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I Want My MTV

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A Case Study

Clip taken from MTV’s “I Want my MTV” promo., https://wildandpeaceful.tumblr.com/post/1343873616/clip-taken-from-mtvs-i-want-my-mtv-promo, The Pairabirds, CC0

 

Narrative 

During our MTV and Pop Music unit in class, we discussed new artists that benefited from the rise of MTV. However, there was no mention of the rock groups that increased their popularity by using MTV to reach a broader audience. Therefore, this study aims to understand how rock artists made this transition and the extent of their success. A case study of Genesis is used to understand this MTV transition. Peter Gabriel, the former lead singer, had gone solo and competed with his former band for MTV success. Who did better? Let's find out.

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Music Performance
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THE SPLIT

Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel used to argue about the type of music they wrote and connotations their music should have.This "Creative Conflict" reached a point in 1975. Gabriel wanted to become more commercialized, so he went solo. However, the group members remained friends and supported each others careers through everything. However, this did not mean that they did not compete when it came to MTV success or chart-toppers. 

MTV

MTV Stars

Methods

Idea

MTV is known for popularizing new artists but, not all of the stars were up-in-comers. So, I wanted to do a case study on a band that used MTV to enhance success. Peter Gabriel and Genesis became my focal points. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I want my   \MTV”,https://www.flikr.com/photos/84568447@N00/3899144490/, Fred Seibert, CC0.

'80s MTV

First, I had to research which styles of music were most popular on MTV in the 80s and what characteristics music  videos shared; animators became extremely important at this time. Lastly, I had to see which videos from Peter Gabriel and Genesis were played on MTV the most.

 

 

 

 

File:MTV 80s logo.png, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MTV_80s_logo.png, ViacomCBS, CC0.  

Research

This is where the real research came in. I had to research how music and music video styles differed between Peter Gabriel and Genesis. In general, the message behind the music differed as well as "creative licenses". I found the top MTV video from each of them and assessed their similarities and differences.

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File:Peter Gabriel, April 1975.jpg, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Peter_Gabriel,_April_1975.jpg, unknown, CC0. 

Comparison

Lastly, I researched how many/what type of awards Peter Gabriel and Genesis won, including their most popular MTV video and everything that came after. You will have to decide for yourself who MTV benefited more.

 

 

 

 

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File:VW Golf Cabrio Gen1 17 1979-1993 special edition Genesis front 2010-07-19.jpg, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:VW_Golf_Cabrio_Gen1_17_1979-1993_special_edition_Genesis_front_2010-07-19.jpg, Onestone, CC0.  

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Peter Gabriel

Main Event

In 1986, Peter Gabriel released his "So" album. Gabriel claims that this album was a way for him to break away from his former Genesis identity and become the artist he wanted to be. The songs from this album illustrate issues with self identity and peoples' daily internal struggles. Unlike Genesis, songs on this album were accompanied by various types of synthesizers and funky sound edits, used frequently in Pop music. His most popular song from this album, and on MTV, was "Sledgehammer". The "Sledgehammer" video became one of the most popular MTV videos of all time, as it utilized many new types of animation techniques, including a talking face made of fruit and dancing chickens. However, Genesis used even more animation than Peter Gabriel.

Genesis

After Peter Gabriel left Genesis, the band still wrote songs about world issues and societal problems, but there were some key differences.Genesis' songs during the MTV era tended to use tricky rhythms and complicated time signatures, shorter instrumental sections, and a heavy reliance on drum machines. Ironically, Genesis' most popular MTV album came out in 1986 as well: "Invisible Touch". The main issues addressed in this album were the horrors in Yugoslavia, War, and their affect on Western Europe. "Land of Confusion" was the most popular MTV music video that came from this album. The entire video was animated, including puppets of an old couple, the band-members  decapitated heads and a chimpanzee. However, the music video tells a story that encapsulates the political and social messages that the album elucidates. 

01

MTV Video Music Awards 

 PG                                         Genesis 

            10                         7

02

Official Charts

 PG                                           Genesis

  #1        1                           3

  #10      10                          18

  #20     29                         42

03

Grammy's

 PG                                            Genesis

           6 Wins                   1 Win

          21 Noms.                 5 Noms.

03

IMDB MTV Top 1980s Videos

  PG                                          Genesis 

            #2                    #10 & #85

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