Music Videos

[ShiningIdeal]

I'm very curious about other's perceptions of music videos. I've got three shoots coming up over the next two months - and I realize that my big inspirations are largely marginalized things. The video's I've shot in the past (I think these will bring me up to 37? Something like that) were always either low budget affairs or strictly detailed by the artists. These I actually get to enjoy directing. So this seems like a great place for market research.

What are some of the most definitive music videos you've seen, either as examples of the medium in total or as examples of great fits for a song. Videos you watched even if you didn't like the song.

Do you prefer videos that are simplistic? Do you prefer videos that tell a story? Do you prefer videos that are random surrealist trips through some director's mindspace? Do you only like videos that are essentially live shoots or do you want there to be something more going on?

[supernova1324]

I like videos that tell stories and also have humor involved if it matches the mood of the song. The perfect example of a trippy music vidoe is Land of Confusion. Makes no sense yet it is awesome.

[Onslaught_fei]

Guys on stage, a warehouse, somewhere nondescript playing their song. Seriously. I dont like music videos that define the song with silly gimmicks.

[Insane3]

Guys on stage, a warehouse, somewhere nondescript playing their song. Seriously. I dont like music videos that define the song with silly gimmicks.

I hate those videos lol. There's no point to see the band perform their song when you can see it live.

I prefer bizarre ones, yet understandble. I like Karma Police (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LeLAELIxKY), for example. I like the image. But not videos like MGMT's The Youth(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EURZuzHyWb0). That's too bizarre.

[zeldazeppelin]

I like videos that tell stories and also have humor involved if it matches the mood of the song. The perfect example of a trippy music vidoe is Land of Confusion. Makes no sense yet it is awesome.

This

[RoadHog]

You mean bands still make music videos?? Everytime i put my TV on MTV or MTV2 i get all these lame showes that has nothing to do with music. I watch VH1 classic quiet a bit, at least they do play music. Anyway to answer your question....i also like videos that tell stories but my favorites are the ones they do live in concert.

[Runesmith]

I like memorable videos. Whether it's a live performance, a complex storyline set to music, or a dadaist fantasy, I just want to feel like I can remember the entire video's content after I watch it.

The golden standard by which all music videos should be judged: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW86DTpWWpM

[afterstasis]

videos are a total afterthought for me, but there are definitely those that stick out...
they're typically surreal and emotionally/mentally jarring.

[ShiningIdeal]

Thanks for the responses so far guys. Really helpful (if not quite consensus building). The videos and song names for inspirational thoughts are particularly useful.

I was a little sad to not see a Spike Jonze video mentioned yet though.

[Lolicat]

Guys on stage, a warehouse, somewhere nondescript playing their song. Seriously. I dont like music videos that define the song with silly gimmicks.

I'd say this, but an artistic music video that is an accompaniment to the song would be interesting, rather than just an advertising gimmick.

I do sort of like to just see the band arsing about though, like the Bull in the Heather video.