5 Music Documentaries to Add to Your Watch List
4 min read
Music documentaries give us a VIP pass to what really happens behind the scenes of our favorite artists and bands. It might not be the same experience as watching a concert. Thinking about it, it’s actually better than watching a concert, even though it doesn’t give you a complete set of their biggest hits. Because it brings you closer to the why behind the music they produce. The struggles, the conflicts, the milestones, the passion, the hard work, and everything in between.
These documentaries show the human side of artists we usually idolize from afar. We get to see how songs are born, how bands nearly fall apart, or how one album can change the world. So if you’re looking for the next music documentary to watch, we’ve got some personal favorites that we’d like to recommend.
The Beatles Anthology
The Beatles is probably the band almost everyone knows worldwide. We’ve seen them on many streaming deals before because they’re that good. While they have a lot of documentaries, this one was highly regarded for its depth, honesty, and the fact that it was made with the band’s direct involvement. Every member tells their own story in their own voices. No reinterpretation. No outside narration. It’s just Paul, George, and Ringo. No sugarcoating whatsoever. This documentary series has eight episodes, so you’re in it for a good while.
Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck
If you want to learn more about Kurt Cobain, you’ll enjoy this documentary. Kurt Cobain is known as Nirvana’s frontman. This documentary shows Kurt behind the fame, his struggles, his milestones, and his creative process. It’s as raw and transparent as Nirvana’s music. You’ll hear his personal recordings, see his journal entries, childhood videos, and so much more. And the fact that his family helped make this movie made everything feel very real and honest. You must have fast internet when you watch this to actually understand his story.
This Is Spinal Tap
This Is Spinal Tap is a legendary documentary, well, mockumentary. This documentary is about a fictional British rock band called Spinal Tap during their U.S. tour. The entire movie pokes fun at the ridiculous world of rock and roll. Even though it’s fictional, it feels weirdly real, which is why it’s considered one of the must-watch documentary movies out there. Some musicians even said they couldn’t watch it because it hit too close to home. It has dry humor and clever writing that many fans still love.
What Happened, Miss Simone?
Nina Simone was a brilliant musician and a bold activist whom many people, especially women, look up to. What Happened, Miss Simone? is an emotional documentary about her life, her success on stage, and the struggles she experienced throughout her life. The way it was portrayed in the documentary was just so real. You’ll see personal recordings and even interviews with the people closest to her, so you will really get to know her on a deeper level. If you’re planning to stream What Happened, Miss Simone? Make sure to have a fast connection like the one Boost plans offer for a smooth streaming experience.
Amy
Amy Winehouse was an exceptional artist because her voice was literally one of a kind. But we all know that behind her fame and success, Amy experienced a life full of struggles. This documentary, titled Amy, tells her story in the realest and most transparent way possible. From handwritten lyrics to phone recordings, you can see how she became the star we knew. This documentary exposed her, not in a negative, judgmental way, but in a raw, honest way. It’s hard not to feel heartbroken by what was lost, but we are always reminded of what she gave the world in such a short time.
The Bottom Line
If you’re a music lover who’s looking for the best music documentaries to watch, we’re confident in the list we provided. However, if you don’t know these artists, you’ll be in for a long, exciting ride as you listen to their songs and spend hours watching their clips on different streaming platforms. Trust us, we’ve met a couple of people who have done the same thing. There’s no shame in that. Happy watching!
::: RenownedForSound.com’s Editor and Founder –
Interviewing and reviewing the best in new music and globally recognized artists is his passion.
Over the years he has been lucky enough to review thousands of music releases and concerts and interview artists ranging from top selling superstars like 27-time Grammy Award winner Alison Krauss, Boyz II Men, Roxette, Cyndi Lauper, Lisa Loeb and iconic Eagles front man/songwriter, Glenn Frey through to more recent successes including Newton Faulkner, Janelle Monae and Caro Emerald.
Brendon manages and coordinates the amazing team of writers on RenownedForSound.com who are based in the UK, the U.S and Australia.
