"It has every cliche and then some."
September 13, 2023 2:18 PM Subscribe
Multiple Duran Duran videos but no Bjork, no Busta Rhymes? I know the whole point of these lists is to make you mad but c'mon.
posted by saladin at 2:27 PM on September 13, 2023 [21 favorites]
posted by saladin at 2:27 PM on September 13, 2023 [21 favorites]
All of Missy Elliot’s are tied for first. Or should be. And don’t we think the parent company of the AV club sucks? They fired everyone?
posted by kerf at 2:31 PM on September 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by kerf at 2:31 PM on September 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
The whole time I was scrolling thru this horrendous page I kept thinking “gee, they hand the guts to put Owner of a Lonely Heart first?”
But no, they did not and therefore are wrong.
Lots of other fun finds however.
posted by Farce_First at 2:37 PM on September 13, 2023
But no, they did not and therefore are wrong.
Lots of other fun finds however.
posted by Farce_First at 2:37 PM on September 13, 2023
50. The Buggles, “Video Killed The Radio Star” (1979)
49. Beck, “Loser” (1993)
48. Frankie Goes to Hollywood, “Relax” (1983)
47. Yo La Tengo, “Sugarcube” (1997)
46. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, “Don’t Come Around Here No More” (1985)
45. Aphex Twin, “Come To Daddy” (1997)
44. Taylor Swift, “Blank Space” (2014)
43. LL Cool J, “Going Back To Cali” (1988)
42. Twisted Sister, “We’re Not Gonna Take It” (1984)
41. Elton John, “I’m Still Standing” (1983)
40. Van Halen, “Hot For Teacher” (1984)
39. Janet Jackson, “Rhythm Nation” (1989)
38. Fiona Apple, “Criminal” (1997)
37. Public Enemy, “Fight The Power” (1989)
36. Lady Gaga, “Bad Romance” (2009)
35. Outkast, “Hey Ya!” (2003)
34. Jamiroquai, “Virtual Insanity” (1996)
33. D’Angelo, “Untitled (How Does It Feel)“ (2000)
32. Dire Straits, “Money For Nothing” (1985)
31. Eminem, “The Real Slim Shady” (2000)
30. Fatboy Slim, “Weapon Of Choice” (2001)
29. Duran Duran, “Girls On Film” (1981)
28. Missy Elliott, “Work It” (2002)
27. The White Stripes, “Fell In Love With A Girl” (2002)
26. George Michael, “Faith” (1987)
25. Sonic Youth, “Teen Age Riot” (1988)
24. Eurythmics, “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of These)“ (1983)
23. Cyndi Lauper, “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” (1983)
22. ZZ Top, “Legs” (1983)
21. David Bowie, “Ashes To Ashes” (1980)
20. R.E.M., “Losing My Religion” (1991)
19. Nirvana, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (1991)
18. Madonna, “Like A Prayer” (1989)
17. Weezer, “Buddy Holly” (1994)
16. Talking Heads, “Once In A Lifetime” (1980)
15. Prince, “Kiss” (1986)
14. Michael Jackson, “Billie Jean” (1983)
13. Run DMC featuring Aerosmith, “Walk This Way” (1986)
12. Guns N Roses, “November Rain” (1992)
11. Britney Spears, “...Baby One More Time” (1998)
10. Pulp, “Common People” (1995)
9. Robert Palmer, “Addicted To Love” (1986)
8. Beyonce, “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)“ (2008)
7. Sinead O’Connor, “Nothing Compares 2 U” (1990)
6. Duran Duran, “Hungry Like The Wolf” (1982)
5. a-ha, “Take On Me” (1985)
4. Beastie Boys, “Sabotage” (1994)
3. Michael Jackson, “Thriller” (1982)
2. Madonna, “Vogue” (1990)
1. Peter Gabriel, “Sledgehammer” (1986)
posted by glonous keming at 2:37 PM on September 13, 2023 [38 favorites]
49. Beck, “Loser” (1993)
48. Frankie Goes to Hollywood, “Relax” (1983)
47. Yo La Tengo, “Sugarcube” (1997)
46. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, “Don’t Come Around Here No More” (1985)
45. Aphex Twin, “Come To Daddy” (1997)
44. Taylor Swift, “Blank Space” (2014)
43. LL Cool J, “Going Back To Cali” (1988)
42. Twisted Sister, “We’re Not Gonna Take It” (1984)
41. Elton John, “I’m Still Standing” (1983)
40. Van Halen, “Hot For Teacher” (1984)
39. Janet Jackson, “Rhythm Nation” (1989)
38. Fiona Apple, “Criminal” (1997)
37. Public Enemy, “Fight The Power” (1989)
36. Lady Gaga, “Bad Romance” (2009)
35. Outkast, “Hey Ya!” (2003)
34. Jamiroquai, “Virtual Insanity” (1996)
33. D’Angelo, “Untitled (How Does It Feel)“ (2000)
32. Dire Straits, “Money For Nothing” (1985)
31. Eminem, “The Real Slim Shady” (2000)
30. Fatboy Slim, “Weapon Of Choice” (2001)
29. Duran Duran, “Girls On Film” (1981)
28. Missy Elliott, “Work It” (2002)
27. The White Stripes, “Fell In Love With A Girl” (2002)
26. George Michael, “Faith” (1987)
25. Sonic Youth, “Teen Age Riot” (1988)
24. Eurythmics, “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of These)“ (1983)
23. Cyndi Lauper, “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” (1983)
22. ZZ Top, “Legs” (1983)
21. David Bowie, “Ashes To Ashes” (1980)
20. R.E.M., “Losing My Religion” (1991)
19. Nirvana, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (1991)
18. Madonna, “Like A Prayer” (1989)
17. Weezer, “Buddy Holly” (1994)
16. Talking Heads, “Once In A Lifetime” (1980)
15. Prince, “Kiss” (1986)
14. Michael Jackson, “Billie Jean” (1983)
13. Run DMC featuring Aerosmith, “Walk This Way” (1986)
12. Guns N Roses, “November Rain” (1992)
11. Britney Spears, “...Baby One More Time” (1998)
10. Pulp, “Common People” (1995)
9. Robert Palmer, “Addicted To Love” (1986)
8. Beyonce, “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)“ (2008)
7. Sinead O’Connor, “Nothing Compares 2 U” (1990)
6. Duran Duran, “Hungry Like The Wolf” (1982)
5. a-ha, “Take On Me” (1985)
4. Beastie Boys, “Sabotage” (1994)
3. Michael Jackson, “Thriller” (1982)
2. Madonna, “Vogue” (1990)
1. Peter Gabriel, “Sledgehammer” (1986)
posted by glonous keming at 2:37 PM on September 13, 2023 [38 favorites]
I get they're not going to include everything I would, but...
Johnny Cash - Hurt?
That one was #2 on the RS Top 100 Music Videos. It's not like it's a marginal choice.
Childish Gambino - This Is America?
posted by DirtyOldTown at 2:38 PM on September 13, 2023 [32 favorites]
Johnny Cash - Hurt?
That one was #2 on the RS Top 100 Music Videos. It's not like it's a marginal choice.
Childish Gambino - This Is America?
posted by DirtyOldTown at 2:38 PM on September 13, 2023 [32 favorites]
Time stopped in 2009
posted by lalochezia at 2:41 PM on September 13, 2023 [13 favorites]
posted by lalochezia at 2:41 PM on September 13, 2023 [13 favorites]
I might have put The Reflex in there for one of those Duran Duran videos. That moment when the cascade of liquid comes out to pour onto the audience is just one starkly memorable moment in that video. Peculiar to include Faith and not also include Freedom '90, which is at once the sequel to and the response to and the rejection of the Faith video. And while Weapon Of Choice is an amazing video, I might have gone with Praise You if I were going for "a video that was really culturally important".
But this doesn't seem to be that list. It is a list of videos that are singularly distinctive as representative of the art form of the marriage of music and visual that is the music video.
posted by hippybear at 2:45 PM on September 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
But this doesn't seem to be that list. It is a list of videos that are singularly distinctive as representative of the art form of the marriage of music and visual that is the music video.
posted by hippybear at 2:45 PM on September 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
Weapon of Choice at 30? Nah.
posted by Splunge at 2:49 PM on September 13, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by Splunge at 2:49 PM on September 13, 2023 [4 favorites]
Very pleased to see Windowlicker on that list. I'm sure it was between that and Come To Daddy.
I wouldn't expect it to make a list like this, but the video for Coldplay's Life In Technicolor ii is just surreal enough to be compelling and even a little moving.
posted by grumpybear69 at 2:51 PM on September 13, 2023
I wouldn't expect it to make a list like this, but the video for Coldplay's Life In Technicolor ii is just surreal enough to be compelling and even a little moving.
posted by grumpybear69 at 2:51 PM on September 13, 2023
Time stopped in 2009
Riiiight?
Although when I went to look at videos newer than 2009, my favorite turned out to be "absolutely any Wet Leg video."
posted by DirtyOldTown at 2:53 PM on September 13, 2023 [7 favorites]
Riiiight?
Although when I went to look at videos newer than 2009, my favorite turned out to be "absolutely any Wet Leg video."
posted by DirtyOldTown at 2:53 PM on September 13, 2023 [7 favorites]
Also, I guess this is as good a place as any to share the parody video Single Furries, which is pretty ridiculous but fun overall.
posted by hippybear at 2:55 PM on September 13, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by hippybear at 2:55 PM on September 13, 2023 [2 favorites]
NOTHING by the Avalanches?
Unsubscribe.
posted by alex_skazat at 3:09 PM on September 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
Unsubscribe.
posted by alex_skazat at 3:09 PM on September 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
Half of these have straight-up boring videos. Even if it's a great song, the video isn't good. Elton John, Pulp, Outkast, Duran Duran - Girls on Film, Guns N Roses, Frankie Goes to Hollywood (it's a generic live performance video), Teenage Riot.
Some transcend their songs -Thriller the song gets kinda boring after a while without it's video. It's a bit too long and not enough happens musically.
Also just because Video Killed the Radio Star was the first song played on MTV, it doesn't make it a good video, or even close to the first music video ever made. The US was just really late in getting into music videos.
posted by The_Vegetables at 3:13 PM on September 13, 2023 [6 favorites]
Some transcend their songs -Thriller the song gets kinda boring after a while without it's video. It's a bit too long and not enough happens musically.
Also just because Video Killed the Radio Star was the first song played on MTV, it doesn't make it a good video, or even close to the first music video ever made. The US was just really late in getting into music videos.
posted by The_Vegetables at 3:13 PM on September 13, 2023 [6 favorites]
Multiple Duran Duran videos
Its only two! They were robbed.
posted by biffa at 3:18 PM on September 13, 2023 [7 favorites]
Its only two! They were robbed.
posted by biffa at 3:18 PM on September 13, 2023 [7 favorites]
Kinda feels like this list created by an AI that is somehow also on the verge of retirement.
posted by mhoye at 3:19 PM on September 13, 2023 [30 favorites]
posted by mhoye at 3:19 PM on September 13, 2023 [30 favorites]
I would agree that maybe the Two Tribes video is better than the mainstream Relax video, but the original Relax video was nearly a mini-Caligula.
posted by hippybear at 3:21 PM on September 13, 2023 [6 favorites]
posted by hippybear at 3:21 PM on September 13, 2023 [6 favorites]
No Ok Go? Come on!
posted by DangerIsMyMiddleName at 3:30 PM on September 13, 2023 [14 favorites]
posted by DangerIsMyMiddleName at 3:30 PM on September 13, 2023 [14 favorites]
Too low:
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, “Don’t Come Around Here No More” (1985)
Van Halen, “Hot For Teacher” (1984)
Dire Straits, “Money For Nothing” (1985)
Half of these have straight-up boring videos. Even if it's a great song, the video isn't good. Elton John, Pulp, Outkast, Duran Duran - Girls on Film, Guns N Roses, Frankie Goes to Hollywood (it's a generic live performance video), Teenage Riot.
Agreed on most, hard disagree on Outkast.
posted by kirkaracha at 3:36 PM on September 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, “Don’t Come Around Here No More” (1985)
Van Halen, “Hot For Teacher” (1984)
Dire Straits, “Money For Nothing” (1985)
Half of these have straight-up boring videos. Even if it's a great song, the video isn't good. Elton John, Pulp, Outkast, Duran Duran - Girls on Film, Guns N Roses, Frankie Goes to Hollywood (it's a generic live performance video), Teenage Riot.
Agreed on most, hard disagree on Outkast.
posted by kirkaracha at 3:36 PM on September 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
The videos for “Star Guitar” and “Genghis Khan” are tied for #1. I will not be taking questions at this time.
posted by autopilot at 3:43 PM on September 13, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by autopilot at 3:43 PM on September 13, 2023 [4 favorites]
How on earth can you omit Bonnie Tyler's epic Total Eclipse of the Heart? It's visually inexplicable and delightful. A microcosm of the just-put-anything-in-there aesthetic of the early days of music video.
posted by fikri at 3:49 PM on September 13, 2023 [21 favorites]
posted by fikri at 3:49 PM on September 13, 2023 [21 favorites]
Two personal faves:
Röyksopp - Remind Me
Björk - All Is Full of Love
posted by dephlogisticated at 4:17 PM on September 13, 2023 [13 favorites]
Röyksopp - Remind Me
Björk - All Is Full of Love
posted by dephlogisticated at 4:17 PM on September 13, 2023 [13 favorites]
Wow no. A great music video should be a great video, not just a good song.
Some nominations (most of these I discovered through jwz):
The Limouisnes- Internet Killed the Video Star
Rat vs. Possum - Fat Monk
Eskmo - We Got More (and most anything with Cyriak animations)
Uffie - Difficult
Janelle Monáe- Tightrope
Mika - Lollipop
Anaxaton6 - No Fool Boletus
Angelique Kidjo - Born Under Punches
La femme - L'amour dans le motu
Todd Rundgren and Sparks - Your Fandango
Orkestra Obsolete - Blue Monday
OKGo - The One Moment
Chemical Brothers - Star Guitar (and many other Michel Gondry videos)
Gorillaz - Melancholy Hill
Fiona Apple - Paper Bag
And many more, this is just ones I have saved.
I'll give them "Weapon of Choice", however.
posted by zompist at 4:23 PM on September 13, 2023 [14 favorites]
Some nominations (most of these I discovered through jwz):
The Limouisnes- Internet Killed the Video Star
Rat vs. Possum - Fat Monk
Eskmo - We Got More (and most anything with Cyriak animations)
Uffie - Difficult
Janelle Monáe- Tightrope
Mika - Lollipop
Anaxaton6 - No Fool Boletus
Angelique Kidjo - Born Under Punches
La femme - L'amour dans le motu
Todd Rundgren and Sparks - Your Fandango
Orkestra Obsolete - Blue Monday
OKGo - The One Moment
Chemical Brothers - Star Guitar (and many other Michel Gondry videos)
Gorillaz - Melancholy Hill
Fiona Apple - Paper Bag
And many more, this is just ones I have saved.
I'll give them "Weapon of Choice", however.
posted by zompist at 4:23 PM on September 13, 2023 [14 favorites]
Stacy’s Mom should be in the top 10.
posted by Ideefixe at 4:37 PM on September 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by Ideefixe at 4:37 PM on September 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
That song does have it going on.
posted by hippybear at 4:43 PM on September 13, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by hippybear at 4:43 PM on September 13, 2023 [4 favorites]
> and many other Michel Gondry videos
Star Guitar, yes, and there are so so many but for me, Massive Attack - Protection (one shot!) and The Chemical Brothers - Let Forever Be are two Gondry favorites.
I also love Orbital - The Box starring Tilda Swinton, directed by Luke Losey & Jes Benstock.
some of these videos on the list are gold, but you can tell this list is really mostly beloved mainstream songs with passable videos a lot of people saw on MTV (or wherever). the tell is none of the video directors are credited.
posted by glonous keming at 4:47 PM on September 13, 2023 [5 favorites]
Star Guitar, yes, and there are so so many but for me, Massive Attack - Protection (one shot!) and The Chemical Brothers - Let Forever Be are two Gondry favorites.
I also love Orbital - The Box starring Tilda Swinton, directed by Luke Losey & Jes Benstock.
some of these videos on the list are gold, but you can tell this list is really mostly beloved mainstream songs with passable videos a lot of people saw on MTV (or wherever). the tell is none of the video directors are credited.
posted by glonous keming at 4:47 PM on September 13, 2023 [5 favorites]
Not enough Gondry...let's add
Daft Punk - Around the World
Kylie Minogue - Come in to My World
Cibo Matto - Sugar Water
(There: now I feel better!)
posted by Insert Clever Name Here at 4:51 PM on September 13, 2023 [14 favorites]
Daft Punk - Around the World
Kylie Minogue - Come in to My World
Cibo Matto - Sugar Water
(There: now I feel better!)
posted by Insert Clever Name Here at 4:51 PM on September 13, 2023 [14 favorites]
The list needs Til Tuesday's Voices Carry.
posted by rfs at 4:52 PM on September 13, 2023 [9 favorites]
posted by rfs at 4:52 PM on September 13, 2023 [9 favorites]
Aphex Twin - On, directed by Jarvis Cocker. same mechanic as this list's #1 without all the mugging
posted by glonous keming at 4:54 PM on September 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by glonous keming at 4:54 PM on September 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
Not on anyone's list, but my favorite is True Faith by New Order. Director Philippe Decouflé makes great use of his dance/mime/clown troupe. He also directed She Drives Me Crazy by Fine Young Canibals around the same era. Some of the same bouncy energy, but not as mesmerizing as the New Order video.
posted by Surely This at 5:02 PM on September 13, 2023 [6 favorites]
posted by Surely This at 5:02 PM on September 13, 2023 [6 favorites]
I am appalled at the omission of The Daniels' seminal work "Turn Down For What" which foreshadows their award-winning directorial abilities in its use of metaphor for, uh ... (watches video) ... never mind.
posted by credulous at 5:11 PM on September 13, 2023 [18 favorites]
posted by credulous at 5:11 PM on September 13, 2023 [18 favorites]
This list skews . . uhm . . a bit Caucasian.
For balance (off the top of my head, and in no particular order) here's:
Slave to the Rhythm - Grace Jones
And TLC - Waterfalls
and Nina Simone - My Baby Just Cares For Me
And The Pharcyde - Drop
You are Welcome.
posted by Faintdreams at 5:13 PM on September 13, 2023 [9 favorites]
For balance (off the top of my head, and in no particular order) here's:
Slave to the Rhythm - Grace Jones
And TLC - Waterfalls
and Nina Simone - My Baby Just Cares For Me
And The Pharcyde - Drop
You are Welcome.
posted by Faintdreams at 5:13 PM on September 13, 2023 [9 favorites]
Simon Le Bon almost died making the Wild Boys video, and the people compiling this list chose Girls On Film instead?
Really Models fighting each other?
Pah!
posted by Faintdreams at 5:17 PM on September 13, 2023 [5 favorites]
Really Models fighting each other?
Pah!
posted by Faintdreams at 5:17 PM on September 13, 2023 [5 favorites]
Ctrl+F Meatloaf.
COME ON!
I'd Do Anything for Love was .. EPIC!
posted by Faintdreams at 5:20 PM on September 13, 2023 [2 favorites]
COME ON!
I'd Do Anything for Love was .. EPIC!
posted by Faintdreams at 5:20 PM on September 13, 2023 [2 favorites]
Came for “I’m Still Standing”. Left happy.
posted by sundrop at 5:37 PM on September 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by sundrop at 5:37 PM on September 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
What, no ANIMALS AS LEADERS - Monomyth?
It's almost as if the AI that wrote this wasn't a fan of instrumental progressive metal djent music.
posted by signal at 5:40 PM on September 13, 2023 [2 favorites]
It's almost as if the AI that wrote this wasn't a fan of instrumental progressive metal djent music.
posted by signal at 5:40 PM on September 13, 2023 [2 favorites]
This video is amazing, and I hate Smashing Pumpkins: Tonight, Tonight's lush homage to Georges Melies should have been on that list
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 5:44 PM on September 13, 2023 [9 favorites]
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 5:44 PM on September 13, 2023 [9 favorites]
and there's a wealth of weird shit like Yello's Waba Duba, Devo's R U experienced?, weird visuals for weird music
and all y'all are sleeping therefore on what should have been the number one video on this list, Outkast's B.O.B.
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 5:48 PM on September 13, 2023 [5 favorites]
and all y'all are sleeping therefore on what should have been the number one video on this list, Outkast's B.O.B.
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 5:48 PM on September 13, 2023 [5 favorites]
Steve Reich - Come Out
Frank Sinatra - My Way
Not sure they count as videos but I love them.
posted by dobbs at 5:55 PM on September 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
Frank Sinatra - My Way
Not sure they count as videos but I love them.
posted by dobbs at 5:55 PM on September 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
Green Jellö's Three Little Pigs didn't make the list?!?
posted by Ickster at 6:21 PM on September 13, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by Ickster at 6:21 PM on September 13, 2023 [4 favorites]
I completely agree about Hurt, that is bizarre to say the least.
I would pick a very early REM video, Pretty Persuasion, I remember seeing this on TV way back when and it was so strange and different from most music videos I had seen and I also found it immensely beautiful.
Still my favourite song by them.
posted by Phlegmco(tm) at 6:22 PM on September 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
I would pick a very early REM video, Pretty Persuasion, I remember seeing this on TV way back when and it was so strange and different from most music videos I had seen and I also found it immensely beautiful.
Still my favourite song by them.
posted by Phlegmco(tm) at 6:22 PM on September 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
Look, maybe they just made a categorical decision to not include Weird Al, but c'mon.
posted by stevis23 at 6:49 PM on September 13, 2023 [12 favorites]
posted by stevis23 at 6:49 PM on September 13, 2023 [12 favorites]
I always thought the Stacy’s mom video would have been better if the mom looked like Divine, had a serious lady mustache, and chain smoked the entire time.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 7:03 PM on September 13, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 7:03 PM on September 13, 2023 [2 favorites]
If we're just posting amazing videos, Aldous Harding's Zoo Eyes is fucking fantastic. It just crawls into your brain from the very first frame.
posted by phooky at 7:07 PM on September 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by phooky at 7:07 PM on September 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
Huh, not a single version of U2's "One"?
And truly missed an opportunity by not having Rick Astley at number one.
posted by riverlife at 7:12 PM on September 13, 2023 [10 favorites]
And truly missed an opportunity by not having Rick Astley at number one.
posted by riverlife at 7:12 PM on September 13, 2023 [10 favorites]
Land of Confusion by Genesis! Totally belongs here.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 7:16 PM on September 13, 2023 [15 favorites]
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 7:16 PM on September 13, 2023 [15 favorites]
Janelle Monáe with Erykah Badu - Q.U.E.E.N
Not to mention Django Jane
posted by vverse23 at 7:29 PM on September 13, 2023 [4 favorites]
Not to mention Django Jane
posted by vverse23 at 7:29 PM on September 13, 2023 [4 favorites]
No Annie Lennox?
No More I Love You's
Why
Walking On Broken Glass (Hugh Laurie! John Malkovich!)
posted by maggiemaggie at 7:33 PM on September 13, 2023 [10 favorites]
No More I Love You's
Why
Walking On Broken Glass (Hugh Laurie! John Malkovich!)
posted by maggiemaggie at 7:33 PM on September 13, 2023 [10 favorites]
Yea, Beyonce’s was one of the best OF ALL TIME
posted by gottabefunky at 8:18 PM on September 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by gottabefunky at 8:18 PM on September 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
A more appropriate title might be "50 music videos you've probably seen even though you weren't looking for them."
posted by perhapses at 8:51 PM on September 13, 2023 [7 favorites]
posted by perhapses at 8:51 PM on September 13, 2023 [7 favorites]
Is the link broken for anyone else? All I see is two paragraphs describing a list, and then...no list.
posted by longtime_lurker at 8:56 PM on September 13, 2023
posted by longtime_lurker at 8:56 PM on September 13, 2023
It's a slideshow. There's a link on the picture that will load the next slide, etc. It's tedious.
posted by hippybear at 8:58 PM on September 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by hippybear at 8:58 PM on September 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
Time stopped in 2009
Crazy, innit? Or did it stop in 1978 ? When my sister and I meet back home at a nearby restaurant, it's like going back to a town where time stopped also.
Funny, I did my own list for a couple of friends a couple of years ago ... I don't see a lot of overlap between my list and this list : \ but for those who might want a few additional that were done since, feel free to skim my list (was easy enough to simply copy over) or else keep watching thriller another 25 times if you find that .... thrilling .....
tame impala let it happen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFptt7Cargc
foals olympic airways https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SK9iyQJuFGg
neptune https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw4w0Qh-d08
what went down https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuQQIawCqBA
cafe d’athens https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liM9LaSo3Tw
squarepusher terminal slam https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlhV-OKHecI
megazine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZi5Y7KgzsQ
michael kiwanuka one more night https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Sw2JJ5nSbM
solid ground https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QN9Qw_H_u2g
soft cell frustration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EebuXP2YLE8
young gods tear up the red sky https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RwdS-VfoFQ
annie lennox dido’s lament https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3DFaIovZxc
company flow end to end burners https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3m7E0Gk8gLI
stranglers bear cage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIztU6ehRjU
this song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fMiCcPO5tY
if somethings gonna kill me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3Hby9GOieY
adam and ants tabletalk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFeqKL9IHSU
helado negro invisible heartbeat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcmLOKIBhUM
nin the perfect drug https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dn3j6-yQKWQ
numan i die you die https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Or0cXIBBf9s
nas made you look https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhPtRA7zieE
new order people on the high line https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPnNiHPijTY
everything’s gone green https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRgHSxWnhqk
tutti frutti https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koXE2TuQ1_c
jon hopkins collider https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XtqUOegCv8
kendrick lamar king’s dead https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwAnsAUYnw4
joe jackson mad at you https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9HZxqQ8Ctg
aphex twin t69 collapse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqayDnQ2wmw
interpol the rover https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKDq5dc4wO8
cabaret v nag nag nag https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-IixtxKETU
EE regret https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDSEtWt9u-A
the mariana https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3O7HpIlnxhU
i want a love like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgZ5Bcvnb6Y
no reptiles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbxp3qt9LEc
beta band lion thief https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Qi4G31vkU0
bowie blackstar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kszLwBaC4Sw
i’m afraid of americans https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT3cERVRoQo
underworld appleshine continuum https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhcgUodizro
dexters chalk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FuwaHe6lnI
massive attack angel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbe3CQamF8k
gentle giant his last voyage* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8PWdUgx6rk
proclamation* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYjFP8gildU
stephan bodzin astonautin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkwIntz5LQg
japan nightporter* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCHg5RitlDw
u2 magnificent https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi52HjJbwVQ
celebration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knElTgnoEZc
jungle the heat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4UckOGdZtI
heavy california https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4LkSRXrK34
teardrop explodes reward https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyStfUvTwDo
einsturzende neu sabrina https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnnGYaqjW-A
the human league the black hit of space* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBaL3cPxDbE
fleetwood mac tusk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATMR5ettHz8
martin gore howler https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osewmILqfck
hopsin witch doctor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOdzV3B8GWQ
die this way https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AeQjMZiYoE
dead can dance children of the sun* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNL7mCWUKrI
bear in heaven time between https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjYaoPsFhbA
gang of 4 he’d send in the army https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUt6Mrrp27U
janelle monae + grimes venus fly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTLTXDHrgtw
sparks what the hell is it this time? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC0rzv1j8Zc
dick around https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgakpSoHEiE
siouxsie and b spellbound https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjvvK-Rj0WI
the blaze territory https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54fea7wuV6s
duran duran is there something i should know https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M0hogZyRyU
autechre second bad vilbel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6zT3kVtpHc
neil finn sinner https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSD6GxRyoB4
1 giant leap the way you dream https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-p3aXWe_-U
timbaland the way i are https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5rLz5AZBIA
pil poptones / careering https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAZq_e7iQXc
ulrich schnauss the magic in you https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUp5_o_i3uA
temptations papa was a rolling stone https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYPE7rZkYRg
passengers miss sarajevo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdczQ2LsY0I
radiohead street spirit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCJblaUkkfc
burn the witch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI2oS2hoL0k
knives out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Lpw3yMCWro
leftfield africa shox https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvxbFWY2Hsc
english beat all out to get you https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNRSwAxSM5s
warren g regulate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1plPyJdXKIY
depeche mode get the balance right https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfiISFiozg8
wrong https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhnrrLxQEVQ
talk talk i believe in you https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKtp3SOQE6I&list=RDfKtp3SOQE6I&start_radio=1
front 242 take one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a7dYIFcSdc
simple minds premonition https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bhXIxIbMDo
hans zimmer time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeN-jDGQlpQ
posted by clandestiny's child at 9:09 PM on September 13, 2023 [13 favorites]
Crazy, innit? Or did it stop in 1978 ? When my sister and I meet back home at a nearby restaurant, it's like going back to a town where time stopped also.
Funny, I did my own list for a couple of friends a couple of years ago ... I don't see a lot of overlap between my list and this list : \ but for those who might want a few additional that were done since, feel free to skim my list (was easy enough to simply copy over) or else keep watching thriller another 25 times if you find that .... thrilling .....
tame impala let it happen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFptt7Cargc
foals olympic airways https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SK9iyQJuFGg
neptune https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw4w0Qh-d08
what went down https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuQQIawCqBA
cafe d’athens https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liM9LaSo3Tw
squarepusher terminal slam https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlhV-OKHecI
megazine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZi5Y7KgzsQ
michael kiwanuka one more night https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Sw2JJ5nSbM
solid ground https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QN9Qw_H_u2g
soft cell frustration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EebuXP2YLE8
young gods tear up the red sky https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RwdS-VfoFQ
annie lennox dido’s lament https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3DFaIovZxc
company flow end to end burners https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3m7E0Gk8gLI
stranglers bear cage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIztU6ehRjU
this song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fMiCcPO5tY
if somethings gonna kill me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3Hby9GOieY
adam and ants tabletalk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFeqKL9IHSU
helado negro invisible heartbeat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcmLOKIBhUM
nin the perfect drug https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dn3j6-yQKWQ
numan i die you die https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Or0cXIBBf9s
nas made you look https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhPtRA7zieE
new order people on the high line https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPnNiHPijTY
everything’s gone green https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRgHSxWnhqk
tutti frutti https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koXE2TuQ1_c
jon hopkins collider https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XtqUOegCv8
kendrick lamar king’s dead https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwAnsAUYnw4
joe jackson mad at you https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9HZxqQ8Ctg
aphex twin t69 collapse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqayDnQ2wmw
interpol the rover https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKDq5dc4wO8
cabaret v nag nag nag https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-IixtxKETU
EE regret https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDSEtWt9u-A
the mariana https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3O7HpIlnxhU
i want a love like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgZ5Bcvnb6Y
no reptiles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbxp3qt9LEc
beta band lion thief https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Qi4G31vkU0
bowie blackstar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kszLwBaC4Sw
i’m afraid of americans https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT3cERVRoQo
underworld appleshine continuum https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhcgUodizro
dexters chalk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FuwaHe6lnI
massive attack angel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbe3CQamF8k
gentle giant his last voyage* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8PWdUgx6rk
proclamation* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYjFP8gildU
stephan bodzin astonautin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkwIntz5LQg
japan nightporter* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCHg5RitlDw
u2 magnificent https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi52HjJbwVQ
celebration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knElTgnoEZc
jungle the heat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4UckOGdZtI
heavy california https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4LkSRXrK34
teardrop explodes reward https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyStfUvTwDo
einsturzende neu sabrina https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnnGYaqjW-A
the human league the black hit of space* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBaL3cPxDbE
fleetwood mac tusk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATMR5ettHz8
martin gore howler https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osewmILqfck
hopsin witch doctor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOdzV3B8GWQ
die this way https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AeQjMZiYoE
dead can dance children of the sun* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNL7mCWUKrI
bear in heaven time between https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjYaoPsFhbA
gang of 4 he’d send in the army https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUt6Mrrp27U
janelle monae + grimes venus fly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTLTXDHrgtw
sparks what the hell is it this time? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC0rzv1j8Zc
dick around https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgakpSoHEiE
siouxsie and b spellbound https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjvvK-Rj0WI
the blaze territory https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54fea7wuV6s
duran duran is there something i should know https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M0hogZyRyU
autechre second bad vilbel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6zT3kVtpHc
neil finn sinner https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSD6GxRyoB4
1 giant leap the way you dream https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-p3aXWe_-U
timbaland the way i are https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5rLz5AZBIA
pil poptones / careering https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAZq_e7iQXc
ulrich schnauss the magic in you https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUp5_o_i3uA
temptations papa was a rolling stone https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYPE7rZkYRg
passengers miss sarajevo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdczQ2LsY0I
radiohead street spirit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCJblaUkkfc
burn the witch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI2oS2hoL0k
knives out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Lpw3yMCWro
leftfield africa shox https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvxbFWY2Hsc
english beat all out to get you https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNRSwAxSM5s
warren g regulate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1plPyJdXKIY
depeche mode get the balance right https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfiISFiozg8
wrong https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhnrrLxQEVQ
talk talk i believe in you https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKtp3SOQE6I&list=RDfKtp3SOQE6I&start_radio=1
front 242 take one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a7dYIFcSdc
simple minds premonition https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bhXIxIbMDo
hans zimmer time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeN-jDGQlpQ
posted by clandestiny's child at 9:09 PM on September 13, 2023 [13 favorites]
Peculiar to include Faith and not also include Freedom '90, which is at once the sequel to and the response to and the rejection of the Faith video.
Came here to say just that. I scoffed at the latter song as a kid ("really...poor George Michael...forced to sell out...what a loss to art and humanity"), not getting the subtext at all back then. I still don't really love the song except for workouts, but the video is an amazing 80s-melting-into-90s, glamor-meets-grunge moment.
posted by praemunire at 9:22 PM on September 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
Came here to say just that. I scoffed at the latter song as a kid ("really...poor George Michael...forced to sell out...what a loss to art and humanity"), not getting the subtext at all back then. I still don't really love the song except for workouts, but the video is an amazing 80s-melting-into-90s, glamor-meets-grunge moment.
posted by praemunire at 9:22 PM on September 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
No Ok Go? Come on!
given that I could describe a video or two but couldn't name the songs in question, let alone hum their melody, I can see why they might be absent.
One video that immediately comes to mind for me but never shows up on any list is Public Image Ltd's Rise. I don't know what it's supposed to mean (song or video), but something about it just connects ...
posted by philip-random at 9:23 PM on September 13, 2023 [2 favorites]
given that I could describe a video or two but couldn't name the songs in question, let alone hum their melody, I can see why they might be absent.
One video that immediately comes to mind for me but never shows up on any list is Public Image Ltd's Rise. I don't know what it's supposed to mean (song or video), but something about it just connects ...
posted by philip-random at 9:23 PM on September 13, 2023 [2 favorites]
The list needs Til Tuesday's Voices Carry.
And an honorable mention for the 2012 shot-by-shot remake
posted by treepour at 9:25 PM on September 13, 2023 [4 favorites]
And an honorable mention for the 2012 shot-by-shot remake
posted by treepour at 9:25 PM on September 13, 2023 [4 favorites]
Additionally, nothing from Godley & Creme's work with the Police? C'mon, you have to include Every Breath You Take, which felt almost unbearably sophisticated for the time even if Sting is sporting the dumbest hair imaginable.
(I would also have stuck Petty's You Got Lucky in there.)
posted by praemunire at 9:30 PM on September 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
(I would also have stuck Petty's You Got Lucky in there.)
posted by praemunire at 9:30 PM on September 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
Not to yuck anyone's yum, but "Owner of a lonely heart" is a decent song with a pretty bad video.
I'll put my vote in for Chairlift's Evident Utensil video, which is essentially a master-class on datamoshing with the bonus of an excellent song (and glimpses of the beautiful and talented Caroline Polachek).
posted by maxwelton at 9:45 PM on September 13, 2023
I'll put my vote in for Chairlift's Evident Utensil video, which is essentially a master-class on datamoshing with the bonus of an excellent song (and glimpses of the beautiful and talented Caroline Polachek).
posted by maxwelton at 9:45 PM on September 13, 2023
Sigur Ros - Glósóli
"We don't cry because something is sad, we cry because something is more beautiful than we expected it to be" - Alian De Botton
posted by philip-random at 10:38 PM on September 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
"We don't cry because something is sad, we cry because something is more beautiful than we expected it to be" - Alian De Botton
posted by philip-random at 10:38 PM on September 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
This is such a weird, slapped together list. For starters, it doesn’t have a single song by a non-anglophone artist. It’s also got a bunch of factual errors, probably the most glaring of which is that Jay Kay isn’t dancing on “moving sidewalks” in the Virtual Insanity video, but that the room is on rollers, and is being moved around, and the camera is attached to the room, giving the illusion that the floor is moving.
Also, Hammer and Tongs (a.k.a. Garth Jennings and Nick Goldsmith) should’ve had at least one video on there, probably Blur’s Coffee and Tv.
posted by Kattullus at 11:57 PM on September 13, 2023
Also, Hammer and Tongs (a.k.a. Garth Jennings and Nick Goldsmith) should’ve had at least one video on there, probably Blur’s Coffee and Tv.
posted by Kattullus at 11:57 PM on September 13, 2023
I haven't looked at the list, but I'm going to guess the headline here refers to that Guns & Roses video with Slash wailing away outside a desert church?
posted by Paul Slade at 12:17 AM on September 14, 2023
posted by Paul Slade at 12:17 AM on September 14, 2023
That feels like the list of the 50 most well-known videos, rather than the 50 best.
Two videos by different artists, in different genres, but bound by this same song should be on the 50 best list. But aren't:
Utah Saints - Something Good. Dance choreography, Welsh accents, MC Hammer lawyer-baiting.
Kate Bush - Cloudbusting. Donald Sutherland, Kate, and the video which Peter Gabriel (a collaborator with Kate) said was "better than Sledgehammer".
posted by Wordshore at 3:00 AM on September 14, 2023 [3 favorites]
Two videos by different artists, in different genres, but bound by this same song should be on the 50 best list. But aren't:
Utah Saints - Something Good. Dance choreography, Welsh accents, MC Hammer lawyer-baiting.
Kate Bush - Cloudbusting. Donald Sutherland, Kate, and the video which Peter Gabriel (a collaborator with Kate) said was "better than Sledgehammer".
posted by Wordshore at 3:00 AM on September 14, 2023 [3 favorites]
rosalita - bruce springsteen - they used to play this on mtv a lot - and it's just a crazy, real, almost out of control rock and roll performance
bastards of young - the replacements - i'm not going to claim this should be in the top 50, but it may be the cheapest one ever made
posted by pyramid termite at 3:25 AM on September 14, 2023 [6 favorites]
bastards of young - the replacements - i'm not going to claim this should be in the top 50, but it may be the cheapest one ever made
posted by pyramid termite at 3:25 AM on September 14, 2023 [6 favorites]
What, no The Armed - WHERE MAN KNOWS WANT (Live)!?!?
It's almost as if the AI that wrote this wasn't a fan of experimental post hardcore.
posted by signal at 3:38 AM on September 14, 2023
It's almost as if the AI that wrote this wasn't a fan of experimental post hardcore.
posted by signal at 3:38 AM on September 14, 2023
What,no Spiritbox - Holy Roller?
It's almost as if the AI that wrote this wasn't a fan of melodic metalcore.
posted by signal at 3:42 AM on September 14, 2023
It's almost as if the AI that wrote this wasn't a fan of melodic metalcore.
posted by signal at 3:42 AM on September 14, 2023
Oh, forgot the obvious because it is obvious. If this doesn't make the list of the alleged 50 best music videos of all time, then that list is trash.
The Chemical Brothers - Let Forever Be.
posted by Wordshore at 3:43 AM on September 14, 2023 [5 favorites]
The Chemical Brothers - Let Forever Be.
posted by Wordshore at 3:43 AM on September 14, 2023 [5 favorites]
You Make My Dreams Come True is the best video ever, whatever some dumb list says.
posted by slogger at 4:31 AM on September 14, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by slogger at 4:31 AM on September 14, 2023 [1 favorite]
What, no Red Velvet 레드벨벳 'Dumb Dumb'?
It's almost as if the AI that wrote this wasn't a fan of 3rd Gen K-pop.
posted by signal at 4:51 AM on September 14, 2023 [1 favorite]
It's almost as if the AI that wrote this wasn't a fan of 3rd Gen K-pop.
posted by signal at 4:51 AM on September 14, 2023 [1 favorite]
What, no Rock You Like A Hurricane? It has the best performer storage pods of any video! Lots of the videos on the list don't even bother to store their performers in pods of any kind, therefore they are stupid!
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 4:57 AM on September 14, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 4:57 AM on September 14, 2023 [2 favorites]
"Blackstar" would be a solid choice for Bowie (I don't dislike "Ashes to Ashes", but it's mostly a costume and a video effect), but if you're going to have one Bowie video on there, I'd choose "I'm Afraid of Americans", which is this perfect evocation of urban paranoia. (Guest starring Trent Reznor!)
posted by Halloween Jack at 5:34 AM on September 14, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by Halloween Jack at 5:34 AM on September 14, 2023 [3 favorites]
Another Kate Bush video inexplicably missing - Experiment IV
Richard Vernon! Peter Vaughan! Young Hugh Laurie! Dawn French!
posted by Major Clanger at 7:08 AM on September 14, 2023 [1 favorite]
Richard Vernon! Peter Vaughan! Young Hugh Laurie! Dawn French!
posted by Major Clanger at 7:08 AM on September 14, 2023 [1 favorite]
Among the first music videos for you guessed it. Created as promos for their Help movie. The youtube versions are pretty cut up and generally unavailable, but they actually hit many of the firsts in the Help music videos: lip syncing with instruments, lip syncing without instruments and random scenes & locations. Other music videos existed at the time, but they were generally cuts from a band lip syncing a performance on some tv show.
Psykosonik - Welcome to My Mind supposedly the first music video made that fully featured computer generated animations and graphics. This is dance techno in 1993, and extremely 1993 computer graphics.
Fujiya & Miyagi - Ankle Injuries uses similar techniques to the White Stripes video, but colorful dice instead of legos and turned up to 11. Supposedly doesn't use any computer animation.
Robbie Williams - Rock DJ starts out normal goes unhinged as he rips off his clothes, skin, and meat until he's dancing bones for some adoring ladies (its kinda gross).
posted by The_Vegetables at 7:31 AM on September 14, 2023 [3 favorites]
Psykosonik - Welcome to My Mind supposedly the first music video made that fully featured computer generated animations and graphics. This is dance techno in 1993, and extremely 1993 computer graphics.
Fujiya & Miyagi - Ankle Injuries uses similar techniques to the White Stripes video, but colorful dice instead of legos and turned up to 11. Supposedly doesn't use any computer animation.
Robbie Williams - Rock DJ starts out normal goes unhinged as he rips off his clothes, skin, and meat until he's dancing bones for some adoring ladies (its kinda gross).
posted by The_Vegetables at 7:31 AM on September 14, 2023 [3 favorites]
What, no The Armed - WHERE MAN KNOWS WANT (Live)! yt ?!?
It's almost as if the AI that wrote this wasn't a fan of experimental post hardcore.
If you like that, then you might like the The Helio Sequence- Keep Your Eyes Ahead because they both use programmed lights in similar ways.
posted by The_Vegetables at 7:39 AM on September 14, 2023 [1 favorite]
It's almost as if the AI that wrote this wasn't a fan of experimental post hardcore.
If you like that, then you might like the The Helio Sequence- Keep Your Eyes Ahead because they both use programmed lights in similar ways.
posted by The_Vegetables at 7:39 AM on September 14, 2023 [1 favorite]
What, no NewJeans Hype Boy (MINJI ver.), Hype Boy (HANNI ver.), Hype Boy (DANIELLE&HAERIN ver.), or Hype Boy (HYEIN ver.)?
It's almost as if the AI that wrote this wasn't a fan of multiple videos for single songs in 4th Gen K-pop.
posted by signal at 7:45 AM on September 14, 2023
It's almost as if the AI that wrote this wasn't a fan of multiple videos for single songs in 4th Gen K-pop.
posted by signal at 7:45 AM on September 14, 2023
Needs more Grohl.*
*according to Grohl I assume.
posted by badbobbycase at 8:12 AM on September 14, 2023
*according to Grohl I assume.
posted by badbobbycase at 8:12 AM on September 14, 2023
No Ok Go? Come on!
given that I could describe a video or two but couldn't name the songs in question, let alone hum their melody, I can see why they might be absent.
But isn't that the point of a list of best videos? These are cool videos.
posted by kirkaracha at 8:15 AM on September 14, 2023 [2 favorites]
given that I could describe a video or two but couldn't name the songs in question, let alone hum their melody, I can see why they might be absent.
But isn't that the point of a list of best videos? These are cool videos.
posted by kirkaracha at 8:15 AM on September 14, 2023 [2 favorites]
I'd argue that the best vids do not overwhelm the song. Whoever made all those OK Go vids deserved better songs. Not that Ok Go are awful -- just not exactly The Beatles, or even XTC.
posted by philip-random at 8:43 AM on September 14, 2023
posted by philip-random at 8:43 AM on September 14, 2023
No a-ha - Take On Me (Official Video) [Remastered in 4K] - YouTube. Friggin 'Altered States' callout at the end.
posted by zengargoyle at 8:45 AM on September 14, 2023
posted by zengargoyle at 8:45 AM on September 14, 2023
Take on Me is #5 on the list.
posted by philip-random at 8:46 AM on September 14, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by philip-random at 8:46 AM on September 14, 2023 [1 favorite]
Ha, missed it.
posted by zengargoyle at 8:54 AM on September 14, 2023
posted by zengargoyle at 8:54 AM on September 14, 2023
Videos that were 'banned' from MTV at one time or another (an incomplete list):
Bjork - Pagan Poetry
Burning Human - Tormented Mind
Cher - If I Could Turn Back Time
The Cramps - Creature from the Black Leather Lagoon
DeGarmo & Key - Six, Six, Six
Duran Duran - Girls on Film
Faithless - Bombs
Foo Fighters - Low
Enrique Iglasias - Sad Eyes
Incubus - Megalomaniac
Jay-Z - 99 Problems
M.I.A. - Sunshowers
M.I.A. - Born Free
Madonna - Justify My Love
Madonna - Erotica
Madonna - What it Feels Like for a Girl
Madonna - American Life
Marilyn Manson - (s)AINT
Megadeth - In My Darkest Hour
Megadeth - A Tout le Monde
Mistah FAB - Ghost Ride It
Motley Crue - Girls Girls Girls
Motorhead - Killed By Death
Mr. Bungle - Quote Unquote
Nine Inch Nails - Happiness in Slavery
Nine Inch Nails - Closer
Primus - Lacquer Head
The Prodigy - Smack My Bitch Up
Queen - Body Language
Queen - I Want to Break Free
Sepultura - Arise
Sir Mix-A-Lot - Baby Got Back
Smashing Pumpkins - Try, Try, Try
Soundgarden - Jesus Christ Pose
Suicide Silence - The Price of Beauty
Thirty Seconds to Mars - Hurricane
Tool - Prison Sex
Twisted Sister - Be Chrool to Your Scuel
Wax - California
Neil Young - This Note's For You
posted by box at 8:56 AM on September 14, 2023 [7 favorites]
Bjork - Pagan Poetry
Burning Human - Tormented Mind
Cher - If I Could Turn Back Time
The Cramps - Creature from the Black Leather Lagoon
DeGarmo & Key - Six, Six, Six
Duran Duran - Girls on Film
Faithless - Bombs
Foo Fighters - Low
Enrique Iglasias - Sad Eyes
Incubus - Megalomaniac
Jay-Z - 99 Problems
M.I.A. - Sunshowers
M.I.A. - Born Free
Madonna - Justify My Love
Madonna - Erotica
Madonna - What it Feels Like for a Girl
Madonna - American Life
Marilyn Manson - (s)AINT
Megadeth - In My Darkest Hour
Megadeth - A Tout le Monde
Mistah FAB - Ghost Ride It
Motley Crue - Girls Girls Girls
Motorhead - Killed By Death
Mr. Bungle - Quote Unquote
Nine Inch Nails - Happiness in Slavery
Nine Inch Nails - Closer
Primus - Lacquer Head
The Prodigy - Smack My Bitch Up
Queen - Body Language
Queen - I Want to Break Free
Sepultura - Arise
Sir Mix-A-Lot - Baby Got Back
Smashing Pumpkins - Try, Try, Try
Soundgarden - Jesus Christ Pose
Suicide Silence - The Price of Beauty
Thirty Seconds to Mars - Hurricane
Tool - Prison Sex
Twisted Sister - Be Chrool to Your Scuel
Wax - California
Neil Young - This Note's For You
posted by box at 8:56 AM on September 14, 2023 [7 favorites]
Total Eclipse of the Heart is indeed one of the great videos of all time, but the literal video version is even better.
posted by outgrown_hobnail at 9:14 AM on September 14, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by outgrown_hobnail at 9:14 AM on September 14, 2023 [5 favorites]
glonous keming: “10. Pulp, “Common People” (1995)”I think this is the definitive “Common People” video although I'm positive it was never shown on MTV.
posted by ob1quixote at 10:54 AM on September 14, 2023
There used to be a greasemonkey (or something similar) script that would make a playlist of every youtube video tagged in a mefi post. That'd be worth a few bucks right here, yo'
posted by DigDoug at 10:57 AM on September 14, 2023
posted by DigDoug at 10:57 AM on September 14, 2023
I'd argue that the best vids do not overwhelm the song. Whoever made all those OK Go vids deserved better songs. Not that Ok Go are awful -- just not exactly The Beatles, or even XTC.
I'm not a huge XTC fan, so I'd actually put them and OkGo on approximately the same level in music, but the video for Wonderland is better than the Tom Petty one in the top 50 list, and does a better job referencing Alice in Wonderland.
posted by The_Vegetables at 11:27 AM on September 14, 2023
I'm not a huge XTC fan, so I'd actually put them and OkGo on approximately the same level in music, but the video for Wonderland is better than the Tom Petty one in the top 50 list, and does a better job referencing Alice in Wonderland.
posted by The_Vegetables at 11:27 AM on September 14, 2023
Best NIN Closer (Fan Video) - YouTube video.
Still today, MeFi would be on the "easy to scrape" if you wanted to.
posted by zengargoyle at 11:56 AM on September 14, 2023 [1 favorite]
There used to be a greasemonkey (or something similar) script that would make a playlist of every youtube video tagged in a mefi post. That'd be worth a few bucks right here, yo'I tried making one once. But I'm more of a Systems Programmer sort and not wanting to get involved with making it automagic and no real site interest and YouTube policy of making a playlist of that sort.... gave up. I didn't want to be the one who web-crawls and screen-scrapes MeFi threads to build an unauthorized YouTube/Vimeo/etc channel of links. Otherwise.... pretty easy from the inside to pull out links when you can fetch them when posted.... It's like an 8 or 9 on my "doable" list. I might still have the code laying around that just makes a plain HTML page of video links when given a post link.
Still today, MeFi would be on the "easy to scrape" if you wanted to.
posted by zengargoyle at 11:56 AM on September 14, 2023 [1 favorite]
I think this is the definitive “Common People” video although I'm positive it was never shown on MTV.
Es verdad.
posted by kirkaracha at 12:32 PM on September 14, 2023
Es verdad.
posted by kirkaracha at 12:32 PM on September 14, 2023
Maybe my favorite music video I learned about on MeFi in the last few years was adios by Jawny, which is a great song paired with a single shot stunt driving run tracked by drone, all with Jawny singing/lip syncing while hanging out the passenger side window.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 12:42 PM on September 14, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 12:42 PM on September 14, 2023 [2 favorites]
They entirely left out They Might Be Giants.
posted by JHarris at 1:58 PM on September 14, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by JHarris at 1:58 PM on September 14, 2023 [5 favorites]
What, no Residente - This is Not America?
It's almost as if the AI that wrote this wasn't a fan of left-wing protest reggaeton.
posted by signal at 2:24 PM on September 14, 2023
It's almost as if the AI that wrote this wasn't a fan of left-wing protest reggaeton.
posted by signal at 2:24 PM on September 14, 2023
Hey ya might be #35 in this list but it is my all time favorite. Shake it like a polaroid picture!!!!!
posted by bluesky43 at 3:04 PM on September 14, 2023
posted by bluesky43 at 3:04 PM on September 14, 2023
Just straight up sleeping on Tonight, Tonight by the Smashing Pumpkins and non Nine Inch Nails. That is a choice.
posted by es_de_bah at 4:17 PM on September 14, 2023
posted by es_de_bah at 4:17 PM on September 14, 2023
I'm not really a fan of lists like this, which conflate "best" and "greatest", and don't have clear criteria for whatever it is they're ranking. If this was supposed to be a list of the most influential videos, there's a bunch they're missing. If it was the most critically acclaimed videos, there's a bunch they're missing. Many others here have already mentioned videos that I would've included in, or at least strongly considered for, such a list ("Drop", "Star Guitar", "Baby Got Back", "Total Eclipse of the Heart", "Land of Confusion", most anything by Bjork or Weird Al, etc.). The list as it is is pretty pedestrian, and fits with its apparently hand-wavy definition of "greatest".
Enjoying everyone's recs and/or gripes here, though. It's ultimately what these posts are for, right?
posted by May Kasahara at 5:48 PM on September 14, 2023 [1 favorite]
Enjoying everyone's recs and/or gripes here, though. It's ultimately what these posts are for, right?
posted by May Kasahara at 5:48 PM on September 14, 2023 [1 favorite]
The all time best music video is Peter Gabriel's "Sledgehammer".
posted by neuron at 9:38 PM on September 14, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by neuron at 9:38 PM on September 14, 2023 [3 favorites]
There's a large element of "established artists throws a lot of money to some people to lazily spend it all making a video" way, and less of the "innovating on a budget" type of video.
Examples of the latter, from groups who did it well and really should be on this list:
1. Madness, and the video for the feel-good Wings of a Dove.
2. Little Big (now in exile in LA from Russia), and the videos for [borderline NSFW] Big Dick and Go Bananas.
posted by Wordshore at 3:10 AM on September 15, 2023
Examples of the latter, from groups who did it well and really should be on this list:
1. Madness, and the video for the feel-good Wings of a Dove.
2. Little Big (now in exile in LA from Russia), and the videos for [borderline NSFW] Big Dick and Go Bananas.
posted by Wordshore at 3:10 AM on September 15, 2023
Although when I went to look at videos newer than 2009, my favorite turned out to be "absolutely any Wet Leg video."
Yes! Small budget + innovation + unrestrained energy + cracking tune = Chaise Longue
posted by Wordshore at 3:16 AM on September 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
Yes! Small budget + innovation + unrestrained energy + cracking tune = Chaise Longue
posted by Wordshore at 3:16 AM on September 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
I missed This Is America first time scrolling down comments.
On second pass, it stands out, bright and blinking.
Yes, it should have made a showing at least in place of a repeated artist.
posted by filtergik at 5:14 AM on September 15, 2023
On second pass, it stands out, bright and blinking.
Yes, it should have made a showing at least in place of a repeated artist.
posted by filtergik at 5:14 AM on September 15, 2023
I think This Is America is an outstanding short film, but I don't think it's a good music video.
It's simply not a song that sticks in the head. I mean, a good music video can take a very mediocre song, like Don't Come Around Here No More, and make it a decades-long hit. But This Is America just isn't a song anyone goes around humming to themselves.
It's a really great work of art and one of the strongest social statements to come out in that form that I've ever seen. But I don't think of it as actually a good music video.
posted by hippybear at 5:22 AM on September 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
It's simply not a song that sticks in the head. I mean, a good music video can take a very mediocre song, like Don't Come Around Here No More, and make it a decades-long hit. But This Is America just isn't a song anyone goes around humming to themselves.
It's a really great work of art and one of the strongest social statements to come out in that form that I've ever seen. But I don't think of it as actually a good music video.
posted by hippybear at 5:22 AM on September 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
It's a really great work of art and one of the strongest social statements to come out in that form that I've ever seen. But I don't think of it as actually a good music video.
The Residente video listed above takes the idea of This is America, and turns it up to 11. I think those videos are more like mini-movies (or PSA's about an aspect of the 'real world' that is hidden from many of us) and barely even songs.
posted by The_Vegetables at 9:01 AM on September 15, 2023
The Residente video listed above takes the idea of This is America, and turns it up to 11. I think those videos are more like mini-movies (or PSA's about an aspect of the 'real world' that is hidden from many of us) and barely even songs.
posted by The_Vegetables at 9:01 AM on September 15, 2023
I regularly quote This is America - ‘this is a celly, ha, that is a tool, ya’.
It’s the singular music video of the last decade.
posted by zenon at 4:18 PM on September 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
It’s the singular music video of the last decade.
posted by zenon at 4:18 PM on September 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
What, no Flyleaf - I'm So Sick - Acoustic - Corrected Timing?
It's almost as if the AI that wrote this wasn't a fan of acoustic versions of mid 2000s Christian metal with really great screaming.
posted by signal at 5:28 PM on September 15, 2023
It's almost as if the AI that wrote this wasn't a fan of acoustic versions of mid 2000s Christian metal with really great screaming.
posted by signal at 5:28 PM on September 15, 2023
> But This Is America just isn't a song anyone goes around humming to themselves.
this is the weirdest thing i've ever seen on metafilter.
anyway, came here to say that if anyone's got a top n music video list that doesn't have montero i fuck with neither them nor their list. montero is perfect. every scene is more beautiful and audacious than the one before it, and it's beautiful and audacious right from the first scene.
also there's a quote from the symposium right in the middle, and i don't know about you but i for one am a sucker for anything that quotes from the symposium.
posted by bombastic lowercase pronouncements at 6:14 PM on September 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
this is the weirdest thing i've ever seen on metafilter.
anyway, came here to say that if anyone's got a top n music video list that doesn't have montero i fuck with neither them nor their list. montero is perfect. every scene is more beautiful and audacious than the one before it, and it's beautiful and audacious right from the first scene.
also there's a quote from the symposium right in the middle, and i don't know about you but i for one am a sucker for anything that quotes from the symposium.
posted by bombastic lowercase pronouncements at 6:14 PM on September 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
I also stan Lil Nas X and am awaiting his next musical offering
posted by hippybear at 6:18 PM on September 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by hippybear at 6:18 PM on September 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
The answer is Simple Math by Manchester Orchestra, directed by The Daniels of Everything Everywhere All At Once fame. CONTENT WARNING: there's a motor crash, it's a super upsetting video, I can't watch it without crying and I love it to tears.
Also there's a Salvatore Ganacci video for everyone. Mine is Step-Grandma.
posted by Ice Cream Socialist at 7:00 PM on September 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
Also there's a Salvatore Ganacci video for everyone. Mine is Step-Grandma.
posted by Ice Cream Socialist at 7:00 PM on September 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
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