The Rise and Fall and Future of the Music Video - Part 2

The Rise and Fall and Future of the Music Video - Part 2

Author: Curiouscast March 4, 2026 Duration: 35:52
The music video didn’t just shape pop culture…it defined it.  From the glam‑soaked excess of the ’80s and ’90s to the gritty authenticity of the alt‑rock era, and finally to the algorithm‑driven, globally connected internet age, the music video has lived many lives. In part two of this deep dive, we trace the rise, collapse, and surprising rebirth of the music video that once ruled MTV and MuchMusic. We look at the groundbreaking work of directors like Spike Jonze, the multimillion‑dollar spectacles of superstars like Madonna and Michael Jackson, and the moment YouTube and smartphones permanently rewired how we watch, and make, music videos. From Pearl Jam’s refusal to play the game, to viral sensations like OK Go, to the billion‑view world of K‑pop and global micro‑scenes, we discover that the music video isn’t dead. It escaped television. And it’s thriving. This is Part 2 of the Rise and Fall and Future of the Music Video. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For over two decades, the Ongoing History of New Music has served as an essential audio documentary series, digging deep into the stories that shaped alternative rock, hip hop, and everything in between. Hosted by the legendary music historian Alan Cross, this podcast functions as a curated archive of musical culture, moving far beyond simple artist profiles. Each episode is a thematic exploration, connecting sonic dots across decades to reveal the hidden contexts, forgotten pioneers, and cultural shifts that define what we listen to. You’ll hear about the scenes that birthed genres, the technologies that changed production, and the personalities whose influence ripples through today’s charts. It’s less a linear history lesson and more an ongoing conversation about why music matters, delivered with Cross’s authoritative yet accessible narrative style. Tune in and discover the rich, often surprising backstories behind the songs and artists you thought you knew, gaining insights you’re unlikely to find anywhere else. This is Canadian broadcasting at its most inquisitive and enduring, making the Ongoing History of New Music a foundational listen for anyone curious about the forces that continually reinvent our sonic landscape.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Ongoing History of New Music
Podcast Episodes
The Golden Age of Synths, as told by OMD [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:35
This week, we dive into the Golden Age of Synthesizers, the period from the mid‑’70s to the mid‑’80s when synths became smaller, cheaper, and powerful enough to transform popular music forever. From early experimental ma…
The History of Portable Music - Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:38
One of the many great things about music is that we can enjoy it anywhere…I’m talking about the recorded kind…everyone has a smartphone, and every smartphone has the capability of playing music, whether you’re listening…
Introducing "Hostile History" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:16
Since the dawn of time, humanity has been at war. Conflict in one form or another has been part of our existence since we first walked the earth. In this first episode of a four-part series, join military historian David…
The History of Portable Music - Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:54
One of the many great things about music is that we can enjoy it anywhere…I’m talking about the recorded kind…everyone has a smartphone, and every smartphone has the capability of playing music, whether you’re listening…
A Triple Ramones Anniversary Tribute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:59
2026 is an important year in Ramones history… The 25th anniversary of Joey’s death, the first member of the band to leave us. The 30th anniversary of the last Ramones show. The 50th anniversary of their debut album's rel…
The 50 Biggest All-Time Alt-Rock One-Hit Wonders 6 (Bonus) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:33
This is chapter six of a five-part series on the greatest alt-rock one-hit wonders of the last 50 years…yes, chapter six of five…after going through a ton of data—radio charts, Spotify plays, and YouTube views, mostly—I…
The 50 Biggest Alt-Rock One-Hit Wonders of All Time: Part 5 (10-1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:11
Through the first four episodes of this Top 50 Biggest Alt-Rock One-Hit Wonders of All Time series, we’ve gone through songs 50 to 11, so that means we are ready for the top 10 songs. If you’ve been following along, ther…
The 50 Biggest Alt-Rock One-Hit Wonders of All Time: Part 4 (20-11) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:42
How does an artist become famous forever with just one song and never come close again? We continue the countdown of the "50 Biggest Alt‑Rock One‑Hit Wonders of All Time", using five decades of radio charts, Spotify stre…
The 50 Biggest Alt-Rock One-Hit Wonders of All Time: Part 3 (30-21) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:44
This is Part 3 of the 50 Biggest Alt‑Rock One‑Hit Wonders of all time...numbers 30 to 21 featuring Dishwalla, EMF, Spacehog, Harvey Danger, and more. And of course, the stories behind these one-hit wonders. Learn more ab…
The 50 Biggest Alt-Rock One-Hit Wonders of All Time: Part 2 (40-31) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:36
Our countdown of the biggest alt‑rock one‑hit wonders of all time continues as we break down numbers 40 to 31. From K’s Choice and Liam Lynch to Animotion, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, The Vapours, and more, these are the songs…