­

Jason Baum's Top 10 Music Videos of 2014

Posted by Jason Baum on December 31, 2014 in Lists

Contributor Post


Editor's Note: For our end of the year wrap up, we asked a few filmmakers to compile their own top music video lists. This list was compiled by producer Jason Baum.

I love me a good year end list. I’ve been doing this for myself with movies for a while. So naturally I was happy to contribute my music video top ten list for IMVDB this year. I must admit that I’ve thankfully been a part of some truly amazing work this year. All of which I can’t find the courage to include on my own list as that seems egregiously selfish and biased… I mean, I honeymooned in Hawaii with Childish Gambino, welcomed the acclaimed CANADA into the ol Hollywood system, and stormed the main stage of Coachella with Peter Parker. A pretty good 2014...

Anyway, my criteria for the list was simple. What videos impacted me or really stayed with me after viewing? So much content goes across our social media feeds over the course of the year, but which videos are the ones that can’t escape my mind? 

One last thing. Today is December 31st. Nothing frustrates me more than this idea that Top Ten Lists should come out early in the month or else it will get lost in the holiday abyss. What if DJ Snake were to drop a killer follow up video to the 2014 classic "Turn Down For What” on New Years Eve?! WAIT, that did happen (*pardon the shameless self promotion interruption*), click here!

Ladies and gents of the music videosphere, I give you my best of 2014 for your consideration. 

Flying Lotus "Never Catch Me"

Never Catch Me (2014)

by Flying Lotus feat. Kendrick Lamar

Directed by Hiro Murai

Released on October 2, 2014


16.2M

Total Views

4.5K

Total Shares

Director
Hiro Murai
Director of Photography
Larkin Seiple
Edit
Luke Lynch
Production Company
Doomsday Entertainment
Choreographer
Keone and Mariel
Producers
Danielle Hinde,  Executive Producer
Kimberly Stuckwisch,  Executive Producer
Jason Cole,  Producer
Directorial
Zachary Wright,  1st AD
Cast
Will Simmons Brother
Angel Gibbs Sister
London Muhammad Jumprope
NayNay Kirby Jumprope
Aaliyah Austin Jumprope
Koko Crawford Jumprope
Harmonie Reed Jumprope
Production Management
Joe Faulstich,  Production Manager
Max Belin,  Production Coordinator
Production Design
Hannah Hurney,  Production Designer
Editorial
Ricky Gausis,  Colorist
Camera Department
Margaret Parus,  2nd Assistant Camera
Larkin Seiple,  Camera Operator
Ari Robbins,  Steadicam Operator
Matt Sanderson,  1st AC
Makeup and Hair
Michelle Sandoval,  Hair and Makeup
Maria Gomez,  Hair and Makeup
Costume and Wardrobe
Elise Velasco,  Stylist
Art Department
Ariel Vida,  Art Director
Electrical Department
Matt Ardine,  Gaffer
Harold Lacuesta,  Electric
Mike Beckman,  Best Boy Electric
Grip Department
Nick Kristen,  Key Grip
Victor Wang,  Best Boy Grip

Okay, normally a list would go in descending order. But, lets just get this over with. Hiro Murai straight up murdered the competition in 2014. It took extreme restraint not to put every video he released this year on the list. I agree with everyone and their favorite music news outlet that this was the best of the best. The lightness and darkness of this is just sublime. A true classic for the year. 

Paolo Nutini "Iron Sky”

Iron Sky (2014)

by Paolo Nutini

Directed by Daniel Wolfe

Released on August 6, 2014


3.4M

Total Views

Director
Daniel Wolfe
Director of Photography
Robbie Ryan
Production Company
Somesuch & Co
Producers
Tim Nash,  Executive Producer
Sally Campbell,  Executive Producer
Matthew Wolfe,  Executive Producer
Lee Groombridge,  Producer
Video Commissioner
Dan Curwin
Record Label
Atlantic Records

Two words— mic drop. That is what Daniel Wolfe did after being gone from the game for the past two years. Come back soon, and don’t forget to write!

Childish Gambino “Sweatpants"

Sweatpants (2014)

by Childish Gambino feat. Problem

Directed by Hiro Murai

Released on April 14, 2014


191.7K

Total Shares

Director
Hiro Murai
Director of Photography
Larkin Seiple
Edit
Eric Greenberg
Production Company
Doomsday Entertainment
Producers
Danielle Hinde,  Executive Producer
Jason Cole,  Producer
Cast
Childish Gambino Hero
Lucas De Medio Drunk Group
Adeana Lane Drunk Group
Michael Love Double
Casey Ford Alexander Double
Timothy Simmons Double
Nate Smith Double
Melanie Thompson Make Out Girl
D'Meetri Make Out Guy
Ronnie Alvarez Puking Guy
John Livingstone Lonely Old Guy
Odell Mack Lonely Old Guy
Zondra Wilson Waitress
Bernadine Durham Waitress
Jason Matkowski College Dude
Jackson Friese College Dude
Johnny Nelson Skater Kid
Atif Hashwi Skater Kid
Motown Maurice Skater Kid
Nicolette Mishkan Club Girl
Francesca Opebiyi Club Girl
Stikks Fighting Girl
Corey Landis Fighting Guy
Production Management
Joe Faulstich,  Production Manager
Evan Fulton,  Production Coordinator
Production
Jesse Fleece,  1st Assistant Director
Mitchell Jones,  2nd Assistant Director
Mark Chase,  Truck PA
Production Design
Megan Fenton,  Production Designer
Govind Rae,  Set Decorator
Editorial
Marc Steinberg,  Colorist
Camera Department
Ken Tanaka,  1st Assistant Camera
Jonathan Dec,  2nd Assistant Camera
Ari Robbins,  Steadicam Operator
Makeup and Hair
Lauren Ishii,  Hair and Make Up Artist
Serina Robinson,  Hair and Makeup Assistant
Costume and Wardrobe
Tristan Scott,  Stylist
Amy Smith,  Stylist Assistant
Casting Department
Michael Beaudry,  Casting Director - @Blok M Casting
Visual Effects
Varnish Effects,  VFX
Electrical Department
Matt Ardine,  Gaffer
Danny Franco,  Best Boy Electric
Grip Department
Tom Hunt,  Key Grip
Jack Shaw,  Swing
Production Support
Byron Cotton,  Production Assistant
Aaron De Monet,  Production Assistant

If you want to see me lose my mind, drop this song in any scenario, place, time. This is my favorite of the "Because The Internet" music videos. Wicka Wicka— ONOMATOPOEIA!

Alt J "Hunger of the Pines”

Hunger Of The Pine (2014)

by Alt-J

Directed by Nabil

Released on July 16, 2014


205.0K

Total Shares

Director
Nabil
Director of Photography
Ben Magahy
Edit
Julia Knight
Producers
Claire Oxley,  Producer
Writing
Joe Newman,  Concept
Editorial
Aubrey Woodiwiss,  Colorist
Makeup and Hair
Anna Thompson,  Special Effects Makeup Artist
Costume and Wardrobe
Emma Savill,  Costumer
Art Department
Ciaran Beale,  Art Director
Post-Production Department
Electric Theatre Collective,  Post Production Company
Visual Effects
Adam Watson,  VFX Lead

You might start seeing a theme here. My favorite videos are always the one that appear effortless. Nothing excites me more than seeing a basic concept, executed in the most deceivingly simple yet daring way. Nabil creates something here that is magical. He’s like a modern day cupid if you will… 

Wilkinson "Half Light”

Half Light (2014)

by Wilkinson feat. Tom Cane

Directed by Aoife McArdle

Released on May 1, 2014


10.5M

Total Views

Director
Aoife McArdle
Production Company
Somesuch & Co

Note that this embedded video is not the original one that was released. And I don’t think the original is floating around anywhere unfortunately. But, mannnnnn was it good when it was. It made even the most agnostic Jew blush. (confused?) It’s probably my favorite of Aoife’s and her collaboration with Steve Annis thus far. 

St. Vincent "Digital Witness"

Digital Witness (2014)

by St. Vincent

Directed by Chino Moya

Released on January 31, 2014


113.9K

Total Shares

Director
Chino Moya
Director of Photography
Pau Castejón
Edit
Pablo Plant
Producers
Beth Montague,  Executive Producer
Ilduara Lamas,  Producer
Lucía Olano,  Post Producer
Video Commissioner
Adam Farrell
Production
Borja Leyva,  1st Assistant Director
Production Design
Stephane Carpinelli,  Set Designer
Editorial
Paula Ruiz,  Colorist
Makeup and Hair
Beatriz Matallana,  Hair and Make Up Artist
Costume and Wardrobe
Maria Elena Soria,  Costume Designer
Post-Production Department
Joaquín Gutiérrez Hadid,  Post-Production Supervisor
User T38,  Post Production Company
Visual Effects
Joaquín Gutiérrez Hadid,  Nuke Lead
Alfonso Hernández Haro,  Nuke Lead
Javier Urrutia,  Nuke Lead

I love Annie Clark. Her video for “Cheerleader” that I did with Hiro is one of my personal favorites of all time to have been a part of. This video is so her and such a great representation of her world on this album. Doc Brown has never been so chic. 

Le Sins “Bother"

Bother (2014)

by Les Sins

Directed by HARRYS

Released on September 8, 2014


425.7K

Total Views

Director
HARRYS
Producers
Sidney Schleiff,  Assistant Producer
John Belanger,  Assistant Producer
Editorial
Mikey Rossiter,  Colorist
Other
Cooper Rogers,  Special Thanks
Heath Raymond,  Special Thanks

This is such an anthem. How can you not love this video? I can’t look at these contraptions the same way ever again. (what are they called?) 

Sky Ferreira “I Blame Myself"

I Blame Myself (2014)

by Sky Ferreira

Directed by Grant Singer

Released on April 16, 2014


3.8M

Total Views

Director
Grant Singer
Edit
Brook Linder
Production Company
Green Glow
Producers
Alec Eskander,  Executive Producer
Kevin G. Lee,  Producer

I wish I came to the realization years ago that a terrific pop tune set in South Central LA would yield something so captivating. I love how uncomfortable this can be. (some people didn’t) It’s so unique in tone, which makes it strikingly endearing. 

Sam Smith “Leave Your Lover”

Leave Your Lover (2014)

by Sam Smith

Directed by Luke Monaghan

Released on May 22, 2014



Director
Luke Monaghan
Director of Photography
Pierre Edelmann
Edit
Greg Scruton
Production Companies
Arts & Sciences
Paradoxal
Producers
Gaëtan Rousseau,  Executive Producer
Mal Ward,  Executive Producer
Marc Marrie,  Executive Producer
Laure Salgon,  Producer
Pierre Cazenave-Kaufman,  Line Producer
Production Management
Maxime Gallet,  Production Coordinator
Production
Lionel Rocques,  1st Assistant Director
Editorial
Greg Reese,  Colorist - @ The Mill LA
Ryan Andrus,  Assistant Editor
Arcade Edit,  Editorial Company
Camera Department
Forest Finbow,  Steadicam Operator
Makeup and Hair
Elizabeth Davis,  Hair Stylist
Costume and Wardrobe
Lucille Durez,  Wardrobe
Post-Production Department
The Mill,  Post Production Company
LaRue Anderson,  Post Production Executive Producer
Visual Effects
Natalie Westerfield,  VFX Producer
Electrical Department
Alexis Gravohac,  Gaffer

This is a pretty pop pick for my fairly KCRW taste. I was debating this choice for a bit. But, ultimately thought it belonged on this list because I couldn’t ignore how I felt after watching it for the first time. I remember being so enthralled by the nuanced narrative and the gradual teasing of the plot. And what a bold statement from an artist. Exquisitely captured in a city that never ceases to inspire. 

Sia "Chandelier"

Chandelier (2014)

by SIA

Directed by SIA,Daniel Askill

Released on May 6, 2014


2.8B

Total Views

Directors
SIA
Daniel Askill
Director of Photography
Sebastian Winterø
Production Company
Radical Media
Choreographer
Ryan Heffington
Producers
Jennifer Heath,  Producer
Jack Hogan,  Producer
Cast
Maddie Ziegler
Production Management
Shino Hasegawa,  Production Supervisor
Production
Sean Harper,  1st Assistant Director
Camera Department
Liam Clark,  Steadicam Operator

Alright last spot. So many to choose… But, how could I live with this list a decade from now without this on it. There is really nothing new to say about this video. It is all about Maddie and Ryan Heffington. If you haven’t seen this companion video via Nowness, robot bird your body to this link.

Thanks for reading and I hope to be the number one in your hearts and lists next year!

Jason Baum is a music video producer and director based in Los Angeles.



More Lists:


Jason Baum's Top 5 Music Videos of 2021

Posted by Jason Baum on January 1, 2022 in Lists Contributor Post

Hello out there in music video land.  I don’t want you to think I’m getting lazy or that I’m sleeping on my responsibilities to the faithful followers of my annual blog.  But, I really had a hard time doing most things this year, let alone getting to ten videos on… Read More

Jason Baum’s Top 10 Music Videos from 2010 - 2013

Posted by Jason Baum on December 31, 2019 in Lists Contributor Post

I wasn’t invited to contribute until 2014, but I wanted to share my top 10 from 2010 - 2013 because I’m a crazy obsessive. In alpha order as ranking them was just too hard. 2010 Arcade Fire “The Suburbs” (Dir.: Spike Jonze) James Blake “Limit To Your Love” (Dir.: Martin… Read More

Jason Baum's Personal Top 10 of the Decade

Posted by Jason Baum on December 31, 2019 in Lists Contributor Post

If you follow my top ten lists every year, you might recall that I normally don’t include videos that I have worked on. However, given the celebration, I’d like to think I’ve made some pretty cool things. So indulge me as I share some stories on the videos that are… Read More

Jason Baum's Top 20 Music Videos of the Decade

Posted by Jason Baum on December 30, 2019 in Lists Contributor Post

When Doug first hit me up to put together a list for the best of the decade, I was pretty excited and I basically scribbled this entire thing down in Notes within an hour at 11 PM. It came so easy because I still think about all of these videos… Read More

IMVDb Blog




Site Sponsors

Add Your Company




RSS Icon Subscribe with RSS


Search the Blog


Recent Posts


Archive


Categories


Content on the IMVDb blog is ©2012-2025 IMVDb and FilmedInsert, LLC. All Rights Reserved.