Thursday, October 22, 2015

My Top 10 Music Videos

Ok, I have to admit it, I'm a music video junkie of sorts.  I guess it's because I love both music and movies, so a combination of the two naturally appeals to me.  But I do have to say that most of the music videos that I like are ones that hint at a story; you know, the ones that take the message of the song and put some feet to it, hinting at a deeper story line.  Those are the music videos that grab me, the ones that have been masterfully made into a three and a half minute story that sucks you in and gets your imagination going.  So, here is an arbitrary list of my top 10 favorite music videos.  Enjoy!

Michael Buble - Feelin' Good


I don't know what happened to the original version, but for some reason the only decent one I could find of this song has Spanish subtitles.  Oh, well, it's still the same song and video.  And can somebody PLEASE make this the theme song for a spy movie????? 

Toto - Africa


This video is chock full of moments that make you wonder "What's the back story?" and that open doors for all kinds of speculation and imagining as to what happened.  *happy shivers going down the spine*

Shania Twain - Don't


This one doesn't really have much of a "story" element to it, but it's so gorgeous I had to include it.  That horse...oh, such a beauty!  And the setting has such a flavor of romance to it  (several of the dresses would be absolutely stunning, too, if they weren't quite so low cut).

Jonny Diaz - Irony


Jonny Diaz is my #1 favorite singer.  And this music video does actually have a backstory.  Jonny went to college on a baseball scholarship and planned on following his older brothers (one of whom is my first favorite MLB player, Matt Diaz!) into baseball as a career, but he felt God calling him into music.  Knowing that, this video takes on a whole new depth.  (Most of his music is really good!  I highly recommend checking out more of his songs). 

Alison Krauss - End of a Summer Storm


This video almost had me in tears!  As a former kid who's best friends were mostly her stuffed animals (who became even more alive thanks to her and her dad giving them voices while playing pretend) this tugged at my heartstrings so much!  <3

Taylor Swift - Love Story


I'm not as big a fan of Taylor Swift as I used to be (and even then I only liked a handful of songs), but this video is one that you dream about being in.  The whole Jane Austen-esque setting, the dancing in the candlelight, the old fashioned lantern, *sigh*.  It brings out the history buff in me.

Rebecca St. James - Wait for Me


This has been one of my theme songs for this point in my life.  In the video I love how it shows the guy both going looking for her, but also being willing to wait for her.  He isn't impatient, but at the same time he isn't just twiddling his thumbs wanting her to take all the initiative.    

Michael Buble - Haven't Met You Yet


This is such a fantastic twist on an oft-used story line!  Who would think about meeting your future spouse in the frozen section of the grocery store?  I love it.  (Fun Fact: the lady who plays the girlfriend in the video is now Michael Buble's wife.  I think I read they had actually started dating before they shot the video, but he wrote it with her in mind).

Shania Twain -  Forever and For Always


Such a sweet story!  And such a beautiful filming location!  This showcases the kind of love that everyone, if they were honest, deep, deep down dreams of having.

Alison Krauss and Union Station - The Lucky One


This is hands-down my favorite music video.  I can remember as a young teenager talking with my dad about "Is this really an ok song?  I mean, she talks about one-night stands", and my dad saying he thought that the song was stating a fact about the "Lucky One", and that it didn't mean that the singer was a part of those one-night stands.  And then later I find this video and it proves my dad right!  The way she looks at him like, "I know exactly what you are, and you are not getting me, no matter how persuading you may be.  I know you."  They do such an excellent job of showing his past without actually having to SHOW it like a bunch of videos nowadays do.


BONUS: There are a couple of fan-made music videos that rank up with the official ones in my favorites list.  They are so well done that they almost look professional.  Here are my top three favorites of those.

"I'll Make a Man Out of You" from Mulan


There have been several videos made for this song using clips from the The Avengers, and all of them are pretty fun to watch, but in my opinion this is the best one.  The scenes seem to fit the lyrics the best to me.

Sugarland - It Happens


Since the boys in Stalag 13 seem to get into all kinds of trouble, both planned and unplanned, this song is most appropriate for them.  :)

Michael Martin Murphy - Wildfire


Is it possible to actually be in love with a music video?  If it is, then this is the one for me.  It is so GORGEOUS!!!!!  (and it has a bunch of clips from my favorite movie, "The Man from Snowy River").  Put horses, breathtaking scenery and a hauntingly beautiful song together and you have me hooked!  :)