There are so many different kinds of music videos. Different artists use their music to form images of visual art and it can change the way we listen to music and certain songs as a whole.
MTV was founded back in 1981 and assisted in launching music videos into popularity. Viewers and listeners could see music visualized and have a new source of entertainment. A music video can get people talking about an artist's work and how they express themselves. It can also bring the sound to life and give it another dimension.
Popular music videos of 2023 were released by varying artists with different creative talents. They ranged in style, but all brought a new creative discussion to the table.
Troye Sivan’s release of the music video for “One of Your Girls” got many people’s attention. He brought in Ross Lynch and Troye Sivan transformed into drag. This video, with lots of intricate outfits and another celebrity appearance, got more people talking about the song itself. He also released the music video for “Rush.” That video featured intense dance moves and more queer romance. It had people partying with some choreographed dances and brought the thrilling song to life in more ways than one. Both of those videos had a sense of sensuality and dancing as an expression of art.
Doja Cat also got viewers and listeners talking with her release of “Paint the Town Red” and the video that accompanied it. The video received mixed attention and hints of controversy around the meaning of the song and the visuals of the video. People jumped to the conclusion that because she was wearing red, Doja Cat might worship the devil. She denied those allegations and brought up the fact that the words and visuals are whatever people want to interpret them as. Good press or bad press, the video for the song got a lot more attention and focus in the industry.
Music videos have been a staple in entertainment for years. Micheal Jackson's video for “Thriller” is said to be one of the most influential music videos created. The video begins with a story of a young couple watching a scary movie and then after leaving the movie, they walk past a graveyard. The undead rise and Jackson dances along with them, scaring his date.
The visuals depict the background and impact of male sexuality and the concept of growing up. That is an example of what creative and impactful messages music videos can send out to the masses. Jackson used fear, dancing, costumes and a story about transformation to depict his song. The end of the video even allows room for interpretation when Jackson reveals it was all a dream, but looks to the camera with glowing eyes.
Looking back at 2023, pop music especially has taken charge when it comes to music videos. Artists like Tate McRae and Dua Lipa release entrancing videos expressing their creative messages. Both women have demonstrated their dancing skills and creativity in music videos to songs like “Greedy” and “Houdini.” They capture their self-confidence in different ways as well, such as through outfits and movement. McRae dances around in a hockey arena and Dua Lipa dances for a mirror with a different reflection looking back. Both create songs that combine well with the videos that accompany them but in ways that fit their music and the meaning they want to come through.
Music videos allow artists to push themselves in visuals and give the viewers and listeners a new perspective of their work. They also allow the viewers and the listeners to share a common ground of creative entertainment.
Kyra Dapore is a sophomore studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk more about it? Let Kyra know by emailing her at kd364521@ohio.edu.
