First semester of Highschool, I had an epic VHS music video tape: Busta Rhymes - Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See, Foo Fighters - Everlong, Mase - Mo Money, Biggy - Big Poppa, Fatboy Slim - Praise You
I watched pretty much all of these as a tween and teen, so this is like a fun retrospective for me. It strangely gave me more a timeline for episodes of my youth.
Agreed, born in 77.... We had a good run when it came to all forms of music and video. Pop,rock, metal,rap.... all of it was good!! My kids in their 20s agree, "Dad, you grew up in a great era of music".... tbey dont listen to much new music, they both listen to 90s stuff mostly. We lived in a golden era of music!
@@realiteatimeforall we did! If i'd been born less than a week earlier I would've been '77 too :D I don't listen to much new music either, also still listen to a lot of 80s and 90s.
Yeah, I was born in 74 an the youngest outta 5 of us kids. I think we musta been one of the first ones to have MTV in the neighborhood an I remember my brothers and sisters an some of my friends would come over to check this new channel out. I’m guessing maybe we had gotten MTV maybe a year later at the most cuz I remember when we turned the channel on channel 15 and we didn’t have MTV yet and the station was all fuzzy and you could kinda see and hear this music coming outta it. It was like wow, what this!!! But I had to have been maybe 7-8 years old when we actually got MTV. I remember NO commercials and I knew every song on it and it would put me to sleep in the one rocking chair we had. Then it musta been around the time they came out with the remote control cuz before we had remotes for the TV, I WAS THE REMOTE CONTROL! 😂 But when dad got outta the chair and ma & dad left the house we would fight over who got the chair and the remote (we called the remote control, the BOX) GIMME THE BOX!🤣 and we’d of course turn the station to channel 15 and rock out in the rockin chair to MTV! 🤣😂 I’m just grateful I was born in that or this time I guess! 😂 🤘🏼 ✌🏼
Thank you for recognizing the impact of Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814. It was high-concept and had an enduring message with an incredibly infectious beat. Few people understand how influential this video really is.
Although TLC occasionally had a rap in their songs, they are not at all rap or straight up hip-hop. They were classic rhythm and blues with beats that are associated more with what was called “new Jack swing”… a kind of different vibe than straight up hip-hop.
@@jadebel7006 You must know much more, I've only been reading and taking in information on the subject for the past almost 20 years. Do you have a source?
As a kid, I had my family record MJ's Moonwalker when it came on TV and I must've watched that VHS to death. As I got older, it was fun to see all the retro TV commercials in-between bits of the movie. I gotta see if I can find that old VHS!
Love this series, thanks! Busta Rhymes - Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See, deserves mention. For me, it's the greatest video of my generation from 97-2005
That video was an extra treat for me in high school. a couple semesters before, my drama class saw him in "who am I this time?" (tv film starring him and Susan Sarandon), so I was a budding fan already. He is the entire reason I ended up getting into Fatboy Slim. 😂
Was it foreshadowing that he was in the recent Dune movie while he did a music video that quotes dune the entire time? “Walk without rhythm and you won’t attract the worm.”
One thing that I wish had been covered in this video that I find to be one of the most important aspects of this specific era of MTV was that of the rise of MTV's own most prominent, well-known and groundbreaking influencers and critics of the music video artform: Beavis and Butt-Head. And no, that's not a joke. Despite being often heavily biased and divisive when it comes to the objectivity of their reviews, Beavis and Butt-Head were shockingly frank and honestly sincere about their critique. Every form of art has it's own defining critical voice, whether that was Siskel and Ebert, Leonard Maltin, or perhaps more fittingly, Joe Bob Brigs for films, or Rolling Stone when it came to the music industry by itself, the Music Video had Beavis and Butt-Head, who despite being crude, childish, churlish and highly judgemental, were scathingly critical and always able to tap into the rejection of pretentiousness, and laser focus on genuine sincerity. Anything that was disingenuous, too artificially manufactured or "fake" was always the most frequent punching bags for B&B. Even if they didn't often understand their own discerning knowledge, they had a unique wit and surprisingly insightful take on this emerging artform, even if it was a very blunt or harshly direct one. They were just as apt at slamming rock videos if they were self-indulgent, hammy or insincere as they were able to appreciate rap and hip-hop if it was honest and not forced. Beavis and Butt-Head had the layman's every-man voice. They were the voice of the disaffected, ADHD, difficult-to-impress, impulsive and fickle youth of the day, a reflection of the very generation that MTV and it's musicians and video directors were setting out to impress, and they had no problems letting their honest feelings be known, which DID reflect many of that generation, regardless of what others could say about their intelligence or professionalism. And their presence was just as important for the direction and legacy of these videos now, as much as they were when they commented on them in the timely manner they first did. In fact, a GREAT many music videos are remembered and cherished, or strongly recalled in large part to this day, more for what Beavis and Butt-Head had to say about them, than many of those people recall many of those videos on their own merits. To say Beavis and Butt-Head didn't influence or shape the music video as an artform would just simply be wrong, and to ignore their contributions to the history of the music video as an artform is just as inaccurate of a picture.
And for the record, I know Beavis and Butt-Head aren't real people, they're cartoons. Despite some of the things they do could also get a real person to be hurt, expelled, arrested or deported and that no one should try what they do at home.... I think my point still stands, that Mike Judge, the satirist BEHIND them, still deserves that same credit for everything I said before, and for how astoundingly well he understands the base-level expectations of the youth he was speaking for with funny voices. Even if everything I said above still applies to Mike Judge, rather than his cartoon superstars themselves, I think it's just as valid. Mike Judge was THE greatest critic of this artform, then, at the time, and even now.
@@the-NightStar Absolutely agree, though by the early '90s music videos were no longer a "new" artform. It was ripe for critique and deconstruction. I remember The Roots making a video parodying the numerous tropes of Hip Hop videos (What They do) and it was hilarious! But definitely give Mike Judge his flowers now for the impact he had with B&B. 100%!
I have borrowed from your content for use in my classroom for many years, and used the videos for Closer, Beautiful People, and Black Hole Sun this week in the exact way you did here. Thank you for your doing a great job and making my job both easier and more interesting.
OMFG I LOVE YOU! JUST AS YOU WHERE DESCRIBING IT I SAID OUTLOUD "Weapon of Choice" and BAM! Dude this video was ACE!!!! Topnotch man, you REALLY did your homework HYPE WILLIAMS IS THE GREATEST!!!!!
I remember watching MTV when I was a kid in the 90's here in Finland. Lou Bega's Mambo no.5 was one of my favorite songs at that time and I always hoped that it would appear. Of course I didn't understand the words at that time since I didn't know any English but the groove was just immaculate! I remember seeing quite a few videos from being 8 years old and as the video went on I was like "oh I've seen that as well" this happened many times.
The first few videos in this series didn’t grab my attention, but you have my interest with the MTV coverage! The first installment was great. Looking forward to this one
As one of the oldest of millennials who came of age, in the '90s, I remember most all of these, & this was an incredible & joyous, nostalgic trip back to better days. For me & my generation, this was the golden era of MTV! I'd love to hear you get more into the TLC song "Waterfalls", as I've never been able to figure out what the waterfalls, in the lyrics, are a metaphor for. I remember, I immediately became a fan of Eminem, when I first saw the video for "my name is", & I'm amazed & pleased that he's been able to endure & last till this day!! Though, Polyphonic, I do remember many white kids were already listening to hip hop, long before Eminem's arrival. I particularly remember white kids, at my junior high school, referencing lyrics to Coolio songs, of the time, & I also remember just about all the white kids I knew, were walking around going "whoomp there it is". That was an amazing period!!
This has been one of my favorite series ever! I've always had a special connection with music videos. And I found out from your last video that my birthday is the same day and year as the first MTV VMA's, blew my mind!
Man I just stumbled across ur channel yesterday. And part 1 was the first one I watched. So I only had to wait overnight for part 2... What a great video.. I absolutely can't wait for part 3!!
I've been watching and listening to your videos for years now. I think 7? And I just wanna say, bravo! This is one of the coolest video easays yet, thank you! Edit to add: I'll absolutely be buying your book! I don't think I've ever added something to my cart so fast 😂😂
1983, 13 years old, got home from school one day, we had just gotten this new thing… CABLE TV. The first thing I put on was MTV, was only able to watch bits of it at friend’s houses, we lived just outside the city limits and got it after everyone else. I don’t think MTV left that TV when I was watching until I moved out in 1988.
Really enjoying this series. Thank you, very well researched and definitely brings back memories for me, a gen x' er who was lucky to see and meet many you mentioned as well as see their videos on MTV.
Honestly, I love this series so far! I can't wait for the next video!!!!! Also, it would be good to mention Daft Punks Discovery!! Such a good collaboration between animation and music. Personally, I love how the MVs combine into a movie. Too bad there are barely any videos about it. I would love to see your take on them!
Push It by Garbage was definitely one of the most exciting videos of the 90s, still can't believe it didn't win any awards at the 1998 MTV VMA's despite being nominated for 8!
I love music videos. Just this year the band While She Sleeps released the music video for, "To The Flower's" that left me in tears. Such a beautiful piece of art.
I'd be here for a vid from you on Indian music on film...ijs... I am truly enjoying this MTV series. I was there from the start as a viewer, and I am getting the same chills I got back then at seeing a lot of these videos for the first time. 💓💓
I LOVE THIS VIDEO. It sure brings back a lot of great memories for me. Just a few years out of film school at Cal State Long Beach, I was fortunate enough to BS my way into producing. Eventually this led to producing music videos for Hype Williams and Paul Hunter. I mostly produce commercials nowadays. I’ve produced for artists such as Michael Jackson (featuring Marlon Brandon & Chris Tucker), Janet Jackson, U2, Jennifer Lopez, Lenny Kravitz, Deftones, Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes and many more. You’re 100% correct about the budgets being massive between late 1998 and 2001 before digital downloading and 9/11, reversed this trend. However, I recently produced a huge music video for Disney, that’s supposed to be released Valentine’s Day, 2025. (I can’t say what it is, though) I often get asked by young filmmakers when huge budgets are coming back and the sad reality is that they won’t, unless it’s the very rare super star (Taylor Swift), or an anomaly that happens every couple years. Those days of “just throw money at the problem” to fix it are gone forever. One thing you didn’t touch on was how incredibly well paid and wealthy many of these directors became. It wasn’t unusual for the top 5-6 directors to make between $500,000 and $750,000 for a single video. I personally know of a couple directors that made one million dollars on ONE music video. Anyway, thank you for this series. It’s absolutely one of my favorites on RUclips. Have a great holiday season, everyone!
Just wanna say I've been loving this series, but in one of my Communications classes the professor gave us some readings and videos about punk, and one of them was your video on Riot Grrrl! I was like omg, I love polyphonic, really glad to have found your channel 🩵
Yeah, since this went up to 2000ish, I was expecting to see Windowlicker at least get an honourable mention. It got airplay on MTV, though only late at night, but I consider it one of the best music videos ever, second only to Thriller, both in the choreography and the conceptual nature. Similarly with Come to Daddy.
I am Indian and I was like 11 when MTV came to us via cable TV. In the 90s for a short time, we had indi-pop - that was supposed to be a pun on it being Indian as well as independent (of the film industry) and some of the videos were pretty cool. Lots of male gazey videos but some truly pretty videos as well. You should check it out when you're bored
Sendo brasileiro, fã da nossa música, e do nosso samba, é simplesmente uma honra que esse episódio, do meu canal favorito, tenha sido encerrado dando importância ao "music video" onde meu ator favorito faz essa performance numa música que teve total influência na nossa música. Obrigado, mr. Polyphonic! Eu vou criar uma versão para os PT-BR dos seus vídeos, autorize você ou não! Te amo!
The Michael and Janet Jackson video really open the doors for the late 90's and the early 2000's futuristic look although the Michael Jackson video came out in 1995 AKA the heart of the 90's.
I'm 35 and remember watching Fresh Prince and Martin in the 90s but I never saw the Bad Boys movies until last month! Well as I was between watching those I watched "I Touch Myself" music video for the first time as well because a Sabrina Carpenter song sounds very much like it. I kinda got obsessed with the music video cuz of that part you showed where she does a little dance move. Well anyway from watching your video I just found out that Micheal Bay the director of the Bad Boy movies was also the director of that music video! Pretty weird how I didn't watch either of those for 20+ years and then discover them at the same time and they happened to be directed by him lol. End of story, sorry I wasted your time.
I produced and edited music videos throughout the late 90s in Canada. The most creative and fulfilling years of my life. Financially it wasn’t tremendous but still worth it. The DIY aesthetic of OK-GO showed that anyone at any budget can make engaging videos. It’s a pity the art form is basically dead. It’s the best way to get started in filmmaking.
Videos mentioned (or most of them anyway): Michael Jackson- Thriller ruclips.net/video/sOnqjkJTMaA/видео.html Michael Jackson- Bad ruclips.net/video/Sd4SJVsTulc/видео.html Michael Jackson- Beat It ruclips.net/video/oRdxUFDoQe0/видео.html Michael Jackson- Moonwalker ruclips.net/video/BU69WKKfORc/видео.html Madonna- Express Yourself ruclips.net/video/GsVcUzP_O_8/видео.html Madonna- Oh Father ruclips.net/video/qvVvN0QvzTk/видео.html Madonna- Vogue ruclips.net/video/GuJQSAiODqI/видео.html Paula Abdul- Opposites Attract ruclips.net/video/xweiQukBM_k/видео.html George Michael- Freedom! '90 ruclips.net/video/diYAc7gB-0A/видео.html George Michael- Faith ruclips.net/video/6Cs3Pvmmv0E/видео.html Divinyls- I Touch Myself ruclips.net/video/wv-34w8kGPM/видео.html Meatloaf- I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That) ruclips.net/video/9X_ViIPA-Gc/видео.html Janet Jackson- Rhythm Nation ruclips.net/video/OAwaNWGLM0c/видео.html Guns N' Roses- November Rain ruclips.net/video/8SbUC-UaAxE/видео.html Nirvana- Smells Like Teen Spirit ruclips.net/video/hTWKbfoikeg/видео.html Ramones- Rock N' Roll High School ruclips.net/video/oz7KYUkdlvE/видео.html R.E.M.- Losing My Religion ruclips.net/video/xwtdhWltSIg/видео.html Nirvana- Heart Shaped Box ruclips.net/video/n6P0SitRwy8/видео.html Blind Melons- No Rain ruclips.net/video/3qVPNONdF58/видео.html Pearl Jam- Jeremy ruclips.net/video/MS91knuzoOA/видео.html&rco=1 Beastie Boys- Sabotage ruclips.net/video/z5rRZdiu1UE/видео.html Cake- The Distance ruclips.net/video/F_HoMkkRHv8/видео.html Soundgarden- Black Hole Sun ruclips.net/video/3mbBbFH9fAg/видео.html Our Lady Peace- The Birdman ruclips.net/video/cgfgLo5qjDs/видео.html Marilyn Manson- The Beautiful People ruclips.net/video/Ypkv0HeUvTc/видео.html Nine Inch Nails- Closer ruclips.net/video/PTFwQP86BRs/видео.html Jay-Z- 99 Problems ruclips.net/video/6uikJTnmtgw/видео.html Red Hot Chili Peppers- Can't Stop ruclips.net/video/8DyziWtkfBw/видео.html Johnny Cash- Hurt ruclips.net/video/8AHCfZTRGiI/видео.html Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson- Scream ruclips.net/video/0P4A1K4lXDo/видео.html *NSYNC- I Want You Back ruclips.net/video/is6gtilerPk/видео.html *NSYNC- Bye Bye Bye ruclips.net/video/Eo-KmOd3i7s/видео.html Britney Spears- ...Baby One More Time ruclips.net/video/C-u5WLJ9Yk4/видео.html Britney Spears- Oops!...I Did It Again ruclips.net/video/CduA0TULnow/видео.html Jamiroquai - Virtual Insanity ruclips.net/video/4JkIs37a2JE/видео.html Missy Elliot- The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly) ruclips.net/video/hHcyJPTTn9w/видео.html N.W.A.- Straight Outta Compton ruclips.net/video/TMZi25Pq3T8/видео.html Tupac- California Love ruclips.net/video/N0VdRLdg2ng/видео.html Outkast- Ms. Jackson ruclips.net/video/MYxAiK6VnXw/видео.html TLC- Waterfalls ruclips.net/video/8WEtxJ4-sh4/видео.html The Notorious B.I.G.- Hypnotize ruclips.net/video/glEiPXAYE-U/видео.html Eminem- My Name Is ruclips.net/video/sNPnbI1arSE/видео.html Eminem- The Real Slim Shady ruclips.net/video/eJO5HU_7_1w/видео.html Eminem- Stan ruclips.net/video/gOMhN-hfMtY/видео.html Metallica- Enter Sandman ruclips.net/video/CD-E-LDc384/видео.html Backstreet Boys- I Want It That Way ruclips.net/video/4fndeDfaWCg/видео.html The White Stripes- Fell In Love With A Girl ruclips.net/video/fTH71AAxXmM/видео.html Fatboy Slim- Weapon of Choice ruclips.net/video/wCDIYvFmgW8/видео.html
man im really loving this new series. i used to he a huge fan of your earlier videos but (no offense lol..) my viewership kinda fell off as i got more and more into music history myself and felt like i had less to get out your content than before (omg i sound like an asshole lol sorry). all of this is to say that ive seen your struggles to get Polyphonic back to a place your happy with as a creative, and to kinda find a solid niche for the channel, to develop a sense of identity. and i hope you are as proud of yourself as i am as a random viewer lol, because in the last 2 month especially youve really come in to your own i think, im right back to hanging on to every piece of info u share. good luck keep up the good work :)
If you're enjoying this series, the next episode is available now on Nebula: nebula.tv/videos/polyphonic-how-the-internet-killed-mtv
when will it be available on RUclips?
Total cows dung.
He was a paedophile.
Why do people ignore this.
Shameful.
He was a paedophile.
Why do people forget this?
Are you all complicit?
Disgusting!
@@forceawakens4449
Hopefully never!
Disgusting freak!
Tim Pope? Alex Proyas?
shoutout to everyone who recorded music videos on VHS tapes in the 90's
🫶🏽
Especially the uncensored ones on The Box 🤫
First semester of Highschool, I had an epic VHS music video tape: Busta Rhymes - Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See, Foo Fighters - Everlong, Mase - Mo Money, Biggy - Big Poppa, Fatboy Slim - Praise You
Still got em
We taped the Countdown every year and kept a written list for 'handy reference'
total nerds 😆
I watched pretty much all of these as a tween and teen, so this is like a fun retrospective for me. It strangely gave me more a timeline for episodes of my youth.
Music is how I remember my life in terms of time frame.
Wow. That's really interesting.
Music is a time machine.
I came here to say something similar. ❤
The music may be great but behind the scenes the entertainment business is a cesspool
I was born in 1978 and I'm so glad I grew up in the 80s and 90s with this music and these videos. Watching MTV was such a thrill back then
Agreed, born in 77.... We had a good run when it came to all forms of music and video. Pop,rock, metal,rap.... all of it was good!!
My kids in their 20s agree, "Dad, you grew up in a great era of music".... tbey dont listen to much new music, they both listen to 90s stuff mostly. We lived in a golden era of music!
@@realiteatimeforall we did! If i'd been born less than a week earlier I would've been '77 too :D
I don't listen to much new music either, also still listen to a lot of 80s and 90s.
83 baby here, still remember getting so excited for trl...beginning of the end though I guess lol
Yeah, I was born in 74 an the youngest outta 5 of us kids. I think we musta been one of the first ones to have MTV in the neighborhood an I remember my brothers and sisters an some of my friends would come over to check this new channel out. I’m guessing maybe we had gotten MTV maybe a year later at the most cuz I remember when we turned the channel on channel 15 and we didn’t have MTV yet and the station was all fuzzy and you could kinda see and hear this music coming outta it. It was like wow, what this!!! But I had to have been maybe 7-8 years old when we actually got MTV. I remember NO commercials and I knew every song on it and it would put me to sleep in the one rocking chair we had. Then it musta been around the time they came out with the remote control cuz before we had remotes for the TV, I WAS THE REMOTE CONTROL! 😂 But when dad got outta the chair and ma & dad left the house we would fight over who got the chair and the remote (we called the remote control, the BOX) GIMME THE BOX!🤣 and we’d of course turn the station to channel 15 and rock out in the rockin chair to MTV! 🤣😂 I’m just grateful I was born in that or this time I guess! 😂 🤘🏼 ✌🏼
I was born in 1974 and I feel exactly the same !!! 80’s was the BEST decade to grow up in 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
Jamiroquai had a really good ‘sequel’ to Virtual Insanity’s video with Canned Heat.
Thank you for recognizing the impact of Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814. It was high-concept and had an enduring message with an incredibly infectious beat. Few people understand how influential this video really is.
the video, and that whole album! i played that cassette to death.. actually, i still have it! so good.💙
OMFG. The woke comment in the comments. 😴
@@Teen-Conor tf you talking about???
Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814. A seriously underrated pop masterwork.
Janet Jackson was a Jehovahs Witnesss.
Janet took all her inspiration from the Hebrews, credit she would willingly acknowledge if you asked her.
A half hour Polyphonic video? My feed hasn't been this blessed in a long time.
Sounds like you're about to go on a Polyphonic spree.
Sorry, I'll see myself out. 😅
Took me 3 hours to watch this video, had to pause and watch a lot of videos that I hadn't seen in years :) Thanks dude!
Although TLC occasionally had a rap in their songs, they are not at all rap or straight up hip-hop. They were classic rhythm and blues with beats that are associated more with what was called “new Jack swing”… a kind of different vibe than straight up hip-hop.
Thank you for correcting that. I'm seeing a pattern with ppl throwing R&B under the Rap/Hip Hop moniker more and more with no basis for it.
I met one of my best friends on Club MTV we used to be dancers on the show. Lol
That’s awesome. I thought downtown Julie Brown was so hot when I was a kid. I still think she is lol
@pensivepenguin3000 oh she wasn't a nice person . She wouldn't talk to us the dancers. Not unless she had too. Or than that.
@@lateefpou2986 She seemed high-maintenance.
@ingridfong-daley5899 The t v doesn't do justice to how much makeup she had on
Facts oohhh boy
Glad to see MJ get his due for his films, he really went above and beyond for every part of his craft.
it's MJ... he's never not gotten his dues lol tf
@@verraque do you normally awkwardly insert yourself into places you’re not wanted?
Years creating 'bad' or years rping kids.. idk why you ppl keep pretending he didn't.. its sick.. and so are you
@@jadebel7006 You must know much more, I've only been reading and taking in information on the subject for the past almost 20 years. Do you have a source?
hell yeah i’ve been loving the mtv stuff
As a kid, I had my family record MJ's Moonwalker when it came on TV and I must've watched that VHS to death. As I got older, it was fun to see all the retro TV commercials in-between bits of the movie. I gotta see if I can find that old VHS!
Love this series, thanks! Busta Rhymes - Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See, deserves mention. For me, it's the greatest video of my generation from 97-2005
Janet's Rhythm Nation album and its videos were groundbreaking. It will forever be my favorite Janet album.
Can't thank you enough for your content 😢😢😢❤❤❤
"Weapon of Choice" Yeah baby... Christopher Walken dancing up a STORM. Must have been so much fun to record!
That video was an extra treat for me in high school. a couple semesters before, my drama class saw him in "who am I this time?" (tv film starring him and Susan Sarandon), so I was a budding fan already. He is the entire reason I ended up getting into Fatboy Slim. 😂
I let an out audible “Oh hell yeah” when he hit that haha
Was it foreshadowing that he was in the recent Dune movie while he did a music video that quotes dune the entire time? “Walk without rhythm and you won’t attract the worm.”
One thing that I wish had been covered in this video that I find to be one of the most important aspects of this specific era of MTV was that of the rise of MTV's own most prominent, well-known and groundbreaking influencers and critics of the music video artform: Beavis and Butt-Head.
And no, that's not a joke.
Despite being often heavily biased and divisive when it comes to the objectivity of their reviews, Beavis and Butt-Head were shockingly frank and honestly sincere about their critique. Every form of art has it's own defining critical voice, whether that was Siskel and Ebert, Leonard Maltin, or perhaps more fittingly, Joe Bob Brigs for films, or Rolling Stone when it came to the music industry by itself, the Music Video had Beavis and Butt-Head, who despite being crude, childish, churlish and highly judgemental, were scathingly critical and always able to tap into the rejection of pretentiousness, and laser focus on genuine sincerity. Anything that was disingenuous, too artificially manufactured or "fake" was always the most frequent punching bags for B&B. Even if they didn't often understand their own discerning knowledge, they had a unique wit and surprisingly insightful take on this emerging artform, even if it was a very blunt or harshly direct one.
They were just as apt at slamming rock videos if they were self-indulgent, hammy or insincere as they were able to appreciate rap and hip-hop if it was honest and not forced. Beavis and Butt-Head had the layman's every-man voice. They were the voice of the disaffected, ADHD, difficult-to-impress, impulsive and fickle youth of the day, a reflection of the very generation that MTV and it's musicians and video directors were setting out to impress, and they had no problems letting their honest feelings be known, which DID reflect many of that generation, regardless of what others could say about their intelligence or professionalism. And their presence was just as important for the direction and legacy of these videos now, as much as they were when they commented on them in the timely manner they first did. In fact, a GREAT many music videos are remembered and cherished, or strongly recalled in large part to this day, more for what Beavis and Butt-Head had to say about them, than many of those people recall many of those videos on their own merits.
To say Beavis and Butt-Head didn't influence or shape the music video as an artform would just simply be wrong, and to ignore their contributions to the history of the music video as an artform is just as inaccurate of a picture.
And for the record, I know Beavis and Butt-Head aren't real people, they're cartoons. Despite some of the things they do could also get a real person to be hurt, expelled, arrested or deported and that no one should try what they do at home.... I think my point still stands, that Mike Judge, the satirist BEHIND them, still deserves that same credit for everything I said before, and for how astoundingly well he understands the base-level expectations of the youth he was speaking for with funny voices. Even if everything I said above still applies to Mike Judge, rather than his cartoon superstars themselves, I think it's just as valid. Mike Judge was THE greatest critic of this artform, then, at the time, and even now.
There was even a movie: Beavis & Butthead do America. Loved it. I did prefer Daria maybe because as a girl I could identify with her.
I have an awesome Beavis & Butthead t-shirt. .....
like wearing it with a blazer.
"I need tee-pee for
my b u n g hole"
I approve your Ted Talk 🤍
"This is Joey Buttafuoco's theme song" about the Winger song is hilarious
@@the-NightStar Absolutely agree, though by the early '90s music videos were no longer a "new" artform. It was ripe for critique and deconstruction. I remember The Roots making a video parodying the numerous tropes of Hip Hop videos (What They do) and it was hilarious! But definitely give Mike Judge his flowers now for the impact he had with B&B. 100%!
weapon of choice will forever be one of my all time favorite music videos of all time.
I was really REALLy focused on my job, then I got this notification and well, now I’m focused on this video! Thanks! I needed to take a break:3
Missy Elliot walking through Brooklyn in a giant inflated suit sounds like it’s own music video tbh lol
I have borrowed from your content for use in my classroom for many years, and used the videos for Closer, Beautiful People, and Black Hole Sun this week in the exact way you did here. Thank you for your doing a great job and making my job both easier and more interesting.
You sound like you have a class I would have hyperfocused on like no tomorrow.
90's and early 2000s videos are something else, full vibe on them
What a fun trip back to when i grew up. Really well put together too. Thanks for this.
OMFG I LOVE YOU!
JUST AS YOU WHERE DESCRIBING IT I SAID OUTLOUD "Weapon of Choice" and BAM!
Dude this video was ACE!!!! Topnotch man, you REALLY did your homework HYPE WILLIAMS IS THE GREATEST!!!!!
Great trip down memory lane!
Tom Petty's "Don't Come Around Here No More" was really different at the time and kind of haunted me as a child.
I remember watching MTV when I was a kid in the 90's here in Finland. Lou Bega's Mambo no.5 was one of my favorite songs at that time and I always hoped that it would appear. Of course I didn't understand the words at that time since I didn't know any English but the groove was just immaculate! I remember seeing quite a few videos from being 8 years old and as the video went on I was like "oh I've seen that as well" this happened many times.
The first few videos in this series didn’t grab my attention, but you have my interest with the MTV coverage! The first installment was great. Looking forward to this one
you are COOKING with this series. I'm super excited for the early-internet era
So good content. Surprised the MTV Unplugged(s) aren't in topic as well.
A lot of it was pretty forgettable, but Nirvana's cover of "Where Did You Sleep Last Night?" was pretty important.
Tbh, i think even the forgettable performances are worth going through an anthology bc of it documenting the raw artistry of the decade @shayneweyker
MTV Unplugged was just plain boring in my opinion.
Go Go Jason Waterfalls!
😂😂😂
😂😂😂
"Please don't stick those beavers in the lake like you used to" 🪈
😂😂😂😂I thought my wife was the only one who said that
@@EnydCrowfeather Uh........those aren't the correct lyrics?? Whatcumean!
This takes me back to a great time in my life
Same here,the video and all the comments are just a joy to watch and read. How many shared memories, great times for real
Loved seeing my childhood again. Thanks.
As one of the oldest of millennials who came of age, in the '90s, I remember most all of these, & this was an incredible & joyous, nostalgic trip back to better days. For me & my generation, this was the golden era of MTV! I'd love to hear you get more into the TLC song "Waterfalls", as I've never been able to figure out what the waterfalls, in the lyrics, are a metaphor for. I remember, I immediately became a fan of Eminem, when I first saw the video for "my name is", & I'm amazed & pleased that he's been able to endure & last till this day!! Though, Polyphonic, I do remember many white kids were already listening to hip hop, long before Eminem's arrival. I particularly remember white kids, at my junior high school, referencing lyrics to Coolio songs, of the time, & I also remember just about all the white kids I knew, were walking around going "whoomp there it is". That was an amazing period!!
This was the era when it became socially acceptable for music videos to be art, instead of just performance.
This has been one of my favorite series ever! I've always had a special connection with music videos. And I found out from your last video that my birthday is the same day and year as the first MTV VMA's, blew my mind!
Man I just stumbled across ur channel yesterday. And part 1 was the first one I watched. So I only had to wait overnight for part 2... What a great video.. I absolutely can't wait for part 3!!
I've been watching and listening to your videos for years now. I think 7?
And I just wanna say, bravo! This is one of the coolest video easays yet, thank you!
Edit to add: I'll absolutely be buying your book! I don't think I've ever added something to my cart so fast 😂😂
1983, 13 years old, got home from school one day, we had just gotten this new thing… CABLE TV. The first thing I put on was MTV, was only able to watch bits of it at friend’s houses, we lived just outside the city limits and got it after everyone else. I don’t think MTV left that TV when I was watching until I moved out in 1988.
You`re so insultingly talented for everything that involves the process of producing a video like this. Thank you SO MUCH and please NEVER stop.
Love these videos and the memories they bring back.
Weapon of Choice was and still is one of my favorite videos. Loved this video man. You get a new sub.
i am 100% here for this series!
Great video, man. I grew up watching MTV through all of these eras and love the nostalgia here
Don't forget David Lynch's influence on Black Hole Sun with it's obvious nod to Twin Peaks.
What a great video! Full of nostalgia from some of the best years in music 🎶
Really enjoying this series. Thank you, very well researched and definitely brings back memories for me, a gen x' er who was lucky to see and meet many you mentioned as well as see their videos on MTV.
there's so much good in this video, i don't even know what to say.. so i'll just say thank you. it's resonating deeply with me.💙
Honestly, I love this series so far! I can't wait for the next video!!!!! Also, it would be good to mention Daft Punks Discovery!! Such a good collaboration between animation and music. Personally, I love how the MVs combine into a movie. Too bad there are barely any videos about it. I would love to see your take on them!
This brought so many memories back from being 11 and 12 and on... wild. Thanks for making this video!
"Upstart Punk Band" Love this way of describing my boys!! Perfect 💯
I'll say it. This video is really good. Memories with actual interesting facts. Well done !
Push It by Garbage was definitely one of the most exciting videos of the 90s, still can't believe it didn't win any awards at the 1998 MTV VMA's despite being nominated for 8!
I love music videos. Just this year the band While She Sleeps released the music video for, "To The Flower's" that left me in tears. Such a beautiful piece of art.
That water drip sound at 7:50 😆
I was hoping somebody else noticed it. You just know bro edited it to be just right.😅🤙
I'd be here for a vid from you on Indian music on film...ijs...
I am truly enjoying this MTV series. I was there from the start as a viewer, and I am getting the same chills I got back then at seeing a lot of these videos for the first time. 💓💓
Hip Hop has been incorporating a lot of Bollywood esthetiques since the late '80s!
Awesome video. A walk through my childhood and adolesence!
I LOVE THIS VIDEO. It sure brings back a lot of great memories for me.
Just a few years out of film school at Cal State Long Beach, I was fortunate enough to BS my way into producing. Eventually this led to producing music videos for Hype Williams and Paul Hunter. I mostly produce commercials nowadays.
I’ve produced for artists such as Michael Jackson (featuring Marlon Brandon & Chris Tucker), Janet Jackson, U2, Jennifer Lopez, Lenny Kravitz, Deftones, Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes and many more.
You’re 100% correct about the budgets being massive between late 1998 and 2001 before digital downloading and 9/11, reversed this trend.
However, I recently produced a huge music video for Disney, that’s supposed to be released Valentine’s Day, 2025. (I can’t say what it is, though)
I often get asked by young filmmakers when huge budgets are coming back and the sad reality is that they won’t, unless it’s the very rare super star (Taylor Swift), or an anomaly that happens every couple years.
Those days of “just throw money at the problem” to fix it are gone forever.
One thing you didn’t touch on was how incredibly well paid and wealthy many of these directors became. It wasn’t unusual for the top 5-6 directors to make between $500,000 and $750,000 for a single video. I personally know of a couple directors that made one million dollars on ONE music video.
Anyway, thank you for this series. It’s absolutely one of my favorites on RUclips.
Have a great holiday season, everyone!
Just wanna say I've been loving this series, but in one of my Communications classes the professor gave us some readings and videos about punk, and one of them was your video on Riot Grrrl! I was like omg, I love polyphonic, really glad to have found your channel 🩵
Your videos are all so good. Thank you!
Loving the series so far, can’t wait for the next one.
Great video, but I can't believe you didn't mention Chris Cunningham. One of the most iconic video directors of the 90's, imo.
Yeah, since this went up to 2000ish, I was expecting to see Windowlicker at least get an honourable mention. It got airplay on MTV, though only late at night, but I consider it one of the best music videos ever, second only to Thriller, both in the choreography and the conceptual nature. Similarly with Come to Daddy.
The best😊
This series has been phenomenal.
I am Indian and I was like 11 when MTV came to us via cable TV. In the 90s for a short time, we had indi-pop - that was supposed to be a pun on it being Indian as well as independent (of the film industry) and some of the videos were pretty cool. Lots of male gazey videos but some truly pretty videos as well. You should check it out when you're bored
I remember when “Smack My B!tch Up” premiered on MTV. What an excellent concept and execution for a video.
Awesome video, man! Can't wait for the next one! 🤘
Dude I was just just wondering if anyone made a doc about MTV and found your series.
Thank you for making this!
Once this series finishes, I’m gonna watch it again 🫡
This was half an hour well spent. Thanks
amazing video!! i really enjoyed this episode.
4:16 Jaden Smith is a time traveler,dibs on that conspiracy theory!lol...
You knocked it out of the park yet again
Sendo brasileiro, fã da nossa música, e do nosso samba, é simplesmente uma honra que esse episódio, do meu canal favorito, tenha sido encerrado dando importância ao "music video" onde meu ator favorito faz essa performance numa música que teve total influência na nossa música.
Obrigado, mr. Polyphonic!
Eu vou criar uma versão para os PT-BR dos seus vídeos, autorize você ou não! Te amo!
excellent production and content. I will watch the whole series. Thanks
The Michael and Janet Jackson video really open the doors for the late 90's and the early 2000's futuristic look although the Michael Jackson video came out in 1995 AKA the heart of the 90's.
I feel like i've learned something even if I lived through half of it and knew it all, good job on this one
Weapon of choice is such a work of art of a music video
These videos have been amazing keep it up!
Your videos are always top tier
another banger video, I was a bit young for MTV so its fun to learn more about something i've only seen in passing as a little kid!
This video is absolutely awesome. I'm so glad my algorithm knew what to do today!
Keep it up, I'm subbed and ready for more :D
Amazing, I love your videos. Keep it up
My favorite part of this series is having great music videos to watch later!
Would love to have a playlist made of them
You’re videos are so cool dude, I love them :)❤
Such an amazing ideas for a series, really love these videos
Hey, algorithm,
YES. HELL TO THE YES. MORE OF THIS PLEASE
I'm 35 and remember watching Fresh Prince and Martin in the 90s but I never saw the Bad Boys movies until last month! Well as I was between watching those I watched "I Touch Myself" music video for the first time as well because a Sabrina Carpenter song sounds very much like it. I kinda got obsessed with the music video cuz of that part you showed where she does a little dance move. Well anyway from watching your video I just found out that Micheal Bay the director of the Bad Boy movies was also the director of that music video! Pretty weird how I didn't watch either of those for 20+ years and then discover them at the same time and they happened to be directed by him lol. End of story, sorry I wasted your time.
Valeu!
I produced and edited music videos throughout the late 90s in Canada. The most creative and fulfilling years of my life. Financially it wasn’t tremendous but still worth it.
The DIY aesthetic of OK-GO showed that anyone at any budget can make engaging videos. It’s a pity the art form is basically dead. It’s the best way to get started in filmmaking.
Fantastic video. This was really insightful, super engaging.
Great video. You really hit me right in the nostalgia.
thank you @polyphonic ! got the book. it's awesome !!!!
Amazing video as always!
5:50 George Michael is mentioned ... YAY!! Woo-Hoo 🤗😁👍😊🤩 Now Polyphonic if u can can only make a separate video about him that would be cool 😎
I remember when BAD came out.....
I remember going to the mall with Ma and getting the 45
I really appreciate your videos man.
I think "Drop" by Pharcyde was worth a mention with its reversed filming 🎥
Videos mentioned (or most of them anyway):
Michael Jackson- Thriller ruclips.net/video/sOnqjkJTMaA/видео.html
Michael Jackson- Bad ruclips.net/video/Sd4SJVsTulc/видео.html
Michael Jackson- Beat It ruclips.net/video/oRdxUFDoQe0/видео.html
Michael Jackson- Moonwalker ruclips.net/video/BU69WKKfORc/видео.html
Madonna- Express Yourself ruclips.net/video/GsVcUzP_O_8/видео.html
Madonna- Oh Father ruclips.net/video/qvVvN0QvzTk/видео.html
Madonna- Vogue ruclips.net/video/GuJQSAiODqI/видео.html
Paula Abdul- Opposites Attract ruclips.net/video/xweiQukBM_k/видео.html
George Michael- Freedom! '90 ruclips.net/video/diYAc7gB-0A/видео.html
George Michael- Faith ruclips.net/video/6Cs3Pvmmv0E/видео.html
Divinyls- I Touch Myself ruclips.net/video/wv-34w8kGPM/видео.html
Meatloaf- I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That) ruclips.net/video/9X_ViIPA-Gc/видео.html
Janet Jackson- Rhythm Nation ruclips.net/video/OAwaNWGLM0c/видео.html
Guns N' Roses- November Rain ruclips.net/video/8SbUC-UaAxE/видео.html
Nirvana- Smells Like Teen Spirit ruclips.net/video/hTWKbfoikeg/видео.html
Ramones- Rock N' Roll High School ruclips.net/video/oz7KYUkdlvE/видео.html
R.E.M.- Losing My Religion ruclips.net/video/xwtdhWltSIg/видео.html
Nirvana- Heart Shaped Box ruclips.net/video/n6P0SitRwy8/видео.html
Blind Melons- No Rain ruclips.net/video/3qVPNONdF58/видео.html
Pearl Jam- Jeremy ruclips.net/video/MS91knuzoOA/видео.html&rco=1
Beastie Boys- Sabotage ruclips.net/video/z5rRZdiu1UE/видео.html
Cake- The Distance ruclips.net/video/F_HoMkkRHv8/видео.html
Soundgarden- Black Hole Sun ruclips.net/video/3mbBbFH9fAg/видео.html
Our Lady Peace- The Birdman ruclips.net/video/cgfgLo5qjDs/видео.html
Marilyn Manson- The Beautiful People ruclips.net/video/Ypkv0HeUvTc/видео.html
Nine Inch Nails- Closer ruclips.net/video/PTFwQP86BRs/видео.html
Jay-Z- 99 Problems ruclips.net/video/6uikJTnmtgw/видео.html
Red Hot Chili Peppers- Can't Stop ruclips.net/video/8DyziWtkfBw/видео.html
Johnny Cash- Hurt ruclips.net/video/8AHCfZTRGiI/видео.html
Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson- Scream ruclips.net/video/0P4A1K4lXDo/видео.html
*NSYNC- I Want You Back ruclips.net/video/is6gtilerPk/видео.html
*NSYNC- Bye Bye Bye ruclips.net/video/Eo-KmOd3i7s/видео.html
Britney Spears- ...Baby One More Time ruclips.net/video/C-u5WLJ9Yk4/видео.html
Britney Spears- Oops!...I Did It Again ruclips.net/video/CduA0TULnow/видео.html
Jamiroquai - Virtual Insanity ruclips.net/video/4JkIs37a2JE/видео.html
Missy Elliot- The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly) ruclips.net/video/hHcyJPTTn9w/видео.html
N.W.A.- Straight Outta Compton ruclips.net/video/TMZi25Pq3T8/видео.html
Tupac- California Love ruclips.net/video/N0VdRLdg2ng/видео.html
Outkast- Ms. Jackson ruclips.net/video/MYxAiK6VnXw/видео.html
TLC- Waterfalls ruclips.net/video/8WEtxJ4-sh4/видео.html
The Notorious B.I.G.- Hypnotize ruclips.net/video/glEiPXAYE-U/видео.html
Eminem- My Name Is ruclips.net/video/sNPnbI1arSE/видео.html
Eminem- The Real Slim Shady ruclips.net/video/eJO5HU_7_1w/видео.html
Eminem- Stan ruclips.net/video/gOMhN-hfMtY/видео.html
Metallica- Enter Sandman ruclips.net/video/CD-E-LDc384/видео.html
Backstreet Boys- I Want It That Way ruclips.net/video/4fndeDfaWCg/видео.html
The White Stripes- Fell In Love With A Girl ruclips.net/video/fTH71AAxXmM/видео.html
Fatboy Slim- Weapon of Choice ruclips.net/video/wCDIYvFmgW8/видео.html
Wow, I did not expect you to gloss right over Tool's videos
man im really loving this new series. i used to he a huge fan of your earlier videos but (no offense lol..) my viewership kinda fell off as i got more and more into music history myself and felt like i had less to get out your content than before (omg i sound like an asshole lol sorry). all of this is to say that ive seen your struggles to get Polyphonic back to a place your happy with as a creative, and to kinda find a solid niche for the channel, to develop a sense of identity. and i hope you are as proud of yourself as i am as a random viewer lol, because in the last 2 month especially youve really come in to your own i think, im right back to hanging on to every piece of info u share. good luck keep up the good work :)