A History Of Music Videos
In this post I explore the history of music videos and the music video industry
Music Videos – A Definition
“A music video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes.”
In the modern age, music videos are used as a marketing device to promote recording sales. However, in this post I will be taking a step back and researching the origin and history of music videos.
Arguably the root of the music video industry came with the arrival of “talkies” in 1926.
Talkies – A Definition
“A motion picture with synchronized sound, or sound technologically coupled to image.”
Ano
ther significant installation to the history of music videos was the dramatised performance of hit song “St Louis Blues” featuring blues singer Bessie Smith in 1929.
A development of the earlier mentioned “talkies” was the production of “soundies,” prevelent from 1940 to 1947. Due to the musical films including short dance sequences, “soundies” are arguably similar to the music videos of today.
Soundies – A Definition
“Three minute American musical 16mm films produced in New York between 1940 and 1947, containing song, dance and/or band or orchestral number.”
According to music historian, Donald Clarke, the 1940’s production of Louis Jordan’s short films for his songs, featured in movie “Lookout sister,” were the “ancestors” of music video.
Music videos of more recent years took great influence from Hollywood’s musical films from the 1930’s to the 1950’s. Some examples of this include Madonna’s 1985 video for ‘Material Girl,’ closely modelled on “Diamonds are a girls best friend,” from “Gentlemen prefer blondes,” and Michael Jackson’s 1987 “Bad,” was influenced heavily by stylised dance fights in the film “West Side Story.”
The 1970’s saw the start of music television, as 1974 saw the beginning of the teen-oriented show “sounds unlimited” (later changed to just “sounds”). A collection of 25 purpose made music video clips were created for the show, and so the popularity of music videos with teenagers began.
The 1975 music video for Queens “bohemian rhapsody”is widely credited as the first global hit single for which an accompnying video was centeral to the marketing strategy. The 1980’s to the 1990’s saw music videos go mainstream, and the creation of MTV was the catalyst for music video popularity, right up to present day.
Music Videos – A Definition
“A music video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes.”
In the modern age, music videos are used as a marketing device to promote recording sales. However, in this post I will be taking a step back and researching the origin and history of music videos.
Arguably the root of the music video industry came with the arrival of “talkies” in 1926.
Talkies – A Definition
“A motion picture with synchronized sound, or sound technologically coupled to image.”
Ano
ther significant installation to the history of music videos was the dramatised performance of hit song “St Louis Blues” featuring blues singer Bessie Smith in 1929.A development of the earlier mentioned “talkies” was the production of “soundies,” prevelent from 1940 to 1947. Due to the musical films including short dance sequences, “soundies” are arguably similar to the music videos of today.
Soundies – A Definition
“Three minute American musical 16mm films produced in New York between 1940 and 1947, containing song, dance and/or band or orchestral number.”
According to music historian, Donald Clarke, the 1940’s production of Louis Jordan’s short films for his songs, featured in movie “Lookout sister,” were the “ancestors” of music video.
Music videos of more recent years took great influence from Hollywood’s musical films from the 1930’s to the 1950’s. Some examples of this include Madonna’s 1985 video for ‘Material Girl,’ closely modelled on “Diamonds are a girls best friend,” from “Gentlemen prefer blondes,” and Michael Jackson’s 1987 “Bad,” was influenced heavily by stylised dance fights in the film “West Side Story.”
The 1970’s saw the start of music television, as 1974 saw the beginning of the teen-oriented show “sounds unlimited” (later changed to just “sounds”). A collection of 25 purpose made music video clips were created for the show, and so the popularity of music videos with teenagers began.
The 1975 music video for Queens “bohemian rhapsody”is widely credited as the first global hit single for which an accompnying video was centeral to the marketing strategy. The 1980’s to the 1990’s saw music videos go mainstream, and the creation of MTV was the catalyst for music video popularity, right up to present day.
Good Jade, you have researched this well and have summarised the main influences within the music video industry. I would like you to add some iconic videos of the 1980's, 1990's and 2000 onwards.
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