Revisit Tim Burton’s music videos before his upcoming Lady Gaga project
With a career defined by a singular visual style that blends the gothic, the surreal, and the eccentric, Tim Burton is one of Hollywood’s most recognizable auteurs.
Known for films like Edward Scissorhands (1990), The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), and Corpse Bride (2005), Burton has crafted an aesthetic that transcends cinema, influencing various art forms. While his filmography is extensive, his foray into music videos is more limited but no less striking.
To date, Burton has directed only two music videos, both for The Killers: “Bones” (2006) and “Here With Me” (2012).
Recently, rumors of a collaboration with pop superstar Lady Gaga, possibly for a yet-to-be-revealed (that is not directly related to her part in “Wednesday” season 2) have sparked excitement among fans, particularly due to its reported filming at the eerie Island of the Dolls in Mexico.
Here, let’s revisit Burton’s music videos, exploring how his signature style shines through in these projects before a bigger reveal.
“Bones” (2006): A tribute to gothic romance
Released in 2006, the music video for “Bones,” from The Killers’ album Sam’s Town, marked Tim Burton’s debut in the music video realm.
The choice of Burton wasn’t random: Brandon Flowers, the band’s frontman, noted in an interview that Burton was the perfect fit due to his connection to Las Vegas, the city that inspired the album’s sound and the video’s aesthetic. Flowers shared that Burton, who visited Vegas as a child, shared the band’s romanticized view of the city, making him an ideal collaborator.
The “Bones” video is a celebration of youthful love with a macabre twist, a hallmark of Burton’s work. It follows a couple at a drive-in watching a romantic film, but the narrative quickly takes a surreal turn as the characters transform into skeletons.
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Drawing inspiration from classic horror and romance films of the 1950s and 60s, such as Bride of Frankenstein (1935) and Jason and the Argonauts (1963), the video employs stop-motion animation and visual effects to create an atmosphere that’s both nostalgic and unsettling. The color palette shifts between faded tones, evoking old black-and-white films, and vibrant moments that amplify the energy of the song.
Drummer Ronnie Vannucci, in an episode of Vevo’s Watch This series, revealed that the band didn’t request any changes to Burton’s final cut, a rarity for them.
“He’s a master at his craft,” Vannucci said of Burton, praising the director’s auteur vision. This trust underscores the strength of Burton’s delivery, resulting in a video that not only complements the song but stands alone as a piece of art, unmistakably Burton-esque.
“Here With Me” (2012): a tale of obsession and melancholy
Six years later, Burton reunited with The Killers for the video for “Here With Me,” a track from their 2012 album Battle Born. This video is darker and more narrative-driven than its predecessor, delving into the psyche of a young man obsessed with a mannequin that comes to life in his imagination.
The video features actress Winona Ryder, a frequent Burton collaborator in films like Edward Scissorhands and Beetlejuice (1988), playing the mannequin that captivates the protagonist, portrayed by Craig Roberts (Submarine).
Inspired by the 1935 psychological horror film Mad Love, which explores a doctor’s obsession with an actress, “Here With Me” reimagines this premise in a modern context. Burton uses the song’s lyrics as a literal foundation for the script, crafting a story about a young man who fantasizes about a relationship with Ryder’s wax figure, displayed at Madame Tussauds.
The narrative builds to a twist that echoes Burton’s style, blending dark humor, tragic romance, and surrealism. The video’s aesthetic is steeped in gothic elements, with shadowy sets, dramatic lighting, and an atmosphere reminiscent of classic horror films, yet infused with a contemporary edge that aligns with The Killers’ sound.
In an interview, Burton shared that the concept for the video came to him instantly upon hearing the track, with the image of Winona Ryder and her wax likeness sparking the idea.
The result is a video that critics have called one of The Killers’ most visually stunning, with a polished production that reflects significant creative and financial investment. The collaboration cemented the synergy between Burton and the band, whose music often evokes themes of nostalgia, love, and isolation—core elements of Burton’s oeuvre.
Though limited to just two music videos, both “Bones” and “Here With Me” exemplify what makes Tim Burton a true auteur. His ability to create unique visual worlds that blend the macabre with the emotional is evident in both projects.
In each, he draws on references to classic cinema, employs a contrasting color palette, and infuses fantastical elements to tell stories that extend beyond the music, functioning almost as short films. His exclusive work with The Killers also suggests a personal connection with the band, whose music aligns with Burton’s recurring themes of melancholy and romanticism.
Moreover, the videos demonstrate Burton’s skill in adapting his vision to a shorter format while retaining the essence of his storytelling. In “Bones,” he explores youthful love with a fantastical twist, while in “Here With Me,” he dives into the psyche of a troubled character, a recurring archetype in his films. Both videos are accessible yet layered, rewarding deeper analysis—a hallmark of Burton’s work.
On to what might be coming up next, rumors have surfaced that Tim Burton may be working on a new audiovisual project with pop icon Lady Gaga, potentially a music video for a track rumored to be part of a deluxe edition of her 2025 album Mayhem.
According to Mexican media, the pair was spotted filming at the Island of the Dolls in Xochimilco, a haunting location known for its eerie collection of dolls hanging from trees. The setting’s macabre vibe seems tailor-made for Burton’s gothic aesthetic and Gaga’s theatrical flair, seen in videos like “Bad Romance” and “Judas.”
While neither Burton nor Gaga has officially confirmed the details of collaboration, speculation suggests it could be a music video. The directed mentioned that it’s something other than the second season of Wednesday, Burton’s Netflix series in which Gaga has been involved as a new character.
Fans have pointed to a cryptic lyric in Gaga’s recent merchandise—“When you killed me inside, that’s when I came alive”—as a possible hint at the tone of the song and video. Until official confirmation emerges, however, these details remain speculative.
As we await further details on this rumored project, revisiting Burton’s music videos offers a chance to appreciate how he brought his unique vision to the music world. Whether through dancing skeletons or obsessive mannequins, Burton has proven that his art transcends formats, creating visual experiences that linger in fans’ minds. Stay tuned for updates on what could be the director’s next iconic collaboration!
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