Let’s step into the world of melodies with our list of the 11 best music documentaries on Hulu.
Have you noticed that the number of music documentaries has increased lately? I did, and it got me intrigued. I figure the reason for it is the fact that there isn’t anything interesting in the world of music right now. This may sound a bit contradictory, but the thing is that most of the documentaries talk about well-established acts that are past their prime or dead and about some interesting phenomena in music unfamiliar to the wider audience. The two biggest music documentaries in recent years were Amy and Supersonic. One talks about the singer who died young, the other about the band that doesn’t exist anymore. Do you see a pattern?
My personal opinion is that we are living in a world of one-hit wonders, forgettable songs, and musicians that won’t go down in history for making a significant mark on music. Taylor Swift will probably be remembered more for her numerous failed relationships, while few will remember tracks from the likes of Rihanna in the next 50 years. Even the music legends are getting tired, and with each new album, they are undermining their legacy. You don’t have to agree with me, but just take a look back. The Beatles will always find a way into the hearts of new generations because their music is timeless. Today’s “music stars” just come and go. They are expendable, just like their music. If music doesn’t have an important place in your life, I recommend this list of the 12 Best Nature Documentaries on Hulu instead. You may find them more interesting.
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Hulu was founded by Walt Disney Co (NYSE:DIS), Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA), and Twenty-First Century Fox Inc (NASDAQ:FOX) in 2006 and began beta testing in 2007. Time Warner Inc (NYSE:TWX) now owns a 10% stake in the venture as well, which had planned to go public at one point, but has instead remained private. Hulu carries a wide range of programming through its free and paid services, including original programming. Hulu is also planning on launching a live television streaming service at some point in 2017.
To compile our list of the 11 Best Music Documentaries on Hulu, we have checked all available documentaries on Hulu according to Something To Stream. We identified the documentaries that have music as their main topic and then ranked them according to their IMDb rating. The best ones entered our list. Shall we take a look?
11. Gimme Shelter
IMDb rating: 7.9
We are starting our list of best music documentaries on Hulu with this documentary that revolves around The Rolling Stones’ tour across the United States in 1969, documenting its last few weeks. Gimme Shelter primarily focuses on the violent events at the Altamont Free Concert at which The Rolling Stones performed.
10. Meat Loaf: In and Out of Hell
IMDb rating: 7.9
This BBC-made documentary focuses on the life of American musician Meat Loaf, exploring his career and his influence in music. It contains interviews with the artist but also with his close collaborators and friends, who all take part in telling the story behind the music legend.
9. The Punk Syndrome
IMDb rating: 8.0
Get ready to meet Finnish punk sensation Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät. This punk band consists of four members who have autism and Down syndrome, but wouldn’t let that stop them from being musicians. The band even represented Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2015. Through the documentary, you will be able to learn more about its members and see what inspires them to make music.
8. Elvis Presley: From the Beginning to the End
IMDb rating: 8.0
It seems like Elvis Presley keeps providing inspiration for filmmakers around the world, since every once in a while a new documentary about his life or his music surfaces. This one is from 2004 and represents “The King”‘s biography on film. Through interviews with his collaborators, fellow musicians and friends, alongside the archival footage, you will be able to get to know more about Elvis.
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7. Lost Songs: The Basement Tapes Continued
IMDb rating: 8.0
Even if you don’t like Bob Dylan all that much and think his songs are mostly incoherent mumblings, give this documentary a chance. It follows a group of already established musicians like Elvis Costello and members of the bands Mumford and Sons and My Morning Jacket in making a record based on the lyrics of Bob Dylan. The crucial importance of these lyrics lies in the fact that they were written during Bob Dylan’s cult Basement Tapes sessions.
6. Sound and Chaos: The Story of BC Studio
IMDb rating: 8.0
This is a story about one of those legendary studios that was a driving force for underground music. The documentary explores the history of BC Studios and its owner Martin Bisi, who were a part of the underground music scene for 35 years and hosted bands like Sonic Youth, Herbie Hancock, and Swan. And now, let’s see what’s next in our list of best music documentaries on Hulu.
5. Sweet Micky For President
IMDb rating: 8.0
After the disastrous earthquake in 2010 and decades of having an unsteady political situation in the country, Haiti was begging for a fresh start. Controversial Haitian musician Michel Martelly, known as Sweet Micky, decides to take upon the task and enters the country’s Presidential elections, backed by numerous international music stars and other prominent figures. This documentary follows his campaign and documents the struggles Sweet Micky had to overcome in order to give Haiti a proper political option.
4. Tupac Uncensored and Uncut: The Lost Prison Tapes
IMDb rating: 8.3
Our list of the 11 Best Music Documentaries on Hulu has two documentaries that talk about Tupac Shakur. This one features an uncut, never-before-seen interview where Shakur discusses his music and gives an intimate look into his life.
3. Tupac Vs.
IMDb rating: 8.4
Now we go to the second Tupac doc. Tupac Vs. goes more in-depth, leading the audience through the majority of Tupac’s career and exploring how he established himself as one of the greatest rap artists in the history of music. The documentary features interviews with Shakur and his collaborators backed up with rarely seen archival footage.
2. Music from the Big House
IMDb rating: 8.6
This documentary ranks second in our list of best music documentaries on Hulu. It follows Canadian blues singer Rita Chiarelli, who decides to perform a concert in a notorious maximum security prison in Louisiana nicknamed Angola. The interesting thing about her performance isn’t just the location, but the fact that her band consisted of some of the inmates, who were serving prison sentences for rape, murder, and other heinous crimes.
1. Pink: Staying True
IMDb rating: 9.1
It looks like Pink has the upper hand on our list of the 11 Best Music Documentaries on Hulu. This somewhat eccentric and wild lady with a beautiful voice wasn’t always destined to become a music star. In her documentary, Pink shares her life story with the audience, revealing intimate and personal details that had a great influence on her music career. Of course, it will not just be talking, since you will be able to see rare and exciting footage from Pink’s concerts as well.
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