Can Video Save the Radio Star? Using Music-plus-Video in the Classroom

Abstract

ideo killed the radio star. Video killed the radio star. In my mind and in my car. We can't rewind we've gone too far."1 When MTV first went on the air in 1981, the first video shown on the fledgling network was "Video Killed the Radio Star" by the Buggles.2 The premise of this song is that television, rather than the radio, has become the primary way that music is spread. A song about the pervasiveness of video seems a perfect choice for the beginning of MTV, a network that was originally devoted almost entirely to music videos. The actual message of the song, however, is that the supplanting of radio by video was a loss-that the surface imagery of video replaced the more satisfying depths of music.Certainly when looking at today's pop culture, one can argue that the Buggles were correct, even prophetic, about video's effect on the music world. However, recent research has shown that video does not have to overshadow music. On the contrary, video can actually increase a student's comprehension of music. When used properly, perhaps video can indeed "save the radio star." experience, video can actually enhance musical appreciation and understanding. D. Jason Smith is a doctoral assistant in music theory and composition at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. He may be reached at jason@hewhoisme.freeservers. com.By watching DVDs, videos, and CD-ROMs of music performances, students may be able to become more emotionally involved with and retain more information about the music performed.SEPT E M B E R 2 0 0 3 37

“Video Killed the Radio Star”

“…Th e music video for the song "Video Killed the Radio Star" was the fi rst played on Music Television (MTV), which made its debut in 1981. 3 Kids rushed to the TV set in their homes to watch the latest music videos. With entertainment easily found in their own houses, children had less of a reason to run around outside, partaking instead in more sedentary activities.…”

“…Sometimes, groups of kids would play together, but other times, they played alone in their own living rooms. The music video for the song “Video Killed the Radio Star” was the first played on Music Television (MTV), which made its debut in 1981 3. Kids rushed to the TV set in their homes to watch the latest music videos.…”