What else should I be?

Posted by Maggie November 11th, 2008 at 09:59am In Music Videos

In the continuation of our “Salute to TRL” week, I’m pleased to share five of my favorite music videos. The thing to keep in mind while perusing this list is that I watched MTV primarily from 1993-1996, so some of these selections are going to be of the fondly-nostalgic-but-bad variety. With that caveat in mind, let’s get to it!

5. All Apologies, Nirvana Unplugged

Not technically a video, but MTV used to play it as one. This concert first aired in 1993, putting it smack at the start of my MTV years. I loved this song — what angsty 7th-grader wouldn’t? — and the low-key atmosphere of the Unplugged concert was a great introduction to music I might have been too scared to listen to otherwise. This is the beginning of years of wearing Doc Martens and flannel shirts. (And here’s Smells Like Teen Spirit for good measure.)

4. Tonight, Tonight, Smashing Pumpkins

Easy choice, I know. It has won a bunch of awards and is kind of legendary. Whatever. I love it.

3. You Oughta Know, Alisa Morissette

Okay, this video is a little meh, but I picked it for two reasons. First, it’s a video starring a women where she isn’t wearing super-slut make-up and practically no clothes. Good for her. And second, I distinctly remember the first time I saw this video, which was also the first time I heard the song. It was the day before I left for orchestra camp the summer before eighth grade (nerd!). It was one of those times when you hear a song and you just know that it’s going to be ubiquitous in no time (other examples: Tubthumping, Mambo #5, Crazy). So it will always have a place in my heart.

2. Not About Love, Fiona Apple

Here we have my only non-1993-to-1996 pick, from 2006. Not only is it one of my favorite Fiona Apple songs, it’s funny (Fiona Apple has a sense of humor!), and it proves that she came up with the “Zach Galifianakis lip syncs inappropriately” way before Kanye did.

1. Amazing, Aerosmith

For me, it has to end with one of the Alicia Silverstone Aerosmith videos, because they played these things non-stop back in my day. Though each of them is a campy delight, this one got the edge because of the high-tech vision of our internet future and the “it was her all along!” twist at the end. And the fact that it’s totally creepy and gross. Thanks, MTV.

And as a final note, TRL may be going out the door, but Palladia is MTV’s HD “music” station, and they do play videos for a couple hours every night. Unfortunately they tend to repeat themselves frequently and they feel obligated to include a significant number of country songs, but if you’re interested in the current state of music videos, I’d check it out. Hint: the state of music videos is pretty poor, but every once in a while you’ll uncover a gem (like the Fiona Apple video above).