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CMT BLOG: THE HISTORY OF

By Dave Minall

The History of Lyric Videos: From Simple Text to Stunning Art

Lyric videos have evolved from rudimentary visuals to a celebrated art form. Tracing their journey shows how they’ve become indispensable in modern music promotion.

The Early Days

Lyric videos began as straightforward text displays, often created by fans. These videos filled a gap, offering viewers a way to enjoy the song while reading along with the lyrics.

The YouTube Boom

As YouTube grew, artists realised the potential of official lyric videos. This format became a cost-effective way to keep fans engaged during album rollouts, especially when producing a full music video wasn’t feasible.

A Creative Revolution

Today, lyric videos are sophisticated visual masterpieces. From kinetic typography to layered animations, they can rival traditional music videos in impact. Many artists now consider them an essential part of their release strategy.