On August 1st, 1980, MTV premiered and played a total of 116 music videos over a 24 hour period. The 18th video that they played was for Michael Johnson’s Bluer than Blue, which features the singer singing about a failing relationship in a blue-tinged house.
This was an early music video, made three years before MTV even premiered so it looks fairly primitive to modern eyes. It’s still a step up from the performance clips that were used for most music videos during the late 70s. It actually has a narrative, albeit a simple one.
Enjoy!
The First Videos Shown on MTV:
- Video Killed the Radio Star by the Buggles
- You Better Run by Pat Benatar
- She Won’t Dance With Me by Rod Stewart
- You Better You Bet By The Who
- Little Suzi’s On The Up by PH.D
- We Don’t Talk Anymore by Cliff Richard
- Brass in Pocket by Pretenders
- Time Heals by Todd Rundgren
- Take It On The Run by REO Speedwagon
- Rockin’ in Paradise by Styx
- When Things Go Wrong by Robin Lane & The Chartbusters
- History Never Repeats by Split Enz
- Hold On Loosely by .38 Special
- Just Between You And Me by April Wine
- Sailing by Rod Stewart
- Iron Maiden by Iron Maiden
- Keep On Loving You by REO Speedwagon
Through the Shattered Lens 
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Message of Love by The Pretenders (1981, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Mr. Briefcase by Lee Ritenour (1981, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Double Life by The Cars (1979, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Looking for Clues by Robert Palmer (1980, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Lisa Marie’s Week In Review: 8/16/21 — 8/22/21 | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Too Late by Shoes (1979, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around by Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (1981, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Do Ya Think I’m Sexy by Rod Stewart (1978, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Surface Tension by Rupert Hine (1981, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: One Step Ahead by Split Enz (1980, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: I’m Gonna Follow You by Pat Benatar (1980, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Savannah Nights by Tom Johnston (1979, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Lucille by Rockestra (1979, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: The Best of Times by Styx (1981, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Vengeance by Carly Simon (1979, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Wrathchild by Iron Maiden (1981, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Passion by Rod Stewart (1980, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Oliver’s Army by Elvis Costello & The Attractions (1979, directed by Chuck Slatter) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Don’t Let Him Go by REO Speedwagon (1980, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Remote Control and Illegal by The Silencers (1980, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Angel of the Morning by Juice Newton (1981, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Little Sister by Rockpile with Robert Planet (1979, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Dreamin’ by Cliff Richard (1980, directed by Brian Grant) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Is It You? by Lee Ritenour (1981, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Tusk by Fleetwood Mac (1979, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: He Can’t Love You by Michael Stanley Band (1981, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Tough Guys by REO Speedwagon (1980, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Ain’t Love A Bitch by Rod Stewart (1979, directed by Bruce Gowers) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Talk of the Town by The Pretenders (1981, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Can’t Happen Here by Rainbow (1981, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Thank You For Being A Friend by Andrew Gold (1978, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Bring It All Home by Gerry Rafferty (1980, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Sign of the Gypsy Queen by April Wine (1981, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: The Man With The Child In His Eyes by Kate Bush (1978, directed by Keith MacMillan) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: All Night Long by Rainbow (1979, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Boys Keep Swinging by David Bowie (1979, directed by David Mallet) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Rat Race by The Specials (1981, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Victim by Bootcamp (1981, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Tonight’s The Night (Gonna Be Alright) by Rod Stewart (1977, directed by Bruce Gowers) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Cruel to Be Kind by Nick Lowe (1979, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: A Little In Love by Cliff Richard (1980, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the day: Wild-Eyed Southern Boys by 38 Special (1981, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Wuthering Heights (1978, directed by Keith MacMillan) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Celebrate The Bullet by The Selecter (1981, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: More Than I Can Say by Leo Sayer (1980, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: A Message To You, Rudy by the Specials (1979, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Heart of Glass by Blondie (1978, directed by Stanley Dorfman) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Oh God, I Wish I Was Home Tonight by Rod Stewart (1980, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Kid by The Pretenders (1979, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Come What May by Lani Hall and Herb Alpert (1980, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: I Got You by Split Enz (1980, directed by Noel Crombie) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Sister Disco by The Who (1979, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Fasion by David Bowie (1980, directed by David Mallet) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Love Stinks by J. Geils Band (1980, directed by Chuck Statler) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Johnny and Mary by Robert Palmer (1980, directed by Jean-Pierre Berckmans) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Tomorrow Night by Shoes (1979, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Prime Time by The Tubes (1979, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Cruel You by Shoes (1979, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Calling All Girls by Hilly Michaels (1980, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: I Was Only Joking by Rod Stewart (1977, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Let’s Go by The Cars (1979, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Do You Remember Rock’n’Roll Radio? by The Ramones (1980, directed by Mark Robinson) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Ridin’ The Storm Out by REO Speedwagon (1981, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: You’re In My Heart by Rod Stewart (1978, directed by Bruce Gowers and Mike Mansfield) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: So Long by Fischer Z (1980, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: I Don’t Want To Know by Robin Lane and The Chartbusters (1980, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Go Back Home Again by Andrew Gold (1977, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Time For Me To Fly by REO Speedwagon (1979, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Rough Boys by Pete Townshend (1980, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Dangerous Type by The Cars (1979, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Turn It On Again by Genesis (1980, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: We’re So Close by Carly Simon (1979, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Kid Blue by Louise Goffin (1979, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Vienna by Ultravox (1980, directed by Russell Mulcahy) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, and Undertanding by Elvis Costello and the Attractions (1979, directed by Chuck Statler) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: I Won’t Let You Down by Ph.D (1981, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Holiday by Nazareth (1980, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: In My Arms Again by Shoes (1980, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Passing Strangers by Ultavox (1980, directed by Russell Mulcahy) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Roll With The Changes by REO Speedwagon (1980, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: I Hope I Never by Split Enz (1980, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Blondes (Have More Fun) by Rod Stewart (1979, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Never Let Her Slip Away by Andrew Gold (1978, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Tattooed Love Boys by The Pretenders (1978, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Peter Gunn Theme and Remote Control by The Silencers (1980, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Only The Strong Survive by REO Speedwagon (1980, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Waiting for the Weekend by The Vapors (1980, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: You’re Insane by Rod Stewart (1977, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Kiss On My List by Hall & Oates (1981, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Living in a Plastic Age by The Buggles (1980, directed by Russell Mulcahy) | Through the Shattered Lens
Pingback: Music Video of the Day: Lonely Boy by Andrew Gold (1977, directed by ????) | Through the Shattered Lens