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Music documentaries are having a moment. In the last month, talking heads (as opposed to the Talking Heads) have been philosophizing about the power of "yacht rock" on Max while Disney+ has released yet another film about the Beatles (produced by Martin Scorsese no less). A great music doc can reveal the stories behind how the music we love was made while placing it into a larger cultural context.
But which documentaries reach the top of the charts? I've compiled a list of 11 (yes, this is a Spinal Tap reference) music documentaries that will blow out your speakers, and maybe your mind. For the purposes of this list, I am leaving out concert films, mainly because there are only so many ways to talk about how great Gimme Shelter and Stop Making Sense are.
Not only is this chronicle of Bob Dylan's 1965 tour of England considered one of the best music documentaries ever, it's also been influential on the music documentary genre itself. It makes grand use of you-are-there cinema verité filmmaking, and also features what many consider to be the first music video: a scene of the singer-songwriter flipping cards marked with various lyrics from his song "Subterranean Homesick Blues." However, the best aspect of the film is seeing reporters and fans attempt to label Dylan, only for him to shut them down with his acerbic wit. Watch it on Max and the Criterion Channel, or rent it from Prime Video.
Todd Haynes is no stranger to making musically-themed movies, having attempted to capture the sexual freedom of the glam rock scene with Velvet Goldmine and the many sides of Bob Dylan in I'm Not There. However, the documentary format turned out to be the perfect medium for telling the story of the Velvet Underground, a highly influential proto-punk band whose music and lyrics perfectly captured the avant-garde art scene of the late '60s. That doesn't mean that Haynes doesn't add his own flourishes to the group's story, utilizing the split screen technique to simulate the sights and sounds of the version of New York City that Lou Reed and his bandmates came up in. Keep the volume way up when you watch this doc. Watch it on Apple TV+.
Filmmaker Shirley Clarke's visually stunning portrait of free jazz pioneer Ornette Coleman moves as rapidly as one of the musician's works. Drawing inspiration from the cinema verité style pioneered in Don't Look Back, Clarke elevates this approach to new heights. Through a collage of dramatic scenes, performance footage, music videos, and interviews, the film paints a vivid picture of a man who seemingly found inspiration in the most unexpected places, including the architecture of Buckminster Fuller to poetry. Watch it on the Criterion Channel or Kanopy or rent from Prime Video.
If you found the recent biopic on the reggae legend lacking, this documentary paints a much better portrait of the musical icon. Through rare concert footage, news clips, and interviews with those who knew Bob Marley best, director Kevin McDonald paints an enigmatic portrait of an artist who never wavered in his belief that music could unite others, even as crime was tearing his island home apart. Watch or rent it on Prime Video.
Sixto Rodriguez, a Detroit-born singer-songwriter, had a music career that never really got off the ground, even after he released two well-received albums. Yet unbeknownst to him, his songs had been covered and sampled for decades by other musicians. His work even became the soundtrack of the revolution in apartheid-era South Africa, where, according to this award-winning documentary, he was more popular than Elvis. The story of his rediscovery unfolds like a captivating musical mystery, enchanting viewers and leaving them enamored with this incredibly humble artist. Rent it from Prime Video.
Three legendary guitarists—Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, U2's The Edge, and Jack White—convene at a Los Angeles soundstage to engage in a captivating and insightful conversation about their playing styles, musical journeys, and profound passion for their craft. This documentary delves into the essence of what compels musicians to relentlessly improve and evolve. It's also a lot of fun witnessing The Edge show how he creates U2's distinctive sound with his extensive array of pedals and amps. Stream free with ads on Tubi or rent from Prime Video.
How did the once obscure Leonard Cohen track "Hallelujah" become part of the cultural lexicon? This documentary follows the song's complicated journey from the songwriter's mind to its unlikely appearance on the soundtrack to the children's film Shrek. However, perhaps the most interesting aspect is hearing how the many musicians who have covered the song interpret its powerful lyrics. Watch it on Hulu or rent it from Prime Video.
Narrated by the legendary rapper Chuck D, this freewheeling film delves into the rich history of hip-freestyle hop. It features sound bites from pioneers like Ice Cube and Fat Joe, while following two artists widely regarded as the genre's future, Open Mike Eagle and battle rapper Iron Solomon. The inventiveness of some of the lyrics the rappers pull seemingly out of the air is truly impressive, and the intensity of the rap battles makes this a must-watch for hip-hop enthusiasts. Rent it from Prime Video.
Featuring rare footage of some your favorite '90s grunge bands before they became famous, Hype! chronicles the rise and eventual downfall of Seattle's music scene from the point of view of those who were there. The most striking part is how the major labels that once ignored the region's underground bands suddenly found a way to exploit them once they smelled money, soon transforming art into a marketing gimmick. Watch it on Prime Video, stream free with ads on Tubi and Pluto TV, or rent it digitally.
This doc tells how three Australian musicians and their friend Jeff came from humble beginnings to form the universally beloved children's rock band. Unlike other docs that delve into the dark underbelly of rock and roll with tales of sex, drugs, and excess, this movie refrains from tarnishing the legacy of your favorite childhood quarter. Even I, who had scant knowledge of the group when I watched this doc, got emotional hearing each member discuss how they loved entertaining children at the expense of missing their own kids grow up. Watch it on Prime Video.
Behind every great frontman stands an extraordinary woman singing backup. This film shines the spotlight on these unsung heroes of rock music, often overlooked because of their race or gender, and gives them a platform to share their stories, reveal the secrets behind some of your favorite songs, and give them the recognition they deserve. Rent it from Prime Video.
