HISTORY OF MUSIC VIDEOS

What is a music video?

A music video is a short film or video that accompanies a

complete piece of music, most commonly a song. Their

usual purpose, especially for more modern videos, are for

the promotion of bands and artists intended to the promote

the sale of music recordings.

Promotion

They are often called music ‘promos’ and most usually

come in the form of a package, usually with an

accompanying advert. In the 1980s the term ‘rock video’

was penned to describe this form of entertainment

although the usage has fallen considerably out of use.

In 1940, Walt Disney released the film ‘Fantasia’ which is a

short film surrounding different pieces of classical music.

This could be described as a music video as it follows the

same principles, although the way we see music videos

today is marginally different.

Musical Innovation

The key to such music videos becoming a more prominent use of marketing and a general success (more than previously upheld) is due to the advancement of video and editing processes along with

the development of special effects.

This development however has seen the making of a music video rise in cost and price and requires many more heads than previously

thought. To make a successful music video for marketing requires money and it is therefore only the most well-known and successful

bands that we will see with this factor.

By the 80s almost every single was accompanied with a music video and soon it became a much more mandatory expectation.

Top of the Pops

The introduction of this programme in the early 70s created

a whole new platform for music and the promotion of

music videos. Bands were able to perform live, promoting

their single, and thus generating a buzz around the song

itself. People now wanted music videos to be created. This

was then further fuelled by the introduction of music-

dedicated channels such as MTV, Kerrang! and VH1. the

platforms for watching music videos were forever

expanding

First music video

Queen are credited with the first ever music video although I expect there are much earlier, overlooked constructions. Their video for Bohemian Rhapsody

became a sensation.

Similarly, the music videos of today have generated such a fan base that they are hard to ignore. Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ was voted the best music video of

all time.