04 January 2017

JR Late Night Blogs: Music Videos of the Year 2016


JR's Music Videos of the Year - 2016

2016 has been a great year for music spanning a greater variety of songs and music videos being engaged to the average listener. For this year, we have five entries coming from only one artist, three entries coming from an electronic artist with another artist featured to do the lyrics, one coming from another electronic artist with a duet featured to do the song, and one coming from an all-female group. Music videos which are deemed aesthetically beautiful, unique, innovative, cool and catchy were the ones chosen by JR in a list he personally ranked based on his preference. YouTube views, Billboard Hot 100 rankings and social media attention were partially a basis of selection but was not totally the basis of ranking. In order to qualify as a 2016 music video, the video should have been uploaded on YouTube within the time frame 01 January 2016 to 31 December 2016 or if it has been released outside the time frame, the music incorporated in the music video should have earned a spot in the year-end Billboard Hot 100 charts for 2016 (note, however, that music videos listed in last year's list were not already taken into consideration even though they are listed in the 2016 year-end Billboard Hot 100). Songs which doesn't have a music video though doesn't have a chance to be on the list. (Sorry Drake, "One Dance" and "Too Good" automatically gets disqualified)

 "Closer" by The Chainsmokers is JR's selection as this year's Music Video of the Year. "Closer" is an instant hit and classic of the year, a personal favorite even (having 767 plays in my iTunes). It's tune is equally complemented by its modernistic lyrics reflecting a romance reignited (as presented in their music video). Truly an ambitious masterpiece by The Chainsmokers after numerous hits that fail to bank in the weekly Billboard Hot 100's top spot. This year is Justin Bieber's, Rihanna's, and Selena Gomez's year each earning two entries in this year's list. "Work" almost even made the cut but this year was indeed a magnificent year for music where it really was a hard one for JR to even select, rank and complete. Only Justin Bieber and Calvin Harris manages to remain in this year's list after being listed last year for "What Do You Mean" at #4  and "Sorry" at #5 (for Justin Bieber) and last year's #1, "How Deep Is Your Love" (for Calvin Harris). Justin Bieber still retains the crown for having the Most Entries of All Time in JR's Music Videos of the Year list (extending his lead to 11 entries from 2010-2016). Rihanna and Katy Perry both rank second having 7 entries each (with Rihanna managing to get two entries this year). JR unveils the Music Videos of 2016 list.

Summary of the List:
1    |    2    |    3    |    4    |    5    |    6    |    7    |    8    |    9    |    10
Intro    |    Methodology    |    Honorable Mentions    |    Records    |    Data Sources    |    Photo Credits

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JR's MUSIC VIDEOS OF THE YEAR - 2016 METHODOLOGY:
  1. For a music and its corresponding music video to qualify in the list, it must be deemed by JR as aesthetically beautiful, unique amongst all videos released within the year, very innovative in terms of its presentation of music video, and it has that "cool" and "catchy" factor upon watching and listening to it. 
  2. Songs which doesn't have their corresponding music video (which includes lyric videos) are disqualified in the selection process. This disqualifies "One Dance" and "Too Good" by Drake as both have no music videos upon their release.
  3. In order to qualify as a 2016 music video, the music videos in the list must have been released worldwide on YouTube between 01 January 2016 to 31 December 2016 and must be available in the Philippines for viewing. No local entries, however, are qualified.
  4. In cases, however, of music videos released outside the time frame specified, the music included in the music video must be listed in the year-end Billboard Hot 100 of 2016 (despite it not being a music video for this particular year). Music videos that were already listed in last year's list are not anymore qualified to be in this year's list regardless if it had been listed in this year's year-end Billboard Hot 100.
  5. To make the selection of entries easier, only music videos (which includes lyric videos) with more than 100,000,000 views are qualified to be in the list.
  6. An artist can have a maximum of five entries within a year excluding, however, entries that may feature them but have another artist as its distinguished main artist.
  7. All YouTube views in the list were as of end of the year - 31 December 2016. All numbers have been rounded up to the nearest thousands (to accommodate possible view increase within the hour of statistics recording). 
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JR'S Music Videos of the Year - 2016
Rank
Music Videos of the Year
Main Artist Video Release
1 The Chainsmokers July 29, 2016
2 Major Lazer September 14, 2016
3 Ariana Grande May 23, 2016
4 Selena GomezJune 06, 2016
5 Calvin Harris June 16, 2016
6 DJ Snake November 29, 2016
7 Rihanna April 20, 2016
8 Charlie Puth August 02, 2016
9 Fifth Harmony February 26, 2016
10 Shawn Mendes July 12, 2016

Get back to previous JR Late Night Blogs' Music Videos of the Year lists:

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#1
CLOSER 
(The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey) 
Closer by The Chainsmokers
Weekly Billboard Hot 100 Peak: 
Year-End Billboard Hot 100 Rank: 
#1
#10
Current YouTube Views: 

JR's iTunes Play Count: 
967,476,000 (Lyric)
111,476,000 (M/V)
767 Plays
Video Release Date: 
29 July 2016
Song Genre: 
House
YouTube Channel: 
Music Video Source: 

"I know it breaks your heart, moved to the city in a broke-down car
And four years, no calls, now you're looking pretty in a hotel bar"

I'll be cheating with this one because both videos really deserve credit in this year's list. It's actually a first for the list even to credit both videos in a single Music Videos of the Year list. The lyric video would definitely be my favorite showing two couples enjoying a sun soaked environment expressing their affection evidenced by their photos taken using an instant camera. While the lyrics are shown through an acetate-film-like manner (which by the way is commendable), you can't help but feel the intensity of affection expressed by the couples acting behind the projected words. As evidenced though by its real music video, we see both Andrew Taggart and Halsey having such a very sexual and physical love before a presumed break-up (and ultimately getting back as how I presumed by the end of the video). While the music video shows us a never getting over that physical bond after a broke-up, the song uses an upbeat tempo complemented by strong-felt lyrics that becomes catchy and likeable to the listener. #TrulyAnEarworm for the past year as this was my most played song on iTunes with 727 plays (collectively from my iPhone 4S, iPhone SE and iPad mini). An ambitious song by Chainsmokers after numerous hits that failed to hit Billboard's #1 that would ultimately bag its top spot for 12 weeks from the weeks of 03 September 2016 to 19 November 2016 (ranked as #10 in Billboard's Year-End charts). Nothing beats Closer this 2016, an instant classic and definitely a hit. 

This is the debut entry of both The Chainsmokers and Halsey in JR's Music Videos of the Year list.


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#2
COLD WATER 
(Major Lazer ft. Justin Bieber & MØ
Cold Water by Major Lazer
Weekly Billboard Hot 100 Peak: 
Year-End Billboard Hot 100 Rank: 
#2
#25
Current YouTube Views: 
JR's iTunes Play Count: 
113,573,000
147 Plays
Video Release Date: 
14 Sept 2016
Song Genre: 
Electro
YouTube Channel: 
Music Video Source: 

"And if you feel you're sinking, 
I will jump right over into cold water for you"

The beauty of this music video comes with its two prominent components - the majestic sceneries and the well-complemented dance routine (for the song). I was reminded of Justin Bieber's Purpose Movement last year through his music video for Sorry (which was ranked #5 in JR's Music Videos of the Year 2015 by the way) only this time, we see them dancing at various locations. We see these empowered women dancing through an upbeat song of Justin Bieber through a rocky mountain. We see them even dancing along a cliff. They danced in darkness, one near a campfire, another in a supposed cave. So many places to mention, including the icy mountains and even a desert. While the song is very much danceable because of its beat and tempo, the lyrics are what made this song so much meaningful and heart-warming. It made me want to jump into cold water and be that life line to one who I love. (That's just a "literal" translation of the lyrics.) But well, that's real. I love this song not just for the tune and music video but the lyrics that are so evocative to the mind. It could have been #1 though if only we saw a story in the music video that would complement this strong song as how Closer did this year.

This is the debut entry of both Major Lazer and MØ and the 10th of Justin Bieber 
in JR's Music Videos of the Year list.


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#3
INTO YOU 
(Ariana Grande) 
Into You by Ariana Grande
Weekly Billboard Hot 100 Peak: 
Year-End Billboard Hot 100 Rank: 
#13
#51
Current YouTube Views: 
JR's iTunes Play Count: 
377,020,000
345 Plays
Video Release Date: 
23 May 2016
Song Genre: 
Pop
YouTube Channel: 
Music Video Source: 

"A little bit dangerous, baby, that's how I want it
A little less conversation and a little more touch my body"

This song I accompany the memory I had with a recent love I had this year. While we are on our own different relationships, we had this somewhat love affair of our own while those of our partners are on their own. Well, I hope you get that but the point is there. I accompany this song with that person since there is that feeling of danger but thrill attached with how I felt with that person in a situation that we were both in way back. I missed that person but well time changes and now we're on our separate ways. Going back to the music video, we see a Cinderella-like love story only that we switch roles of those in the movies with only one woman but two guys. An A-list couple which would end with a love story with a bouncer reflective of a pauper. While the song evokes love that is so physical, I idealize it with an attraction going deeper with that special someone. An attraction that builds through experiences and memories built with each other. The story of this music video is what made me ranked it high above the list especially when attributed to something personal.

This is the debut entry of Ariana Grande in JR's Music Videos of the Year list.


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#4
KILL EM WITH KINDNESS 
(Selena Gomez) 
Kill Em With Kindness by Selena Gomez
Weekly Billboard Hot 100 Peak: 
Year-End Billboard Hot 100 Rank: 
#39
n/a
Current YouTube Views: 
JR's iTunes Play Count: 
308,964,000
49 Plays
Video Release Date: 
06 June 2016
Song Genre: 
Pop
YouTube Channel: 
Music Video Source: 

"We're running out of time, chasing the lies
Every day a small piece of you dies"

Music video so simple that it banks on the beauty of its main artist. Song so simple that it banks on the beauty of its poetry. In a very rightful debut of Selena Gomez in JR's Music Videos of the Year list, we see a very much expressive Selena Gomez engaging in different poses much to the exposure of her beauty. We don't know who the guy behind this song is about (ehem, Bieber), but coming from an interview with Selena Gomez it's about her struggle dealing with her original record company (Disney) before transferring to the new one she is on now (Interscope). Such a poetic song explains a kindful revenge towards a problem encountered earlier. It proved effective for Selena Gomez as she made an awesome music video with a catchy song for the audience. The song evokes a message that we definitely have to work with.

This is the debut entry of Selena Gomez in JR's Music Videos of the Year list.


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#5
THIS IS WHAT YOU CAME FOR 
(Calvin Harris ft. Rihanna) 
This Is What You Came For by Calvin Harris
Weekly Billboard Hot 100 Peak: 
Year-End Billboard Hot 100 Rank: 
#3
#17
Current YouTube Views: 
JR's iTunes Play Count: 
1,136,300,000
253 Plays
Video Release Date: 
16 June 2016
Song Genre: 
House
YouTube Channel: 
Music Video Source: 

"Baby, this is what you came for
Lightning strikes every time she moves"

Rihanna and Calvin Harris topped JR's Music Videos of the Year list way back 2011 with "We Found Love", now is a great return at #5 with This Is What You Came For. This tandem is never new to greatness in music as they have partnered before with We Found Love, a hit that ranked #1 in the Billboard weekly Hot 100 for 10 weeks. This Is What You Came For almost made the #1 spot in the weekly Billboard Hot 100 charts this year but was prevented by Drake's One Dance and Sia's Cheap Thrills. The song however peaked at #2 in Spotify's Charts. With an earworm song, the music video uses an electronic party vibe representative of that of a dance club. Using just Rihanna in this video, Rihanna is that Queen of the Club which we can't remove our eyes off. The lighting is amazing in this video that I'm amazed with how much artistry and imagination was placed in the creation of that background Rihanna is working with. We can't help to even dance with Rihanna with this collaboration song of her with Calvin Harris. Can't wait for their next single together as a party is enough with just both Calvin Harris and Rihanna. Back off Taylor for getting credits from this awesome song.

This is the 3rd entry of Calvin Harris and the 6th of Rihanna in JR's Music Videos of the Year list.


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#6
LET ME LOVE YOU 
(DJ Snake ft. Justin Bieber) 
Let Me Love You by DJ Snake
Weekly Billboard Hot 100 Peak: 
Year-End Billboard Hot 100 Rank: 
#4
#47
Current YouTube Views: 
JR's iTunes Play Count: 
102,199,000
441 Plays
Video Release Date: 
29 Nov 2016
Song Genre: 
Trap
YouTube Channel: 
Music Video Source: 

"Go through the darkest of days
Heaven's a heartbreak away"

A feat still continuing, Justin Bieber at his 11th over-all entry in JR's Music Videos of the Year list. 

This is the debut entry of DJ Snake and the 11th of Justin Bieber 
in JR's Music Videos of the Year list.


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#7
NEEDED ME 
(Rihanna) 
Needed Me by Rihanna
Weekly Billboard Hot 100 Peak: 
Year-End Billboard Hot 100 Rank: 
#7
#13
Current YouTube Views: 
JR's iTunes Play Count: 
127,980,000
8 Plays
Video Release Date: 
20 April 2016
Song Genre: 
Pop
YouTube Channel: 
Music Video Source: 

"I was good on my own, that's the way it was, that's the way it was
You was good on the low for a faded f*ck, on some faded love"

Rihanna in her most daring music video yet.

This is the 7th entry of Rihanna in JR's Music Videos of the Year list.


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#8
WE DON'T TALK ANYMORE  
(Charlie Puth ft. Selena Gomez) 
We Don't Talk Anymore by Charlie Puth
Weekly Billboard Hot 100 Peak: 
Year-End Billboard Hot 100 Rank: 
#9
#50
Current YouTube Views: 
JR's iTunes Play Count: 
572,607,000
8 Plays
Video Release Date: 
02 Aug 2016
Song Genre: 
Pop
YouTube Channel: 
Music Video Source: 

"I just heard you found the one, you've been looking for
I wish I would have known that wasn't me"

Putting two lives in one video.

This is the debut entry of Charlie Puth and the 2nd of Selena Gomez 
in JR's Music Videos of the Year list.


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#9
WORK FROM HOME 
(Fifth Harmony ft. Ty Dolla $ign) 
Work From Home by Fifth Harmony
Weekly Billboard Hot 100 Peak: 
Year-End Billboard Hot 100 Rank: 
#4
#16
Current YouTube Views: 
JR's iTunes Play Count: 
1,262,548,000
672 Plays
Video Release Date: 
26 Feb 2016
Song Genre: 
Pop
YouTube Channel: 
Music Video Source: 

"I know you're always on the night shift
But I can't stand these nights alone"

In a video that maybe against feminism, Work From Home is a very addicting song that we'd love to listen to repeatedly in our playlist.

This is the debut entry of Fifth Harmony in JR's Music Videos of the Year list.


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#10
TREAT YOU BETTER 
(Shawn Mendes) 
Treat You Better by Shawn Mendes
Weekly Billboard Hot 100 Peak: 
Year-End Billboard Hot 100 Rank: 
#6
#28
Current YouTube Views: 
JR's iTunes Play Count: 
555,394,000
21 Plays
Video Release Date: 
12 July 2016
Song Genre: 
Pop
YouTube Channel: 
Music Video Source: 

"But I see it on your face
When you say that he's the one that you want"

We missed Stitches in 2015, Treat You Better though enters this year's list in a spot that can be up for grabs to anyone.

This is the debut entry of Shawn Mendes in JR's Music Videos of the Year list.


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JR's MUSIC VIDEOS OF THE YEAR 2016
HONORABLE MENTIONS

The following deserve a mention as they made it to JR's selection for the Music Videos for the Year 2016.
Perfect Strangers by Jonas Blue
This Girl by Kungs vs Cookin' on 3 Burners
Close by Nick Jonas
Work by Rihanna
All We Know by The Chainsmokers


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JR's MUSIC VIDEOS OF THE YEAR 2016
RECORDS

MOST VIEWED MUSIC VIDEOS IN THE LIST
Work From Home by Fifth Harmony
"Work From Home"
by
Fifth Harmony
(1,262,548,000 Views)

This Is What You Came For by Calvin Harris
"This Is What You Came For" by
Calvin Harris
(1,136,300,000 Views)

Closer by The Chainsmokers
"Closer"
by
The Chainsmokers
(967,476,000 Views)

We Don't Talk Anymore by Charlie Puth
"We Don't Talk Anymore" by
Charlie Puth
(572,607,000 Views)

Treat You Better by Shawn Mendes
"Treat You Better"
by
Shawn Mendes
(555,394,000 Views)

MOST LISTENED SONGS IN JR'S iTUNES ACCOUNT
Closer by The Chainsmokers
"Closer"
by
The Chainsmokers
(767 Plays)

Work From Home by Fifth Harmony
"Work From Home"
by
Fifth Harmony
(672 Plays)

Let Me Love You by DJ Snake
"Let Me Love You"
by
DJ Snake
(441 Plays)

Into You by Ariana Grande
"Into You"
by
Ariana Grande
(345 Plays)

This Is What You Came For by Calvin Harris
"This Is What You Came For" by
Calvin Harris
(253 Plays)

HIGHEST RANKED MUSIC BASED ON BILLBOARD HOT 100
Closer by The Chainsmokers
"Closer"
by
The Chainsmokers
Year-End: #10
Weekly: #1

Needed Me by Rihanna
"Needed Me"
by
Rihanna
Year-End: #13
Weekly: #7

Work From Home by Fifth Harmony
"Work From Home"
by
Fifth Harmony
Year-End: #16
Weekly: #4

This Is What You Came For by Calvin Harris
"This Is What You Came For" by
Calvin Harris
Year-End: #17
Weekly: #3

Cold Water by Major Lazer
"Cold Water"
by
Major Lazer
Year-End: #25
Weekly: #2

EARLIEST VIDEO IN THE LIST

1. "Work From Home" by Fifth Harmony
>>> Release Date: 26 February 2016

2. "Needed Me" by Rihanna
>>> Release Date: 20 April 2016

3. "Into You" by Ariana Grande
>>> Release Date: 23 May 2016

4. "Kill Em With Kindness" by Selena Gomez
>>> Release Date: 06 June 2016

5. "This Is What You Came For" by Calvin Harris
>>> Release Date: 16 June 2016

MUSIC ARTISTS THAT CONTINUE TO REIGN

1. Justin Bieber
Previous Entries: 
>>> "What Do You Mean" (2015, #4)
>>> "Sorry" (2015, #5)
>>> "Where Are Ü Now" (2015, #7)
2016 Entries: 
>>> "Cold Water" (2016, #2)
>>> "Let Me Love You" (2016, #6)

2. Calvin Harris
Previous Entries:
>>> "How Deep Is Your Love" (2015, #1)
2016 Entries:
>>> "This Is What You Came For" (2016, #5)


ARTISTS WITH MOST ENTRIES
(2016)

Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber
(2 Entries)
#2 Cold Water
#6 Let Me Love You
Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez
(2 Entries)
#4 Kill Em With Kindness
#8 We Don't Talk Anymore
Rihanna
Rihanna
(2 Entries)
#5 This Is What You Came For
#7 Needed Me

ARTISTS WITH MOST ENTRIES
(ALL TIME)

Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber
(11 Entries)
2 Entries (2016)
9 Entries (2010-2015)

Rihanna
Rihanna
(Entries)
2 Entries (2016)
5 Entries (2010-2015)

Katy Perry
Katy Perry
(7 Entries)
0 Entries (2016)
7 Entries (2010-2015)

Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga
(6 Entries)
0 Entries (2016)
6 Entries (2010-2015)

Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj
(6 Entries)
0 Entries (2016)
6 Entries (2010-2015)


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Ariana Grande

Britney Spears

Katy Perry

Lady Gaga

OneRepublic

2015 ends with music and music videos that are hands down straight edge. With artists like Ariana Grande, Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and OneRepublic rumored to have albums coming out on 2016, the expectations have already been set for music and music videos in the upcoming year. Which music videos will make it in JR's definitive Music Videos of the Year list for 2016.

This has been the 2016 Edition of JR's Music Videos of the Year.
JR bids farewell 2016 and greetings 2017.

- - - END OF JR LATE NIGHT MUSIC VIDEOS  OF THE YEAR 2016 - - -

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DATA SOURCES

All data used in the details of each music video used in this blog are from the following sites:

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PHOTO CREDITS

All album arts used in this blog were taken from FanArt.TV.

01) The Chainsmokers - Closer
>>> http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/7510354/chainsmokers-closer-remix-slushii
>>> http://impossiblebrief.com/portfolio_category/graphic-design/
02) Major Lazer - Cold Water
>>> http://djkanji.com/cold-water-mo-ft-justin-bieber-major-lazer-extended/
03) Ariana Grande - Into You
>>> http://www.teenvogue.com/story/ariana-grande-into-you-music-video
04) Selena Gomez - Kill Em With Kindness
>>> http://allaroundnewmusic.com/selena-gomez-kill-em-kindness-new-video/
05) Calvin Harris - This Is What You Came For
>>> http://www.mtv.com/news/2895666/rihanna-this-is-what-you-came-for-jumpsuit-designer/
06) DJ Snake - Let Me Love You
>>> http://original-tune.com/2016/07/ouca-dj-snake-let-me-love-you-featuring-justin-bieber/
07) Rihanna - Needed Me
>>> http://celebrityhive.com/rihanna-needed-mv-photoshoots-nsfw/rihanna-needed-me-photoshoot-3/
08) Charlie Puth - We Don't Talk Anymore
>>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Na9t3PZ7Wq0
09) Fifth Harmony - Work From Home
>>> http://www.sharemania.us/threads/fifth-harmony-feat-ty-dolla-ign-work-from-home-tidal-1080p-detox-hdmania.24099/
10) Shawn Mendes - Treat You Better
>>> http://www.usalyrics.com/lyrics/shawn-mendes/treat-you-better.html

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Time Published: 04 January 2017 (8PM)

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