At first I thought it was a joke, but its not.No more MTV Music Television.Video didnt kill the radio star streaming did.The last vestiges of music video, worldwide, now gone.MTV was must-see TV for decades.
No house party was complete without it in the background.How many of us first encountered favorite music or grew to love a band because their music videos were so cool? And how many established stars reached new height and culture fame because of their videos? Michael Jacksons Thriller video.(In fact any Michael Jackson video.
I still get angry and sad that hes gone.) Even Rick Astley, for heavens sake.people are still being Rickrolled.TOP LISTS?There are lots of lists about the top music videos of all time, like this one.Its a fun walk or dance through time.There are a few videos that made me like the song so much that I couldnt enjoy the song without the video I literally cant listen to the song without the video, like Weapon of Choice by Fatboy Slim, danced by Christopher Walken, at 58, the Coolest Guy ever.Or the warm optimism and whimsy of Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel.
Other videos turbocharged an already great song, like Panama by Van Halen or Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper.Of course there are plenty of other more somber music videos Johnny Cashs cover of Hurt by Nine Inch Nails swapped Trent Reznors nihilism for a profound and moving reflection on time, aging, and choices.
Even Trent said Its not my song anymore.The sheer poetry of the video of REMs Losing my Religionmakes it more than a song about losing a lover.And even after all this time, I dont like Mondays by the Boomtown Rats sends chills down my spine.YOUR TURNBut thats me.
Which music videos do you miss? Which ones would you watch over and over? Share your faves in the comments!Virge Randall is Senior Planets Managing Editor.She is also a freelance culture reporter who seeks out hidden gems and unsung (or undersung) treasures for Straus Newspapers; she writes frequently on Old School New York City and performs at open mic readings throughout New York City.Send Open Thread suggestions to [email protected]: monticellllo stock.adobe.com
Publisher: Senior Planet ( Read More )
