If that’s a category, then no contest - the award goes to Macklemore’s Same Love.
Being born in 1970 and like a lot of dopers here I was part of the MTV generation and my entire teens were the 80s. The one video that makes me reminisce for that time is David Lee Roth’s Just a Gigalo which is an entire satire of 80s videos complete with the music video censorship debate of the times.
Lemon Jelly were awesome; I’m also fond of the video for Slow Train {which, amazing, was based around a Flanders and Swann sample} :you get so keen for one computer generated line to beat the other.
Some great classics listed here already. My out-there contribution is Menomena, Evil Bee. Give it a watch, you won’t be disappointed.
Exactly what I was going to say.
What a music video should be.
Tool, “Stinkfist”: Game of War: Fire Age - English Trailer - YouTube
Monster Magnet, “The Duke”: MONSTER MAGNET - The Duke (Official Video) | Napalm Records - YouTube
I don’t really know anything about the band, but this one is incredible, from the directors of Turn Down for What. The music is completely different, a more emotional song with the performance taking place entirely during a car wreck-
Ah-Ha, Take on Me. So awesome.
“Happiness in Slavery” by Nine Inch Nails. Perhaps the only music video in history which was subjected to an FBI investigation for possibly being a snuff film.
White Wedding - Billy Idol. (except for the black leather dorks shaking their butts right in the middle.) Anything by Billy Idol!
Safety Dance - Men Without Hats.
Adam Ant - Prince Charming (Cinderella!)
Oh, there are too many to list. Far as I’m concerned, the 80’s were the high point of music videos. I don’t know 2/3 of the bands mentioned up above.
Prodigy - Smack my bitch up
Too many to choose from but here are two:
Biting Elbows - Bad Motherfucker (PG-13 warning)
The above video, with Sting, Summers and Copeland dancing around the recording studio has long been a favourite.
Also anything Talking Heads:
Talking Heads - Once in a lifetime
No no no. The best Police video is the one for Synchronicity II.
Wow. Thanks for all the responses and links.
I feel my hard-drive is going to grow a little smaller now with all these suggestions.
Keep them coming!
The Replacements, “Bastards of Young.”
Steriogram, Walkie Talkie Man. Especially for knitting fans.