MTV debuted the year I graduated from high school, and just weeks before I started college. It was a revelation, in the life of this music junky. My peers and I had been blessed with the brilliance of Saturday Night Live, which colored our high school years with crazy antics of John Belushi, Larainne Newman, Chevy Chase, Dan Akroyd, Gilda Radner, Garrett Morris and Jane Curtin. We were forever quoting Samurai, Wild and Crazy Guys (with the help of Steve Martin), Coneheads, etc. The brilliant comedy and memorable skits were weekend fodder and were replayed for our days in class.
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Personally, I think I grew up in an amazing time. So many break-through venues started as I was figuring things out in my own life, and heading out into the bigger world. If SNL gave wing to my dry, sarcastic sense of humor, MTV fed my music-driven soul. It heralded an age when music took visual form and there was a video, a movie of sorts, to make the music that much more intense. I was riveted that first day, and the debut still stands out as epic in my young life. My friends and I stayed up late, having been partying at a friend’s, and watched the amazing first footage as the iconic space walk was revamped to include an MTV flag. That image would be the hallmark of MTV for ages, and how I will always remember the show. Honestly, I would have to look up what the first songs were; I was transfixed and the the concept was far sharper than the actual music. (First video ever played on MTV… probably true, Video Killed the Radio)
There’s no denying it, if one looks back at those old videos, or tries to compare them to today’s slick, technologically savvy productions, they are laughable. Often, when I pull up an old video, that I thought was brilliant then, I’m left stumped, disappointed. But at the time, oh how glorious it all was! There was music, and videos (videos!) 24/7 with no commercials. The mere idea of music non-stop was incredible! The idea of videos was absolutely huge. Today it’s a given, but in 1981 music videos were an electric jolt, a realization of how we imagined our favorite artists to be. Seeing them swagger or chase the girl in the song, or just sing to the camera, was huge. Now, some of those videos make me laugh, too. The wild hair, the outfits, the drama laden singing and primping before the camera seems hokey. In 1981 it was edgy, sexy, and super kool. (When I wasn’t dancing to this, I was watching it:)
That fall, at college, MTV was a newborn and I was a freshman. I attended a (then) small all girls college in Cambridge, MA and I felt like the world was my oyster. My home town, barely an hour away, felt like it was on the other side of the world. Boston was my playground and I had 200 other colleges and universities from which to find friends. But at night, you could often find the other girls from the small house I lived in, and I, up watching MTV. We were getting to know the VJays, who packaged our music and became early celebrities in an arena that would one day be huge. Martha Quinn rocked our world: super cool, but nice, and out there doing what we all wanted to do: Work for MTV. We were mesmerized as videos got better and better and the videos themselves became an integral part of new hits. (Check out these earlyVJays:)
As I finished college, MTV was well into it’s own groove: the videos were sharp and edgy. No longer low budget home-shot videos of lip sinc’ing, music videos were huge productions. It was a big fat let down when commercials were added, as the idea of “commercial free music” had been a main hook at the start. For a while, it was ok, given that the videos just got better and better, and there were still relatively few ads. The VJays worked to make it all interesting; it seemed a small price to pay to still see new music on a steady basis. For many years, when I was home, if my TV was on, it was tuned to MTV. (Regardless of whether you liked her, Madonna rocked MTV, with some of her first videos:)
Of course, becoming a parent was the beginning of the end of my MTV days. My kids’ early years included music videos and lots of the music I liked, but it was inevitable that Sesame Street, Disney, Barney, and the likes would change our viewing. MTV was changing too, and not in ways that interested me. I didn’t have time for Real World and it’s cast of loopy characters. I was busy breast feeding, and going to mommy and me classes. I was wrangling toddlers in Chicago and toting my groceries in my faithful stroller. What did I care what some 20-somethings were doing, or not doing, somewhere else? My life was less video and more Baby Beluga and Little Mermaid. When I watched it was only for the music. When it was mommy’s turn for TV, I listened and watched MTV, often as I tried to make exciting dinners and occasionally block out “mommy, mommy, mommy.” (Though not a teen, I was an early Nirvana fan:)
Today, I could barely tell you what MTV is all about. Trashy New Jersey brats have replaced the scene I loved. Videos that make me blush (and that’s not easy) or that just don’t hold my attention are what I find on the rare occasion that I tune in. Admittedly, I can barely recall tuning in in recent years. For me, MTV lost is sparkle a very long time ago. But then, isn’t that the age old way of the world? We age and watch the new guard stake it’s place, and wistfully say how it’s all gone to the dogs… And it’s hard not to fall into that trap, I’m seeing more and more. Somehow, it seems like those years when MTV and I were younger, were simpler, sweeter times. Perhaps not as slick, or as fabulously packaged, but there was magic in the simplicity. It was all about the music, and not about the image. We tuned in to finally see what our favorite artists looked like, not to see where they lived, who was making it in a “real” world, or eventually, who was boinking who in Jersey. We walked around saying “I want my MTV,” and it was about the music. (Then and now. Similar song, but I would argue that the current one/Flo Rider with Kesha, rides the tails of the original/Dear or Alive… glossier and slicker, but not as fun:)
What do you remember about MTV? Were you around at the start, or did you join the party later? Name some favorites. Share your thoughts in the comment section.
You may also like: http://voices.yahoo.com/way-back-first-ten-music-videos-air-on-5690926.html?cat=33
Or: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MTV
This post is part of a blog hop, sponsored by Emily at the Waiting and Ashley at Zebra Garden. I missed the deadline this week, but wifi is not always a given. The general theme of the hop is “Remember the Time,” and they add an new bit each week. Check out other posts on either site.
TALES FROM THE MOTHERLAND 
Sadly, MTV is now just “…TV”.
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I agree… but there are plenty of others who don’t. I’m pretty sure that Emily’s post is about exactly that! Thanks for adding your Fearless word!
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The first music video I remember seeing is ‘Take On Me’. Always a classic in my mind.
Before that, songs put to action were limited to movies like “A Hard Day’s Night” and TV shows like “The Monkeys.” And basically the characters ran around and jumped a lot. Now I’m thinking MTV could take a lesson from some of those early music videos. 😀
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TOTALLY agree! This is a great one for sure! I should have added this, as it’s a perfect example of what made MTV and video music, so kool at the time. Thanks for sharing Patti; much appreciated.
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I often think about SNL and those late Saturday nights at my best friends’ house–my parents just couldn’t understand what we could possibly be watching that was so riveting. Little did they know! Little did we know then that we were watching history being made. Sadly, for me, I missed the MTV revolution as I was busy being a good christian girl and listening to Amy Grant and Keith Green. I’m still kind of pissed off about that. 🙂 Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
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Thanks for stopping by, Pam, and for sharing your thoughts. Much appreciated! It was riveting, truly. I imagine it still is to the younger set, but at the time it really did feel historic, and that was part of what made it so great! I remember when Amy Grant was SO huge. Not my scene at all (ever the sinner), but you weren’t the only one. 😉 Glad you enjoyed the post.
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Hingham didn’t get cable television for a few years after MTV premiered, so I had to settle for V-66 and Friday Night Videos during that period. But when I did get MTV I used to love Headbanger’s Ball. Saturday nights from midnight til four in the morning. All the hair that’s fit to primp.
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I love this one Bill! Funny how similar our lives were and how far apart as well… different music, but much of the same packaging. 😉 Thanks for taking the time. I’m always tickled to see your name.
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Dawn,
I enjoy reading your words.
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The feeling is mutual, darlin’!
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Your post reminds me of The Wonder Years sitcom, when everything was fresh and new and wonderful and we were young and innocent. I loved SNL, and there was never a cast as funny as the original crew, who helped launch the careers of Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy. The only thing I remember about MTV are lyrics from Dire Straits – ‘I want my MTV…Money for nothin’ and chicks for free.’ This is a fun trip back to a fun time. Nice! – Mike
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Oh so true, Mike. It is like Wonder Years… it all seemed so full of wonder and excitement then. I imagine our kids will say the same thing, but I can’t help but think we had something really special. That said, my kids have seen the birth of cell phones (in every hand), iPod, DVDs, HD, and all those other abbreviations. Amazing really. Yes, Dire Straights was running through my head all day. 😉
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Oh My Lady, your experience with MTV takes me back. I was in high school during the 80s so MTV was a huge part of my “formative years.” My dad refused to get cable, which infuriated me, so I camped out at my friends’ houses to watch MTV. I desperately wanted to be Martha Quinn. I loved the song “Video Killed the Radio Star,” but I remember thinking that the Buggles were a deeply weird looking band. The videos I remember most fondly were from Duran Duran, The Police, U2, Tears for Fears, Michael Jackson, and of course, Madonna. I loved Flock of Seagulls’ songs, I can’t hear “I Ran” without time warping right back to being 16 again. And in those days, so many videos were little stories! They don’t make ’em like that anymore. And don’t get me started on MTV now. I don’t even bother. Now I just watch VH1 Classic when I need my video/80s fix.
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I’m really enjoying Sirius radio’s First Wave, and Alt Nation… for my fix of great 80s music. Last night we heard Devo! It’s been a long time for that! The old stuff, the beginning of MTV was just so sublime… so new and original. That’s what I miss most: original. Thanks for stopping by Madame! You know I love you mighty, and it’s always a ticklish thrill when I see your gravatar grace my pages. 😉
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I guess this was after my time– of I just didn’t catch the wave. TV now is mostly horrible and cable is required. Fun post!
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I hear you! Thanks for sharing Lisa.
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I never watched MTV until Michael Jackson broke the color barrier with “Thriller.” There was much bru-ha-ha over it’s debut and MTV began interracial programming from that point on. That is when I felt they deserved my attention.
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Yes! It wasn’t my focus at the time, although Michael was my focus from about age 7 on!! Sad end to an amazingly talented life… and boy could he rock the MTV scene! Thanks for stopping by E.
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Pingback: I Want My MTV…
This is a week late, but I remember the first time I saw MTV, and this is the first video I saw (August, 1985):
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I loved almost anything Annie Lenox and Eurythmics did!! I remember this one totally blew me away, because it was such a departure from her short red hair. Thanks SO much for stopping by my post, Morgan. Much appreciated… and never too late to stop by and comment! 😉
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