Thursday, 11 September 2014

History of Music Videos- Miss Georgiou

Music has changed dramatically over the years with many more genres being introduced and also how we as an audience consume the music videos. The earliest music video/ production, also named an 'illustrated song' was made in 1894 which was shown at the theatre which was the only place you could watch this.  However over the years as music video developed, there was a vast increase to the ways in which people could watch music videos. Earlier years people were able to watch music videos on YouTube, on a computer. However, if there was no access to the internet you would not be able to watch the video. This was a limitation as people would have to be in connection with WiFi to be able to watch it. Years after, smart phones with internet and YouTube installed in them however, again, you would have to be connected to the internet or have mobile data to watch videos. Another way people would be able to watch music videos is on the TV, music channels would play released music videos, on few channels, including MTV. Top of The Pops was also another way people would find out about new artists. This way, showing music videos on the TV, artists would become more well known and ultimately gain more fans.  iPod's were another way music videos could be watched by downloading the video onto an iPod from the internet or iTunes. From iTunes you can directly download videos straight to your apple device, however, for the price of £1.99 which again is a limitation as people may not be able to afford the video and would therefore have to resort to YouTube.



The longest serving music channel and first ever music channel to launch onto TV was MTV. Launched in 1981, in the United States of America. This marked importance in the music industry as it gave artists a chance to promote themselves through videos. The first music video that was shown on MTV was The Buggles 'Video Killed The Radio Star'. Allowing for music videos to be played on the TV showcased artists and who they are and what they stand for. This was an easy way for audiences to view music videos and and watch their favorite artists.
In 2005 a long time after MTV was launched, YouTube was then created. This website allowed for people to post and watch videos, ultimately, this lead to artists to post their music videos on here as it is an easy access to watch videos. YouTube gains more than one billion users every month. This site creates a diverse range of people and therefore, music videos would attract more of a wide audience rather than a niche audience that it may have had before. The most watched YouTube video is PSY's Gangnam Style which has over 42 billion views. This is the most popular music video of all time with it being globalized all over the world.

Music genres have dramatically changed over time. With the introduction of new technologies which allows for music to be made, creates genres such as house, electro and dance. The first recognizable genre of music was classical music, however as years went on and music developed and more and more instruments were created, the music that was created also developed. By the 1950's, the birth of rock n roll was introduced. Then the 1960's came and this era was called the 'popular stage' with artists such as The Beatles and Bobby Darin. By the 1970's rock was created and also punk rock. By the 1980's sub-genres were created such as new-wave and post-punk. 


As technology has evolved, music videos have also. With more and more technology available for people to use, the cost of music videos have soared. Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson's debut of "Scream" was the most expensive video to make in all time. With it costing, $7,000,000 to produce. Other expensive music videos are from Madonna with her song "Die Another Day" costing $6,100,000 to produce. 3 of Madonna's songs, being "Die Another Day", "Express Yourself" and "Bedtime Story", made it into the top 10 most expensive videos of all time.

1 comment:

  1. You have made a start in considering the music industry by focusing on some of the significant moments. You have considered the ways in which the audience consume music videos and how this has changed.

    However, you also need to focus on the costs of music videos, by researching into the most expensive video. Also aim to include images, to support the points that you have made.

    ReplyDelete