Types of Music Videos
What do you think about when you hear the words music video ? I asked my friends and this is what they think (they are clowns).
Performance
Performance based music videos consist of a singer/band performing in one or multiple locations, they’re lip syncing, dancing or playing their instruments. These primarily serve the purpose of highlighting the artist/s.
Examples of this could be ‘’Shinzou Wo Sasageyo’’ by Linked Horizon (I’m never going to loose a chance to not bring this into anything) and ‘’Shake It Off’’ by Taylor Swift.
The main focus throughout the video remains on Revo, in between cutting to other singers while a few scenes from the anime ‘’Attack On Titan’’ plays in the background, the song being from it. The video combines all the elements of a performance based video; singing, dancing etc.
The same goes for the music video to ‘Shake It Off’ focusing on Taylor with a few shots of her back dancers where they showcase different dance styles.
Narrative
Narrative based music videos; through these the artist/s portray a story. These are typically based on the structure of a short film. The video usually is referenced to the lyrics. Some of the music videos may star the artist/s or may have a completely different cast. The narratives explored can range from personal stories to social or political issues even fantasy videos.
Examples of this could be ‘’This is America’’ by Childish Gambino and ‘’Story’’ by NF.
The song "This Is America" by Childish Gambino largely addresses topics of race, violence, and the African American experience in America. The music video for the song is a highly symbolic and intriguing visual representation of the song's themes. The video, which was directed by Hiro Murai, is known for its layers of symbolic meaning and comments on society.
‘’Through this story, NF is conveying a message that extends beyond the plot of the song. NF is making a statement about the importance of doing something when challenged with difficult situations. He is implying that the person in the song was able to face their fears and do something to try and help the cashier by taking a risk. He is also reminding us to never underestimate the power of even one person to make a positive impact in the world.’’
SOURCE: SONGTELL.COM
Conceptual
Concept music videos have no storyline and don’t revolve around the lyrics of the the song. These videos may consist of a slight narrative or performance but do not have a set structure. These could be in the form of an abstract or artistic with symbols that hint the ‘narrative’ of the video. These videos often challenge viewers' perceptions and engage them on a deeper, intellectual level.
An example of this is ‘’Way Too Far’’ by Phony Ppl.