Why are music videos so boring these days?

Question

When music video first began, there were many genuinely creative, well produced, interesting videos about. Many of them actually told a story and were like mini-movies.

These days...oh dear. Not an original idea in site, no plots, low production values, just footage of the band playing or girls dancing.

Answer 1

I agree with what you & a lot of the others said, it's mainly girls dancing and strutting their stuff like peacocks. But have you seen Knarles Barkleys video to "Smiley Faces" it's really good well designed and presented in the style of 1930s' America, even the film comes off like an old movie it features polital affairs of the time and recreates the way music was with the band members in suits it's won my vote for great vid 2006 so far.

Answer 2

On the whole the videos are an extension of the direction of popular music which has become a commercial commodity rather than an extension of or a compliment to creativity and even the genuine ,creative bands and artists probably have very little input into what's chosen to promote the music. Not a lot of risk taking happening and a lot of people are just in it for the money so lowest common demoninator rules really. It's probably hard to push new and original ideas in an industy now largely controlled by accountants rather than people who care about music.

Answer 3

Video Killed The Radio Star

The very visual rock icon David Bowie once commented that the music video steals away the little imaginary scene we see in our heads when we listen to a record. How very ironic, yet contradictory, yet true – and truer now than ever! But try to imagine MTV devoid of real artists such as Bowie! That would be frightening.

Great music inspires good visuals. I hope. I find it impossible to listen to a moving piece of music and not feel creative.

On the other end of the scale, I don’t think I’d ever catch myself getting tipsy, watching some music videos, and then mysteriously ending up with a Pussycat Dolls’ Cd in my room! No offense to PCD lovers – but - get the point? Aural pleasure comes first in my music. The ‘X’ factor has to exist in the music, even before a song’s music video is born. Don’t get me wrong; the music video can still be a real art form.

‘We watch the shows, we watch the stars,
On videos for hours and hours
We hardly need to use our ears.
How music changes through the years.’
- Radio Ga Ga – Queen, 1984.

Answer 4

If you want some really good videos, look for any videos by Anton Corbijn. He is very famous in the music world, and has has worked with bands like Depeche Mode, Joy Division (he is directing a Joy Division film at the moment) and has created some of the best music videos of any producer.
His videos are usually quite abstract, but still retain a lot of meaning, both for him and also for the band. For example, the video for Joy Division's Atmosphere had cloaked figures on abeach, carrying with them several pictures of Ian Curtis in performance and with the band- the physical representation of the idolisation that Joy Division received both during their career and after the death of Ian Curtis. This video still remains highly iconic even after 20 years.
Similarly, most if not all of Depeche Mode's more famous videos are of Anton Corbijn's direction, including Enjoy The Silence, Precious, Strangelove and World In My Eyes. These videos are again abstract but retain meaning, for example the idea being for Enjoy The Silence that fame had brought Dave Gahan to a king-like pinnacle of power. And not a dancing girl in sight, although concert footage is often used in DM videos....
Part of the problem is that now, few record companies see commercial interest in music videos, with few big-budget videos beng produced even among some established bands. The record companies make little from music videos because people have stopped buying singles which normally have the video, but buy the mp3, and only a select few mp3 players play video. People are also turning away from the music video channels, and onto the internet, where it is cheaper and easier to just film a live performance and put that online. But, to point it out, many of the bands who
were found on the internet, relied on people watching their performance to get publicity- they don't have the money to do a big flashy video.
But I do agree. The music that I like, the videos helped me actually see what my favourite stars looked like, and helped me find out what the song was about. Look at Blue Monday. Now its money.

Answer 5

I'd tend to agree, and while I'm at it may I recommend the work of visionary music video director Michel Gondry.

He produced a whole plethora of videos for Björk, but among my favourites are the ones he directed for Daft Punk and Kylie. In particular, the videos for "Around the World" and "Come into my World" and to a lesser extent "Star Guitar" for The Chemical Brothers.

The videos themselves are cyclic. In some cases, different elements of footage representing different sounds within the songs, or the video appears to repeat at regular intervals, except with (not so) subtle differences in each loop.

The DVD "The Work Of Director Michel Gondry" easily contains some of the most expressive, original and downright creative ideas in music videos I've seen in the last 10 years. I'd highly recommend it and I think it's the best Christmas present I've received in years (from my lovely wife).

Failing that, check out some of the videos listed on the DVD in iTunes to see if you like the premise first.

Answer 6

It costs a lot to produce a good video music, usually millions. The main purpose of video music is to get customers like us to enjoy the song and eventually buy the albums. So, you can say video music is actually a marketing gimnick. But, nowadays, music is available in many format, especially in MP3 where songs are sold in many ways, thus, the profit the artists will earn back is not much.

Also, the cost to hire consultancy/advertising firms for ideas are getting more and more expensive. One good idea can cost up to millions.

As a conclusion, they can save millions in producing a low-cost video music, rather than finding ways to earn the million back. Coz it's not easy.

p/s: Look at Paris Hilton's video music, it's so low cost and it's very boring. That's a good example.

Answer 7

Coz there are so many silly rules! Have you seen late night music videos- the original cuts to some? They are interesting but MTV cut it out coz its 'a bad influence to young children' even other music channels do the same, if they don't you get some parents who are so damn up-tight calling in making complaints, one way or another those kids are gonna grow up and see for themselves, but in a way you can't balme the parents I suppose they just want the best for the children.
Some video's are boring coz all the musician want to do is to be seen as 'sexy' sadly like dumb a** blonde Jessica Simpson, Paris Hilton... the list goes on forever

Answer 8

because there are no really cool bands anymore. they mostly ppl with little talent who sell themselves to record companies and just turn up and do as they are told. These days the people who are buying the music (Youngsters mostly) are intensivly trained for over 11 years (while in school) in the art of doing as they are told without question. so they just keep on buying the music and watching the vids they are told to. no ones fault really just another sympton of the crazy system will live in

Answer 9

i agree although there is a wkd video out at the moment. i duno the band what the song called but its 4 guys doing a routine on running machines! they perfomed at the mtv video music awards! that choreography is so good on that! they must have been knackered afterwards! and it muts have been a very low budget!
but i agree with what ya saying coz they all do the same things now!

Answer 10

Video Killed the radio star! Its no longer talented musicians who have something to say. We live in culture that is obsessed with pretty people who sing karaoke hence American Idol, Making of the band etc. If we keep tuning in to this crap they'll just keep on selling it.