Constructing the Quintessential '90s Music Video

(This is just for fun and because I have too much time on my hands, as well as an intense love of the '90s.)

What makes the perfect '90s-style music video? Can it be recreated today? How might one recreate the vibe of a '90s video and what was it that made '90s videos so unique? We'll discuss these things and more today.

First, let's decide what elements essentially make up the perfect '90s music video. I believe them to be as follows:

• Bright colors, often brighter than one might usually see on regular TV programming.
• Footage of the band or artist performing in a small, square room.
• Obscure imagery, such as that of fish, stock film footage, et cetera.
• An obscure scenario.
• Some sort of debris or object falling from above.
• Switching between casual attire and formal attire.
• Animals.
• Facial close-ups, often with bright lighting.
• Men in dresses, gowns, makeup, or jewelry.

Can these elements be found in every '90s music video? Of course not; however, they can be found in many, and often times, a video will have most or all of these qualities. Let's take a look at a few examples. These are a few of my personal favorites.

Jawbreaker- "Fireman" (1995)

Note the obscure scenario, bright colors, shots from above and below, performance in a small room, dalmatian, objects falling from above, close-ups with bright lighting, and drag.


Green Day

Many of Green Day's videos are prime examples of the '90s music video. Many of their early videos include almost all of the elements listed above, and their music is often associated with the decade even today. Some of the best examples of this are as follows:

"Basket Case" (1995)

One would be hard-pressed to find brighter colors in a music video. This video also contains many of the other elements; these are easy to spot.

"Geek Stink Breath"


This video is an excellent example. It contains bright colors, facial close-ups, footage of performance in a small room, and bizarre dental imagery.

"Longview"


Another excellent example. Bright colors, small room performance, close-ups, monkey, and stock footage.


Other Examples

Of course, there are excellent examples of '90s videos outside of pop punk. Here are a few I find particularly fine specimens:

Soundgarden- "Black Hole Sun"



Perhaps one of the most well-known videos of the '90s, it contains many of the above elements.

Nirvana- "Heart Shaped Box"




Modern '90s-style videos

Rihanna's new video for "S&M" is a good example of a current interpretation of a '90s video. However, other videos have quite a few '90s elements, as well.

Aiden- "One Love"




Other good examples could include AFI's video for "Girl's Not Grey" and TV On The Radio's "Golden Age."