Music videos have been pivotal in boosting an artist’s popularity, telling a story through visuals, and creating memorable experiences for fans. Some music videos have revolutionized the industry with their creative concepts, advanced special effects, and unique choreography. From Michael Jackson’s iconic “Thriller” to Johnny Cash’s melancholic “Hurt,” these ten music videos have left an indelible mark on the industry. They have set new standards and inspired future generations to push the limits of creativity and explore new possibilities in storytelling and aesthetics. The music industry owes a great deal to these revolutionary music videos that changed the game.
10 Revolutionary Music Videos That Changed the Game
Music videos have been an essential part of the music industry since their inception in the 1980s. They are significant in promoting an artist’s music, creating intriguing visuals, and telling a story beyond the lyrics. Over the years, some music videos have become iconic for their unique and innovative concepts, choreography, and special effects. Here are ten revolutionary music videos that changed the game, inspiring future artists to stretch the limits of creativity.
1. “Thriller” by Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” is perhaps the most iconic music video ever made. It revolutionized the music video industry with its elaborate storyline, groundbreaking special effects, and excellent choreography. Inspired by horror movies, “Thriller” created a new genre of music videos and opened up new opportunities for visuals in music videos.
2. “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson
“Billie Jean” is another Michael Jackson music video that changed the game. It brought the focus back to dance with Jackson’s effortless moves and signature moonwalk, setting a new standard for music videos. It was also the first music video by a black artist to receive heavy rotation on MTV, breaking down racial barriers in the industry.
3. “Take on Me” by A-ha
“Take on Me” by A-ha is a classic example of bringing animation to life. The video features a unique hybrid of live-action and pencil-sketch animation, creating a visually stunning and memorable experience for viewers. The video’s success sparked a wave of similar videos that blended animation and real-life.
4. “Sabotage” by Beastie Boys
The Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage” music video is a tribute to cop shows from the 1970s, with the band members performing various roles. It was heavily influenced by the work of director Quentin Tarantino and helped usher in a new era of music videos filled with action-packed scenes and elaborate plots.
5. “Sledgehammer” by Peter Gabriel
“Sledgehammer” stunned audiences with its innovative stop-motion animation and claymation techniques. The video used over 2,000 frames to create the video’s animation, creating a one-of-a-kind visual experience. It showed how music videos could go beyond live-action and bring a new artistic form to the medium.
6. “Losing My Religion” by R.E.M.
R.E.M.’s “Losing My Religion” is perhaps the most artistic music video on this list. The video features surreal imagery, elegant choreography, and the band’s performance in an evocative, symbolic place. It proved that music videos could be sophisticated and artistic without sacrificing accessibility to the audience.
7. “Money for Nothing” by Dire Straits
“Money for Nothing” changed the game through its revolutionary computer-generated animations. The video was one of the first to use computer graphics to create a visual experience for the audience, setting a new standard for music videos. It elevated the genre’s possibilities by demonstrating their ability to create exceptional visuals impossible in the live-action format.
8. “Virtual Insanity” by Jamiroquai
“Virtual Insanity” by Jamiroquai took advantage of breakthrough special effects to create a unique and memorable music video. The video features lead singer Jay Kay dancing in a room that appears to have gravity-defying floors, ceilings, and furniture. The camera’s movements as he moved added another layer of intrigue and originality to the video.
9. “The One I Love” by R.E.M.
“The One I Love” by R.E.M. was a groundbreaking video that explored the concept of two distinct video image streams played side by side. The video featured a distinct divergence between the two streams, showing different angles of the same shot. This innovative technique created a visual hologram-like effect, and it revolutionized the music video industry.
10. “Hurt” by Johnny Cash
“Hurt” is a masterful music video interpreting the feelings of loss, regret, and despair. It complemented Cash’s resonant voice with slow-motion images of his life, both the highs and the lows. The video shifted the focus away from merely entertaining the audience and instead evoked powerful emotional reactions from them.
In conclusion, these ten revolutionary music videos changed the game for the music industry. They opened up a new realm of possibility for music video-making, inspiring future generations to think outside the box and look beyond the basics of live-action. Their innovative storytelling and aesthetic yielded content that was both emotionally engaging and visually accessible, leaving an indelible mark on the genre.