Music video request

September 9, 2008 7:16 AM

I need a very specific type of music video.

This is for an experimental ESL lesson. What I need is a music video that meets the following criteria:

• There is something interesting going on in the video that is narrative in nature;
• The content of the video is closely related to the lyrics, or adds to the lyrics in a fairly direct way;
• The lyrics and video content are not so objectionable that they would be out of place in a language classroom (assume teens / young adults / liberals);
• The video is easy to come by (i.e., I can find it on Google Video or YouTube);
• The lyrics for the video are at least somewhat clear and audible.

Please innundate me with tonnes of useful ideas!

posted by Meatbomb to Education (25 answers total)

I think the Smashing Pumpkins "Tonight Tonight" might qualify. The lyrics and action create a pretty cohesive narrative. Then again, you may be looking for something way more literal.
posted by [NOT HERMITOSIS-IST] at 7:22 AM on September 9, 2008

And by "way more literal" I mean something like TLC's "Waterfalls."
posted by [NOT HERMITOSIS-IST] at 7:27 AM on September 9, 2008

If you're looking for ESL stuff you could pick out stuff from english programmes aimed at young children. I'd say Fraggle Rock for instance has a lot of silly songs that fit your criteria.
posted by the_ancient_mariner at 7:31 AM on September 9, 2008

Response by poster: the_ancient_mariner: no, no, I need stuff that is primarily adult oriented - nothing like "Fraggle Rock" to make students feel patronized, at least the way I roll in my classroom... :)
posted by Meatbomb at 7:37 AM on September 9, 2008

I don't know what ESL stands for, but would Bob Dylan help? It's non-narrative, but hits the other points nicely.
posted by slimepuppy at 7:43 AM on September 9, 2008

The golden age of literal videos was the early eighties and in that vein I give you Adam and the Ants with Stand and Deliver
posted by merocet at 7:44 AM on September 9, 2008

I like this personally - and there's something definitely going on in the background. The voice is clear, the words are succinct and teens will *get it* metaphorically, linguistically and emotionally. And to get that - is getting their attention and that is the opening door to learning. So, please consider Jackson Browne.
posted by watercarrier at 7:53 AM on September 9, 2008

Lionel Ritchie, "Hello."
posted by [NOT HERMITOSIS-IST] at 7:55 AM on September 9, 2008

Like merocet, I immediately thought 80's.

Papa Don't Preach - Madonna
Vacation - The Go-Go's
Time After Time and Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper
posted by gnomeloaf at 8:05 AM on September 9, 2008

Radiohead - Just sprang immediately to mind, but then it might also have done if you'd asked where to get good bagels north of Aberdeen.
posted by nthdegx at 8:06 AM on September 9, 2008

Babe I'm On Fire by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds does not have a narrative but it a fun video and has the band acting out pretty much all of the lyrics.
Its is about 15 minutes long Part 1 here, part 2 link is on the same page. Though some of the lyrics may be a little edgy now that I think of it but you can be the judge.
posted by therubettes at 8:07 AM on September 9, 2008

Madness, Our House
posted by longsleeves at 8:12 AM on September 9, 2008

This list might help. I found by googling narrative music videos. There are other good results.
posted by limon at 8:25 AM on September 9, 2008

Mike Nesmith - Eldorado to the moon
posted by longsleeves at 8:28 AM on September 9, 2008

For someone who asked - ESL - English as a Second Language.
posted by watercarrier at 9:15 AM on September 9, 2008

16 Military Wives?
posted by giraffe at 9:35 AM on September 9, 2008

I humbly submit Tenacious D: Tribute and Wonderboy
posted by owtytrof at 10:17 AM on September 9, 2008

There are a lot of hip-hop videos along these lines, but I'm not sure if they're sufficiently inoffensive. How about Mr. Lif's Live at the Plantation,' or Boogie Down Productions' 'Love's Gonna Get Ya'? If those are too problematic, then about Biz Markie's 'Just a Friend,' or Young MC's 'Bust a Move'?
posted by box at 10:38 AM on September 9, 2008

Girlfriend - The Specials

I think teens would dig the snark.
posted by Brody's chum at 10:40 AM on September 9, 2008

I feel as if something from Flight of the Conchords might do the trick.
posted by Lemurrhea at 11:59 AM on September 9, 2008

I'd pick anything off any "best videos of all time" list. Thriller, of course, comes to mind first. Most popular videos meet that criteria, I think.
posted by girlmightlive at 2:35 PM on September 9, 2008

A few months ago, I found a video that appears to be part of a class project -- objects and symbols were placed into this video for each word of the song; the video is made to accompany Nik Kershaw's The Riddle
posted by Wolfster at 7:16 PM on September 9, 2008

What immediately came to mind was Warren G Regulate and Ice Cube It Was a Good Day but they are prob not so good for the classroom

Here's someone kind of lip syncing and acting along with Suzanne Vega Tom's Diner.. good narrative although not a lot happens :)

LOL, Fresh Prince and DJ Jazzy Jeff Parents Just Don't Understand might actually be pretty good.

Oh, this too - Tribe Called Quest Left My Wallet in El Segundo

C&C Music Factory Things that Make You Go Hmmm..
posted by citron at 11:03 PM on September 9, 2008

Something by The Streets, maybe? But you would need to watch for questionable lyrics and British slang (I don't understand some othe thigns he says)... Possibly 'Dry your eyes, mate', the lyrics seem ok, but I'm at work so can't watch the video to see how narrative it is.
posted by Helga-woo at 5:25 AM on September 10, 2008

...of the things...
posted by Helga-woo at 5:25 AM on September 10, 2008