Head to the polls! MTV released the nominees for the 2024 Video Music Awards‘ Video of the Year award, and the list does not disappoint. Music fans can vote every day on the MTV website until the award show on September 11. While the VMAs boast several categorical awards, Video of the Year is the most coveted. Let’s dive into this year’s music video lineup.
“we can’t be friends (wait for your love)” by Ariana Grande
The video begins in a waiting room, and Ariana Grande is reading over a clipboard. As she looks around the room, she deliberates checking the “yes” or “no” box to allow “Brighter Days, Inc.” to remove someone from her memory. When Grande signs the form “Peaches,” the nursing staff takes her to an examination room.
As Grande begins singing the first verse, the room fades away, and the viewer watches scenes of Grande with actor Evan Peters playing her old love interest. As the song continues, each scene ends as Peters’ character is removed or replaced in Grande’s memory. The video closes with the ex-couple seen separately walking with other romantic partners. When they pass each other on the sidewalk, neither glances at the other. Grande attributed inspiration to Jim Carrey and the sci-fi film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
“LUNCH” by Billie Eilish
Edited like an early 2000s ad campaign and filmed with an old camera, Billie Eilish glitches onto the over-saturated, over-exposed frame as a hand off-screen holds out a clapper board. Eilish appears, dancing around, singing the verses or coming close to the camera with a fish-eye lens. As the song progresses, Eilish appears more rapidly on the screen in different outfits, playing with cards and dice, and lying on a couch. By the time the bridge begins, the editing has become quicker as scenes flick through faster and Eilish dances and sings on screen. Eilish’s self-directed video ends as Eilish walks off screen, then claps to the camera as the video goes dark.
“Paint the Town Red” by Doja Cat
Following controversy over Doja Cat’s reactions to her fans’ expressed love and support for her as an artist, Doja Cat clapped back with “B**** I said what I said, I’d rather be famous instead.” Just weeks after supposedly losing 500,000 fans due to her response, which the singer claimed has allowed her to be her true self, Doja Cat released this song and its accompanying dark music video. The video literally takes viewers to hell. In different scenes, the artist rides a cartoon goblin-like creature, seduces the Grim Reaper in a vibrant red gown, and gets handsy with the blue devil. Several lines in “Paint the Town Red” address her common criticisms, and the devilish scenes of the video might allude to accusations of her being a Satanist. Yet the theme of the song rings true in its music video: “Fame ain’t somethin’ that I need no more.”
“Houdini” by Eminem
The track named after Harry Houdini is the lead single on Eminem‘s twelfth studio album, The Death of Slim Shady. The 51-year-old rapper uses nostalgia with celeb cameos in the “Houdini” music video, which works perfectly with his newest record. In a culture longing for Y2K, Eminem begins his video stepping out of a time portal from 2002. It just so happens to have been the year Eminem’s single “Without Me” hit No. 1 in 15 countries. The song repeats the same “guess who’s back” refrain, Rapboy costume, comic-book editing, and unique camera angles. A version of Eminem in the video brings back his bleach blonde “The Real Slim Shady” era, and the chorus echoes Steve Miller Band’s 1982 song “Abracadabra.” Surprise guests like Dr. Dre and Pete Davidson ramp up the hype.
“Snooze” by SZA
While “Snooze” is, at first listen, about someone willing to do anything for the person they love, a closer look at the lyrics and music video may have fans pausing in their tracks. SZA starts singing, “I’ll touch that fire for you/I’ll do that three, four times, again, I’ll testify for you.” Later lyrics imply she’ll lie, murder, mob, scheme, loot, and hide bodies. Yet when the bridge begins, SZA’s words take a turn as she sings, “How you threatenin’ to leave and I’m the main one cryin’?/Just tryna be your everything.” Accompanied by the music video, which shows SZA in several different relationships (including a Justin Bieber cameo), the song seems to actually be about someone so emotionally attached to someone they love that they will do anything but leave a toxic relationship. This is reflected in the music video when suddenly each relationship shows the couple fighting rather than cuddling.
“Fortnight” by Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone
Taylor Swift and Post Malone took “I love you, it’s ruining my life” to a new level with chaotic sci-fi scenes in the “Fortnight” music video. The different black and white clips tell the story of a couple who create chaos when they are together and become manic when apart. Swift begins the music video chained to a bed in what appears to be a psych ward. A hooded figure gives her a pill from a case titled “FORGET HIM.” In another scene, Swift is strapped to a board with wires plugged into her head, and Malone flips the switch that sends electric sparks flying. The video closes with Swift and Malone on a cliff in the rain. Post Malone is on the phone inside a telephone booth, and Swift sits on top. The singers reach for each others’ hands as they sing, “But it won’t start up ’til I touch, touch, touch you.”
It’s been a good year for music videos. Head to the MTV website to vote for your favorites, and don’t forget to watch the VMAs on September 11.
