Rolling Stone Music Now cover image

Rolling Stone Music Now

The Greatest Music Videos Ever Made

Aug 18, 2021
Join music critic Mankaprr Conteh, film aficionado David Fear, and pop culture commentator Rob Sheffield as they dissect the profound impact of MTV on music videos. They explore the legacies of iconic visuals, from Michael Jackson's 'Billie Jean' to the bold statement of Beyoncé's 'Formation.' The guests also delve into the extravagant absurdity of Guns N' Roses' 'November Rain' and the revolutionizing effect of Missy Elliott's 'Super Duper Fly,' all while reflecting on Rolling Stone's list of the greatest music videos ever made.
58:50

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The launch of MTV in 1981 transformed music videos from promotional tools into a critical platform for diverse artists and styles.
  • Personal memories reflect how music videos significantly shaped the hosts' musical tastes and emotional connections during their formative years.

Deep dives

The Evolution of Music Videos

The discussion highlights the origins and evolution of music videos, particularly focusing on the impact of MTV's launch in 1981. Prior to this, music videos were rarely seen and often used only for promotional purposes, with established artists typically not creating them. However, MTV revolutionized the medium by playing videos from up-and-coming bands, which in turn reshaped what rock and roll could be. This shift allowed for a broader range of styles and artists to gain visibility, including bands like Duran Duran and Depeche Mode, who found a platform where their visual creativity could thrive.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode