What makes a good music video?

Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

don't think i've seen this one asked yet.

so then, what qualities do you appreciate in music videos? do you require as-complete-as-possible synergy between between the audio and the visuals (dancing to the beat, following the lyrics' storyline, whatever), or do you like'em most when they aspire to be artpieces that can almost stand on its own alone? do you prefer american videos (glamorous, flashy eyecandy, kinetic) or european videos (lesser budgets, more focus on artistry and original ideas)?

upon doing some thinking this year, i've made the conclusion that the colours are for me one of the most important, if not THE ingredient of a good video. so i mostly prefer american videos. like Britney's "Boys" - dark gothy setpieces, menacing blue, emerald green mmmmm... (it's all so enchanting that i can even forgive Mike Myers' totally out of place orange suit!)

also, i love dancing - and already feel nostalgic for the days when the likes of Will Smith would splash a million on choreography alone.

― Mind Taker, Thursday, 27 November 2003 16:15 (twenty-two years ago)

I am always a big fan of literalism in videos, sadly the heyday of this (Adam Ant and the big jukebox plug etc.) is long past as bands realise that they don't want to look like twats.

Other than that a good concept carried through gutsily will generally impress me.

Worst videos ever = footage of band onstage, especially in black and white.

― Tico Tico (Tico Tico), Thursday, 27 November 2003 16:18 (twenty-two years ago)

Literalism = "I hang suspended" Boo Radleys

― mark grout (mark grout), Thursday, 27 November 2003 16:21 (twenty-two years ago)

basically, i think that artistry in american videos reflects in the execution (=form), while in the european ones it's about ideas (=content). of course, there are many exceptions on both sides (Cry Me A River is good looking AND smart, Move Your Feet is smart AND good looking), but i think mostly this binary holds true. anyone agree?

― Mind Taker, Thursday, 27 November 2003 16:29 (twenty-two years ago)

i tend to prefer non-literal but with a distinct narrative - linear progression i.e. story optional. i love animation and graphic art/design so am always happy to see them in videos esp. as symbolic of the music (literal in this case). Michel Gondry is perhaps the best at exploring the ways that sound and vision can relate to each other. Shynola create beautiful worlds and tell great stories, often eclipsing the music tho their 'Move Your Feet' clip is just pure incidental visual fun and a wonderful synergy. Exhibitions of band/artist personality and particular image and attitude is usually good. Straight performance I find pretty dull nowadays (hence the appeal for Gondry, always looking for ways to make the performance of the band, if included in the concept, more visually arresting and related to something e.g. an environment, technology and the nature and dynamic parameters of sound and/or vision itself)

― stevem (blueski), Thursday, 27 November 2003 16:42 (twenty-two years ago)

good editing

― s1utsky (slutsky), Thursday, 27 November 2003 16:43 (twenty-two years ago)

SEARCH
'Provider'
DESTROY
'Light Your Ass on Fire'

― enrique (Enrique), Thursday, 27 November 2003 16:44 (twenty-two years ago)

I don't like narrative in videos as it turns them into shaggy dog stories (all those awful awful Jonathan Glazer ones) but I love videos which create their own visual world, something Gondry does indeed do supremely well.

― Tico Tico (Tico Tico), Thursday, 27 November 2003 16:44 (twenty-two years ago)

They should be funny. Otherwise, they're kind of boring and not worth watching, unless the song is really good.

― Aja (aja), Thursday, 27 November 2003 16:44 (twenty-two years ago)

Jigling breasts and big shiny silver guns.

― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Thursday, 27 November 2003 16:46 (twenty-two years ago)

the Glazer narratives are very fuzzy and ambiguous tho - i think 'Karmacoma' is a great video because to me it just seems like a unfolding coil of disparate ideas - self indulgent maybe but i love the richness of it all. i suppose that goes for most of his videos (Just, Street Spirit etc.) - it's just ideas rather than cohesive story-telling. I didn't really like the UNKLE (madman keeps getting hit by cars) one though.

― stevem (blueski), Thursday, 27 November 2003 16:48 (twenty-two years ago)

i didn't like Blur's 'Coffee ANd TV' as i thought the milk carton thing was too laboured in it's gimmickery. also Blur were in it.

― stevem (blueski), Thursday, 27 November 2003 16:50 (twenty-two years ago)

i like gondry IN THEORY but he's a total dick and isn't particularly adept at directing actors.

what did glazer do?

― enrique (Enrique), Thursday, 27 November 2003 16:50 (twenty-two years ago)

It was the UNKLE one I particularly hated, and that other one with a car chasing someone, that was him wasn't it? I also think Street Spirit is laughable but I can see why a fan of "One" by U2 would enjoy it, heh heh.

― Tico Tico (Tico Tico), Thursday, 27 November 2003 16:51 (twenty-two years ago)

B-b-but the milk carton was SO CUTE! And it was their best song for 5 years which didn't harm matters.

― Tico Tico (Tico Tico), Thursday, 27 November 2003 16:51 (twenty-two years ago)

Dave Grohl dressed as a woman! That never fails to raise a giggle.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Thursday, 27 November 2003 16:52 (twenty-two years ago)

Tits are also great, though.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Thursday, 27 November 2003 16:53 (twenty-two years ago)

Dave Grohl dressed as a woman! That never fails to raise a giggle.

Was he better in "In Bloom" or "Learn to Fly"?

― Aja (aja), Thursday, 27 November 2003 16:54 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh, it'd be like trying to pick a favourite child or member of Manhattan Transfer.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Thursday, 27 November 2003 16:56 (twenty-two years ago)

Customer Reviews
Avg. Customer Review:
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other shoppers!
NY's New King and Queen of Noise, 10 September, 2003
Reviewer: A music fan from United Kingdom
Buy this album, it makes me dance like i'm on fire!

Was this review helpful to you?

― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Thursday, 27 November 2003 16:57 (twenty-two years ago)

Customer Reviews
Avg. Customer Review:
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other shoppers!
NY's New King and Queen of Noise, 10 September, 2003
Reviewer: A music fan from United Kingdom
Buy this album, it makes me dance like i'm on fire!

Was this review helpful to you?

― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Thursday, 27 November 2003 16:57 (twenty-two years ago)

I mean, wtf?!

― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Thursday, 27 November 2003 16:57 (twenty-two years ago)

What I mean to say IS, people on fire and dancing makes GREAT music video.

― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Thursday, 27 November 2003 16:57 (twenty-two years ago)

how is gondry a dick? and why does it matter?

― s1utsky (slutsky), Thursday, 27 November 2003 17:01 (twenty-two years ago)

I think Dave dressed as a woman might have been better in "Learn to Fly" just because I really liked when he was the teenaged girl. There is this version of "In Bloom" where they're wearing dresses the whole time. I taped it off of MTV2.

― Aja (aja), Thursday, 27 November 2003 17:02 (twenty-two years ago)

and that other one with a car chasing someone, that was him wasn't it?

sounds like you're talking about 'Karma Police' - i must admit it's not as clever as it probably thinks it is, some nice use of camera tho (like, to film stuff, hur hur)

i generally like videos in which the band or artist does not appear. is there a POP song for which the band or artist do not appear in the accompanying video?

― stevem (blueski), Thursday, 27 November 2003 17:02 (twenty-two years ago)

Daft Punk don't count ;)

― stevem (blueski), Thursday, 27 November 2003 17:03 (twenty-two years ago)

'Everlong' is the best Foos video (that Gondry magic again) - the bit where Grohl's 'wife' rings Dave in her dream and he is then woken by the phone ringing in real life (with her at the other end screaming) is class, tho probably ripping off Wes Craven or something.

― stevem (blueski), Thursday, 27 November 2003 17:04 (twenty-two years ago)

such a great video! and the bed that turns into a drum set!

my favourite gondry is probably bachelorette though

― s1utsky (slutsky), Thursday, 27 November 2003 17:05 (twenty-two years ago)

Paranoid Android!!

― Mr. Snrub, Thursday, 27 November 2003 17:07 (twenty-two years ago)

They got they idea for the "Everlong" video from a horror film. I don't know which one though. I've only seen that video three times though. My favorite music video is "Learn to Fly".

― Aja (aja), Thursday, 27 November 2003 17:08 (twenty-two years ago)

how is gondry a dick? and why does it matter?

he whinges abt jonze biting him and is immensely boastful. i think he's twee anyway.

― enrique (Enrique), Thursday, 27 November 2003 17:10 (twenty-two years ago)

whatever

― s1utsky (slutsky), Thursday, 27 November 2003 17:10 (twenty-two years ago)

he's still good

― s1utsky (slutsky), Thursday, 27 November 2003 17:11 (twenty-two years ago)

i guess... but i'm a rockist and was not impressed by his handling of 'humnan nature' on the whole. jonze cd have made it golden.

― enrique (Enrique), Thursday, 27 November 2003 17:13 (twenty-two years ago)

My favourite Gondry video (possibly favourite ever video not involving a giant plug or S. Le Bon on a yacht) - "Let Forever Be".

Jonze is alright but some of his videos are definite one-watch-wonders, I'm thinking of the Fatboy Slim ones especially.

What was "Human Nature" about again?

― Tico Tico (Tico Tico), Thursday, 27 November 2003 17:14 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm tired of music videos that try to tell a story for a song that doesn't contain one. Well, except Lionel Ritchie's "Hello", of course (but the blind chick can't sculpt worth beans).

I also hate bad shiny 3d animation, titles ("An I Think I'm Important Production"), watching anybody jump off an amplifier on stage, any time you can see the camera in a reflection ("I Ran"), Helicopters, synchronized dancing, neon clothing, lead singers trying to be "emotional" and looking constipated, and kitchy sentimentalism.

Yeah, so I guess basically the only video I like is Duran Duran's "Girls on Film". ;-)

― Mike Salmo (salmo), Thursday, 27 November 2003 21:46 (twenty-two years ago)

What makes a good music video?

Eminem.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Thursday, 27 November 2003 21:58 (twenty-two years ago)

Anything some sort of surrealistic. Weird colors, depressing themes, druggy. Luis Bunel should have made music videos.

― Cacaman Flores, Thursday, 27 November 2003 22:17 (twenty-two years ago)

Weird colors, depressing themes, druggy. Luis Bunel should have made music videos.
-- Cacaman Flores (cacama...), November 27th, 2003.

BWAHAHHAHA. Fuckin' word, brah.

It's simple, really. Endless replay value. The more wiggy, the better.

― Francis Watlington (Francis Watlington), Thursday, 27 November 2003 22:36 (twenty-two years ago)

let forever be is awesome!

― s1utsky (slutsky), Friday, 28 November 2003 01:51 (twenty-two years ago)

The answer to that question lies in "Steam" by Peter Gabriel. The greatest music video ever!

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Friday, 28 November 2003 01:57 (twenty-two years ago)

Fact!

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Friday, 28 November 2003 02:14 (twenty-two years ago)

I prefer Steam by East 17

― Pete S, Friday, 28 November 2003 02:18 (twenty-two years ago)

twenty-two years pass...

It's simple, really. Endless replay value.

So on that note, what music videos have you watched again & again & again since discovering them and still genuinely continue to enjoy?

― TheNuNuNu, Thursday, 22 October 2026 03:39 (three weeks ago)

("you" here meaning ILM of 2026)

― TheNuNuNu, Thursday, 22 October 2026 03:40 (three weeks ago)

The Ramones pulling up to their show in a Cadillac from the Rock 'n' Roll High School movie is the greatest music video ever which isn't technically a music video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBZChk32xdA

― Captain Zargon, Thursday, 22 October 2026 09:46 (three weeks ago)

The most rewatchable video for me is New Order's "Perfect Kiss". Seeing tired flesh and blood humans organically cook up the sonic robot whir is just riveting for me. Also trying to figure out why the expertise of Demme and Alekan elevate it so.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3XW6NLILqo

― bendy, Thursday, 22 October 2026 15:22 (three weeks ago)

it's every Kyary video but today it's this one

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7W6uATT4IT0

― L'enfer, c'est les otters (Noodle Vague), Thursday, 22 October 2026 16:35 (three weeks ago)

now that's a sourdough starter!

― bendy, Friday, 23 October 2026 13:22 (three weeks ago)

it's every Kyary video but today it's this one

Thank you for this. What a complicated relationship.

PON PON PON is one of my own perennials. Did not know about PANG PANG PANG

― TheNuNuNu, Friday, 23 October 2026 15:45 (three weeks ago)

Isshin Doutai is probably my all time fave of her vidz but they're all golden

― L'enfer, c'est les otters (Noodle Vague), Friday, 23 October 2026 15:47 (three weeks ago)

The most rewatchable video for me is New Order's "Perfect Kiss". Seeing tired flesh and blood humans organically cook up the sonic robot whir is just riveting for me. Also trying to figure out why the expertise of Demme and Alekan elevate it so.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3XW6NLILqo

Oh this is mesmerizing. And otm about the directing! The band members don't look like they'd be outrageously beautiful out in the real world, but they sure do here.

(New Order is a hole in my listening. First time I ever heard this song. So good!)

― TheNuNuNu, Friday, 23 October 2026 15:55 (three weeks ago)

I think one of the most disarming (& rewatchable) things for me is when people who made a good song are videotaped feeling it. As here:

U-zhaan & Ryuichi Sakamoto feat. 環ROY × 鎮座DOPENESS / エナジー風呂 (Energy Flo)

― TheNuNuNu, Friday, 23 October 2026 16:09 (three weeks ago)

(New Order is a hole in my listening. First time I ever heard this song. So good!)
― TheNuNuNu, Friday, October 23, 2026 8:55 AM (one hour ago)

Hard to believe, you do know New Order is one of the biggest bands on this here site? They are enormous and you should have some fun discovering them as they're that good. I even ran their artist poll.

― Bee OK, Friday, 23 October 2026 17:37 (three weeks ago)

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.