Saturday Night Open Thread: My Top Five…. Music Videos

Tonight’s post category was inspired by Richard Blade playing one particular song on First Wave on Sirius XM satellite radio. That song brought back memories of its amazing music video and that got me to thinking of the best music videos I’ve ever seen.

As I mentioned in the first post, the plan is for this to be an ongoing off-season series on Saturday nights in which I present to you my five favourite somethings and then you comment and tell me:

• How I’m wrong
• Your Top Five
• Suggestions for the next top five list

I realize that many of you may have been born after the heyday of music videos. However, I think the majority still remember the days when the M in MTV actually meant something.

Without further ado, I present to you my Top Five Music Videos!

1 – “Toxic” by Britney Spears

The first time I saw this video, my mouth was wide open and I couldn’t take my eyes off of it. There is SO MUCH going on! The complexity of the song (it’s actually true, there are YouTube videos that explain how complex the musical structure actually is, for a pop song) is complimented by the complexity of the video.

All I know is that as soon as it finished, I had to watch it again. Even now, I’ll watch it at least twice in a row.

Pros:

That nearly see-through sparkly outfit!

Britney at her peak.

Multiple outfits and hair colors.

Cons:

You have to watch it more than once to capture everything.

Too short.

2 – “Welcome To The Pleasuredome” by Frankie Goes To Hollywood

This 8 minute plus epic was like a short film with a song for a soundtrack. The film’s plot matches nicely with the song’s sexy lyrics. Overall, it’s a very sexy video for something with no nudity.

At the time (1984), it was unconventional and controversial. The length of it alone made it difficult to get airplay. However, the video still made it into heavy rotation.

It probably helped that Michael Jackson’s Thriller clocked in at 14 minutes and was wildly popular.

Pros:

That bass line. Damn.

Awesome visuals.

Cons:

Not many people have seen it. Thank God for YouTube.

3 – “Thriller” by Michael Jackson

I referenced it above for a reason. This video paved the way for long-form videos that followed it. It truly was a mini-movie and it was an event when it was released.

I remember seeing it after all the hype and thinking, “Okay, that actually lived up to the hype.” It was directed by John Landis, who is not only my latest pick in Horatio’s draft, but was also known for The Kentucky Fried Movie, Animal House, The Blues Brothers, An American Werewolf In London, and Trading Places. After Thriller, he went on to direct Spies Like Us, The Three Amigos, Coming To America, and Beverly Hills Cop 3.

Pros:

A classic that changed the music video genre.

Created the iconic Monster Dance that has been copied multiple times.

Cons:

It actually carried a warning that kids might get scared and should probably not watch.

They released a short version, which was bullshit. Long Version or GTFO.

4 – “Do I Wanna Know” by The Arctic Monkeys

This was highly influenced by some trippy 60’s animation. Those older than me can probably pinpoint the references. All I know is that it blew me away when I first saw it.

I truly have no idea how they managed to synch up the animation to the music video. Not only that, but then the forms of the animation goes into all these different places.

It doesn’t hurt that it’s a good song too. However, the video makes the song even better.

Pros:

Nice to see something and say, “How the fuck did they do that?”

The change from black and white to colour and then to figures is pretty cool.

Cons:

I don’t do drugs, but I must imagine this video would be better on drugs.

The video came out after MTV had hit the fan. It deserves a bigger audience.

5 – “Call On Me” by Eric Prydz

Press play and within two seconds you’ll know why it’s in my top five.

You have a hot blonde aerobics instructor wearing an 80s outfit dancing to a 90s electronic dance song and leading her troops in a sweaty workout.

If I was asked as a young teenager what my vision of the perfect music video would be, this would be it.

Pros:

Dat ass.

I like the song.

Cons:

You may not appreciate asses like I do.

I would say it’s too short but the reality is you’re probably finished before the 2:52…

***

What say you in the comments?

UPDATE:

I forgot to mention that AFL starts THIS WEEK! You can join our tipping pool here:

https://mobile.footytips.com.au/competitions/afl/ladders/?competitionId=401652

See you there!