Ah, retro music capturing the classic energy of the past in a modern setting
Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we'll be counting down our picks for
the Top 10 retro themed music videos
for this list we'll be examining the finest music videos that payed tribute to
earlier eras.
We'll be excluding videos with a retro fantasy or a futuristic setting
so, unfortunately, works such as David Hasselhoff's True Survivor
and the Smashing Pumpkins' Tonight Tonight
won't be on this list.
Fear of loss combined with the suffering inherent to war
a potent combination.
Directed by Marc Webb
the music video for The Ghost of You appears to be set in WWII
showing the members of My Chemical Romance as US soldiers
the video jumps back and forth between a USO dance
and a scene reminiscent of the Normandy landings on D-Day
paralleling the song's mournful lyrics with actual scenes of loss and pain
this mixture of elements makes for a compelling, ultimately tragic music video
"Bizarre yet fascinating" is an appropriate way to describe this one.
"In Bloom" serves primarily as a parody of live performances on 1960s variety shows
with Nirvana's members in respectable attire and the footage in black and white.
However, the video takes a turn when Nirvana starts acting out
Clips of the band wearing dresses and smashing up the set are intercut with the performance in hand.
So goes the story:
Front man Kurt Cobain wanted to show fans Nirvana's humorous side.
However it came into being, we'll certainly never forget this monochromatic marvel.
Speaking of black and white music videos,
here's one that walks a careful line.
Coldplay's videos for "Magic" tells a moving tale of a magician's assistant seeking to intervene
in the marriage of his employer
A stage magician played by actress Zhang Ziyi.
The video's lack of color, simple cinematography, and other restrained elements
draw from early silent films
while the video's subject matter deals with more contemporary matters
such as spousal abuse.
This quiet yet effective contrast gives Coldplay's song all the more weight
while building to a heartwarming conclusion.
Between this and "Uptown Funk"
Bruno Mars has shown his talent for retro style music.
Treasure has a simple enough premise
Bruno signing to a girl about how wonderful she is
while accompanied by backup dancers.
However it's the style that makes the video incredible
the set, costumes, lighting, and special effects
draw heavily from 1970s disco music
From Bruno's leopard print shirt
to the use of psychedelic visuals
everything is designed to embody the easy energy of disco.
A way to the bar has to, Bruno.
The pop song "Candyman" from Jazz, Blues, and Swing influence
has Christina Aguilera as three different versions of herself singing for US officers.
As the video jumps from stage performance to diner
to aircraft hangar
it's roots in WWII aeroculture is clear
Christina's singing trio act appears to be a tribute to The Andrews Sisters.
And the costumes and color palettes feel at home in a 40s setting.
Combined with the plentiful innuendo and provocative dance
it makes for an all-around engaging video.
He's a real moon walker
so we hear.
Originally intended to pay homage to westerns,
the video for "Smooth Criminal" was changed to a 1930 gangster theme
after Michael Jackson saw "The Third Man".
The video in question follows Michael as he enters a shady bar,
easing the tension of his patrons the only way he knows how: by dancing to a fast beat.
From the costumes to the staging of the scenes
"Smooth Criminal" truly embodies its era of choice
while also remaining a stylish and memorable sight.
Nothing's as retro-like Polaroid pictures.
That's just part of OutKast's "Hey Ya!"
which puts singer Andre 3000 in the role of eight members of the band: The Love Below
performing for a live studio audience.
The setup of the band's stage performance
coupled with occasional black and white footage
was meant to pay tribute to The Beatles' 1964 appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show"
Add to that the pleasant use of green as a color scheme
and you have a smartly crafted gem of a video.
Long live the 1970s.
Set in the middle of that decade,
"First Date" cast the band Blink-182 a stereotypical young adults of the era.
Long hair, tight T-shirts, and bell-bottoms abound in this visibly saturated video
about the band's travels through a standard suburb.
The sheer, lived in, and era-appropriate feeling to this video
cannot be denied.
Just as it's hard to deny that the song's balance between relaxed lyrics and lively beat
fits the visuals.
Intensity pulsates through this video like few others.
Directed by Spike Jonze, the music video for the Beastie Boys' song "Sabotage"
commences in splendid fashion
with the band as three cops chasing down criminals.
Reminiscent of popular 70s crimes dramas,
"Sabotage" doesn't yield with its robbing tempo
nor with its quick editing
jumping from action scene to action scene in a snap.
The look of the video is fittingly aged yet energetic
and the atmosphere is thick with tension
but not to the point of unnecessary grimness
It's played straight, but all in good fun.
Before we unveil our top pick
here are a few honorable mentions:
It's a tribute like none other.
Buddy Holly clearly referencing the famed musician of the same name
also draws influence from another source
the 70s television show "Happy Days".
The show's impact can be felt on all fronts.
Weezer's professional attire, clips of characters from the series
and even a cameo by cast member Al Molinaro.
The entire video embodies the charm and seeming happiness of a bygone time
serving as a beautiful encapsulation of 1950s culture
Courtesy of Spike Jonze
this is a winner!
So, do you agree with our list?
What is your favorite retro themed music video?