History and Evolution of MVs

 ☆ The Early Era:

Short music films, featuring dance sequences were created around the 1920s and 1930s. About a decade later, these were termed as “soundies”, and were shown in jukeboxes called Panorams(16mm rear projection machines).

As seen in the soundie above, it's a musical film displaying a performance.

☆ The Rise of Promotional Films (1960s-1970s):

During this era, bands started making short films of their songs. ‘The Beatles’, for example, has set an example of promotional clips through “A Hard Day’s Night” (1964), which uses a cinematographic style, similar to how music videos are nowadays.

☆ The 1980s:

• The 1980s was a transformative decade for music videos. Here they became a vital part of the music industry. MTV, a cable television network that began as a 24-hour platform for music videos, launched just after midnight, on 1st August, 1981. The first song broadcasted was “Video Killed the Radio Star” by the Buggles. Since this time, MTV has revolutionized the music video industry.

• Soon enough, in 1982, Michael Jackson's “Thriller” not only showcased the strengths of the music video format but created a new music landscape influencing artists, record labels, producers, etc.

• Furthermore, glam metal bands like Mötley Crüe, Poison, and Bon Jovi capitalized on MTV with high-energy performance videos. These videos often featured concert footage, flashy costumes, and energetic stage antics, appealing to the teenage demographic and solidifying the glam metal aesthetic.

☆ Expansion and Artistic Expression (1990s):

In this era, music videos became more polished and visually complex, as budgets became bigger, and editing equipment and skills improved.

☆ The Digital Evolution (the 2000s-2010):

With the rise of the internet, MVs became more accessible through platforms such as iTunes, YouTube, etc. This revolutionized how audiences consumed music videos. In addition, the concept of ‘viral videos’ began with these platforms as they were viewable on-demand.

“Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley, though released in 1987, is an excellent example of a music video going viral on social media platforms. The term “rickrolling” came from this video, which meant tricking people into clicking links that led to this music video.

☆ 2010s-Present:

Music video production has continued to evolve with advancements in technology and changes in media consumption habits. The internet, social media, and streaming services have made videos more accessible. Artists now use music videos to captivate audiences due to their stunning aesthetics and storytelling techniques. Directors now incorporate CGI, 3D animation, and VR to create immersive experiences.