"Clever" music videos? June 15, 2007 3:48 PM Subscribe
"Clever" music videos?
Two of my favourite music videos are Star Guitar (because of the music/visual synchronicity) and Smack My Bitch Up (NSFW - because of the twist at the end).
You might like "Rock DJ" by Robbie Williams, which is also probably NSFW. And Feist's "1-2-3-4". posted by cgc373 at 4:04 PM on June 15, 2007
Check out the videos of Michael Gondry and Spike Jonze--their work exemplifies what you're looking for. The Director's Label Series Boxed Set is a fabulous collection for fans of the artform, but you could also just look up the videos individually on YouTube. posted by flod at 4:05 PM on June 15, 2007
Michel Gondry. Dammit. posted by flod at 4:06 PM on June 15, 2007
The music video for Imogen Heap's "Hide and Seek" is ...different -- it's sort of a love or hate kind of thing. posted by rossination at 4:10 PM on June 15, 2007
Why not take a look at Stylus Magazine's Top 100 Music Videos? You might find some you might like there.
My own favourite is 'Just' by Radiohead. To this day, I get a mental itch just trying to figure out what that bloke on the floor said when the subtitles abruptly stopped. posted by sweetlyvicious at 4:22 PM on June 15, 2007
(Unfortunately, that Kylie video link isn't very good quality -- and the video's genius depends on your being clearly able to see all the small background touches that keep repeating, multiplying, and playing off each other as she circles round the camera multiple times. But if you can find a sharper, less compressed version, preferably on the already-mentioned Michel Gondry DVD collection, it's highly recommended.) posted by Asparagirl at 4:50 PM on June 15, 2007
UNKLE - Rabbit in your Headlights
Radiohead - Karma Police
Kenna - Hell Bent posted by meowzilla at 4:50 PM on June 15, 2007
Hmm, I lied it didn't pop. My fav scenes are the lamps and the packing peanuts. posted by zephyr_words at 4:52 PM on June 15, 2007
Virtual Insanity by Jamiroquai posted by bitdamaged at 5:00 PM on June 15, 2007
Lou Reed's No Money Down is a classic. I'd been looking for a copy for years until YouTube came along. posted by nixxon at 5:14 PM on June 15, 2007
This isn't exactly a music video - I guess it's more of an art piece - but it's visually striking. Pink by Charlie White. And seconds on Crazy and Jamiroquai, posted by Addlepated at 5:26 PM on June 15, 2007
(I feel obligated to mention that I actually know this guy, who worked at the campus radio station in Halifax at the same time as me, under the dj name Jesus Murphy.) posted by joannemerriam at 5:29 PM on June 15, 2007
Money for Nothing, by Dire Straits.
But you have to put your mind back to the 80s when it was State of the Art. posted by bondcliff at 5:48 PM on June 15, 2007
This video revitalized their dying career. I hear that the founders of YouTube actually asked them to make a video for the site. They did and it has received millions of views. posted by caddis at 6:14 PM on June 15, 2007
3 Feet Deep by DJ Format, featuring MC's Abdominal and D-Sisive. posted by sellout at 6:24 PM on June 15, 2007
Seconding Kenna, recommending Freetime as well as Hell Bent. posted by nursegracer at 6:55 PM on June 15, 2007
you might want to look into the directors labels dvd's ... lots of the stuff mentioned on here is on those. my favorites are the michel gondry and spike jonze one. amazon has both. posted by krautland at 8:22 PM on June 15, 2007
A friend of yours? As in "Steve is a friend to children all over the world"? Or as in you really know him? Man, I hate to get starstruck, but we are huge fans of Steve's work here (TV and music). "Mighty Little Man" and "A Reason" are two of my all-time faves. Give him my best, and tell him his fans are eagerly anticipating the new album! posted by Rock Steady at 10:31 PM on June 15, 2007
Yup, I knew him for a few years, during the period of time in which we were both enrolled in Allentown College's theater program. I'm afraid we lost contact a long time ago, though, so I'm afraid I can't pass along your message. When he tours, though, usually we catch up a little when he hits Chicago. posted by WCityMike at 10:36 PM on June 15, 2007
"The Scientist" by Coldplay posted by The Deej at 10:37 PM on June 15, 2007
That's a weird way to describe their first smash success. It's not like they were the Rolling Stones or anything. They had a great production deal for the second album and were probably going to do at least as well anyway.
I hear that the founders of YouTube actually asked them to make a video for the site.
The first one, "A Million Ways", was done behind the backs of their label. The second one, "Here it Goes Again" (eponysterical?), was borne from the success of the first, because the label eventually backed the "Million" video with an astroturfing campaign. It wasn't posted only on YouTube, anyway.
Ah, the question. Lots of good ones above. My favorite recent "clever" video has to be Jarvis Cocker's "Don't Let Him Waste Your Time".
A few others not mentioned before:
* An Honest Mistake by the Bravery
* Breaking the Habit by Linkin Park (yes, but it's clever (and so help me I like this song))
* Sober by Tool
Of course, everyone's definition of clever varies. YMMV &c. posted by dhartung at 11:02 PM on June 15, 2007
I'd never heard of this one before, but from 1.30 in, it features a voiceover in which two members of the band discuss the sorry state of music videos over footage of kids auditioning for their next video. posted by goshling at 3:06 AM on June 16, 2007
Oh, and AFAIK, all the bands in the Thunderbirds clip were real bands. posted by goshling at 3:12 AM on June 16, 2007
I think From The Sea & Smoke (and also some song about a Liar)are great clips too, but can't find links to them. posted by goshling at 3:50 AM on June 16, 2007
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posted by lunchbox at 4:00 PM on June 15, 2007