Ten Music Video Highlights of 2012

This year was the year of NSFW music video material. Either that, or we as a society have become so damn sensitive over everything that we’ve plastered anything that might be offensive to anyone with a NSFW on its title. Be it for their depiction of some form of sex or violence — from Green Day [MV] and Marilyn Manson [MV] music videos with minor breast nudity — to unofficial music videos like Arev Manoukian’s take on Skrillex’s The Devil’s Den [MV].

Yes, we have had plenty of sex and violent content on music videos. During this past year, however, we have also seen a gigantic boom of Lyric Music Videos since the massive response to Cee Lo Green’s F*ck You [MV, one of our Highlights from 2010] with every major mainstream group or singer releasing Lyric Music Videos to promote songs in their albums, which most of the times bored us to death. Though, we appreciate the thought behind the idea and applaud that we can finally forget about Windows Video Maker fan-made lyric videos.

We’ve also had plenty of animation music videos from Gotye [MV], Delta Heavy [MV], the Zac Brown Band [MV], to Deadmau5 [MV], Livetune [MV], Sigur Rós [MV], Bomi [MV], DJ Stereolove [MV], or even an animation NSFW crossover with Dethklok [MV]. And let’s not forget the spoof music videos with examples like Status Single [MV], and South Korea’s duo Norazo’s Woman [MV].

And yes, FINALLY- 2012 marked the year when a South Korean music video shone on the world stage. If you had been following the site, you’d know that South Korea topped our music video highlights last year with SunnyHill’s Pray [MV], which showed the country’s quality pop product in a way we had been missing. Yes, this year we’ve continued to have quality pop music videos coming from there.

In light of the lack of a clear favorite pick this year, I’ve divided this list into forms/themes/topics.

10. The Lyric Music Video

Amanda Palmer – Want it Back (NSFW)

In a world now flooded with Lyric Music Videos, how do you stand out and make your lyrics POP? You do your typographic genius on top of a naked body, of course! Wake Amanda Palmer up and scribble all over her naked body, she’ll be happy to be your canvas. It’s a nice — albeit more upbeat and slightly scandalous — throwback to the Sagmeister-like Tom Waits’ Come On Up to the House [MV].

And it’s not a Lyric Music Video, but a proper music video. [Original Post]

Runner-up: Katy Perry – Wide Awake (Lyric Video) [MV]

2nd Runner-up: Tommy Torres – Querido Tommy (Lyric Video) [MV]

Ghost Writer

Here. There. Everywhere. Punished soul that usually watches what nobody wants, but sometimes gets lucky.

13 Responses

  1. Mirella says:

    Yeah… I’ve only watched the M.I.A. video before XDDDDD My current musical culture is sorely lacking :P

    • amy says:

      @Mirella, Except for when Hiddles RTs MVs? xD and you must’ve seen/heard about one of the Kpop MVs… at least on your FB wall talk haha.

      • Mirella says:

        @amy, Yeah, I’ve only watch Nicki Minaj’s Starship MV complete because he mentioned it XD Even if his taste of music goes more to Sigur Rós and Mumford & Sons… except when it doesn’t.
        I haven’t seen those particular Kpop MVs… I have only seen complete MVs of 2ne1 and Girls’ Generation. None of the boybands hold my attention enough to complete a video XD

        • amy says:

          @Mirella, you’re gonna love Crayon, if u give it the time of day. Even IF G-Dragon is the girliest of them all. And Fantastic Baby has enough colorful grunge to interest you.

  2. I just saw “Crayon” earlier today and you have to like a video that starts with G-Dragon plopped asleep in a Wonder Woman robe.

    Awesome how you broke down the videos into all these patterns. However, I think you missed Noomi Rapace in the Rolling Stones’ latest video? she’s great in that. I had to have the gifs right away of her shooting up zombies with a shotgun.

  3. ghost says:

    @Mirella, if you liked Psy and love nonsensical, like it seems you do from your column, you will fancy yourself some WTF from G-Dragon. For sure.

    @amy, best video of the year for you?

    @chrryblssmninja, I did miss it! I hadn’t seen it, to be honest. And it does follow the Actor + MV PLUS the NSFW trend with violence and nipple-showing. Though I would argue Noomi wouldn’t be rising the Rolling Stones’ relevance. It’s an oldschool collab. =P

  4. amy says:

    @ghost, pop-wise? I liked Salyu’s Camera and the latest Crowd Lu MV (O La La Hu Hu). I also liked G-Dragon’s Crayon. I didn’t have a clear favorite this year.

  5. GIACOMO says:

    don’t hate me: HERE

  6. Camiele says:

    *siiigh* Crayon… I basically decided I need GDragon as my puppy after that video… HaHa.

    I personally don’t really think I’m a fan of the lyric videos. I think it’s more to do with the fact there’s so many of them. I’ve never been a fan of oversaturation of decent idea. And that’s what happened with lyric vids… HaHa.

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