Music videos research 

1) Exploring iconic MV's

1) Old Town Road - Lil Nas X (2019) 

Old Town Road features a typical Wild West setting, with iconography from that genre (cowboy hats, horses, deserted location, money bags, barrels, etc.) The opening is also similar to that of a TV show, with credits and titles being shown just as a TV series. 

2) Hotline Bling - Drake (2015) 

Hotline Bling MV is a play on colours, and various lighting, including that of silhouettes. 

3) California Gurls - Katy Perry (2010) 

This MV directly links to that of the lyrics, as well as the beat, as the MV shows one of the artist playing on a board game, whilst the other artist hunts to find people. 

4) Alright - Kendrick Lamar (2015) 

5) Look What You Made Me Do - Taylor Swift (2017) 

Taylor Swift's well-known and reputable music video featured several intertextual references, not only to her own discovery and prior music videos, but also to other public figures, such as Calvin Harris, Beyonce (reference to her MVs), Michael Jackson (reference to 'Thriller' opening). Movies, such as I, Robot, was also referenced.

6) Somebody That I Used To Know - Gotye (ft. Kimbra) (2011) 

The various shapes and triangles in the background reflect the beat and change with the beat. Equally, the animation and shapes are shown on the artists bodies, as well as reflect the lyrics: “now you’re just somebody that I used to know…”, in the part of the MV where the other artist is singing towards (and looking) at the other, and does not look or pay any attention, as they are, “somebody that I used to know”.

7) La La La - Naughty Boy (ft. Sam Smith) (2013) 

The MV is based on a legend/theory.

8) Youngblood - 5SOS (2018) 

This creative MV pays homage to Japanese Rock (J-Rock) culture. 

9) Black Swan - BTS (2020) 

The stark contrast in colours, as well as the lighting reflects the lyrics of the song.

10) Dynamite - BTS (2020) 

The MV features homage to MJ's iconic dance move, 'the kick'. 

11) Idol - BTS (2018) 

12) Genius - LSD (Labrinth, Sia, Diplo) (2018) 

The clip features animation, which match with the beat and the lyrics of the song, and change with each clip. 

13) Where Are U Now - Skrillex & Diplo (with Justin Bieber) (2015) 

The various writings shown on the wall in the background, as well as on the artist himself, have hidden/deeper meanings, especially that of, “Selena”, which was written on the wall at some point in the clip, following Justin Bieber’s split with her. 

14) Friends - Bloodpop (with Justin Bieber) (2017) 

Despite this MV being a lyrics video, the way in which the lyrics are shown is creative — with stickers reflecting the lyrics being shown for each lyric, as well as the edits in the clip matching precisely with the beat (through a grainy, nostalgic film camera) 

15) You Don't Know Me - Jax Jones ft. Raye (2017) 

Although this is a visualiser for a song, the way in which it’s portrayed is creative — as there’s animation on a cereal box, in which the artist is doing simple, minimal but effective movements which match with the beat. It’s similar to that of a comic strip. 

16) Kiesza - Hideaway (2014) 

This MV was filmed in one take, through one sequence, whilst the action happens. 

17) Ego - BTS (2020) 

The contrast in the lighting and the shadows shown in the MV are creative, as more dark, broadway-like colours are projected. Equally, the Intertextuality of the Kingsman franchise is shown. 

18) Interlude: Shadow - BTS (2020) 

19) Take on Me - Aha (2010) 

The MV features a hand-written comic strip, wherein the woman in the MV is transformed into the comic strip, where the artists are. The way in which the actions of the band playing are shown is in a creative way.