First semester of Highschool, I had an epic VHS music video tape: Busta Rhymes - Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See, Foo Fighters - Everlong, Mase - Mo Money, Biggy - Big Poppa, Fatboy Slim - Praise You
I watched pretty much all of these as a tween and teen, so this is like a fun retrospective for me. It strangely gave me more a timeline for episodes of my youth.
Agreed, born in 77.... We had a good run when it came to all forms of music and video. Pop,rock, metal,rap.... all of it was good!! My kids in their 20s agree, "Dad, you grew up in a great era of music".... tbey dont listen to much new music, they both listen to 90s stuff mostly. We lived in a golden era of music!
@@Eetabigwun we did! If i'd been born less than a week earlier I would've been '77 too :D I don't listen to much new music either, also still listen to a lot of 80s and 90s.
Yeah, I was born in 74 an the youngest outta 5 of us kids. I think we musta been one of the first ones to have MTV in the neighborhood an I remember my brothers and sisters an some of my friends would come over to check this new channel out. I’m guessing maybe we had gotten MTV maybe a year later at the most cuz I remember when we turned the channel on channel 15 and we didn’t have MTV yet and the station was all fuzzy and you could kinda see and hear this music coming outta it. It was like wow, what this!!! But I had to have been maybe 7-8 years old when we actually got MTV. I remember NO commercials and I knew every song on it and it would put me to sleep in the one rocking chair we had. Then it musta been around the time they came out with the remote control cuz before we had remotes for the TV, I WAS THE REMOTE CONTROL! 😂 But when dad got outta the chair and ma & dad left the house we would fight over who got the chair and the remote (we called the remote control, the BOX) GIMME THE BOX!🤣 and we’d of course turn the station to channel 15 and rock out in the rockin chair to MTV! 🤣😂 I’m just grateful I was born in that or this time I guess! 😂 🤘🏼 ✌🏼
Thank you for recognizing the impact of Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814. It was high-concept and had an enduring message with an incredibly infectious beat. Few people understand how influential this video really is.
Although TLC occasionally had a rap in their songs, they are not at all rap or straight up hip-hop. They were classic rhythm and blues with beats that are associated more with what was called “new Jack swing”… a kind of different vibe than straight up hip-hop.
Love this series, thanks! Busta Rhymes - Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See, deserves mention. For me, it's the greatest video of my generation from 97-2005
That video was an extra treat for me in high school. a couple semesters before, my drama class saw him in "who am I this time?" (tv film starring him and Susan Sarandon), so I was a budding fan already. He is the entire reason I ended up getting into Fatboy Slim. 😂
Was it foreshadowing that he was in the recent Dune movie while he did a music video that quotes dune the entire time? “Walk without rhythm and you won’t attract the worm.”
As a kid, I had my family record MJ's Moonwalker when it came on TV and I must've watched that VHS to death. As I got older, it was fun to see all the retro TV commercials in-between bits of the movie. I gotta see if I can find that old VHS!
@@jadebel7006 You must know much more, I've only been reading and taking in information on the subject for the past almost 20 years. Do you have a source?
I have borrowed from your content for use in my classroom for many years, and used the videos for Closer, Beautiful People, and Black Hole Sun this week in the exact way you did here. Thank you for your doing a great job and making my job both easier and more interesting.
The first few videos in this series didn’t grab my attention, but you have my interest with the MTV coverage! The first installment was great. Looking forward to this one
I remember watching MTV when I was a kid in the 90's here in Finland. Lou Bega's Mambo no.5 was one of my favorite songs at that time and I always hoped that it would appear. Of course I didn't understand the words at that time since I didn't know any English but the groove was just immaculate! I remember seeing quite a few videos from being 8 years old and as the video went on I was like "oh I've seen that as well" this happened many times.
One thing that I wish had been covered in this video that I find to be one of the most important aspects of this specific era of MTV was that of the rise of MTV's own most prominent, well-known and groundbreaking influencers and critics of the music video artform: Beavis and Butt-Head. And no, that's not a joke. Despite being often heavily biased and divisive when it comes to the objectivity of their reviews, Beavis and Butt-Head were shockingly frank and honestly sincere about their critique. Every form of art has it's own defining critical voice, whether that was Siskel and Ebert, Leonard Maltin, or perhaps more fittingly, Joe Bob Brigs for films, or Rolling Stone when it came to the music industry by itself, the Music Video had Beavis and Butt-Head, who despite being crude, childish, churlish and highly judgemental, were scathingly critical and always able to tap into the rejection of pretentiousness, and laser focus on genuine sincerity. Anything that was disingenuous, too artificially manufactured or "fake" was always the most frequent punching bags for B&B. Even if they didn't often understand their own discerning knowledge, they had a unique wit and surprisingly insightful take on this emerging artform, even if it was a very blunt or harshly direct one. They were just as apt at slamming rock videos if they were self-indulgent, hammy or insincere as they were able to appreciate rap and hip-hop if it was honest and not forced. Beavis and Butt-Head had the layman's every-man voice. They were the voice of the disaffected, ADHD, difficult-to-impress, impulsive and fickle youth of the day, a reflection of the very generation that MTV and it's musicians and video directors were setting out to impress, and they had no problems letting their honest feelings be known, which DID reflect many of that generation, regardless of what others could say about their intelligence or professionalism. And their presence was just as important for the direction and legacy of these videos now, as much as they were when they commented on them in the timely manner they first did. In fact, a GREAT many music videos are remembered and cherished, or strongly recalled in large part to this day, more for what Beavis and Butt-Head had to say about them, than many of those people recall many of those videos on their own merits. To say Beavis and Butt-Head didn't influence or shape the music video as an artform would just simply be wrong, and to ignore their contributions to the history of the music video as an artform is just as inaccurate of a picture.
And for the record, I know Beavis and Butt-Head aren't real people, they're cartoons. Despite some of the things they do could also get a real person to be hurt, expelled, arrested or deported and that no one should try what they do at home.... I think my point still stands, that Mike Judge, the satirist BEHIND them, still deserves that same credit for everything I said before, and for how astoundingly well he understands the base-level expectations of the youth he was speaking for with funny voices. Even if everything I said above still applies to Mike Judge, rather than his cartoon superstars themselves, I think it's just as valid. Mike Judge was THE greatest critic of this artform, then, at the time, and even now.
@@the-NightStar Absolutely agree, though by the early '90s music videos were no longer a "new" artform. It was ripe for critique and deconstruction. I remember The Roots making a video parodying the numerous tropes of Hip Hop videos (What They do) and it was hilarious! But definitely give Mike Judge his flowers now for the impact he had with B&B. 100%!
This has been one of my favorite series ever! I've always had a special connection with music videos. And I found out from your last video that my birthday is the same day and year as the first MTV VMA's, blew my mind!
As one of the oldest of millennials who came of age, in the '90s, I remember most all of these, & this was an incredible & joyous, nostalgic trip back to better days. For me & my generation, this was the golden era of MTV! I'd love to hear you get more into the TLC song "Waterfalls", as I've never been able to figure out what the waterfalls, in the lyrics, are a metaphor for. I remember, I immediately became a fan of Eminem, when I first saw the video for "my name is", & I'm amazed & pleased that he's been able to endure & last till this day!! Though, Polyphonic, I do remember many white kids were already listening to hip hop, long before Eminem's arrival. I particularly remember white kids, at my junior high school, referencing lyrics to Coolio songs, of the time, & I also remember just about all the white kids I knew, were walking around going "whoomp there it is". That was an amazing period!!
OMFG I LOVE YOU! JUST AS YOU WHERE DESCRIBING IT I SAID OUTLOUD "Weapon of Choice" and BAM! Dude this video was ACE!!!! Topnotch man, you REALLY did your homework HYPE WILLIAMS IS THE GREATEST!!!!!
Man I just stumbled across ur channel yesterday. And part 1 was the first one I watched. So I only had to wait overnight for part 2... What a great video.. I absolutely can't wait for part 3!!
Really enjoying this series. Thank you, very well researched and definitely brings back memories for me, a gen x' er who was lucky to see and meet many you mentioned as well as see their videos on MTV.
Push It by Garbage was definitely one of the most exciting videos of the 90s, still can't believe it didn't win any awards at the 1998 MTV VMA's despite being nominated for 8!
1983, 13 years old, got home from school one day, we had just gotten this new thing… CABLE TV. The first thing I put on was MTV, was only able to watch bits of it at friend’s houses, we lived just outside the city limits and got it after everyone else. I don’t think MTV left that TV when I was watching until I moved out in 1988.
I'm 35 and remember watching Fresh Prince and Martin in the 90s but I never saw the Bad Boys movies until last month! Well as I was between watching those I watched "I Touch Myself" music video for the first time as well because a Sabrina Carpenter song sounds very much like it. I kinda got obsessed with the music video cuz of that part you showed where she does a little dance move. Well anyway from watching your video I just found out that Micheal Bay the director of the Bad Boy movies was also the director of that music video! Pretty weird how I didn't watch either of those for 20+ years and then discover them at the same time and they happened to be directed by him lol. End of story, sorry I wasted your time.
I LOVE THIS VIDEO. It sure brings back a lot of great memories for me. Just a few years out of film school at Cal State Long Beach, I was fortunate enough to BS my way into producing. Eventually this led to producing music videos for Hype Williams and Paul Hunter. I mostly produce commercials nowadays. I’ve produced for artists such as Michael Jackson (featuring Marlon Brandon & Chris Tucker), Janet Jackson, U2, Jennifer Lopez, Lenny Kravitz, Deftones, Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes and many more. You’re 100% correct about the budgets being massive between late 1998 and 2001 before digital downloading and 9/11, reversed this trend. However, I recently produced a huge music video for Disney, that’s supposed to be released Valentine’s Day, 2025. (I can’t say what it is, though) I often get asked by young filmmakers when huge budgets are coming back and the sad reality is that they won’t, unless it’s the very rare super star (Taylor Swift), or an anomaly that happens every couple years. Those days of “just throw money at the problem” to fix it are gone forever. One thing you didn’t touch on was how incredibly well paid and wealthy many of these directors became. It wasn’t unusual for the top 5-6 directors to make between $500,000 and $750,000 for a single video. I personally know of a couple directors that made one million dollars on ONE music video. Anyway, thank you for this series. It’s absolutely one of my favorites on TH-cam. Have a great holiday season, everyone!
I've been watching and listening to your videos for years now. I think 7? And I just wanna say, bravo! This is one of the coolest video easays yet, thank you! Edit to add: I'll absolutely be buying your book! I don't think I've ever added something to my cart so fast 😂😂
I'd be here for a vid from you on Indian music on film...ijs... I am truly enjoying this MTV series. I was there from the start as a viewer, and I am getting the same chills I got back then at seeing a lot of these videos for the first time. 💓💓
Honestly, I love this series so far! I can't wait for the next video!!!!! Also, it would be good to mention Daft Punks Discovery!! Such a good collaboration between animation and music. Personally, I love how the MVs combine into a movie. Too bad there are barely any videos about it. I would love to see your take on them!
Just wanna say I've been loving this series, but in one of my Communications classes the professor gave us some readings and videos about punk, and one of them was your video on Riot Grrrl! I was like omg, I love polyphonic, really glad to have found your channel 🩵
I love music videos. Just this year the band While She Sleeps released the music video for, "To The Flower's" that left me in tears. Such a beautiful piece of art.
The Michael and Janet Jackson video really open the doors for the late 90's and the early 2000's futuristic look although the Michael Jackson video came out in 1995 AKA the heart of the 90's.
I produced and edited music videos throughout the late 90s in Canada. The most creative and fulfilling years of my life. Financially it wasn’t tremendous but still worth it. The DIY aesthetic of OK-GO showed that anyone at any budget can make engaging videos. It’s a pity the art form is basically dead. It’s the best way to get started in filmmaking.
Videos mentioned (or most of them anyway): Michael Jackson- Thriller th-cam.com/video/sOnqjkJTMaA/w-d-xo.html Michael Jackson- Bad th-cam.com/video/Sd4SJVsTulc/w-d-xo.html Michael Jackson- Beat It th-cam.com/video/oRdxUFDoQe0/w-d-xo.html Michael Jackson- Moonwalker th-cam.com/video/BU69WKKfORc/w-d-xo.html Madonna- Express Yourself th-cam.com/video/GsVcUzP_O_8/w-d-xo.html Madonna- Oh Father th-cam.com/video/qvVvN0QvzTk/w-d-xo.html Madonna- Vogue th-cam.com/video/GuJQSAiODqI/w-d-xo.html Paula Abdul- Opposites Attract th-cam.com/video/xweiQukBM_k/w-d-xo.html George Michael- Freedom! '90 th-cam.com/video/diYAc7gB-0A/w-d-xo.html George Michael- Faith th-cam.com/video/6Cs3Pvmmv0E/w-d-xo.html Divinyls- I Touch Myself th-cam.com/video/wv-34w8kGPM/w-d-xo.html Meatloaf- I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That) th-cam.com/video/9X_ViIPA-Gc/w-d-xo.html Janet Jackson- Rhythm Nation th-cam.com/video/OAwaNWGLM0c/w-d-xo.html Guns N' Roses- November Rain th-cam.com/video/8SbUC-UaAxE/w-d-xo.html Nirvana- Smells Like Teen Spirit th-cam.com/video/hTWKbfoikeg/w-d-xo.html Ramones- Rock N' Roll High School th-cam.com/video/oz7KYUkdlvE/w-d-xo.html R.E.M.- Losing My Religion th-cam.com/video/xwtdhWltSIg/w-d-xo.html Nirvana- Heart Shaped Box th-cam.com/video/n6P0SitRwy8/w-d-xo.html Blind Melons- No Rain th-cam.com/video/3qVPNONdF58/w-d-xo.html Pearl Jam- Jeremy th-cam.com/video/MS91knuzoOA/w-d-xo.html&rco=1 Beastie Boys- Sabotage th-cam.com/video/z5rRZdiu1UE/w-d-xo.html Cake- The Distance th-cam.com/video/F_HoMkkRHv8/w-d-xo.html Soundgarden- Black Hole Sun th-cam.com/video/3mbBbFH9fAg/w-d-xo.html Our Lady Peace- The Birdman th-cam.com/video/cgfgLo5qjDs/w-d-xo.html Marilyn Manson- The Beautiful People th-cam.com/video/Ypkv0HeUvTc/w-d-xo.html Nine Inch Nails- Closer th-cam.com/video/PTFwQP86BRs/w-d-xo.html Jay-Z- 99 Problems th-cam.com/video/6uikJTnmtgw/w-d-xo.html Red Hot Chili Peppers- Can't Stop th-cam.com/video/8DyziWtkfBw/w-d-xo.html Johnny Cash- Hurt th-cam.com/video/8AHCfZTRGiI/w-d-xo.html Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson- Scream th-cam.com/video/0P4A1K4lXDo/w-d-xo.html *NSYNC- I Want You Back th-cam.com/video/is6gtilerPk/w-d-xo.html *NSYNC- Bye Bye Bye th-cam.com/video/Eo-KmOd3i7s/w-d-xo.html Britney Spears- ...Baby One More Time th-cam.com/video/C-u5WLJ9Yk4/w-d-xo.html Britney Spears- Oops!...I Did It Again th-cam.com/video/CduA0TULnow/w-d-xo.html Jamiroquai - Virtual Insanity th-cam.com/video/4JkIs37a2JE/w-d-xo.html Missy Elliot- The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly) th-cam.com/video/hHcyJPTTn9w/w-d-xo.html N.W.A.- Straight Outta Compton th-cam.com/video/TMZi25Pq3T8/w-d-xo.html Tupac- California Love th-cam.com/video/N0VdRLdg2ng/w-d-xo.html Outkast- Ms. Jackson th-cam.com/video/MYxAiK6VnXw/w-d-xo.html TLC- Waterfalls th-cam.com/video/8WEtxJ4-sh4/w-d-xo.html The Notorious B.I.G.- Hypnotize th-cam.com/video/glEiPXAYE-U/w-d-xo.html Eminem- My Name Is th-cam.com/video/sNPnbI1arSE/w-d-xo.html Eminem- The Real Slim Shady th-cam.com/video/eJO5HU_7_1w/w-d-xo.html Eminem- Stan th-cam.com/video/gOMhN-hfMtY/w-d-xo.html Metallica- Enter Sandman th-cam.com/video/CD-E-LDc384/w-d-xo.html Backstreet Boys- I Want It That Way th-cam.com/video/4fndeDfaWCg/w-d-xo.html The White Stripes- Fell In Love With A Girl th-cam.com/video/fTH71AAxXmM/w-d-xo.html Fatboy Slim- Weapon of Choice th-cam.com/video/wCDIYvFmgW8/w-d-xo.html
i became obsessed with the scream video. i didn't like it at first but it grew on me and i tried for months to tape it but it was after being in heavy rotation. what a great song. it's a shame what michael probably did to those kids tho so fnck him
As a EDM fan, Weapon of Choice is undoubtly one of the greastest music videos from electronic music. After that, many EDM music videos copied and had the same setup (people dancing out of nowhere and in unexpected places) to the point it became a cliché. You can see that in music videos such as: David Guetta - Love is Gone Avicii - Levels Nicky Romero - Toulouse
If you're enjoying this series, the next episode is available now on Nebula: nebula.tv/videos/polyphonic-how-the-internet-killed-mtv
when will it be available on TH-cam?
Total cows dung.
He was a paedophile.
Why do people ignore this.
Shameful.
He was a paedophile.
Why do people forget this?
Are you all complicit?
Disgusting!
@@forceawakens4449
Hopefully never!
Disgusting freak!
Tim Pope? Alex Proyas?
shoutout to everyone who recorded music videos on VHS tapes in the 90's
🫶🏽
Especially the uncensored ones on The Box 🤫
First semester of Highschool, I had an epic VHS music video tape: Busta Rhymes - Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See, Foo Fighters - Everlong, Mase - Mo Money, Biggy - Big Poppa, Fatboy Slim - Praise You
Still got em
We taped the Countdown every year and kept a written list for 'handy reference'
total nerds 😆
I watched pretty much all of these as a tween and teen, so this is like a fun retrospective for me. It strangely gave me more a timeline for episodes of my youth.
Music is how I remember my life in terms of time frame.
Wow. That's really interesting.
Music is a time machine.
I came here to say something similar. ❤
The music may be great but behind the scenes the entertainment business is a cesspool
Jamiroquai had a really good ‘sequel’ to Virtual Insanity’s video with Canned Heat.
I was born in 1978 and I'm so glad I grew up in the 80s and 90s with this music and these videos. Watching MTV was such a thrill back then
Agreed, born in 77.... We had a good run when it came to all forms of music and video. Pop,rock, metal,rap.... all of it was good!!
My kids in their 20s agree, "Dad, you grew up in a great era of music".... tbey dont listen to much new music, they both listen to 90s stuff mostly. We lived in a golden era of music!
@@Eetabigwun we did! If i'd been born less than a week earlier I would've been '77 too :D
I don't listen to much new music either, also still listen to a lot of 80s and 90s.
83 baby here, still remember getting so excited for trl...beginning of the end though I guess lol
Yeah, I was born in 74 an the youngest outta 5 of us kids. I think we musta been one of the first ones to have MTV in the neighborhood an I remember my brothers and sisters an some of my friends would come over to check this new channel out. I’m guessing maybe we had gotten MTV maybe a year later at the most cuz I remember when we turned the channel on channel 15 and we didn’t have MTV yet and the station was all fuzzy and you could kinda see and hear this music coming outta it. It was like wow, what this!!! But I had to have been maybe 7-8 years old when we actually got MTV. I remember NO commercials and I knew every song on it and it would put me to sleep in the one rocking chair we had. Then it musta been around the time they came out with the remote control cuz before we had remotes for the TV, I WAS THE REMOTE CONTROL! 😂 But when dad got outta the chair and ma & dad left the house we would fight over who got the chair and the remote (we called the remote control, the BOX) GIMME THE BOX!🤣 and we’d of course turn the station to channel 15 and rock out in the rockin chair to MTV! 🤣😂 I’m just grateful I was born in that or this time I guess! 😂 🤘🏼 ✌🏼
I was born in 1974 and I feel exactly the same !!! 80’s was the BEST decade to grow up in 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
Thank you for recognizing the impact of Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814. It was high-concept and had an enduring message with an incredibly infectious beat. Few people understand how influential this video really is.
the video, and that whole album! i played that cassette to death.. actually, i still have it! so good.💙
OMFG. The woke comment in the comments. 😴
@@Teen-Conor tf you talking about???
Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814. A seriously underrated pop masterwork.
Janet Jackson was a Jehovahs Witnesss.
Janet took all her inspiration from the Hebrews, credit she would willingly acknowledge if you asked her.
Missy Elliot walking through Brooklyn in a giant inflated suit sounds like it’s own music video tbh lol
A half hour Polyphonic video? My feed hasn't been this blessed in a long time.
Sounds like you're about to go on a Polyphonic spree.
Sorry, I'll see myself out. 😅
Janet's Rhythm Nation album and its videos were groundbreaking. It will forever be my favorite Janet album.
I met one of my best friends on Club MTV we used to be dancers on the show. Lol
That’s awesome. I thought downtown Julie Brown was so hot when I was a kid. I still think she is lol
@pensivepenguin3000 oh she wasn't a nice person . She wouldn't talk to us the dancers. Not unless she had too. Or than that.
@@lateefpou2986 She seemed high-maintenance.
@ingridfong-daley5899 The t v doesn't do justice to how much makeup she had on
Facts oohhh boy
Although TLC occasionally had a rap in their songs, they are not at all rap or straight up hip-hop. They were classic rhythm and blues with beats that are associated more with what was called “new Jack swing”… a kind of different vibe than straight up hip-hop.
Thank you for correcting that. I'm seeing a pattern with ppl throwing R&B under the Rap/Hip Hop moniker more and more with no basis for it.
Took me 3 hours to watch this video, had to pause and watch a lot of videos that I hadn't seen in years :) Thanks dude!
hell yeah i’ve been loving the mtv stuff
Love this series, thanks! Busta Rhymes - Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See, deserves mention. For me, it's the greatest video of my generation from 97-2005
"Weapon of Choice" Yeah baby... Christopher Walken dancing up a STORM. Must have been so much fun to record!
That video was an extra treat for me in high school. a couple semesters before, my drama class saw him in "who am I this time?" (tv film starring him and Susan Sarandon), so I was a budding fan already. He is the entire reason I ended up getting into Fatboy Slim. 😂
I let an out audible “Oh hell yeah” when he hit that haha
Was it foreshadowing that he was in the recent Dune movie while he did a music video that quotes dune the entire time? “Walk without rhythm and you won’t attract the worm.”
As a kid, I had my family record MJ's Moonwalker when it came on TV and I must've watched that VHS to death. As I got older, it was fun to see all the retro TV commercials in-between bits of the movie. I gotta see if I can find that old VHS!
Glad to see MJ get his due for his films, he really went above and beyond for every part of his craft.
it's MJ... he's never not gotten his dues lol tf
@@verraque do you normally awkwardly insert yourself into places you’re not wanted?
Years creating 'bad' or years rping kids.. idk why you ppl keep pretending he didn't.. its sick.. and so are you
@@jadebel7006 You must know much more, I've only been reading and taking in information on the subject for the past almost 20 years. Do you have a source?
I have borrowed from your content for use in my classroom for many years, and used the videos for Closer, Beautiful People, and Black Hole Sun this week in the exact way you did here. Thank you for your doing a great job and making my job both easier and more interesting.
You sound like you have a class I would have hyperfocused on like no tomorrow.
weapon of choice will forever be one of my all time favorite music videos of all time.
What a fun trip back to when i grew up. Really well put together too. Thanks for this.
I was really REALLy focused on my job, then I got this notification and well, now I’m focused on this video! Thanks! I needed to take a break:3
Can't thank you enough for your content 😢😢😢❤❤❤
So good content. Surprised the MTV Unplugged(s) aren't in topic as well.
A lot of it was pretty forgettable, but Nirvana's cover of "Where Did You Sleep Last Night?" was pretty important.
Tbh, i think even the forgettable performances are worth going through an anthology bc of it documenting the raw artistry of the decade @shayneweyker
MTV Unplugged was just plain boring in my opinion.
90's and early 2000s videos are something else, full vibe on them
The first few videos in this series didn’t grab my attention, but you have my interest with the MTV coverage! The first installment was great. Looking forward to this one
Loved seeing my childhood again. Thanks.
I remember watching MTV when I was a kid in the 90's here in Finland. Lou Bega's Mambo no.5 was one of my favorite songs at that time and I always hoped that it would appear. Of course I didn't understand the words at that time since I didn't know any English but the groove was just immaculate! I remember seeing quite a few videos from being 8 years old and as the video went on I was like "oh I've seen that as well" this happened many times.
This takes me back to a great time in my life
Same here,the video and all the comments are just a joy to watch and read. How many shared memories, great times for real
One thing that I wish had been covered in this video that I find to be one of the most important aspects of this specific era of MTV was that of the rise of MTV's own most prominent, well-known and groundbreaking influencers and critics of the music video artform: Beavis and Butt-Head.
And no, that's not a joke.
Despite being often heavily biased and divisive when it comes to the objectivity of their reviews, Beavis and Butt-Head were shockingly frank and honestly sincere about their critique. Every form of art has it's own defining critical voice, whether that was Siskel and Ebert, Leonard Maltin, or perhaps more fittingly, Joe Bob Brigs for films, or Rolling Stone when it came to the music industry by itself, the Music Video had Beavis and Butt-Head, who despite being crude, childish, churlish and highly judgemental, were scathingly critical and always able to tap into the rejection of pretentiousness, and laser focus on genuine sincerity. Anything that was disingenuous, too artificially manufactured or "fake" was always the most frequent punching bags for B&B. Even if they didn't often understand their own discerning knowledge, they had a unique wit and surprisingly insightful take on this emerging artform, even if it was a very blunt or harshly direct one.
They were just as apt at slamming rock videos if they were self-indulgent, hammy or insincere as they were able to appreciate rap and hip-hop if it was honest and not forced. Beavis and Butt-Head had the layman's every-man voice. They were the voice of the disaffected, ADHD, difficult-to-impress, impulsive and fickle youth of the day, a reflection of the very generation that MTV and it's musicians and video directors were setting out to impress, and they had no problems letting their honest feelings be known, which DID reflect many of that generation, regardless of what others could say about their intelligence or professionalism. And their presence was just as important for the direction and legacy of these videos now, as much as they were when they commented on them in the timely manner they first did. In fact, a GREAT many music videos are remembered and cherished, or strongly recalled in large part to this day, more for what Beavis and Butt-Head had to say about them, than many of those people recall many of those videos on their own merits.
To say Beavis and Butt-Head didn't influence or shape the music video as an artform would just simply be wrong, and to ignore their contributions to the history of the music video as an artform is just as inaccurate of a picture.
And for the record, I know Beavis and Butt-Head aren't real people, they're cartoons. Despite some of the things they do could also get a real person to be hurt, expelled, arrested or deported and that no one should try what they do at home.... I think my point still stands, that Mike Judge, the satirist BEHIND them, still deserves that same credit for everything I said before, and for how astoundingly well he understands the base-level expectations of the youth he was speaking for with funny voices. Even if everything I said above still applies to Mike Judge, rather than his cartoon superstars themselves, I think it's just as valid. Mike Judge was THE greatest critic of this artform, then, at the time, and even now.
There was even a movie: Beavis & Butthead do America. Loved it. I did prefer Daria maybe because as a girl I could identify with her.
I have an awesome Beavis & Butthead t-shirt. .....
like wearing it with a blazer.
"I need tee-pee for
my b u n g hole"
I approve your Ted Talk 🤍
"This is Joey Buttafuoco's theme song" about the Winger song is hilarious
@@the-NightStar Absolutely agree, though by the early '90s music videos were no longer a "new" artform. It was ripe for critique and deconstruction. I remember The Roots making a video parodying the numerous tropes of Hip Hop videos (What They do) and it was hilarious! But definitely give Mike Judge his flowers now for the impact he had with B&B. 100%!
This has been one of my favorite series ever! I've always had a special connection with music videos. And I found out from your last video that my birthday is the same day and year as the first MTV VMA's, blew my mind!
you are COOKING with this series. I'm super excited for the early-internet era
Don't forget David Lynch's influence on Black Hole Sun with it's obvious nod to Twin Peaks.
As one of the oldest of millennials who came of age, in the '90s, I remember most all of these, & this was an incredible & joyous, nostalgic trip back to better days. For me & my generation, this was the golden era of MTV! I'd love to hear you get more into the TLC song "Waterfalls", as I've never been able to figure out what the waterfalls, in the lyrics, are a metaphor for. I remember, I immediately became a fan of Eminem, when I first saw the video for "my name is", & I'm amazed & pleased that he's been able to endure & last till this day!! Though, Polyphonic, I do remember many white kids were already listening to hip hop, long before Eminem's arrival. I particularly remember white kids, at my junior high school, referencing lyrics to Coolio songs, of the time, & I also remember just about all the white kids I knew, were walking around going "whoomp there it is". That was an amazing period!!
Great trip down memory lane!
Tom Petty's "Don't Come Around Here No More" was really different at the time and kind of haunted me as a child.
OMFG I LOVE YOU!
JUST AS YOU WHERE DESCRIBING IT I SAID OUTLOUD "Weapon of Choice" and BAM!
Dude this video was ACE!!!! Topnotch man, you REALLY did your homework HYPE WILLIAMS IS THE GREATEST!!!!!
Love these videos and the memories they bring back.
Go Go Jason Waterfalls!
😂😂😂
😂😂😂
"Please don't stick those beavers in the lake like you used to" 🪈
😂😂😂😂I thought my wife was the only one who said that
@@EnydCrowfeather Uh........those aren't the correct lyrics?? Whatcumean!
Man I just stumbled across ur channel yesterday. And part 1 was the first one I watched. So I only had to wait overnight for part 2... What a great video.. I absolutely can't wait for part 3!!
What a great video! Full of nostalgia from some of the best years in music 🎶
Really enjoying this series. Thank you, very well researched and definitely brings back memories for me, a gen x' er who was lucky to see and meet many you mentioned as well as see their videos on MTV.
i am 100% here for this series!
Push It by Garbage was definitely one of the most exciting videos of the 90s, still can't believe it didn't win any awards at the 1998 MTV VMA's despite being nominated for 8!
1983, 13 years old, got home from school one day, we had just gotten this new thing… CABLE TV. The first thing I put on was MTV, was only able to watch bits of it at friend’s houses, we lived just outside the city limits and got it after everyone else. I don’t think MTV left that TV when I was watching until I moved out in 1988.
I'm 35 and remember watching Fresh Prince and Martin in the 90s but I never saw the Bad Boys movies until last month! Well as I was between watching those I watched "I Touch Myself" music video for the first time as well because a Sabrina Carpenter song sounds very much like it. I kinda got obsessed with the music video cuz of that part you showed where she does a little dance move. Well anyway from watching your video I just found out that Micheal Bay the director of the Bad Boy movies was also the director of that music video! Pretty weird how I didn't watch either of those for 20+ years and then discover them at the same time and they happened to be directed by him lol. End of story, sorry I wasted your time.
This brought so many memories back from being 11 and 12 and on... wild. Thanks for making this video!
Great video, man. I grew up watching MTV through all of these eras and love the nostalgia here
I LOVE THIS VIDEO. It sure brings back a lot of great memories for me.
Just a few years out of film school at Cal State Long Beach, I was fortunate enough to BS my way into producing. Eventually this led to producing music videos for Hype Williams and Paul Hunter. I mostly produce commercials nowadays.
I’ve produced for artists such as Michael Jackson (featuring Marlon Brandon & Chris Tucker), Janet Jackson, U2, Jennifer Lopez, Lenny Kravitz, Deftones, Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes and many more.
You’re 100% correct about the budgets being massive between late 1998 and 2001 before digital downloading and 9/11, reversed this trend.
However, I recently produced a huge music video for Disney, that’s supposed to be released Valentine’s Day, 2025. (I can’t say what it is, though)
I often get asked by young filmmakers when huge budgets are coming back and the sad reality is that they won’t, unless it’s the very rare super star (Taylor Swift), or an anomaly that happens every couple years.
Those days of “just throw money at the problem” to fix it are gone forever.
One thing you didn’t touch on was how incredibly well paid and wealthy many of these directors became. It wasn’t unusual for the top 5-6 directors to make between $500,000 and $750,000 for a single video. I personally know of a couple directors that made one million dollars on ONE music video.
Anyway, thank you for this series. It’s absolutely one of my favorites on TH-cam.
Have a great holiday season, everyone!
Weapon of Choice was and still is one of my favorite videos. Loved this video man. You get a new sub.
I've been watching and listening to your videos for years now. I think 7?
And I just wanna say, bravo! This is one of the coolest video easays yet, thank you!
Edit to add: I'll absolutely be buying your book! I don't think I've ever added something to my cart so fast 😂😂
there's so much good in this video, i don't even know what to say.. so i'll just say thank you. it's resonating deeply with me.💙
"Upstart Punk Band" Love this way of describing my boys!! Perfect 💯
Your videos are all so good. Thank you!
I'd be here for a vid from you on Indian music on film...ijs...
I am truly enjoying this MTV series. I was there from the start as a viewer, and I am getting the same chills I got back then at seeing a lot of these videos for the first time. 💓💓
Hip Hop has been incorporating a lot of Bollywood esthetiques since the late '80s!
This was the era when it became socially acceptable for music videos to be art, instead of just performance.
You`re so insultingly talented for everything that involves the process of producing a video like this. Thank you SO MUCH and please NEVER stop.
Honestly, I love this series so far! I can't wait for the next video!!!!! Also, it would be good to mention Daft Punks Discovery!! Such a good collaboration between animation and music. Personally, I love how the MVs combine into a movie. Too bad there are barely any videos about it. I would love to see your take on them!
Just wanna say I've been loving this series, but in one of my Communications classes the professor gave us some readings and videos about punk, and one of them was your video on Riot Grrrl! I was like omg, I love polyphonic, really glad to have found your channel 🩵
This series has been phenomenal.
Awesome video. A walk through my childhood and adolesence!
Loving the series so far, can’t wait for the next one.
That water drip sound at 7:50 😆
I was hoping somebody else noticed it. You just know bro edited it to be just right.😅🤙
I love music videos. Just this year the band While She Sleeps released the music video for, "To The Flower's" that left me in tears. Such a beautiful piece of art.
5:50 George Michael is mentioned ... YAY!! Woo-Hoo 🤗😁👍😊🤩 Now Polyphonic if u can can only make a separate video about him that would be cool 😎
I'll say it. This video is really good. Memories with actual interesting facts. Well done !
excellent production and content. I will watch the whole series. Thanks
The Michael and Janet Jackson video really open the doors for the late 90's and the early 2000's futuristic look although the Michael Jackson video came out in 1995 AKA the heart of the 90's.
amazing video!! i really enjoyed this episode.
This was half an hour well spent. Thanks
These videos have been amazing keep it up!
Awesome video, man! Can't wait for the next one! 🤘
Once this series finishes, I’m gonna watch it again 🫡
Great video. You really hit me right in the nostalgia.
You knocked it out of the park yet again
I think "Drop" by Pharcyde was worth a mention with its reversed filming 🎥
Amazing, I love your videos. Keep it up
Dude I was just just wondering if anyone made a doc about MTV and found your series.
Thank you for making this!
Your videos are always top tier
🎉 *CONGRATULATIONS* 🎉
Youve Got A Fk'n Book Out Man!
Wishing you continued success + many many blessings
You Rock🤍
I remember when “Smack My B!tch Up” premiered on MTV. What an excellent concept and execution for a video.
I remember when BAD came out.....
I remember going to the mall with Ma and getting the 45
another banger video, I was a bit young for MTV so its fun to learn more about something i've only seen in passing as a little kid!
Such an amazing ideas for a series, really love these videos
Hey, algorithm,
YES. HELL TO THE YES. MORE OF THIS PLEASE
4:16 Jaden Smith is a time traveler,dibs on that conspiracy theory!lol...
Amazing video as always!
Love the series, thank you!
I really appreciate your videos man.
Just great!
I feel like i've learned something even if I lived through half of it and knew it all, good job on this one
My favorite part of this series is having great music videos to watch later!
Would love to have a playlist made of them
You’re videos are so cool dude, I love them :)❤
Fantastic video. This was really insightful, super engaging.
This video is absolutely awesome. I'm so glad my algorithm knew what to do today!
Keep it up, I'm subbed and ready for more :D
I produced and edited music videos throughout the late 90s in Canada. The most creative and fulfilling years of my life. Financially it wasn’t tremendous but still worth it.
The DIY aesthetic of OK-GO showed that anyone at any budget can make engaging videos. It’s a pity the art form is basically dead. It’s the best way to get started in filmmaking.
Videos mentioned (or most of them anyway):
Michael Jackson- Thriller th-cam.com/video/sOnqjkJTMaA/w-d-xo.html
Michael Jackson- Bad th-cam.com/video/Sd4SJVsTulc/w-d-xo.html
Michael Jackson- Beat It th-cam.com/video/oRdxUFDoQe0/w-d-xo.html
Michael Jackson- Moonwalker th-cam.com/video/BU69WKKfORc/w-d-xo.html
Madonna- Express Yourself th-cam.com/video/GsVcUzP_O_8/w-d-xo.html
Madonna- Oh Father th-cam.com/video/qvVvN0QvzTk/w-d-xo.html
Madonna- Vogue th-cam.com/video/GuJQSAiODqI/w-d-xo.html
Paula Abdul- Opposites Attract th-cam.com/video/xweiQukBM_k/w-d-xo.html
George Michael- Freedom! '90 th-cam.com/video/diYAc7gB-0A/w-d-xo.html
George Michael- Faith th-cam.com/video/6Cs3Pvmmv0E/w-d-xo.html
Divinyls- I Touch Myself th-cam.com/video/wv-34w8kGPM/w-d-xo.html
Meatloaf- I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That) th-cam.com/video/9X_ViIPA-Gc/w-d-xo.html
Janet Jackson- Rhythm Nation th-cam.com/video/OAwaNWGLM0c/w-d-xo.html
Guns N' Roses- November Rain th-cam.com/video/8SbUC-UaAxE/w-d-xo.html
Nirvana- Smells Like Teen Spirit th-cam.com/video/hTWKbfoikeg/w-d-xo.html
Ramones- Rock N' Roll High School th-cam.com/video/oz7KYUkdlvE/w-d-xo.html
R.E.M.- Losing My Religion th-cam.com/video/xwtdhWltSIg/w-d-xo.html
Nirvana- Heart Shaped Box th-cam.com/video/n6P0SitRwy8/w-d-xo.html
Blind Melons- No Rain th-cam.com/video/3qVPNONdF58/w-d-xo.html
Pearl Jam- Jeremy th-cam.com/video/MS91knuzoOA/w-d-xo.html&rco=1
Beastie Boys- Sabotage th-cam.com/video/z5rRZdiu1UE/w-d-xo.html
Cake- The Distance th-cam.com/video/F_HoMkkRHv8/w-d-xo.html
Soundgarden- Black Hole Sun th-cam.com/video/3mbBbFH9fAg/w-d-xo.html
Our Lady Peace- The Birdman th-cam.com/video/cgfgLo5qjDs/w-d-xo.html
Marilyn Manson- The Beautiful People th-cam.com/video/Ypkv0HeUvTc/w-d-xo.html
Nine Inch Nails- Closer th-cam.com/video/PTFwQP86BRs/w-d-xo.html
Jay-Z- 99 Problems th-cam.com/video/6uikJTnmtgw/w-d-xo.html
Red Hot Chili Peppers- Can't Stop th-cam.com/video/8DyziWtkfBw/w-d-xo.html
Johnny Cash- Hurt th-cam.com/video/8AHCfZTRGiI/w-d-xo.html
Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson- Scream th-cam.com/video/0P4A1K4lXDo/w-d-xo.html
*NSYNC- I Want You Back th-cam.com/video/is6gtilerPk/w-d-xo.html
*NSYNC- Bye Bye Bye th-cam.com/video/Eo-KmOd3i7s/w-d-xo.html
Britney Spears- ...Baby One More Time th-cam.com/video/C-u5WLJ9Yk4/w-d-xo.html
Britney Spears- Oops!...I Did It Again th-cam.com/video/CduA0TULnow/w-d-xo.html
Jamiroquai - Virtual Insanity th-cam.com/video/4JkIs37a2JE/w-d-xo.html
Missy Elliot- The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly) th-cam.com/video/hHcyJPTTn9w/w-d-xo.html
N.W.A.- Straight Outta Compton th-cam.com/video/TMZi25Pq3T8/w-d-xo.html
Tupac- California Love th-cam.com/video/N0VdRLdg2ng/w-d-xo.html
Outkast- Ms. Jackson th-cam.com/video/MYxAiK6VnXw/w-d-xo.html
TLC- Waterfalls th-cam.com/video/8WEtxJ4-sh4/w-d-xo.html
The Notorious B.I.G.- Hypnotize th-cam.com/video/glEiPXAYE-U/w-d-xo.html
Eminem- My Name Is th-cam.com/video/sNPnbI1arSE/w-d-xo.html
Eminem- The Real Slim Shady th-cam.com/video/eJO5HU_7_1w/w-d-xo.html
Eminem- Stan th-cam.com/video/gOMhN-hfMtY/w-d-xo.html
Metallica- Enter Sandman th-cam.com/video/CD-E-LDc384/w-d-xo.html
Backstreet Boys- I Want It That Way th-cam.com/video/4fndeDfaWCg/w-d-xo.html
The White Stripes- Fell In Love With A Girl th-cam.com/video/fTH71AAxXmM/w-d-xo.html
Fatboy Slim- Weapon of Choice th-cam.com/video/wCDIYvFmgW8/w-d-xo.html
i became obsessed with the scream video. i didn't like it at first but it grew on me and i tried for months to tape it but it was after being in heavy rotation. what a great song. it's a shame what michael probably did to those kids tho so fnck him
Valeu!
As a EDM fan, Weapon of Choice is undoubtly one of the greastest music videos from electronic music. After that, many EDM music videos copied and had the same setup (people dancing out of nowhere and in unexpected places) to the point it became a cliché. You can see that in music videos such as:
David Guetta - Love is Gone
Avicii - Levels
Nicky Romero - Toulouse
Weapon of choice is such a work of art of a music video
Outstanding video