Seven Most Innovative Music Videos of Their Time

A lot has happened in the world of music videos over the years. New techniques and technologies have shaped the future of how artists present their music visually to their listeners. Especially in today’s technology-rich world, new innovations in the way video can be shot, like 360 degree views, are sparking a new sense of creativity and interactivity in the field.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s top music outlet, has found seven of the most innovative music videos of their time. From ahead-of-their-time graphic and editing techniques to viewer engagement and interactivity, these videos show that music videos are an ever-evolving art form.

1.       OK Go, “Here It Goes Again”: This was one of the first viral music videos. Released in 2006, the video featured the band doing a choreographed dance routine shot in one take. OK Go have gone on to recreate the same kind of success with each of their subsequent videos, which have featured Rube Goldberg machines, zero gravity, slowing-down time and more. (video)

2.       A-Ha, “Take On Me”: Though it might not seem like it now, the video for “Take On Me,” which featured sketches of the band coming to life, was fairly innovative for its time. The video uses rotoscoping to bring the live action elements into the drawings and give the drawings life-like movement. While rotoscope was being used decades before this, it was not necessarily used with this effect. (video)

3.       Bob Dylan, “Like A Rolling Stone”: “Like A Rolling Stone” didn’t have an official video made for it until 2013, and when it finally got one, it was unlike anything else. Instead of the director choosing the shots of people singing along to the song, the video is set up like an interactive television. Viewers can choose from 16 different stations, all playing a different “television show” where the cast is singing along to the song. (video)

4.       Pharrell Williams, “Happy”: What’s happier than the song “Happy?” A 24-hour party where everyone is singing along to the song. That was the concept behind Pharrell’s video for the song. Situated on a site called ‘24hoursofhappy.com,’ the interactive video gives the viewer the chance to scroll through 24 hours of people singing, walking and dancing while the song plays. Or you can watch the entire thing for 24 hours on continuous loop. (video)

5.       NGHBRS, “Hold Up Girl”: In 2013, Long Island indie-rock band NGHBRS released their debut album, as well as a video for the song’s lead single, “Hold Up Girl.” The video caught the attention of critics for its use of social media site Instagram. Shot in one take, the video features the band’s lead singer scrolling through his Instagram feed, watching short, creative videos and missives from the rest of the band along the way. Critics compared the video to OK Go, and gave NGHBRS a viral video in their own right. (video)

6.       Linkin Park, “Lost In The Echo”: This video takes user interaction to another level. Released in 2012, the video allows you to connect through Facebook and see your photos in the video. This allows the viewer to step into the world of the video, rather than just pick and choose where the story goes. (video)

7.       Weezer, “Buddy Holly”: Weezer have done a lot of innovative editing with their videos over the years, but “Buddy Holly” seems like it would be the most implausible of them all. The 1994 Spike Jones-directed video seamlessly puts the band in the world of the television show ‘Happy Days,’ setting them up as the house band at Arnold’s and fully interacting with the cast members. (video)

Music video technology has come a long way since the practice of releasing such videos became popular. Editing techniques and camera equipment have continued to evolve with time, leading to technologically savvier shoots and more creative ideas. As technology continues to get better, there is no telling where music videos will go next.

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Find music from these innovative artists and more at Vinyl Bay 777 and vinylbay777.com. Long Island’s top new independent record shop, Vinyl Bay 777 has a huge selection of new and used vinyl, CDs, cassettes, DVDs and memorabilia in store and online. We have thousands of titles to choose from with more being added all the time.