History of the Music Video

Codes and conventions of music video are broad but the most crucial thing about it is that it is edited in time to the music. The artists lip-synch in time with the track.

The video for Queen's ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ (1975) is said to have brought in a new era of music video. This is because the video for Bohemian Rhapsody highlights the grammar of music video: the video is stylised, with some 'live performance'; all edited in time with the music. The video focuses mainly on the lead singer, with the visuals structured exactly around the arrangement of the song.

Have a look at the video: what common conventions can you spot?


Queen: Bohemian Rhapsody (1975)

Rock and roll films of the ‘40’s and ‘50’s introduced audiences to the idea of band performing 'as live' on TV and film. Jailhouse Rock by Elivis Presley has mainly of the features of a studio-based music video. How many can you spot?


Elvis Presley Jailhouse Rock (1957)

In the 60’s the codes and conventions were really defined as follows:
1. Carefully choreographed performances synchronised to a studio recording of track;
2. Close up shots with a mix of high and low angles;
3. Artists lip-synch in time to the music;
4. Edit in time to music.

The music video was seen by the record label as a way to promote the image of the band. What image do you think The Beatles were trying to convey in this music video?


The Beatles Strawberry Fields (1967)

Music video subverts many conventions and borrows from lots of other media genres:


Blur: Coffee and TV (narrative and animation)


Gorillaz: Clint Eastwood Lyrics (animation)


Bob Dylan: Subterranean Homesick Blues (abstract)


U2: Rattle and Hum Heartland (documentary)


Beastie Boys: Sabotage (70’s cop video)