Musical Holocron

2025/08/01

MTV Started 44 Years Ago... But I Wonder How...

This rolled past my feed today. This is a list of the first 50 videos that played on MTV when it was debuted. I was already aware that "Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles was the first video, but was not sure what else might have come next.

Found via Facebook.

It's got me thinking. How long before MTV was a thing had musicians and labels been making music videos for their songs? I mean, where did the idea come from that in addition to audio output, they would also produce a video to accompany the song. According to my quick search, music videos are as old as the 1960s at least. The earliest music video may be Tony Bennett's "Stranger in Paradise" from 1956. Stuff like that was produced for American Bandstand and other TV shows. So I guess the practice was gaining traction for a while.

But really, the question I'm asking is who knew there would be a need to fill 24 hours of time with music videos before MTV announced they would be starting it? I guess you can't make an MTV unless these videos already existed and you could use them. I look over the list of the first 50 and see four Rod Stewart songs, four REO Speedwagon songs, and two each by Pat Benetar, Iron Maiden, Lee Ritenour, Pretenders, Styx and The Who. Some of these songs were ridiculously popular chart toppers and hold up well today. Some of them I've never heard of. Who told these artists to make sure they produced music videos to go with their songs? To me it felt like an art form --the creation of music videos-- that didn't have an outlet anywhere prior to MTV landing.

The answer to my question seems to be that there had been a lot of music videos produced prior to the 1980s. Some of them were made as "promo videos" for the songs. And although there wasn't a station that was showing them 24/7, there were plenty of outlets on various programs around the world. The videos were sometimes clear advertisements designed to promote the songs, with perhaps no "art" value on their own. Read more about the history of music videos here.

I slapped together a Spotify playlist of all of the songs from this list I could find (44/50). It might make more sense to create a YouTube playlist at some point, so that it includes the actual videos, but I'll save that as an exercise for later (or someone else). Check it out here or below.

Labels: history, MTV, music, music/artists/iron-maiden, music/artists/lee-ritenour, music/artists/pat-benatar, music/artists/pretenders, music/artists/reo-speedwagon, music/artists/rod-stewart, music/artists/the-who, video

# posted by ArcoJedi : 19:49 0 comments

2024/12/25

Oh Holy Night: A Heartwarming Christmas Celebration

TikTok user @realityshowreject (L. Rodgers) posted a great ~2 minute video talking about the Christmas hymn Oh Holy Night and how it is an abolitionist Christmas song. She explains more and also sings a beautiful rendition of one verse and chorus.

@realityshowreject Merry Christmas Y’all #fyp #christmas #oholynight ♬ original sound - L. Rodgers

You can read the full lyrics of this song, in a version by CeCe Winans here:

Read “Oh, Holy Night” by CeCe Winans on Genius

At our house every Christmas, our favorite rendition that must be played on high volume is this one by Josh Groban.

However you celebrate...

Merry Christas and Happy New Year!

Labels: genre/christmas, genre/hymns, history, holidays/christmas, music, music/artists, music/artists/josh-groban

# posted by ArcoJedi : 15:03 0 comments

2023/12/03

The Most Talented Breakroom in Music History...

@patrickhicks82 Attention you must pay #musictok #musicstory #musichistory #80smusic #80shiphop #oldschoolhiphop #hiphophistory ♬ original sound - Patrick Hicks Music Stories

Found on TikTok.

Labels: genre/hip-hop, genre/rap, history, music, music/artists, music/artists/salt-n-pepa

# posted by ArcoJedi : 21:37 0 comments

2015/09/09

Why Grooveshark failed | The Verge

Sometime in early 2006, Josh Greenberg, a freshman at the University of Florida, began attending meetings at a school club for budding business types. The son of an electronics repairman, Greenberg was a model junior entrepreneur. In high school he’d run a small web design business; at 17, he’d incorporated it, printing his first run of business cards. Underage, he couldn’t legally serve on his company’s board of directors, so he appointed his grandfather as chairman. Now 19, Greenberg was looking to build something more concrete.

Learn more: Why Grooveshark failed | The Verge

Labels: 2015, community, Delicious, history, internet, music

# posted by ArcoJedi : 16:53 0 comments

2015/02/03

World War I Sheet Music

The World War I digital sheet music collection is drawn from the Sheet Music Collection at the John Hay Library. It is composed of over 1,800 titles that relate in some way to the events of World War I, and the impact of that war on American society. There are patriotic songs, songs relating to specific military units, romantic songs of love and loss, comic songs, and songs that look to the war’s end. Cover art on the songs is particularly striking. The most famous is perhaps Norman Rockwell’s cover for George M. Cohan’s "Over There". The famed sheet music illustrator Barbelle provided many covers, including the amusing "How ‘Ya Gonna Keep ‘Em Down on the Farm (After They’ve Seen Paree?)". The cover of Richard Whiting’s eternally popular "Till We Meet Again", with its melancholy blue tones, perfectly complements the wistful quality of the music and lyric. Photographs of many famous performers are featured on the covers. Eddie Cantor (“Banjo Eyes”) appears on "Would You Rather be a Co

Learn more: World War I Sheet Music

Labels: audio, Delicious, download, history, history/WWI, music, music/notation, reference

# posted by ArcoJedi : 01:06 0 comments

2011/06/09

Google Honors Les Paul On His Birthday

I'm not sure that it will be available beyond today, but Google is honoring Les Paul on his birthday today by having an interactive Google log that allows you to play and record an electric guitar. Here's my first solo: Google Doodle: Les Paul Guitar. Have fun with it before it goes away.

Labels: ♫, history, instrument, music, music/artists/les-paul, music/guitar

# posted by ArcoJedi : 08:05 0 comments

2009/12/02

24 Songs Worth $80,000 Each? Bainwol, Smainwol!

I'm writing this post today because I truly believe that you haven't had enough facepalm moments in your life yet.

I follow Cracked.com on twitter and jumped to the link immediately when I saw the tweet about 7 Inventors You Didn't Know You Wanted to Punch In the Face. I expected to see a list of gadgets or technology that end up being annoyances or death traps. But starting with #7 it seems the first winner was really just a jerk with some legal tricks. But since the jerk in question was Mitch Bainwol, CEO of the RIAA, a group I've written about before and follow with some modicum of enmity, I took careful notice.

The article gives a bit of detail and some links about the history of the RIAA's legal campaign against individuals file sharing, the history of one of it's most important cases and Mitch's role in it. In regards to Cracked's article, it occurs to me momentarily that this does not make him an "inventor" but just a "suit". Still, the suggestion that someone (maybe me) would like to punch him in the face still stands.

Mitch Bainwol RIAA
Originally uploaded by SAITOR

I won't regurgitate the whole article here. I only suggest reading it and also catching up with the relevant Wikipedia page on the case referenced. In summary, before Mitch stepped up the plate, the RIAA's legal tactics against ISPs were barely making a dent in the so-called problem, so they took their fight down to the individual. What heinous criminal did they bring charges against? An organized crime boss? A street vendor selling pirated CDs? A Russian hacker?

No. They brought suit against a mother of four in her late twenties named Jammie Thomas, a Native American descendant from the great state of Minnesota. A classic David-and-Goliath story unfolds from there, of course, with retrials still lingering as recently as July 2009. Unfortunately, as it stands right now, the jury last sided with the plaintiff (wait,... what?!) finding her liable for damages totaling ... <drum roll here>

$80,000 Per Song?! That Adds Up to $1.92 Million?!!

Though the record companies alleged that the total number of shared files was 1,702 songs, they mercifully sought relief for only 24 of these. None of these numbers can be proven very well via evidence, but that's still nearly 2 million dollars that as of right now she legally owes. There are still motions, counter-motions and so forth flying around right now and the evidence seems mighty flimsy from my vantage point.

The point I want to especially highlight from the Cracked.com article was this witty snippet that I appreciated.

...she was found guilty of sharing the most embarrassing 24 song playlist imaginable with countless Internet users.

Isn't that just awesome? The actual list of all 24 songs is outlined for all of history in bold-faced type on Wikipedia. Just savor what Jammie must feel to know that the whole world gets a peak at her private music tastes. There's a smattering of classic rock, 90's era chick-rock alternative and some gooey pop. The artists included are Aerosmith, Bryan Adams, Def Leppard, Green Day, Janet Jackson, No Doubt, Richard Marx and Vanessa Williams among others.

It's pretty safe for the Cracked writers to point their fingers and laugh at the list, especially when they are clearly taking her side. It includes many songs that are good, but many of us wouldn't admit to liking publicly. And at the same time, I can't help feel some pity and solidarity with this mom that the RIAA has chosen to pick on. So in support of her and in empathy for her situation, I've created the following playlist with all 24 songs! So here they are, Jammie's Playlist, in no particular order. I dare you to listen to it and not sing along at some point.

More Information

Found via Twitter / Cracked.com.

Update

I found this today (2010/09/26) on Reddit.

Labels: articles, copyright, funny, history, music, music/artists, news, reference, RIAA, stupid, technology, via:playlist.com

# posted by ArcoJedi : 00:36 0 comments

2009/10/26

Dear Jordin Sparks, Meet Pat Benatar

I've avoided watching American Idol for the last complete season. I'll admit that I had an uneasy like/dislike relationship with the show the first several seasons, but that I watched it when my wife watched it. Her interest in the show has dwindled down to non-existent from my perspective. There were dramatic parts of the show that I would get interested in when it was on, but as far as I'm concerned it's good riddance to bad rubbish.

I could write a long treatise on what I don't like about the show and the negative effects that have hampered the music industry. But I'll keep my elitism in check for right now. After all, as I mentioned there were redeemable moments that I can't ignore. There have been certain moments in the show that have been interesting and memorable that made for good television at the least. And some of the artists that graduated to stardom from the ranks of the contestants are worthy to stand alongside other more traditionally accomplished musicians.

But damn. The nerve of some of these... *sigh* ...kids can really annoy me at times. For a moment, let's focus on one named Jordin Sparks, winner of season six. I've appreciated at least one song of hers called Tattoo simply because the chorus captures an emotion I associated with the tattoo I got for myself when my son died. At it's heart, this song is a lost romantic love song. However, the theme is that someone who is gone will remain as a permanent mark on their heart. I can dig that just a bit.

Sparks' latest hit that is being overplayed on the FM dial is catchy, but altogether sounds way too familiar. And I don't mean to say that the lyrics or music were plagiarized. No, the problem is nothing so droll. It's the fact that the idea for the song's theme was already out there in a much more classic version. This story has already been told. This question has already been answered. The sad and annoying fact is that young Jordin may be too young to even know it. Confused? Perhaps the video evidence...

Jordin Sparks - Battlefield

The underlying question that young, naive Jordin is (repeatedly) asking here is WHY does love always feel like a battlefield? Hmph! What a dumb question. Do you really want to know why, Jordin? Would you like a source of wisdom to enlighten you? Well, there's no need for me to tell you what should be obvious. This question has already been answered by one of your elders and betters. And it was stated so elegantly back before you were born (probably). Once again, let's roll the video...

Pat Benatar - Love is a Battlefield

Did you catch that Jordin? Love feels like a battlefield, because IT IS a battlefield! So there you go. You might make a memorable songwriter some day Jordin. But the next time you get yourself up to asking silly questions, please be sure to consult the entire music catalog of Pat Benatar for the answer before you put any more silliness into song form. It might save you and us a lot of grief. Thanks! ::Jim

P.S. Actually, perhaps you shouldn't stop at just Pat Benatar. Other songstress classics from the 80s you should check out include Blondie, Bette Midler, Diana Ross, Barbra Streisand, Donna Summer, Kim Carnes, Dolly Parton, Sheena Easton, Pointer Sisters, Abba ... (Who am I forgetting?). Anyway, I sincerely hope this helps. So much for keeping my elitism in check, huh?

Labels: ♫, funny, genre/pop, history, love, music, music/artists/jordin-sparks, music/artists/pat-benatar, music/lyrics, via:youtube.com, video

# posted by ArcoJedi : 23:59 0 comments

2008/11/24

Guns N' Roses Bring A Free Dr Pepper

My old school friends and I were big Guns N' Roses fans from 6^th grade on. I probably head-banged for the first time to Appetite for Destruction on a boy scout camp out. Later would come Helloween, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith and many others. But first and foremost for several years was GN'R.

You probably know the story. The band has been in and out of the limelight's edge for the last fifteen years. Only one of the original band members --the very personable and friendly Axl Rose-- is still active. But it's been long years since the release of a new album of original material. There has been one in the works the whole time, but it has been many times delayed from being released. Until yesterday.

All that you probably knew. What you might not have known was that the senior marketing team at Dr. Pepper made a promise that they'd give a free can of their soda to every American if GN'R released their album before the end of 2008. And I don't think they honestly thought it would happen. But it has! You can learn more information at the article on MTV Newsroom. However, if you want to sign up for your coupon you only have a few hours left. Originally, the coupon sign-up form was only going to be available for 24 hours. But they've extended it until 6PM EST today. Go!

Found via my friend Nikomas.

Labels: articles, free, friends, genre/classic-rock, genre/rock, history, music, music/artists, music/artists/guns-n-roses

# posted by ArcoJedi : 14:34 0 comments

2008/05/08

Last Kiss - Pearl Jam [mp3]

Pearl Jam - Last Kiss

Found via del.icio.us {tags: music music/artists music/artists/pearl-jam audio download history ♫}.

Labels: ♫, audio, download, genre/alternative, genre/cover, genre/oldies, history, music, music/artists, music/artists/pearl-jam

# posted by ArcoJedi : 01:00 0 comments

Day-O (Banana Boat) - Harry Belafonte [mp3]

BannanaBoatSong.mp3 (audio/mpeg Object)

Found via del.icio.us {tags: history audio ♫ music music/artists music/artists/harry-belafonte download}.

Labels: ♫, audio, download, genre/oldies, history, music, music/artists, music/artists/harry-belafonte

# posted by ArcoJedi : 00:54 0 comments

2007/08/16

Producers Howl Over Sound Cut Out by MP3 Compression

Let's take a break from the stream of songs and allow me to talk briefly about the quality of MP3 files. I've always loved them since the first time I've used them. I will admit that I have noticed that there can be a quality difference in some instances with downloaded files as well as files directly ripped from CDs. The ripping process as well as the file transfer process can multiply artifacts exponentially. Skipping or dust on the disc can make it much worse, even intolerable.

However, assuming optimal hardware and media conditions an MP3 file can substitute for a CD. According to the following article, most professional audio producers object to their use simply because of the compression and how much quality it can potentially lose.

Whether you know it or not, that compact disc you just copied to your MP3 player is only partially there.

With the CD on its way out and computer files taking over as the primary means of hearing recorded music, the artificial audio of MP3s is quickly becoming the primary way people listen to music. Apple already has sold 100 million iPods, and more than a billion MP3 files are traded every month through the Internet.

But the music contained in these computer files represents less than 10 percent of the original music on the CDs. In its journey from CD to MP3 player, the music has been compressed by eliminating data that computer analysis deems redundant, squeezed down until it fits through the Internet pipeline.

Although I like quality sound and I can hear certain qualities of good audio recordings that other people cannot hear, I'd have to say that I disagree with this article's premise. To be modest, I'm a musician with a decently trained ear. I can think of good reasons against MP3s and file sharing simply on principle, but the idea that because the medium is prone to errors and loss doesn't really bother me.

I mean, have you ever really listened to a vinyl record? An old beat-up cassette? An eight track that's been collecting dust? Now those were prone to problems.