Introduction

I’ve debated starting this theme for a few weeks, and I ultimately decided I would as it would encourage me to looks for options that actually fit what I’m aiming for. If one pays too much attention to Top 40 type music you tend to see a dearth of creativity in the music video form. The music video is spawned from short films and can be as creative if not more so than their predecessor. Far too often it does just become singing heads. I want to try and buck that trend and find ones both new and old that do something somewhat outside the box, at the very least have some sort of visual narrative. Here we go.

Treat You Better – Shawn Mendes

In the afterword in Stephen King’s End of Watch he makes a note that the National Suicide Prevention hotline number he included in the story is real. Similarly, Shawn Mendes’ video Treat You Better which crosscuts between his plaintive lyrics and soaring vocals to an abusive relationships in all ways possible. It ends with a title card with a site and number for the National Domestic Abuse Hotline. Rhythmically and aesthetically its as sure-handed in its message as it is powerful.

Enjoy!