Timeline of Music Video

Bessie Smith- St.Louis Blues (1929)

This was considered as the first music video. Looking at it now the shots are extremely slow and shaky compared to what we are used to seeing now. It appears to be filmed continuously so there are no effects or transitions to link the shots and types of shot are limited to mid close ups. The song also appears muffled as there wasn't a pre-recording the sound was recorded with the visuals.


Vanilla Fudge- You keep me hangin' on (1968)

As you can see videos are already much more advanced just from being in colour. There are transitions and cuts between the shots which creates a more exciting video. Looking at it now it seems quite amateur and the background images are obviously fake. However the vocals have been pre-recorded so they are much clearer.


Abba- Dancing Queen (1976)

By this time music video''s were more common and more popular. As you can see they are now in colour, the variations of shots are more advanced and the vocals are much clearer as they have been pre-recorded. However this video is still limited to the band performing to an audience and the camera skills still appear shaky.


MARRS- Pump up the volume (1987)

The concept behind this video is already more advanced as it isn't just a performance from the band. There are more visuals, transitions and shots which match the faster pace of the video. The music is even more developed as there is more background sounds and effects to the voices. In the 80's MTV USA began airing which meant music videos were more widely seen and popular.



Britney Spears- Hit me baby one more time (1999)

This video is iconic and kick started the career of Britney Spears. Videos were now becoming narrative based by having stories and concepts behind them. Dance routines were involved and they were overall more interesting and exciting to watch. The types of effects and transitions were quicker to match the pace of the music.

How important are music videos today?

I don't think music videos are to important today. They provide visuals to a song but I don't think they are necessary for the success of a song or artists. I think in years to come artists won't make music videos as teenagers which are the primary audience most of the time spend more time on the internet than they do watching tv channels like MTV who are the sole source of music videos. I also think as technology become even more advanced than it already is there will be another way of making music videos so even the ones we see today will seem out of date.