The history of the music video

Ollie Reynolds

Define a music video

In light of this definition, given by wikipedia, in 1894, sheet music publishers Edward B. Marks and Joe Stern hired an electrician George Thomas and various performers to promote their song "The Little Lost Child". Using a magic lantern, Thomas projected a series of still images on a screen simultaneous to live performances. This would become a popular form of entertainment known as the illustrated song, the first step toward music video. With this intent, i believe this to have had artistic purposes, but also used for promotion of their song. however it was not filmed

Potentially first music video

A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional and/or artistic purposes.

Considered first music video

 Video Killed the Radio Star by The Buggles, was produced by MTV and it debuted its first music video in August 1980, however Australian and British bands like AC/DC and XTC were already producing music videos a few years beforehand

Music Videos

1920 - St. Louis blues

The blues singer Bessie Smith appeared in a two-reel short film which featured her song. As this is used for promotional purposes, it can be considered a music video.

1940 - Walt Disney

In 1940, Walt Disney Released fantasia, a short animated video clip of mickey mouse, based on a classical music track.

1940 - Walt Disney

In 1940, Walt Disney Released fantasia, a short animated video clip of mickey mouse, based on a classical music track.

1956 - Tony Bennett

Tony Bennetts stranger in paradise was filmed in Hyde park in London and Played across TV stations across the UK and USA.

This was the first music video to be broadcasted on TV.

1964-67   The Beatles

The beatles - A hard days  night & Penny Lane - A crucial moment in music video history was the beatles in the 1960's The Beatles took their music videos to the next level with their videos, and started using conventions and codes that modern productions teams know today, such as unusual angles, dramatic lighting and rhythmic editing. Featured on Top of the pops (launched January 1964)

Music Videos

1970   Jackson Five

"i want you back" In this music video, This is the first input of chroma keying we have seen. This is done by using colour hues, such as layering two video clips on top of each other using a green screen. Cross cutting was also used in the video, which is something we still use today

1980  Queen

In 1980, Bohemian Rhapsody was made. This changed the music scene forever with its massive audience on top of the pops. This also contibuted to the launch of MTV

1981 Launch of MTV

MTV was launched in 1981 and the first video to be aired on it was 'Video killed the radio star' Previously mentioned. This was a big step forward music videos, as it was a high budget video shown in the clear development of over-laying.

1982 Michael Jackson

This is the very pinnacle of music video history, The legend Michael Jackson introduced us to the "Plot" in a music video, almost like a mini movie. This was a big step into promotion through this media and into high budget productions. 

1985 - A'ha

"Take me on" This was the first mixture of different techniques first seen in a music video, the mix of comic book/real action was revolutionary to the industry. This shows how the song relies totally on this type of promotion, only because it was the main type of marketing and advertising in the late 20th century.

Modern Music Videos

Here are a few examples of modern music videos that have clear links back into the history, such as Taylor Swift's Wildest Dreams:

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

This links to Michael Jacksons first singular music video Thriller, when he introduced the plot into music videos, almost a "Mini movie"

Also, here in Skepta's "Thats not me" music video, there is a clear use of chroma keying in the video. This links back to the previously mentioned use in The jackson Five's "i want you back"  

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