MTV talks to YA authors about their music video inspirations
Music video inspirations is the name of the game on this recent talk with some of the most popular YA authors out there today. Being that MTV started off as just Music Television Videos, it would be appropriate for them to gather information from YA authors about what their music video inspirations were, and are these days.
So, let’s find out what some of them had to say.
Victoria Aveyard
What is the first music video you remember watching? “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls.
Did you ever dress up, dance around, and sing like you were in a music video? If so, to what song(s)? Yes, to Spice Girls. I’d get together with my friends, and then we’d pick which member of *NSYNC was our boyfriend. And I remember I got there late, so I got Joey Fatone because the others had been taken.
What current music video(s) do you enjoy? “Hotline Bling!” “Hotline Bling” is insane, that’s a crazy video.
What is your favorite music video of all time? There are so many good ones. Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark” was so iconic, so it’s hard not to go with that, but I kind of want to go with something from my era. I guess “Oops!… I Did It Again” by Britney Spears.
Marissa Meyer
First? “No Rain” by Blind Melon. It left such an impression because I felt so sorry for that poor girl in the bee outfit. It was a life-changing thing, like, “Don’t laugh at her!”
Dress up and dance? Yes, to “Wild, Wild West.”
Current? I’m totally out of it. A friend recently made a joke about a wrecking ball, and I had no clue what she was talking about.
Favorite? Muse’s “Knights Of Cydonia.” When they’re all charging out and having a showdown in the desert, it’s really cool.
Brandon sanderson
First? “Money For Nothing” by Dire Straits. And I never even knew it was Sting singing in the background. But that music video – I was like, “Look at these graphics, they’re so amazing. They’re just rocking it out.” It was CGI, and now it’s so bad, but the music video blew my mind.
Current? Everyone’s watching the Drake video, so I went and watched that. His dancing is kind of mesmerizing, I’ll admit. But it is a little bit better with fruit ninja added.
Favorite? Peter Gabriel’s Sledgehammer. It’s so cool. I can watch that on repeat for hours on end. Honorable mention to “November Rain.” I love that video.
Margaret Stohl
First? Duran Duran’s “Rio.”
Dress up and dance? Yes! Mostly to Madonna songs.
Current? I just watch what my kids show me.
Favorite? Madonna’s “Like a Virgin.”
Veronica Roth
First? “Bye Bye Bye” by *NSYNC
Dress up and dance? I did learn some of the dance moves to “Bye Bye Bye.” I was really into *NSYNC at that age, and they do that hand-clappy thing. It’s so embarrassing to admit that.
Current? I really liked the “Blank Space” one by Taylor Swift because I just love how that song acknowledges that she is perceived as being like this crazy woman, and she’s kind of poking back at it – which I really love – and that comes across particularly clearly in the music video.
Favorite? I really enjoyed Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” because it’s like theater. Her whole persona is crazy and theatrical and ridiculous, and it just perfectly reflects that.
