraid to make his opinion heard, no matter how
controversial.

23. Stan
• Name of Video: Stan
• Artist: Eminem
• Genre: Hip Hop
• Type of Music Video: Narrative (Amplification)
• Purpose of Music Video: The song ‘Stan’ was one of headliners
in Eminem’s new album, and the video was probably created
for shock value at the time. If the song is seen to be
controversial, it gets a lot more Media attention around it,
therefore gets more views. It has been heavily censored since
its release.
• What’s Inspirational: The number of different camera shots
used, combined with the different levels of speed with shots,
makes it a varied and lively video. This keeps the viewer
hooked, and intent on watching until the end.

24. Shut up and Dance
• Name of Video: Shut up and Dance
• Artist: Walk the Moon
• Genre: Indie Pop
• Type of Music Video: Performance
• Purpose of Music Video: Again, it’s an Indie band, so they are
trying to get exposure. They certainly achieved that, getting
just under 100 million views on YouTube.
• What’s Inspirational: The whacky colour schemes and props
used, make it just a fun video. If I wanted to do a whacky
video, then I would definitely use this for ideas.

25. The Hardest Button to Button
• Name of Video: The Hardest Button to Button
• Artist: The White Stripes
• Genre: Garage Rock
• Type of Music Video: Performance
• Purpose of Music Video: To gain exposure. If the viewer can get a
glimpse of what the band are like when they perform, they might be
more inclined to go and see them live.
• What’s Inspirational: The way that the instruments multiply as they
carry on playing. It was a cool effect, and maybe something that I
could do with other props, to make the video a bit unpredictable.

26. My Hero
• Name of Video: My Hero
• Artist: Foo Fighters
• Genre: Alternative Rock
• Type of Music Video: Performance
• Purpose of Music Video: To get across the message of the song. The
video features a baby and a dog, both of whom were saved by the
‘hero’, with their eyes blacked out. This black out was used to
suggest that there are people in need everywhere.
• What’s Inspirational: The constant camera angle, aimed behind the
‘hero’ adds a mysterious nature to the video, as we never see his
face, which accentuates the point that heroes are everywhere,
whether they are known or not. It is these subliminal messages that
are most inspirational, as it adds a whole different side to a song.

27. Call On Me
• Name of Video: Call On Me
• Artist: Eric Prydz
• Genre: Electro House Music
• Type of Music Video: Conceptual (Thematic)
• Purpose of Music Video: To gain exposure to the song in a
very cheap way, if you ask me, as it is ridiculously over-
sexualised, and just stupid.
• What’s Inspirational: Nothing. Using sex gains views, but if
used so blatantly in this way, just makes the video and the
artist seem trashy.

28. Day ‘n’ Night
• Name of Video: Day ‘n’ Night - Second Version
• Artist: Kid Cudi
• Genre: Alternative Hip Hop
• Type of Music Video: Narrative (amplification)
• Purpose of Music Video: To gain exposure and promote the
artist.
• What’s Inspirational: The humour involved in this video is
pretty good. It attracts the audience. Also, it has a funny take
on the side effects of Marijuana. However, it is difficult to
implement humour, which would make it a tough task to use it
in my video, but also makes the video more impressive, so if I
was to attempt it, then I would need to make sure it would
work.

29. Lost in the Echo
• Name of Video: Lost in the Echo
• Artist: Linkin Park
• Genre: Electronic Rock
• Type of Music Video: Narrative (amplification)
• Purpose of Music Video: Self Promotion. Also, members of
the band stated that the song held a personal memory for
them.
• What’s Inspirational: The special effects used are fantastic,
especially the woman turning to sand. However, it’ll be very
tough to replicate, or replace those, so I would have to think
of an alternative. Also, the video makes the song very
emotional, something which the song on it’s own didn’t
achieve.

30. Arms of Sorrow
• Name of Video: The Arms of Sorrow
• Artist: Killswitch Engage
• Genre: Metalcore
• Type of Music Video: Conceptual (Symbolic)
• Purpose of Music Video: To create an ambiguous aura around
the song, as well as self promotion.
• What’s Inspirational: The number of Temporal extensions,
make it a really mysterious song, as it’s tough to understand
exactly what it’s trying to get across. However, it’s still a
powerful song, which is incredibly inspirational.

31. Happy
• Name of Video: Happy
• Artist: Pharrell
• Genre: Soul
• Type of Music Video: Conceptual (Thematic)
• Purpose of Music Video: Again, to self promote. Also, to
emphasise the message of the song.
• What’s Inspirational: The simplicity of the video, and how
uplifting it is. It shows if you just focus on hammering the
message of the song, it can result in a good video.

32. My Picks
• 1) Prey For Me – Korn
• 2) Animal I Have Become – Three Days Grace
• 3) Crawling – Linkin Park
• 4) The Gambler – Kenny Rogers
• 5) Feeling – Feeder