Different styles of music videos

- Music videos include all different kinds of styles and genres. These aspects help make the videos interesting and unique compared to others. There are six types of music video categories. These include:

1. Narrative
2. Interpretive
3. Parody
4. Pastiche
5. Performance
6. Surreal

1. Narrative - A narrative is a music video that tells a story throughout the video and describes a sequence of non-fictional or fictional events, normally shown as a short story or film. Narrative music videos are normally very popular they engage the audience by getting them to follow the story as the story can often relate to the audiences experiences for example, a breakup, death in the family etc. A large range of artists now include narratives into their music videos as its different to the normal type of music video that is done and the story that the artists chooses to project, may be a special topic for them or something they feel strongly for which makes the video even better as it is something the artist is passionate abut. For example a music video about the misuse of drugs, music video on gangs etc.

An example of this is Eminem's song Beautiful:

This video is an example of a narrative music video. The song describes his own struggle to rebound from his depression and addiction. He feels trapped in by his addiction which is driving him further into depression and sees no way out. As the video progresses so does the story, resulting in a clear idea of what the character is going through. This video is very effective as it clearly shows the struggle he is going through at the time as he wants to feel better but he doesn't know how he will recover, it's almost as if he is confronting his fears to try and get help but also to show he isn't ashamed about it and that he wants everyone to understand his situation.

      2. Interpretive - Interpretive means something that looks like something else, but has a different meaning. Interpretive music videos normally want the audience to make their own interpretation of what they think the music video is about.

An example of this is Sia's song Elastic Heart:

This video is sung by Sia and is called Elastic Heart. This video is a prime example of an interpretive music video as the video doesn't have a clear meaning giving the audience time to interpret it in whatever way they choose to. The video is about a man who appears to of been placed inside a cage, he is trapped supposedly with one of his inner states e.g. his inner child. This means that the audience has to interpret their own meaning on the video as it isn’t made clear where he is or why he is there but he is just dancing with a child with creates the question of what it is actually trying to depict.

3. Parody - A parody is a spoof, in current usage, is an imitative work created to mock, comment on, or trivialise an original work, its subject, author, style, or some other target, by means of humorous, satiric or ironic imitation. Parody music videos aren’t the most popular way in which an artist chooses to promote his or hers music however it is becoming more and more popular and is usually very popular amongst the audience.

An example of this is by You Tube channel the Key of Awesome who created a parody to the song Grenade by Bruno Mars:

This video is an example of a parody music video. This video was created by a You Tube channel called The Key of Awesome and features the various regular people lip syncing to an adapted version of the song Grenade. As you can see from the name of the video, this parody music video focuses on the song Grenade. This video is very successful as it features various people that are making fun of the lyrics by adapting them to make a humorous song. What also makes this video interesting is the fact that nearly every word is changed but it still mimics the style and beat of the original, the lyrics provide the fans with a comedic element and allow you to laugh at the video compared to the original which is more sad and depressing this has more humour.

4. Pastiche - A pastiche is a literary or other artistic genre or technique that is an imitation.

An example of this style is the song Last Friday Night by Katy Perry:

This music video is an example of a pastiche music video. This video is called Last Friday Night by Katy Perry. This video uses a 80s themed party, with retro clothing, in a modern environment. This video is made interesting as the main character is portraying an unpopular geek but clearly tries to make the most of it. Also toward the end of the video the artist is showing her true colours and what she is really all about. This also gives the video more appeal and makes it unique.

5. Performance - A music video that features a live performance or footage from a live performance.

An example of a this is the song Incredible Thoughts by The Lonely Island:

This is another example of a performance music video by the band The Lonely Island called Incredible Thoughts. This video features the band playing in a concert as well as cutting to the band talking about their performance. This is very effective as it gives the video more of a story and engages the audience more as there is more going on. There are 3 different types of performance music video. These include band, dancing and singing. This particular video is a band and singing performance music video. This video is very effective of advertising its message as it makes the audience realise the amount of randomness and effort that lyrics create but together with the right message they can be a success.

6. Surreal - Surreal is something that is so strange you cant believe its real. Mostly animated music videos fall under this style.

An example of this is a song by Coldplay called Up and Up

This music video is an example of a surreal music video. This song is called Up and Up sung by Coldplay. As you can see this video uses real visual images and well as animated combined into one by using different viewpoints and real objects to distort your sense of reality. This video is made surreal due to the message of the song and the way the band is trying to show the way they see the world. I feel that this video is very successful and appealing to the audience as its different compared to most music videos, its unusual and original.