A History of the Music Video

When and what was the first music video created?

• The music video which is universally considered to be the worst in Video Killed the Radio Star, by the band, The Buggles. 
• It's considered the first because it was the first music video to be shown on MTV, which was launched in 1981.

What are the top 3 most viewed music videos on Youtube?

As of March 2018, the most viewed videos, and their view counts, are:

1. Despacito - Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee (2017) - 4,927,945,209 views
2. See You Again - Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth (2015) - 3,453,205,056 views
3. Shape of You - Ed Sheeran (2017) - 3,360,806,953 views

What is MTV and VH1, and when were they founded?

• MTV stands for Music Television, and is an American-owned cable/satellite television channel which pioneered music video programming. Its target demographic is currently teenagers, but its ratings are falling due to the rise of digital media. It was founded on the 1st of August, 1981, in the USA. 
• VH1 stands for Video Hits 1, and is an American-owned cable/satellite television channel which was established to build upon the success of MTV's music video programming format. It focuses on a more mature target demographic and plays more upbeat, lighter music. It was founded on January 1st, 1985 in the USA.

What is VEVO, and when was it founded?

• VEVO is an American owned video-hosting service, which stands for video evolution. 
• It was founded on December 8, 2009; and it was a joint venture between the Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Music Group.
• It was pitched as being a music video streaming website, and has partnered with Youtube in order to gather custom through their users.

What are the most influential music videos of all time?

• Thriller - Michael Jackson (1983): this was a 15-minute music video, full of choreography, prosthetics, and costume which was more of a horror short film than a video. It popularised the idea of a running narrative throughout a music video.
• Video Killed The Radio Star - The Buggles (1981): As mentioned above, this was the first music video ever shown on television, therefore kick-starting the music video programming industry, and the use of music video in artist promotion.
• Rat Race - The Specials (1981): This was the first music video to be shown on television which featured a black artist. They broke the barrier for black artists to be featured in music programming.
• Sledgehammer - Peter Gabriel (1986): This video used stop-motion claymation which aided it in the winning of its 9 MTV VMA awards in 1987, and made it the second most played video on MTV of all time.
• Girls, Girls, Girls - Motley Crue (1987): This was banned by MTV for alluding to the band's favourite strip club and containing nude women in its video. However, it epitomised the rugged state of music in the eighties, and the new direction that music video would take a turn to as music itself progressed.
• Like a Prayer - Madonna (1989): The mixture of sexual and religious themes that Madonna merged in this music video provoked outrage, prompting even the Pope to criticise. Despite the negativity, this video proved that music videos have the power and reach to affect social issues and draw major controversy.
• Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana (1991): This rock classic proved how influential music video is on youths. It captured the essence of the rising grunge movement, and popularised it with the generation, who went on to pioneer the idea of teenage angst.