Function of a music video

Function of a MUSIC VIDEO

The main function of a music video is to promote the artist by the visuals and to earn the record label money.  Another main function for a music video is to keep the audience entertained by dancing and acting during the video.  Songs are not always straight forward, they have a meaning behind it, so the music video is there to make the lyrics more clear and help the viewer understand the song more which makes them feel connected to the artist.  



Best example of a music video
August Alsina - Song Cry

I think this is the best example of a music video because the lyrics have a deep meaning behind it that means something to the artist and the music links well to the song as it is more performance than a story - that fame can't fix the pain he is feeling and how his family had divided over the years. During the song there are scenes where it is raining and I think this links well with the song because the song is sad and the weather is miserable as well.  The location is in a deserted area which shows he is even more alone with this thoughts.  At 3:57 there is blood dripping from this eyes which links to the lyric "I can't hold back these tears".  When he says "They say a man aint supposed to cry so imma let the song cry", he is singing his feelings through his music rather than crying in real life.  

I also think this is the best example of a music video because of the camera movements throughout.  There is an establishing shot and then the artist shows up in the shot singing.