thanks.
No long intro here: it was just the first video I thought of when I saw the topic thread. Top Ten in my list, probably.
Take On Me, a-ha (1985, Steve Barron)
thanks.
Those are fantastic! I think the other Lucien Hughes Simpsonwave video that is particularly good is C R I S I S!domino harvey wrote: ↑Tue Sep 24, 2019 5:45 pmI’m more of a S U N D A Y S C H O O L or F E E L I N’ F I N E guy myself. Speaking of Vaporwave, probably worth considering the seminal example, Saint Pepsi Private Caller
Freedom '90 is a lock for my number one spot. It's another David Fincher video, and the "slick hollowness" that Mr. Sausage mentions above works beautifully with what Michael was trying to say. The leaky, dilapidated house occupied by impossibly gorgeous people anticipates the ever rainy city in Se7en, occupied by Brad Pitt and Gwyneth Paltrow. All of these pretty faces mime the words but without Michael's conviction. It's easy enough to ignore his message and just focus on the sexiness of it, but it becomes all the more striking when you pay attention to the lyrics.Black Hat wrote: ↑Wed Sep 25, 2019 2:11 amYou'd be hard pressed to find a video with a higher approval rating than George Michael's Freedom, simply the epitome of cool. Groundbreaking, visionary and responsible for igniting the careers of the most interesting collection of supermodels in the history of fashion. In the context of Michael's career the video was hugely important as it completed his rejection of the teen heartthrob image. I think in 2019 people tend to overlook how great an artist George Michael was and how much artists like him are missed. I'd also throw in the video for "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" as music videos as live performance were simply not done at the time and thanks to it, the tune became his signature song. Also smart this was done with Elton John and as great as John is, Michael, blew him off the stage — thus for the first time forcing critics to recognize his brilliance.
I'll second Human Nature, also my pick for her best video.ando wrote: ↑Wed Sep 25, 2019 2:25 amI loved Madonna but she was not the greatest of the MTV era. Admired her stuff. Human Nature is my favorite. Vogue is an embarrassment. And Material Girl is the epitome of revamped mediocrity. Her videos did improve considerably over time.
I find it perplexing you feel the way you do about Vogue, but have its sequel as your favorite.ando wrote: ↑Wed Sep 25, 2019 2:25 amI loved Madonna but she was not the greatest of the MTV era. Admired her stuff. Human Nature is my favorite. Vogue is an embarrassment. And Material Girl is the epitome of revamped mediocrity. Her videos did improve considerably over time.
No idea this was a Fincher video, but it makes so much sense, thanks for that.Feego wrote: ↑Wed Sep 25, 2019 9:40 amFreedom '90 is a lock for my number one spot. It's another David Fincher video, and the "slick hollowness" that Mr. Sausage mentions above works beautifully with what Michael was trying to say. The leaky, dilapidated house occupied by impossibly gorgeous people anticipates the ever rainy city in <b>Se7en</b>, occupied by Brad Pitt and Gwyneth Paltrow. All of these pretty faces mime the words but without Michael's conviction. It's easy enough to ignore his message and just focus on the sexiness of it, but it becomes all the more striking when you pay attention to the lyrics.
Though the Cibo Matto's a close second (for all its mood and mystery, kinda takes a backseat to the song's appearance on 'Buffy'), my favorite Gondry one-take is still "Lucas with a Lid Off." Maybe because, like the song's easy, busy flow, it manages to hit all its exhausting marks and still feel a little loose, or because the screens-within-screens complement the way the song drops in its elements. Or maybe just because it's the first one I recall seeing. I worked at a commercial production house when it came out, and when someone brought it in we lost a half a day watching that on repeat. The only other music video that caused as much commotion there was the unedited version of Romanek and NIN's "Closer" (which isn't as good as the edited version.)
Human Nature, a sequel to Vogue? Nah, it's a stand alone track to me. Though I did read this:Black Hat wrote: ↑Wed Sep 25, 2019 6:58 pmI find it perplexing you feel the way you do about Vogue, but have its sequel as your favorite.ando wrote: ↑Wed Sep 25, 2019 2:25 amI loved Madonna but she was not the greatest of the MTV era. Admired her stuff. Human Nature is my favorite. Vogue is an embarrassment. And Material Girl is the epitome of revamped mediocrity. Her videos did improve considerably over time.
Madonna, next to Mike, was the most pervasive music video presence, but for the most part, her videos didn't change the game the way that Mike's videos did. I always think of great art as work that changes the way people consider the subject considered or the manner in which it's presented. Can't say she falls into that category. But, in retrospect, perhaps Mike doesn't, either.Black Hat wrote: ↑Wed Sep 25, 2019 6:58 pmMore interestingly if not Madonna, who else can make a case for greatest of the MTV era? To me it's between her and Michael. Now he was the only one of that era whose new videos were events (GnR had a briefly similar run) so maybe that puts him over the top, but to me Jackson was a superstar before MTV and would have been one regardless. Madonna on the other hand I don't think becomes a phenomenon without her videos, beginning with Material Girl and going supernova with Like a Prayer.
Perhaps, but as savvy as she was/is she'd have taken advantage of whatever medium was at the vanguard of popular musical expression. I bought her debut album, Madonna, long before I saw her first video. Holiday and Everybody were dance and club hits which didn't require visuals to be successful. Once she did videos for Borderline and Lucky Star, however, the album quadrupled in sales.flyonthewall2983 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 25, 2019 7:28 pmInteresting to think of this in terms of how successful would they have been without MTV. Jackson might have gone on through the 80's with continued success as a recording artist, but maybe not in terms of how absolutely huge he became in the decade. George Michael would have broken through in a similar way because of his natural musical talent anyway. I will not say Madonna didn't have that at all, but it was a career that was primarily made through the visual medium, and the way one can grab as much attention through that as she did.
Ando, my man it seems like you really can't stand Vogue because it's a great example of that and what I meant when I called Human Nature its sequel, the dance move, how they're shot and cut together are reminiscent.ando wrote: ↑Wed Sep 25, 2019 11:05 pmHuman Nature, a sequel to Vogue? Nah, it's a stand alone track to me. Though I did read this:
Really, it was more a reaction to the reception of her book, Sex. The video is fairly original in look and composition. Can't think of many in that era where the choreography alone was the highlight - and feature - of the video.
Jackson certainly does and I'm not sure how you can deny how Madonna changed everything with how she pushed the boundaries of sexuality as well as queerness and even blackness.ando wrote: ↑Wed Sep 25, 2019 11:22 pmMadonna, next to Mike, was the most pervasive music video presence, but for the most part, her videos didn't change the game the way that Mike's videos did. I always think of great art as work that changes the way people consider the subject considered or the manner in which it's presented. Can't say she falls into that category. But, in retrospect, perhaps Mike doesn't, either.
I'm not sure what your argument here is as you seem to be contradicting yourself. As you know having a club hit was in no way relevant or indicative of mainstream success.ando wrote: ↑Wed Sep 25, 2019 11:31 pmPerhaps, but as savvy as she was/is she'd have taken advantage of whatever medium was at the vanguard of popular musical expression. I bought her debut album, Madonna, long before I saw her first video. Holiday and Everybody were dance and club hits which didn't require visuals to be successful. Once she did videos for Borderline and Lucky Star, however, the album quadrupled in sales.
This is a big one, first time really that MTV had black people on it.ando wrote: ↑Thu Sep 26, 2019 1:40 amMTV's first 90 video rotation included this classic that was the best of the downtown New York City music scene at the time - punk rock & hip hop:
Rapture, Blondy (1981, no director listed)
Not much happens in this odd, seemingly first take walk down a street on the Lower East Side with Debbie Harry and a dressed up William Barnes, who attempts to provide some color for the absent Grandmaster Flash (a clueless-looking Basquiat fills in ) who didn't show up for the shoot. Quirky time capsule. Great song. Silly rap. Classic.
No. That is not voguing. Not even close. I wouldn't even call the weak choreography on the Vogue video voguing. Check the history. Then come back and attempt to instruct me.Black Hat wrote: ↑Thu Sep 26, 2019 9:34 amAndo, my man it seems like you really can't stand Vogue because it's a great example of that and what I meant when I called Human Nature its sequel, the dance move, how they're shot and cut together are reminiscent.ando wrote: ↑Wed Sep 25, 2019 11:05 pmHuman Nature, a sequel to Vogue? Nah, it's a stand alone track to me. Though I did read this:
Really, it was more a reaction to the reception of her book, Sex. The video is fairly original in look and composition. Can't think of many in that era where the choreography alone was the highlight - and feature - of the video.
Madonna didn't change shit.Black Hat wrote: ↑Thu Sep 26, 2019 9:34 amJackson certainly does and I'm not sure how you can deny how Madonna changed everything with how she pushed the boundaries of sexuality as well as queerness and even blackness.ando wrote: ↑Wed Sep 25, 2019 11:22 pmMadonna, next to Mike, was the most pervasive music video presence, but for the most part, her videos didn't change the game the way that Mike's videos did. I always think of great art as work that changes the way people consider the subject considered or the manner in which it's presented. Can't say she falls into that category. But, in retrospect, perhaps Mike doesn't, either.
So what? The point is mainstream success was what she was after. And she'd have probably succeeded regardless of medium in which she had to work.Black Hat wrote: ↑Thu Sep 26, 2019 9:34 amI'm not sure what your argument here is as you seem to be contradicting yourself. As you know having a club hit was in no way relevant or indicative of mainstream success.ando wrote: ↑Wed Sep 25, 2019 11:31 pmPerhaps, but as savvy as she was/is she'd have taken advantage of whatever medium was at the vanguard of popular musical expression. I bought her debut album, Madonna, long before I saw her first video. Holiday and Everybody were dance and club hits which didn't require visuals to be successful. Once she did videos for Borderline and Lucky Star, however, the album quadrupled in sales.
I'll go for the other great Madonna video directed by Mark Romanek then: Rain, with Ryuichi Sakamoto in an acting role, looking on at her performance! Its like the polar aesthetic opposite of the Fiona Apple Criminal video! (Harris Savides was cinematographer on all three)Black Hat wrote: ↑Wed Sep 25, 2019 2:11 amMadonna is well Madonna, the greatest of the MTV era and really should be ineligible because you can pick so many, but I'll take Bedtime Story.
Precisely this.domino harvey wrote: ↑Thu Sep 26, 2019 11:54 amI think Madonna’s appeal as a sex symbol and self-furthered controversy magnet relied heavily on the music video format and media coverage of same
Oh no, you made the ridiculous claim about Madonna changing perceptions of women, gayness and blackness. YOU do the work.Black Hat wrote: ↑Thu Sep 26, 2019 2:34 pmPrecisely this.domino harvey wrote: ↑Thu Sep 26, 2019 11:54 amI think Madonna’s appeal as a sex symbol and self-furthered controversy magnet relied heavily on the music video format and media coverage of same
Ando, I'm still perplexed at how you can argue otherwise or that she "didn't change shit", but I'd love to see you make that case.
spot on. Always thought it as a bit creepy.Black Hat wrote: ↑Thu Sep 26, 2019 2:48 pmHello has to be the greatest example of 80s cocaine is a helluva drug narcissism. In this video that played constantly on MTV you have Lionel Richie playing a teacher openly stalking one of his students around the school. Everywhere she goes Lionel follows her, down the hall, in the cafeteria, dance class and at one point the motherfucker even pops out from behind the door and almost every time he does he sings "hello". Unbelievably the girl Richie follows is blind and he sings "I can see it in your eyes"!!!! This video is so batshit that one point the girl's in bed reading brail until the phone rings and of course its Richie saying "Hello". If all this wasn't enough the madness ends with this blind woman having made a horrendous sculpture of Richie's head. God bless that guy man, may we all one day love ourselves as much as he did in 1984.
Ridiculous??? Really dude??? She was one of the first A list popstars to include LGBT performers. One of the first to speak up for LGBT rights at a time where doing so was considered to be a great risk. The video for Like a Prayer which had her and Leon in an interracial tryst was hugely controversial, also at a time where an interracial kiss was rarely if ever allowed on tv and her contribution to female empowerment is obvious. It's beginning to feel like you just don't like Madonna because I don't see how you can deny these things.ando wrote: ↑Thu Sep 26, 2019 2:46 pmOh no, you made the ridiculous claim about Madonna changing perceptions of women, gayness and blackness. YOU do the work.Black Hat wrote: ↑Thu Sep 26, 2019 2:34 pmPrecisely this.domino harvey wrote: ↑Thu Sep 26, 2019 11:54 amI think Madonna’s appeal as a sex symbol and self-furthered controversy magnet relied heavily on the music video format and media coverage of same
Ando, I'm still perplexed at how you can argue otherwise or that she "didn't change shit", but I'd love to see you make that case.