Top 10 Music Videos

This list is subjective, I understand that. And in any type of arts, or even sciences, I believe how we rate or value things all depend on our scope and emphasis. So it'll be better if I explain how I rate music videos. That'll give you a sense of where I'm coming from.

Music videos, compared to films or documentaries, are relatively simple. But that's not to say it's easier. Compared to films, there are hundred, or maybe thousand, times more music videos on this planet. So it's a highly competitive medium although the production effort may be less. And because a song is much shorter than any film, save for short films, the message and the idea of the music video need to be concise. It also needs to be original, powerful, and entertaining.

There are tons of music videos where the singer or the songstress come on the screen with the band and just sings. It's typical, but that's not to say it's impossible to make a good video out of it. It's just harder because the theme is limited and it has been used so many times. Usually when the artist comes on screen and starts singing or dancing, it's because they know the audience wants it. So it'll sell. Think of any pop idols or boybands. I mean, to be fair, it's highly entertaining, but nothing mind blowing. And half of the time they're really just selling sex, or at best, their charisma. Sex sells, but after certain age I feel like I've bought enough and I don't need any more of it. I especially don't like pop and I'm very cynical about their work. So let me nibble on some pie of optimism to liven up my mood.

*Nibble, nibble, nibble.

What separates a good music from bad ones for me are the concepts more so than the visuals. But often the concept of a well-done music video follows with it very stimulating visuals. So they go hand in hand. That's my first criterion.

Another criterion is whether the context and the video align with the message of the music. It makes no sense to make a video representation of a music piece that contrasts the music. Since the point of the video is to promote the music and heighten the experience of the music, the video will always parallel to music. Well, there are exceptions but that's generally the rule.

Third is originality. Being original shows authenticity. And authenticity speaks to us a lot more than the tried-and-done elements in the past music videos. Personally, I'm tired of rap music videos. I want a music video without any booze, fake gold teeth, silver and gold chains, women in their bikinis, raining cash, or over-sized yachts. I guess that's why I appreciate Eminem's music videos lot more than other rap videos, hmm.

Let me nibble on some more pie of optimism.

*Nibble, nibble, nibble.

The next criterion may seem unsuitable, but it's completely legit. It's narration. I look for narration. Or vaguely put, I look for a story when I watch videos. But really, narration is just any sequence of scenes that add up to tell a message. There should be a message and narration is about how that message gets told. All in all, if I'm to watch the video without the music, I should still get the message of the music.

The final criterion is simplicity. This is not to say that it should lack intricacies and layers of meanings. The videos should have all that, but nothing excess. A lot of the times, music videos tend to overwhelm the viewer with cool shots, graphics, and tons of visual effects. It's necessary to use them sometimes, but music videos should strive for simplicity. So, cut anything unnecessary from the video because anything unnecessary is a distraction. Unless that distraction serves a purpose, it should not be there.

So all in all, here's the list of criteria.

1. How good is the concept?
2. How well does the video represent the music?
3. Is the video original?
4. Does it have a narration? Is it good?
5. Is the video simple, without unnecessary elements?

There is one criterion that I considered putting in the list but decided not to. And it's 'how entertaining the video is'. It comes obvious that one of the reasons for making a music video is the entertain people. If a video is not entertaining, people won't listen to the music. However, I realized that the list itself describes my standard of entertainment value. All those criteria add up to how likely I'll be entertained as well.

Anywho, enough talking, let's get to the videos. But give me a second to finish up the pie of optimism. My mom always taught me to clean out my plate.

*Nibble, nibble, nibble. Done.

Here's my all-time top 10 music videos.

10. Justice - DVNO

I tried and I tried to ignore this one, but it somehow crept up in the top 10 list. This video is a feast for the eyes. It splurges on creativity and when watching the video, the word epic comes to mind. The video isn't particularly meaningful or does it have any message. It's a party song. So, it's exempt from receiving criticisms for its poor content. However, other than that the video is original, if not unique, and it does what it's supposed to do; look awesome. Don't think too much about it. Just enjoy it.

9. Supergrass - Bad Blood

This video attacks your visuals, and I like it. Too often, we find ourselves passively watching the video. We feel safe from the things we watch and more often than not, we feel comfortable. But not with this one. The ways in which the camera tilts and rocks, it's nauseating to watch. The singer sings about losing his mind, and the video seems to ensure that the audience knows what that feels like. Excellent video for a small budget and good use of colors as well.

8. Fatboy Slim - Weapon Of Choice

It's Christopher Walken! And he's dancing! Personally, the song is so-so but the video is strangely addictive. Every time I watch this, I enjoy it just as much as I watched it for the first time. And it's no surprise this video won itself a Grammy in 2002. I still don't understand the song or the video all that well, but I'm pretty sure the artist is referring to his voice as his weapon of choice. People have speculated that some of the lyrics are direct quotation from the novel series Dune. Yes, the song is referring to the power of the voice, but I believe there's more. I believe the title Weapon Of Choice is a word play. Literally, choice is the weapon and to live our life, it's the best equipment we have. So, the video goes on about Mr. Walken dancing and exercise his freedom. It's deceptively simple. Initially, he was sitting down but he chooses to get up and dance. And if you watch it further, you'll notice that he does more than dancing. We, as humans, all have our rights to choose in this life. A bit of a stretch? Maybe. But how can you not love Mr. Walken in this video?

7. Albert Hammond, Jr. - GfC

This piece is visually astonishing. For such a smooth, melodic song the visuals for this video is incredibly mesmerizing. And it works, too. At first, this video just seems like the usual music industry taking the advantage over millions of kids with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), but it's not. Just when we seem to have got fed up with all the flashes, dizzying graphics, and whatnot, the music puts us back right on the ground. And it respectfully builds up again. The song is probably about having trouble forgetting a girl. I say probably, because the first line is 'Inside me there's a sad machine, wants to stop moving'. And the chorus goes something like 'I want my frustrations to know that you're alright'. Anywho, the first line sets the video in motion, referring to the sad machine that ceases to stop. The video is very mechanical in essence, with repetitions and constant rotations, yet it's not without an emotion. The video is vague, but it's not without a meaning. The visuals are mellow, but that's not to say it's not powerful. It's fragmented, but that's not to say it doesn't flow. The video does all that, and more; it's captivating for your eyes but for your ears as well. And maybe for your heart, too, if you particularly like soft rock.

6. Royksopp - Remind Me

As far as the music goes, there isn't much to listen to. But for this music video, that's its forte. There are vocals, but the title Remind Me is enough to make you understand what the video is about. It's about the little details and the systematic schemes that we fail to see in our everyday life. And it's very clever in how it portrays it. It's a fun, nifty animation of an average day of an average Jane who lives in UK. But there's a much bigger question beneath all that. The video raises questions whether how we're living is environmentally sustainable and whether we understand how our lives are lived out. It also questions whether we understand all the little details that we take for granted, whether it's our transportation, the parts of our body, or the Internet. The consequences of our actions in our daily life are mind boggling, as portrayed in the video. But on the surface, it's cool, neat, and fun, which is a parody in itself.

5. Sia - Breathe Me


This music video used a little over 2500 polaroid pictures, costing roughly $3800. The final product? A harmony of music and video that captures the essence of the song. It's not only a cool concept, but it's visually tasteful. The use of polaroid comes with a soft, disheartening feeling that's amplified by the music. It's nostalgic and the pictures guide the viewers as it recollects the memories and the feelings the artist reluctantly shares. But the main reason the video opted for polaroids is because of the feel of fragmentation it allows to portray. There's a broken spirit found in amidst of the pictures. It depicts the fragmented elements of life and each picture emphasizes the memories in fragments. And if that wasn't enough, the entire music video is actually a snapshot of each polaroid snapshots. The video is alluringly stark, yet beautifully whimsical.

4. Radiohead - Street Spirit (Fade Out)


This is one video that I can't imagine it could've been directed otherwise. Especially, the last scene. It evokes so much power and emotion, and rightly so. Radiohead doesn't write clear lyrics and they are always less than eager to explain their lyrics. But I know this; the song is about death. Having known this, things start to make much more sense. It's done in black and white. It resorts to show feelings through contrast rather than color, because for most of us, it's a clear line between life and death. When we die, or when someone dies, it's clear. There's no ambiguity. You can't be half-dead. Although that expression is used often, the truth is if you're alive, then you're alive. If you're dead, you're dead. It's a harsh reality and a vivid contrast. Black and white are able to portray that much more effectively. The slow motion element, at first, may seem like just a fancy visual effect, but that too has something to offer for the overall video. It emphasizes motion, our actions and reactions. It dramatizes the effects of gravity, which is how the nature of all things work. And in few shots it expresses emotions. Just as the immobile dog seemed to helplessly bark, in the end it's ignored by the boy. The video starts beautifully as Thom Yorke, the lead singer, falls off a trailer and continues to be just as beautiful till the end, where Thom seems afloat, oblivious of motion and the force of gravity. And there, we get a glimpse of what death feels like.

3. Blur - Coffee And TV


I love the milk-carton. I know it's just a milk-carton with arms and legs, but I think it's cute. I especially love all the emotions it shows throughout its somewhat horrific, yet successful journey. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, please watch the video. It's kiddish but it's highly enjoyable. The story of the video is about a milk-carton that goes on a journey to find a missing teen. Aptly, the song is about feeling misplaced in this world and longing to belong somewhere. And where else to feel so 'at home' other than at home? It's funny, original, and cute. But moreover, underneath it, it also carries with it a rich experience of self-identity and the meaning of life. For your info, did you know there's a fan-site made for that milk carton character?

2. Sigur Ros - Glosoli


Perhaps, this is one of the most beautiful music videos I've ever seen. The video revolves around a boy who sets out on a journey only with his drum, his stick, and his beats. As he travels, he makes friends and they join in his journey. That's the synopsis. I'd like to say more but I don't want to spoil the video. It's a very simple narration and concept, but the video lets us connect with the children by accentuating their sensual experiences and giving glimpses of the little details found around them. In a larger scope, the video also carries with it a universal theme of hopes, dreams, and beauty. It's an elegant clash of wondrous imagination, beautiful emotions that come through the song, and flawless cinematography.

1. UNKLE - Rabbit In Your Headlights


This video is the epitome of excellent cinematography, perfect use of visual effects, and distinctive narrative style. The video creates a surreal world and tells a story of a man endlessly walking in a tunnel. Throughout almost the entire video, he's doing nothing but walking, getting hit by the cars, and uttering something under his breath. But still, we can't help to be drawn in it's because it evokes our curiosity or because it evokes our empathy. Maybe it's both, so we keep watching, and the ending! Oh, the ending. Nothing quite as powerful. The message is relatively simple, although it may seem confusing. You can take the title, Rabbit In Your Headlights, literally. Think of a rabbit in your headlights. You can't see where you're going, so you can't drive. It's imperative that you remove the rabbit before you drive. It won't be quite a pleasurable process (think of how the rabbit got in your headlights in the first place) but nonetheless, you're impaired from driving with the rabbit in your headlights. As for the curious middle-aged man, the jacket is his 'rabbit'. But at the same time, that man represents us. We all have some kind of 'rabbit' in our lives that inhibit us from truly being who we are. The message is this: we can only be truly free after we lose it all.

That is my top 10 music videos. It was long, but I hope you enjoyed it.