Music Video Research

1. Music Videos
BY ALISTAIR YOUNG

2. Name: Of The Night
Artist: Bastille
Genre: Electronic
Type of Video: Narrative - Illustration
Purpose of Music Video: It tells the story of a detective, whose life succumbs to the idea that
all deaths are becoming his 'Rhythm of the Night' or 'his way of life'. The deaths and his job
eventually overwhelm him until the end when he is shown 'giving up'.
What's inspirational: Original and catchy, it's also a different approach of theme and story
when compared to the original songs and other videos which tend to be less dark and more
upbeat. This might be one of the songs that I'd be interested in doing for our music video.

3. Name: Omen​
Artist:​ Disclosure ft. Sam Smith
Genre: Electronic Music​
Type of Video: Performance and Narrative - Amplification.​
Purpose of Music Video:​ This video continues the story
from the first video (called Holding On) and portrays a
modern love story which is interrupted by armed police.
What's inspirational: It's a mystery as to why the police are
there, creating enigmas. It's also a new way of telling a
story through song since there's going to be three or more
videos, making it more interesting for the viewers to watch
rather than just listening to the music.

4. Name: I See Fire​
Artist: Ed Sheeran​
Genre: Folk
Type of Music:​ Narrative - Illustration
Purpose of Music Video: It promotes the film
and artist. It relates to the film as the lyrics
imply the story will revolve around dragons
that will have an impact on the story. The fire
would also signify danger from other threats.
What's inspirational: It's a catchy song and
gets the audience excited for the film. The
song is creative and original as it has a
time / medieval time vibe to it due to the
certain instruments used.

5. Name: Secrets
Artist: Tiesto ​
Genre: Electro House​
Type of Video: Narrative - Illustration and Conceptual -
Thematic​
Purpose of Music Video: To show the advancement of
technology and how it could affect our lives even more in
the future?​
What's inspirational: The whole concept of the video is
abstract as we find out it was all in his head and just an idea
or detailed thought. This made it unique to other videos and
thematic to the electric house genre since it includes
futuristic visuals which aren't possible to create in real life
yet. This is one of the songs I might like to do for our video.

6. Name: Intoxicated
Artist: Martin Solveig + GTA​​
Genre: Deep House​​
Type of Video: Performance + Narrative - Disjuncture
Purpose of Music Video: It was to create something
completely spontaneous and doesn't really have a clear
meaning and can be considered to be ambiguous.
What's inspirational: It shows the artist wasn't afraid to
be different, creative, artsy and weird. By being unique
they created a video which is original and stands out
from others whilst being catchy to listen to and
interesting to watch.

7. Name of Video: Uma Thurman
Artist: Fall Out Boy
Genre: Rock
Type of Music: Performance + Narrative - Illustration
Purpose of Music: To show the audience what they do before
performances with their manager to relieve the stress of
performing and to show that they're a lot of fun.
Inspirational: Fun to watch. Not just music.

8. Name of Video: Rather Be​
Artist: Clean Bandit - Jess Glynne​
Genre: Pop​
Type of Music: Performance + Narrative - Illustration​
Purpose of Music: The concept of the story is she listens to
song and starts seeing members of the band following her,
implying their song is catchy and you will listen to it a lot.​
Inspirational: Different ending compared to other music videos.
videos. Strage and a bit creepy. Shows them on stage - makes
people want to see it live.

9. Name of Video: Am I Wrong​
Artist: Nico + Vinz​
Genre: Hip-Hop​
Type of Music: Performance + Narrative - Amplification​
Purpose of Music: To show the audience the singer's origins, how
he started off, the culture of his country and the struggle he went
through.
Inspirational: Shows how far he got and how you can become
successful from any part of the world if you try.

10. Name of Video: Waves​
Artist: Mr Probz​
Genre: RnB​
Type of Music:​ Narrative - Illustration
Purpose of Music​: Shows a couple who had an argument and the
women left the man, making him feel lost and/or left behind.
Inspirational:​ Catchy song but sad video. Interesting to see why they
fell out and to see how the mean feels about losing her through
symbolism. This is another song that I would want to do for our video.

11. Name of Video: Sweet Nothing​
Artist: Calvin Harris + John Newman​
Genre: Electronic​
Type of Music: Performance + Narrative - Illustration
Purpose of Music​: Shows a woman in an abusive relationship
wants to be free and her ex has him attacked at night and she
escapes the relationship.
Inspirational: Dark approach and ending but fun to listen to and
intrigued to see what happens at the end.

12. Name of Video: Mirrors​
Artist: Justin Timberlake​
Genre: Pop​
Type of Music: Performance + Narrative - Illustration​
Purpose of Music​: Inspired by his grandparents, it shows
long love can last and how their relationship progressed and
got better or worse.
Inspirational:​ A more personal and emotional music video
which is easy to understand and warming to watch.

13. Name of Video: Bangarang​
Artist: Skrillex​
Genre: DnB ​
Type of Music: Narrative - Disjuncture​
Purpose of Music Video: Stereotypically shows the
aggressiveness of children to get what they want and
eventually lead a life of crime.
Inspirational:​ Song fits well with the video and keeps the
audience interested.

14. Name of Video: Time of our lives​
Artist: Pitbull + Ne-Yo​
Genre: RnB​
Type of Music: Performance + Narrative - Amplification​
Purpose of Music Video: In an apartment, the bills are two-months
overdue and they have a party to pay for it and to forget about it.
Inspirational:​ Telling the audience to try and have fun even times are
low and to keep looking up.

15. Name of Video: Guts Over Fear​
Artist: Eminem​
Genre: Rap​
Type of Music: Performance + Narrative - Amplification​
Purpose of Music​: A man having financial troubles after losing his job
takes a career into boxing and makes it as a professional boxer.
Inspirational:​ Inspiring as the song tells you to never stop trying when
things are looking down.

16. Name of Video: Rude​
Artist: Magic​
Genre: Reggae​
Type of Music: Performance + Narrative - Illustration​
Purpose of Music​: The artist is trying to win his girlfriend's
father's blessing to marry the daughter but keeps saying no.
Inspirational:​ Sings to the camera which engages the audience
more. Original and a catchy song. Another song that I'm
interested in doing for our video.

17. Name of Video: How deep is your love​
Artist: Calvin Harris
Genre: Electronic​
Type of Music: Narrative - Disjuncture
Purpose of Music Video: The purpose of the music video is to
make a song which everyone would enjoy. There is no true
purpose for it. ​
Inspirational: It's inspirational as the whole song was done in
one take and it's also a catchy dance song.

18. Name of Video: Can't feel my face​
Artist: The Weeknd​
Genre: RnB​
Type of Music:​ Performance
Purpose of Music: The purpose was to show off
the artist's performance and make people want
to see it live.
Inspirational:​ Interesting and different ending,
making it fun to watch and to listen to at the
same time. This is the 5th song that I'd be
interested in doing for our video.

19. Name of Video: Don't worry about a thing​
Artist: Bob Marley​
Genre:​ Reggae
Type of Music: ​Performance and Conceptual.
Purpose of Music: The song encourages people
stay positive even when everything around you is
negative and that in the end everything will be
OK.
Inspirational:​ Classic song which has old special
editing to make it different from everyone else
and a memorable song which cheers everyone

20. Name of Video: Not Giving In​
Artist: Rudimental​
Genre:​ DnB
Type of Music: Narrative - Illustration​
Purpose of Music: To show the audience how the
life of crime can lead to an unfortunate end.
Inspirational:​ Gives a clear message and makes it
shocking but interesting to watch as the impact of
the message given to the audience is deep.

21. Name of Video:​ Shine
Artist: Years & Years​
Genre: ​Indie
Type of Music:​ Performance + Narrative - Disjuncture
Purpose of Music Video: The purpose of the video is unknown and
random as the narrative is disjuncture and doesn't clearly explain what's
going on.
Inspirational:​ High and low budget made the film look professional and
unique to other music videos.

22. Name of Video:​ Take me to Church
Artist: Hozier​
Genre: Blues​
Type of Music: Narrative - Illustration​
Purpose of Music Video: To show the cruel reality of living in Russia when
everyone has negatives views when it comes to same-sex relationships.​
Inspirational:​ Song is completely in black and white, making it different from
other videos. Shows videos can be done in black and white. It also has a deep
meaning which leads to conversation.

23. Name of Video:​ Broken
Artist: Seether ft. Amy Lee​
Genre: Alternative Metal​
Type of Music: Performance​
Purpose of Music Video: To express the artist's feelings about
leaving someone behind.
Inspirational:​ Artist expresses feelings by showing an rundown area
to show he feels alone. Different to other rock videos as it's more
slow paced and less metal.

24. Name of Video:​ Never too late
Artist: Three Days Grace​
Genre: Rock​
Type of Music: Performance + Narrative Illustration​
Purpose of Music Video: The song is about being in a dark place but being able to see a way out. It's
mainly about encouraging others to not give up at all.
Inspirational:​ Gives people hope and interesting to watch. Use of low key lighting symbolizes the dark
place that some people are in and are struggling to get out of.

25. Name of Video: Here without you
Artist: 3 Doors down
Genre: Alternative/Rock
Type of Music: Performance + Narrative - Illustration
Purpose of Music: Represents how the artist feels being away
his family whilst on away on tour. The low key lighting represents
the dark points in his life when he's away from his family.
Inspirational:​ Engages with the audience by looking at the camera.
Audience could also relate to the song as they might be away from
a family member that they miss.

26. Name of Video: She will be loved
Artist: Maroon 5
Genre: Pop
Type of Music: Performance + Narrative - Illustration
Purpose of Music Video: How having a secret affair and secretly loving another
whilst in a relationship could backfire and create awkward situations.
Inspirational:​ Some audiences can relate to the affair factor as it may have
happened to them in their life. The performance makes people want to see it live.

27. Name of Video: Let it Go
Artist: James Bay
Genre: Indie/Soul
Type of Music Video: Performance
Purpose of Music: Artist is expressing his feelings about another person
and is trying to let go of the person and getting away from a relationship
relationship which isn't meant to be.
Inspirational:​ First few minutes are done without more than one shot,
showing good timing, and knowledge of what is going to happen when
and where. All of it is performance so people will want to see it live.

28. Name of Video: America's Suitehearts
Artist: Fall out Boy
Genre: Rock
Type of Music: Illustration + Narrative - Disjuncture
Purpose of Music Video: The purpose is to show how the media and
paparazzi are changing various people drastically.
Inspirational:​ Very different approach to music videos as it's cartoony
and doesn't look appropriate and seems a bit satire and also seems
to mock the American media and Hollywood.

29. Name of Video: We All Want The Same Thing
Artist: Rixton
Genre: Pop
Type of Music: Performance
Purpose of Music Video: The artist goes through a curtain which leads to
the 80s.
Inspirational:​ The 80s part of the video would make people nostalgic
about the old times and how they might miss it more than the times now.

30. Name of Video: The Greatest
Artist: Raleigh Ritchie
Genre:​ RnB
Type of Music: Performance
Purpose of Music Video: The song talks about Raleigh's and his
friends irresponsibility and boredom, low paying jobs and bad
decisions. He has accepted people will look down on them and is
happy to respond to it.
Inspirational: Inspiring to not care about what other people think.
Mainly focuses on the artist making people want to watch it live.
Interesting use of shots.

31. Name of Video: Feel Good
Artist: Robin Thicke
Genre: House
Type of Music:​ Performance
Purpose of Music Video: The purpose is to make a video
everyone would dance to. This is no true meaning or purpose.
Inspirational:​ Performs on a stage and sings to the camera
which is the most effective way to engage the audience and
make them want to see the artist live. Has random effects and
unique shots to keep it interesting.

32. To conclude, I can tell from the music videos I've looked into that
most of them prefer to be performance and narrative - Illustration
as it is easier to make, shows off their performance and makes the
budget cheaper.
CONCLUSION