Are Music Videos Still Relevant?

[Catman]

There was a time when music videos were the launching pad for a song/album, but these days, especially because of the Internet, it seems like music videos are becoming less relevant. Songs are released a month before the video and some don't even get videos! Like earlier this year with Eminem's Crack a Bottle which became a #1 single on the billboard charts and if I'm not mistaken never got a video.

 

[AndThePickles]

I don't think they're relevant any more, which is a shame. The main music channels on tv only show reality tv these days. I miss music videos The vids are still out there, but I doubt most people go out of their way to research them.

 

[Catman]

The vids are still out there, but I doubt most people go out of their way to research them.

Unless it's an artist they really enjoy.

 

[AndThePickles]

Even when I enjoy the artist I rarely think these days, "Oh, I wonder what the music video is like for this song."

 

[Max J Power]

I don't think they're less relevant in terms of artistic quality, but they are definitely less relevant to financial success.

 

[enterthemadness]

I like music videos.

MUSE has one that is crazy. Like a giant TEDDY in it.

 

[Raiden]

I think music videos are still relevant, because people now watch them on YouTube instead of cable channels like MTV (who hardly play MV anyway). Music video is still a great advertising tool, and I don't believe that artists will ever stop making them for good.

 

[Matt Mortem]

The internet is the 'future' of MV. I used to watch MTV until they stopped playing music videos and then I used to watch Fuse and then they adopted a "****** music only policy". Now I hang out on Youtube if I want to catch a Rob Zombie vid or Korn vid.

 

[imaperson2]

Video killed the radio star, internet killed the video star.

 

[Arc-Light]

Video killed the radio star, internet killed the video star.

Very true.......i haven't watched a music video since the late 90's.

 

[Raiden]

Video killed the radio star, internet killed the video star.

Internet kills newspapers, magazines, and music CDs too.

 

[ChickenScratch]

I listen mostly to metal and jazz, not exactly burning up MTV or any other music video channel. I really don't see a need.

 

[HighSpiderman]

I think they are, times are changing and MTV isnt really music television anymore...but there is a reason some songs on youtube have literally over 10 million views.

 

[ttotheusher]

I would say theres an artistic need for them. It's a great outlet for a band to show off there style, whilst also giving a lot more oppurtunities for young filmmakers. However, I doubt there is much need nowadays in a commercial sense.

 

[Heretic]

For major label acts that get plenty of exposure and promotion, they are all but useless.

However, I think for a new indie act they can be important.

The band I manage will be filming two videos for our new album. The first will be a performance video, mixed with scenes of our cover model acting all sexy (ur model is a well known porn star). This will go up on Youtube and I'm sure will reach people that we never could otherwise...

The second video will be a 10-15 minute horror movie....with the final 5 minutes happening while the song is playing. Our director is a very successful special effects artist who has done effects for several blockbuster films. Again, this will reach tons of new people, even though the band wont actually appear in the video at all.

So, for someone like us...a new band without label backing...it can be very helpful. I think that if you have a multi-million dollar promotion and radio push behind you already though, im not sure how a video is really helping.

 

[Matt Mortem]

For major label acts that get plenty of exposure and promotion, they are all but useless.

However, I think for a new indie act they can be important.

The band I manage will be filming two videos for our new album. The first will be a performance video, mixed with scenes of our cover model acting all sexy (ur model is a well known porn star). This will go up on Youtube and I'm sure will reach people that we never could otherwise...

The second video will be a 10-15 minute horror movie....with the final 5 minutes happening while the song is playing. Our director is a very successful special effects artist who has done effects for several blockbuster films. Again, this will reach tons of new people, even though the band wont actually appear in the video at all.

So, for someone like us...a new band without label backing...it can be very helpful. I think that if you have a multi-million dollar promotion and radio push behind you already though, im not sure how a video is really helping.

I agree. If anything, when a big name act does a video it just adds to the oversaturation.

 

[mathhater]

Well music videos are kinda relevant to night owls I guess. MTV and VH1 still do play them, but ONLY in the overnight/early morning hours. That's where I heard "Fireflies" for the first time, a song that since then hasn't left my head. That's also where I saw MGMT's "Kids." It was right before I meant to go to bed, and needless to say, I didn't get much sleep that night. But if you stay up late, then it's almost like the old days of music on TV.

Hey, does anyone else miss VJs? I miss VJs...

 

[Raiden]

I still like MV, because unless you are listening to radio or iPod you need something visual, and MV not only lets you listen to your favorite song but also entertained by this short film of the artist. And there have been many great MV in the past (like Michael Jackson's Thriller) that refined the music landscape. I hope MV will never go away for good.

 

[Cmill216]

I don't think they're relevant any more, which is a shame. The main music channels on tv only show reality tv these days. I miss music videos The vids are still out there, but I doubt most people go out of their way to research them.

Pickles hit the nail on the head. Once shows like TRL died off, music videos lost their importance. Back in those days, videos use to be an event. But now that no one shows videos, no one cares.

 

[Red Mask]

I'm trying to find a very old 80's 'music video' that doesn't even have a band. It was just footage of guys parachuting. The music sounds like something done by Kitaro or Klaus Schulze, or even Vangelis.

 

[Eggyman]

I agree with ATP also. What the hell happened to music television?! Super Sweeet Sixteen...? Hogan Knows Best...? Wtf?