Simon Frith Look Hear The uneasy relationship of music and television

Look! Hear! The Uneasy Relationship of Music and Television

Overview

• Significance of Television in Music

  • Essential part of star-making in the music business.

  • Music accompanies nearly all TV programs.

  • Limited impact of music aesthetics on television and vice versa.

Two Perspectives on Television and Music

• 1. Television as a Significant Medium

  • Effective tool for star-making and record promotion.

  • Programs shape social meanings of artists and genres (e.g., American Bandstand, Top of the Pops).

• 2. Television as an Insignificant Medium

  • Music often not central to programming.

  • Viewership does not equate with musical credibility.

Case Study: Will Young and Pop Idol

• Will Young's record "Evergreen/Anything" sold a million copies in its first week partly due to the show.

• Pop Idol exemplifies TV's role in creating pop phenomena.

• Comparison to previous talent show success (e.g., Hear’Say from Popstars).

Nostalgia Shows and Music Programming

Instant Nostalgia Shows

• Celebrate music history through rankings.

• Format typically includes clips and interviews, often mocking musical passion.

• Limited promotional effect on physical music sales.

Importance and Detachment of Television in Music

• Television often promotes pop stars in a detached manner.

• Music is omnipresent, yet often lacks depth in representation.

The Uniqueness of Rock Music

Anti-Television Ideology of Rock

• Rock claims to be anti-television; however, it adapts to television conventions.

• Rock is seen as the only truly televisual musical genre.

Music Video Era

• Historical Shift: In the 1980s and 90s, music video analysis became prominent but has waned in current scholarship.

• MTV as formative for youth culture, now viewed more as a youth service than a music channel.

Television vs. Radio

Differences in Musical Impact

• Radio established symbiotic relationship with music genres, driven both by listenership and record sales.

• Television had less clear-cut effects on musical communication despite early intentions to mimic radio's success.

Limited Musical Programming

• Classical broadcasts exist but do not drive contemporary music trends.

• Popular music shows often treat youth as a target market but frame them in a family context.

Performance Conventions and Aesthetics

Rock Performance on TV

• Rock began as a radio experience, driving its portrayal and conventions on television.

• Televised performances define what audiences expect to see from rock stars.

Historical Evolution of Rock on Television

1. Oh Boy! (1950s): Simple visuals; focus on what performers looked like.

2. Ready Steady Go (Mid-1960s): Integrated the audience; dynamic shot composition.

3. Snub (1980s): Focused on authenticity; reduced presence of the casual viewer.

Music, Branding, and Commercialization

Marketing Relationships

• Music programs designed as sales devices, reflecting brand identity rather than musical integrity.

• Music serves as an aesthetic tool to enhance visual presentations, especially in commercials and programming.

Example: Cold Feet and Trigger Happy TV

• Use of music in such shows engages viewers while making music part of a deeper narrative.

• Reflects TV's manipulative approach to viewer engagement through music.

Final Conclusions

The Paradox of Music and Television

• Television utilizes music chiefly to generate viewer interest and enhance programming flow.

• The relationship between music and television is complex, often prioritizing commercial interests over artistic integrity.

• Music's presence on television is both ubiquitous and superficial, lacking depth in many instances.