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The history of music videos

Posted on 22. Oct, 2009 by Mike in Memories, Music

The music Video has been around since the swinging sixties and was initially called the “promo film” and was used to promote bands who could not be in every country when they had a single released. The Beatles were one of the first bands (and best known) to use video for tracks like “Help” and “Day tripper”.

In the early 70¨s David Bowie recorded four short films to accompany his soon to be released singles and they were filmed by legendary 70´s music photographer Mick Rock. This was 1972 and was seen to be a big step forward into what we now call the music video.

By the mid seventies Queen produced a video clip to go with their single Bohemian Rhapsody, which surely helped to keep the song at number one for nine weeks .I remember people raving about the video and its special effects and record companies began to take note of the growing importance of the video as a promotional tool.

Ashes to Ashes - David Bowie

By the end of the seventies videos were getting more experimental and many more artists were using this medium as New Wave had arrived and the New Romantic movement was just around the corner.

David Bowie kicked off the eighties with “Ashes to Ashes”, a number one smash that had a brilliant video that would inspire many of the New Romantics musicians at that time.

The arrival of MTV in 1981 saw the golden age of the music video begin. The first video they played was “Video killed the Radio Star” by the Buggles and this was the beginning of 24 hour music on television.

Diana Dors & Adam Ant

During the early eighties many acts such as Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, Adam Ant and Toyah made some excellent videos to promote their latest songs. Who remembers the Diana Dors cameo in “Prince Charming” as the fairy godmother, Duran Duran´s “Girls on Film” night version with girls mud-wrestling and Godley and Creme’s “Cry” with the very first use of face-morphing.

Toni Basil in 1982 released the very first full video-album called “Word of Mouth” and featured the classic “Mickey” video. Many artists followed her by releasing whole-album videos.

The early to mid-eighties saw Madonna emerge with classic videos including “Like a Virgin” and “Vogue”. She has a great understanding for the importance of videos and their ability to re-brand your pop-persona.

Also at that time landmark videos were shown like A-Ha with their “Take on Me”, Michael Jackson gave us his classic “Billie Jean” & the ground breaking “Thriller” – and Frankie Goes to Hollywood with their controversial single “Relax”.

There have been many classic videos over the years and I would like to share my top five with you -

David Bowie – “Boys Keep Swinging” 1979

An awesome video from David where he camps it up big time and dons drag as his own female backing singers – great fun! I remember this being on Top Of The Pops and the following week it dropped down the charts. I don’t think the general public were ready for drag yet.- but Boy George was waiting in the wings.

This song includes the great line ”they will never clone you, life is a pop of the cherry when you’re a boy” – so true. I love the ending where the 3 backing singers (all David) take their final bow, who said Bowie couldn’t act? Watch it here

Johnny Cash – “Hurt” 1993

This has to be my favorite ever. The first time I saw this video it took my breath away and I admit I shed a few tears. Such an emotional rendition of this Nine in Nails song which Johhny makes his own.

With flashbacks from his life and his wife June in the background it really does make you think about your own life and death. The video ends with him closing the lid on the piano and you felt that Johhny new their time was almost over. His wide died soon after filming and Johnny a few months later. Watch it here

Bronski Beat – “Smalltown Boy” 1984

The first single from “out” gay band Bronski Beat featured Jimmy Somervilles tale about his teenage years at the hands of (and fists) of small town bigots. For many people it was the first public aknowledgment of gay-bashing for kids.

Bjork – “Its Oh So Quiet” 1995

Such a feel good video which Bjork had to learn to tap-dance for. With echoes of a 1950’s Fred & Ginger routine and Hollywood musicals, it was a glimpse of Bjork being playful and light-hearted. I dare you to watch this and not smile. Watch it here

Eurythmics – “Who´s That Girl”

Annie Lennox does a great job with her gender-bending image – playing both male and female leads here. Look out for the end where she kisses herself!

There are also some fabulous cameos from, Hazel O´Connor, Thereza Bazar from Dollar, Cheryl Baker & Jay Aston from Bucks Fizz, Kiki Dee, Siobhan Fahey and Marilyn (Boy George’s arch-enemy/best friend). Watch it here

Is music better with videos? Well I sometimes miss the power of imagination we all had to use in the ‘70s to conjure up the imagery for songs. But would Thriller be as good without the Zombies and could Cheryl Cole ever make a number based on her voice alone?

Tags: Adam Ant, Ashes to Ashes, Bohemian Rhapsody, David Bowie, Eurythmics, Hurt, Johnny Cash, Queen, Who's that girl

Mike Belshaw

Author for the online friendship and dating site Sparkle and creator of the very successful blog "Off the Record"

Mike - has written 47 posts on Sparkle in my life. Contact the author

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