From pivotal events like World War II to the rise of groundbreaking celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, history plays a big part in art. The art of music videos can often uplift and entertain fans, but some bands often hold the space to shed light on more important issues.
Whether it’s more of a fun look back on history with “We Didn’t Start The Fire” or it’s a warning about the increase in violence and continuation of racism with “This Is America,” songs are a great way to connect deeply with fans and provoke them to take a look at history to see how far they have come or how much further they have to go.
“We Didn’t Start The Fire” By Billy Joel
Possibly the most jam-packed song of references there ever was, it would be nearly impossible to explain all of the cultural scenarios Billy Joel touches on in “We Didn’t Start The Fire.” From celebrities to world wars and even cultural movements, Joel details it all in this historical review of decades past.
The music video itself is filled with vintage aesthetics, kids playing pretend with historic figurines, and other various cultural references. The world today is equally chaotic as the music video depicts, making it a highly accurate interpretation even today.
“National Anthem” – Lana Del Rey
Knowing Lana Del Rey’s artistry and her interest in all things vintage, it’s no wonder why she went for the classic ’60s aesthetic for this music video. From references to Marilyn Monroe’s classic “Happy Birthday” performance to a modern-day interpretation of John F. Kennedy to Lana herself playing beloved first lady Jackie Kennedy, the “National Anthem” video is filled with plenty of historical references.
Rapper A$AP Rocky also made an appearance as a modern iteration of John F. Kennedy, bringing a perfect mix of classic homage and personalized twists. The singer also inserted a monologue at the end of the video, written from the perspective of Jackie shortly after John’s tragic death, which the video also re-enacted in a more censored manner.
“This Is America” By Childish Gambino
Viewers would naturally have to watch the music video for “This Is America” quite a few times in order to catch all of the hidden messages, but there are a few re-enactments that stick out among the rest. Overall, the fact that the distraction of entertainment overshadows gun violence works as a pretty significant symbol for modern-day society.
Fans have noticed even smaller historically accurate details that might have been part of the bigger picture, from Gambino sporting Confederate-style pants to the over-exaggerated dance moves and expressions that might have paid homage to the Jim Crow caricature. The video offers a perfect balance of humor and devastation, which fans think perfectly encapsulates the American experience.
“Buffalo Soldier” By Bob Marley
Many fans know of Bob Marley as a peaceful and easygoing reggae singer, so it’s no question that he loved using his platform to touch on important issues. As a whole, the song discusses the true history of the Buffalo Soldiers of the 1800s.
Marley goes into detail about how the soldiers were an extension of the US Army brought over to help “control” the Native Americans on US soil. With lyrics like “Taken from Africa, brought to America, fighting on arrival, fighting for survival,” it’s clear that Marley insisted on telling the authentic story of the soldiers’ purpose while touching on the racism and oppression going on.
“Centuries” By Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy’s video for “Centuries” re-creates Ancient Roman history and contains plenty of biblical references. From crucifixion symbolism to the re-enactment of the battle of David and Goliath, the band presents several artistic visuals for fans to enjoy.
In the video, each member of the band takes a turn having a go at Goliath before deciding to essentially work smarter and not harder, inevitably defeating him with only a slingshot. With lyrics like “we’ll go down in history, remember me for centuries,” this specific story was very applicable, as it doesn’t matter what people may lack, but how you can outsmart and prevail.
“Ghost Of You” By My Chemical Romance
Taking place during WWII, My Chemical Romance’s “Ghost of You” video is inspired by the historical war event, with some scenes even paying homage to the popular film Saving Private Ryan. While MCR wrote this song about the general fear of the loss of loved ones, the choice to include WWII detailing communicated well with the song’s original message.
While it is obviously quite taxing on families for a loved one to go to war, the video really details the sacrifices soldiers make for freedom and the ones they love. While it is a dangerous feat, it takes a special person to gather the courage to fight for their family and friends.
“Glory” By Common And John Legend
“Glory” was originally written for the Selma movie, as it encapsulates the civil rights movement as a whole. Even the mix of R&B style singing, as well as Common’s hip-hop flair, is important, as both musical genres were created and dominated by the Black community.
From protests to evangelism to leaders like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr., the video reveals important moments from the movie, with Common even detailing specific events and why they are important to shine a light on today. Many question why it’s important to linger on the painful past that is history, but in order to move forward, it is important to recognize the world’s past and actively grow from it.
“Don’t Drink The Water” By Dave Matthews Band
Though Dave Matthews Band is known for its more earthy and peaceful musical vibe, the frontman got the idea for “Don’t Drink The Water” while admiring the beauty of Lake Superior. According to a 1998 interview with All Star music, the singer was taking in the beautiful scenery, thinking about how peaceful it must have been before outsiders came to steal the land and leave the place and its native people in ruins.
The song’s purpose is to shine a light on the atrocity that is the massacre of Indigenous people. Despite the song’s darker motive, the song features Alanis Morissette singing backup vocals and provides fans with an ironically beautiful sound.
