Tuesday, March 9, 2021

29/100 Video - "Money For Nothing" - Dire Straits (1985)

The innovative video for "Money For Nothing" by Dire Straits was one of the first to feature computer-generated animation.

Apparently the characters were supposed to have more detail, like buttons on their shirts, but they used up the budget and had to leave it as is. 

The video was directed by Steve Barron, who describes below how it was an ironic video for MTV.

"The song is damning to MTV in a way. The characters we created were made of televisions, and they were slagging off television. 

Videos were getting a bit boring, they needed some waking up. And MTV went nuts for it. It was like a big advertisement for them."

This clip won Best Video at the 1986 MTV Video Music Awards.

Monday, March 8, 2021

30/100 Video - "Stylo" - Gorillaz (2010)

The video for "Stylo" by Gorillaz is a post-apocalyptic masterpiece.

A band known for musical cameos gives us Bruce Willis this time, playing the role as a badass bounty hunter pursuing the animated Gorillaz characters in a high-speed chase down a desert highway. 

Damon Albarn’s 2D character is wearing the clown mask that the Joker wore in the opening bank robbery scene from The Dark Knight.

After Noodle takes out a cruiser with a shotgun, Willis picks up their scent leading to a furious ride down the highway paced by the bass-heavy electro beat of the song.


Sunday, March 7, 2021

31/100 Video - "Sly" – Massive Attack (1994)

"Sly" by Massive Attack blew my mind since the first listen.

A tasty delicacy for the ears and eyes, the futuristic video could have been the best James Bond theme song that never was.

The psychedelic trippy clip is a fitting complement to the captivating and hypnotic trip hop tune.

The swirling strings and synths amid the video game-esque beat is sublime.

Saturday, March 6, 2021

32/100 Video - "Unfinished Symphony" - Massive Attack (1991)

During the 80s Duran Duran may have set the bar for consistently creating innovative videos.

Then in the 90s came Massive Attack.

Electronic beats and synths meet R & B for the subtle smooth groove of "Unfinished Symphony" by Massive Attack.

In the video, vocalist Shara Nelson walks the streets of Los Angeles, lip synching bittersweet lyrics, uncaring of her surroundings, which include drunks, bikers, and disabled people.

Band members Daddy G, 3D and Mushroom can be spotted at various points a few paces behind, and slightly out of focus.

The clip was shot in a single continuous take, and influenced the creation for the video for "Bittersweet Symphony" released six years later.

Friday, March 5, 2021

33/100 Video - "Barracuda" – Heart (1977)

"Barracuda" by Heart reminds me how much I still love a good solid rock tune.

The music is high tempo and pure power. The guitar and bass chug and churn while lead singer Ann Wilson gives us a career vocal showing off her epic range.


"Barracuda" just may be my favourite concert video; the sheer energy the band brings to this performance is electrifying.

I can't help but watch in awe of how easy they make it all look.